Howdy, y'all,

We're looking to join the offroad T100 world, and I've found a 1996 4x4 in otherwise excellent condition asking $6k, but it has 300,000 miles. They are claimed to be almost all highway, and I may believe that since they also claim the original clutch! Also have all service records.

The 3.4L may have a great reputation for toughness, but 300k miles is a lot. The heads were "done" at 200k, I'm guessing gasket recall and valve adjust, don't know if anything more substantial. What I'm worried about is the bottom end.

What do you think? I presume it's time to pull the engine, replace main/thrust/rod bearings, rings, maybe oil pump. Any idea what the book time / cost for this would be? More importantly, in what condition would the engine be afterwards? "Good as new", or lurking problems? We want something we can be danged sure will not quit on the trail.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,
Thanks,
Alex