Any toyota experts out there?

[motg9_6]

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/crossover-eliminator-diy-198561/

check out this link for pretty much eliminating the head gasket issue..
im doig it to mine right now and a buddy did it to his when he rebuilt.

[BsB]

The exhaust cross over on the 3.0's was the main culprit for head gaskets failing. Typically the it was one of the cylinders in the back of the motor that would have the gasket fail due to heat buildup. Toyota changed the design with the 3.4 which was commonly swapped in place of the 3.0. That cross over eliminator kit is a good idea also.
If your family is the original owner and its been garaged for 20+ years with proper maintenance $4k is a good price. You could even shoehorn a 7mgte in that baby.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[bucklucky]

I have a set of 600.00 headers I had on mine , still blew head gasket.

Id buy it even if the motor was bad and put a 3.4 in it or a 4.3 chev.

[rtspring]

You ready to do some scouting around?

[bucklucky]

We need a picture of your ride. I will never get rid of my 91.

[thinkingman]

The 3.0 sucks a lot of gas while only producing about 150hp. They're not as reliable as other toyota engines and they're a mess under the hood if you do have to work on them. If you rate an engine on reliability, power, and fuel economy, the 3.0 fails all three categories.
The 2.7l 4cyl that toyota used later did everything the 3.0 was supposed to, and did it better. It makes the same power with about 25% better mpg and very few problems.

This, plus frames literally rusting away, suspension that doesn't suspend, all the things that make a truck a truck....Toyota fails.
They do look cool with a lift kit and tires, I guess.

[rainshadow1]

I have had severaal, pickups and 4runners. 2.2, 3.0, 2.7, and 3.4. You are getting good information above, very good little rigs, 3.0 tends to be hard on headgaskets. Price is fair at 4, pretty good at 35, 5 to 7 k is stupid, not a steal until 3.

I love toyotas for what they're made for. I am out of the buisness now, but dtill have a 97 4runner (3.4) as my personal rig.

[saylean]

The 90-94's had a recall on the head gasket...I used to have a 90 back in 95 and had it replaced twice.

I still drive toyotas all the time. I currently have a 95 4runner. Everyone else has pretty much covered it. Good luck!

[bucklucky]

Oh and one last thing to add, Toyotas like to get stolen ..... buddy just got his mint 97 tacoma stolem yesterday along with a bunch of stuff from his house...

[gotshot]

Just saying, If your going to spend 4000 You probably can't get a better rig.

[Orion88]

Any thoughts on a 98 or 99 Tacoma with about 250k miles for $5k? Any particular issues I should look at?

[rainshadow1]

Look for looseness, everywhere. That's lots of miles. From the door hinges to the transition from gear to gear, and everything in between. Go with your gut. Lots of miles for 5k.

[Orion88]

Thanks Rainshadow. Great advice. I will keep looking, but hard to find decent Tacoma with lower miles at fair price.

[BigGoonTuna]

they are very hard to find.  even the older trucks haven't gone down much in value.

i paid $6500 for my '98 tacoma 4x4, regular cab back in 2008.  it had 170k on the clock, 220k now.  i've replaced the rear wheel bearings, and had the alternator rebuilt in that time frame, no other mechanical issues.

[Orion88]

You're right BigGoonTuna, Tacomas have not gone down much, if any, in value.  I will keep searching.