Hilux 4x4 Forum

Hi guys,
I’m totally new here and I am looking at getting a 1994 4runner with 160k on the clock. The 3VZ motor. (3ltr V6) I test drove her yesterday and she felt sluggish and didn’t like hills to much. She left like my current 1989 FJ62 land cruiser with 3F motor. I expected allot more from the V6 and much lighter body??? I have a few questions-
1. What problems do these 4runners tend to have/get on the motor? I’ve been reading and blown head gaskets and valves comes up allot? How true is this?
2. What fuel consumption can I expect; I do not drive fast at all- between 90-110km/ph.
3. How capable off road are these 4runners?
4. And if I decide/had to swap motors, what would be the best choice? Other than the 1UZ Lexus motor. I would like the KZ-TE motor in there? Where could I source one and what cost would I be looking at? Assuming I also fit the G-Box and T-case from the KZ-TE.
Also, any other info you could volunteer would be much appreciated as I really do not want to burn my fingers here.

Kindest regards.

Hi Neal and welcome!
I've also heard a bit about the 3lit giving problems and that the 3.4lit (Prado) was a better motor. The vehicles are very capable, but as for the engine conversions, one of the KZ guys can tell you more. Not a diesel fan myself.

A while back I copied a post to this forum from an American Forum where the owner (Mark) had problems with a V6, not sure whether it is the same engine though. I tried to find it again but no luck. In the post, he gave an interesting breakdown of what actually happened to his engine.


-F_D

I remember the article .... something about the guy had oil circulation problems and siezed the motor, but it had just been overhauled a short time before ..... can't remember which V6 it was though.

See, this kind of info is what i need. so it is true that there are issues with this motor?? hmmm... i have been reading around and i do like the idea of the 1KD-FTV motor. the current 3ltr D4D motor. (127kw and 380Nm) i have recently done a trip in a hilux KZ-TE 4x4 (96kw and 280Nm) was very very impressed. so the D4D can only be more impressive.
where would i be able to source this kind of motor? the other option is the 4lt V6 from the Fortuner.

what would i need for this conversion? will the 4runners Gearbox and clutch handle the power from these engines? (my plan is to source a Engine and gearbox so i dont have to mess around with bell housings and such.) but in the event i cant find this is the $$ is to much, i just want a easy conversion. would i need the the computer box's etc....

thanks guys, much appreciated.