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

If it shows no signs of bottom end problems, I don't think I'd worry about it. Many of us here are well over 200k and bottom end failures on this engine are almost unheard of. I'm surprised they even had to have the heads "done."

You also mention "the trail," so I'm guessing you don't really need to worry about getting another 100-200k out of it...? AFAIK, bottom ends will generally give you some warning before leaving you stranded.

However, if/when the time came for a "rebuild," I'd probably just get a lower milage (I'd even consider 100K on this engine fairly "low") long block from a junkyard and drop it in.

Just my two cents...

I have a 1995 T100 4X4 Xtrcab Auto A/C That is in Great shape with less miles on it 148,000 that I will sell for $7500.00 Email me at fived@fuse.net if you are interested.

IMHO, Toyota bottom ends are virtually indestructable. My step-son's 3.0L burned #6 exhaust valve at 130,000, and I decided to check the bottom end while I had it apart. You could still see some of the original honing marks in the cylinders (even at the top -- the blocks must be harder than the "hubs of hades"), and the bearing clearances and crank journals were still on the tight side of the specs for a new engine.

If the truck has had regular oil changes, I wouldn't be afraid of it at all.

Thanks EricB and Whizkidder for your reassuring, if surprising response. I come from the Taurus SHO, where the Yamaha 3.0L V6 DOHC is also considered extremely tough, way overbuilt, and rebuilds are extremely rare -- *except* the rod bearings are basically a maintenance wear item after about 100k, especially for the MTX, lefst you throw a rod <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> But they can easily be changed with the engine in the car. So, the idea of going 300k without worrying about the bottom end is, well, crazy scary!

By "trail" I mean going up rough dirt roads in the desert and mountains, by ourselves, no cell service. You're right that we probably don't need to get another 100k out of the truck, but we definitely don't need to hear rod knock start far from home.

BTW, the heads were "done" because the Toyota dealer advised the owner it was necessary at that mileage. FWIW.

My remaining question is, since 300k will be a very tough sell for my g/f, but at considerable discount, *if* we had the block pulled and refreshed, would it be considered "nearly-good-as-new"? Or just so/so? I notice the rebuild kits contain not just bearings and rings, but also pistons!?

PS: Hackattack, thanks for the offer -- but Cincinnati is a long way from San Diego.

Sure, why not, if you have trashed the bottom end you might have some cylinder wear too. I don't think either is very common.

Stuff does wear out, but this truck is fun to work on. Nothing crammed into tight spaces here.