4 Cylinders vs. 6 Cylinders
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Date: Mon, 19 May 97 12:14:44 UT
From: "Richard Springett" <78cruiser@msn.com>
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: toy4x4@tlca.org
My .02$ here,
I have owned several of both, and I prefer the V6. Advantage 4cyl for
aftermarket parts availability, ease of working on, gas mileage. If you
get a pre-EFI carbuerated version additional advantage for ease to work
on, less advantage for fuel mileage.
V6 advantage is torque available at lower RPM, greater HP at higher RPM,
greater resale value, aftermarket is beginning to catch up with parts
availability.
I would not worry greatly about the head gasket. Drive both for seat
of the pants. I would not purchase a Toyota that did not have a VIN
beginning JT_________. If it does not have this it was built elsewhere
(probably 3 different places, and assembled in Kentucky or California).
The Japanese ones are superior IMHO.
Good luck
Rick
TLCA #5042
88 4Runner SR5 V6 5spd (mine)
94 4Runner SR5 V6 auto (hers)
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Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 08:28:56 -0400
From: Brian Rau
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
At 12:30 PM 5/19/97, Rick Springett wrote:
>My .02$ here,
>I have owned several of both, and I prefer the V6. <...snip...>
>I would not worry greatly about the head gasket. Drive both for seat
>of the pants.
[RANT MODE ON]
And for my $.02 I'm going to contradict Rick and recommend AGAINST the V6.
I'm really pissed at the whole head gasket situation, and particularly
Toyota's handling of it. I've never received any notice from Toyota about
the problem, and when mine blew I had the repair done out-of-pocket at an
independent shop because I don't trust the dealer's service dept (another
story). I got my reimbursement eventually, but if I hadn't heard from
other owners who were getting theirs replaced at the dealer for free, I'm
sure Toyota would have happily let me foot the bill. After all, paying for
all these repairs eats into their bottom line...
Now, that didn't stop me from buying a '90 Toy 4x2 a couple months ago for
a "around town, hauling dirt" car. But I got the 22R, and I personally
wouldn't consider anything with a 3.0l V6 unless it had already had the
head gasket replaced. After all, how comfy would you feel driving around
in the desert or wherever with that uncertainty?
[RANT MODE OFF]
Thanks, I feel better now!
==============================================================
Brian D. Rau, Project Engineer Voice: (513) 831-2881 x167
Computer Technology Corp. FAX: (513) 831-5042
50 W. Technecenter Dr. e-mail: brau@ctcusa.com
Milford, OH 45150 USA Web Page: www.ctcusa.com
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Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 10:04:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kevin Valentine
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
It disturbs me too. I've got an '88 4Runner with the V6 but have had no
problems with it whatsoever. I've heard so many differnt versions of
which ones are affected, and what the actuall problem is. The scenario
that I seem to have taken to be most valid is as follows:
1. Head gasket failures in the Toy V6 3.0 is most prevalent in '91 model yr.
2. It does affect mostly '89 and later models.
3. Toyota has extended warranty to 100,000 or 8 yrs.
4. Its actually a design flaw in the head bolts.
5. It will blow the gasket again after it has been replaced with a new one.
Now there's been so many differences in this information and I'd like to
get an actual explanation from Toyota that thouroughly outlines the
problem that plaques the V6's. Does anyone have any ties or contacts high
up at Toyota that could provide us with this.
On another note but related, I'm considering buying a new '97 Tacoma 4x4
but this whole V6 thing still worries me. It seems like Toyota is really
skirting the whole issue and that may affect my buying decision. BTW I'm
thinking of going with the 2.7 litre 4. Any input on that engine would be
appreciated. How about its pulling capacity? One I drove seemed to lock
up the brakes pretty easy, is that common with the Tacoma's?
c-ya's
--------------------
Date: 20 May 97 12:16:13 PDT
From: Norman.Goetz@directory.Reed.EDU (Norman Goetz)
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
- --- You wrote:
BTW I'm
thinking of going with the 2.7 litre 4. Any input on that engine would be
appreciated. How about its pulling capacity? One I drove seemed to lock
up the brakes pretty easy, is that common with the Tacoma's?
- --- end of quoted material ---
I have a '97 with the 2.7L. It's all the power I want, but I'm not expecting
to do steep hills, deep mud, or tow a trailer. I special-ordered ABS so lockup
is not possible.
Norman
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Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 14:22:09 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Bruce Burden"
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
>>
>> BTW I'm
>> thinking of going with the 2.7 litre 4. Any input on that engine would be
>> appreciated. How about its pulling capacity? One I drove seemed to lock
>> up the brakes pretty easy, is that common with the Tacoma's?
>
I have a 95.5, no damn ABS. A couple of times I have had to
stomp on the brake. A tire or two howled, but the vehicle stayed
straight, and I definitely was slowing.
>
> I have a '97 with the 2.7L. It's all the power I want, but I'm not
> expecting to do steep hills, deep mud, or tow a trailer. I
> special-ordered ABS so lockup is not possible.
>
Sounds like the 2.7L is a good choice, then. I have the
V-6. It was a pleasure to drive through the big hills in the
Virginias and not have to downshift. Well, okay, once I had
to downshift. I had nearly reached the crest of the hill, and
the cruise had dropped from 65 to 53 or so, then kicked out.
I guess the cruise decided it was out of its parameters, so it
kicked off. I had to go to 4th go get back up to speed. And, it
allowed all of those damn mini-vans to almost catch back up. :-)
Bruce
- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Burden bruceb@isd.tandem.com Tandem Computers Inc.
512-432-8944 Network Verification 14231 Tandem Blvd.
Auto answer(4 rings) Austin, TX 78726
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Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 22:57:17 -0700
From: James Brink
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
I have been playing with a 2.7l/ 5-speed equipped 4Runner (2wd) for the
past couple of weeks and have found the 2.7l to be most adequate in many
situations. Of course, after the addition of the soon-to-be-legal Downey
header, the fun-factor has noticeably risen a few notches.
- --
Jim Brink 1986 Standard Bed 4X4/22R
Toyota/ASE Certified Technician 135,000 Miles
brinkjm@earthlink.net 32" BFG All-Terrain T/As
Stock 4.10 gears
Rear Lock-Right (TRD)
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Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 10:55:59 -0400
From: Brian Rau
Subject: 4cyl vs V6
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
At 12:30 PM 5/20/97, Kevin Valentine wrote:
>Now there's been so many differences in this information and I'd like to
>get an actual explanation from Toyota that thouroughly outlines the
>problem that plaques the V6's. Does anyone have any ties or contacts high
>up at Toyota that could provide us with this.
No contacts at Toyota, but I did personally speak to the mechanic who
repaired mine, and saw the failed head gasket he removed (wish I'd kept
it!). The problem is that one of the coolant channels lies very close to
the cylinder wall, meaning that there's very little gasket between the two.
The gasket will fail there, leaking major amounts of coolant into cylinder
#6, I believe (I've heard of other cyls being affected, but 6 seems to be a
common one). Mine accumulated enough fluid in there such that I finally
couldn't even turn the engine over. This all happened in about 5 minutes
worth of driving around at lunchtime, so it can fail very fast. The
mechanic did tell me that the head gasket had been redesigned and was now
reinforced in that area. Unfortunately, that little independent shop has
closed down, so now that I know more, I can't follow up with them for
further info exchange. I'm not sure anybody's had enough time/mileage on
the "new" head gaskets to be sure about their reliability yet...
Some web sites with info on this problem are:
http://www.the-summit-group.com/rec/4x4/toyota.html
http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota/4runner/topqs.html
==============================================================
Brian D. Rau, Project Engineer Voice: (513) 831-2881 x167
Computer Technology Corp. FAX: (513) 831-5042
50 W. Technecenter Dr. e-mail: brau@ctcusa.com
Milford, OH 45150 USA Web Page: www.ctcusa.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 19:16:52 -0400
From: Ed.Wong@astramerck.com
Subject: V? Head gasket
To: " - (052)toy4x4 (a) tlca.org"
I had heard from a parts guy at the locak Yota shop (who will deny he
knows me) that the "fix" is a copper staple in the head gasket!
EWong
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Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 11:55:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: DRM033@aol.com
Subject: V? Head gasket
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
In a message dated 97-05-21 19:53:05 EDT, you write:
>
> I had heard from a parts guy at the locak Yota shop (who will deny he
> knows me) that the "fix" is a copper staple in the head gasket!
>
> EWong
I think the fix is to make the staple longer. The staple being there is
part of the problem in the first place. I heard this from someone else, who
is, I think, on the list now. Wanna explain, Chris?
David
DRM033@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 05:26:31 -0700
From: "Dan Smith"
Subject: 4cyl. vs.v6
To:
My 2sense worth. I have the 22re in my 90 4-Runner. It was a little lacking
in power...until... I had the 529 gears installed. Now, plenty of power;
went over the 5400 ft. North Cascades Highway yesterday with no problem &
power left to pass with. My crawl speed 4-wheeling has greatly improved;
best investment I ever made! Still got 22 mpg on this trip w/31" tires. If
you do go with the 22re I would highly recommend investing in the gears.
Dan Smith
prism@premier1.net
90 4-Runner 529 gears; detroit softlocker-rear; true trac-front; 3"
rancho-front; 10" travel Downey-rear; Warn xd9000i
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 27 May 1997 13:28:37 -0700
From: "Jay Kopycinski"
Subject: 4Runner - 4 or 6?
To: "Toyota 4x4 List"
Subject: Time: 9:13 AM
OFFICE MEMO 4Runner - 4 or 6? Date: 5/27/97
Scott wrote:
>How long is Toyota's extended warranty on the V6? I seem to remember 200k
>miles, but cant remember the # of years.
100k miles or 8 years.
>Is there *that* much difference in power between a 2.4l 4cyl and a 2.5l V6?
Here is my experience:
'85 Xtra Cab - put 113k miles on the 22RE, mods included header,
exhaust, cam, running 225s and 31s with the stock 4.10s, and
31s and 32s with 4.88s
'91 4unner - 3.0l V6 - ~40k miles with the stock engine,
4.56s, and 31s
The V6 is definitely quicker and pulls better than the 22RE.
However, since it is a small V6 the jump in hp and torque
is not huge. You will also find the V6 costs in loss of gas
mileage too.
I feel they are both reliable engines (except the V6 head
gasket fiasco), but the 22RE has a small edge in reliability.
The 22RE is easier to work on due to it's simpler design
and more free space under the hood. There are also more
aftermarket parts for the 22RE.
If you want all the power you can get, definitely go for
the V6 AND the manual instead of the auto.
I don't think you can go wrong with either engine.
________________________________________
Jay Kopycinski '85 Toylet (ROKTOY) '91 4Runner
Gilbert, AZ
ryna10@email.sps.mot.com
http://www.netzone.com/~jayk
Arizona Lo-Rangers 4WD Club TLCA #3243
________________________________________
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