Looking for a 92-94

Sorry Im posting this in the wrong place I didn't see a pre 1st gen area so I put it here.
In highschool I had a 93 Toyota Pickup 4x4.

Today I am looking for a similar model. I have found several v6 motors out there in pretty good shape but not many 4bangers. My old man tells me I had a 4cy back then and I was wondering if there is anything in these motors I am looking for as far as constant problems or things to avoid.

One I found is over all good for the price and in good shape on a v6 but has a check engine light on... yet drives and handles fine.


Any input as I start searching would be great.

 

Are you wanting the 4cy or the v6 or does it matter? The 4cyl biggest problem is the timing chain.....the guides like to break and cause damage, remedied by going aftermarket chain guides. The v6 biggest problem is blowing head gaskets....due to the exhaust system design, can be remedied by going aftermarket exhaust system.

 

Hmmm well it seems as though the 4c is harder to find with the 6 being a bit more common for sale. All the ones I have found are 45-6000 bucks with about 180-220k in miles.

I’m not really he’ll bent on one or the other. Just wondering if there is any other problems I should look for

 

Ha, the 22re 4cyl is bulletproof if the timing chain is kept up. It is not the biggest powerhouse, but it’s like a sure footed mule in the desert mountains; it will keep going and is quite tough. It is hard to find a good, low mileage one for a decent price, but just be patient and ready to pounce if you find one. They are worth the wait. It took me months of looking daily, but found an original, low mileage gem. It can be had if you’re willing to be patient.

The only other things are usual maintenance issues, any obvious leaks or hacked wires. Underbody rust of course as that seems to be Toyota’s heel.

 

I found a 6 that is pretty nice but i really do want a 4 the more research I do

 

If you can, test drive a couple too. The v6 is a little more powerful, but it’s more gas hoggish and not that much better. There’s a reason it’s called the 3.slow.........lol. My vote is hold out for a 4cyl, 5speed, but it’s up to you of course.

 

Im thinking of finding one that is shot for a few hundred bucks and dropping in a rebuilt 4 so I know its good.

 

The check engine light could easily be a bad O2 sensor.

if you check out a 3.0, look underneath - start on the drivers side look toward the front diff. if you see oil leak on it it may have either a rear main seal (bell housing) or the valve cover gasket leak.

find out when the last timing belt change was done.

mine currently has 250,000 mile on original engine and transmission (5-speed) the clutch and plate have been replaced. Runs great

 

Well today I went out and got the 3.0 6cyl. Feels like it lacks a lil power when I get on it. Maybe sparks. Need to get an oil change done so I know where it’s at and work my way through the small stuff. Any advise on the oil change dos and donts ? May just take it to Toyota and let them do it so they can give me a list of things I can knock out. But I am excited to get going with it. I think my dad is into also so I may drop it at his house for a while and see if I get any free upgrades

 

Dogs like it too.

 

Good for you! Hope you enjoy the little truck a lot!

 

Came with the aftermarket grill. Not crazy about it but I’m not using it to crawl. Just around the ranch so I guess it stays.

 

It looks ok (the bumper), you could always rattle can it black, it’d look better then. That’s a nice looking truck, enjoy!!

 

Lost the Gas CAP that didn't take long. Well at least I will know real soon if that was causing the check engine light. Dealer wanted 30, Picked one up at Autozone for 10. Called dealer about oil change. Quoted me 30 also. Im sure I will come out with a long list of things that need getting done very soon.

 

So it drives well. Does not leak a drop of anything. But the Check Engine Light is on and even though it still drives great and appears to idle great I have been looking under the hood and found a rubber line that has a screw in the end of it. A previous owner must have done this. I don't mind going to the dealer to get the code read and im sure it will amount to a sensor or something of this nature but thinking back to this hose wont that code be affected by this ? My mechanic buddy looked at it and advised me that the hose ran to a part of the system that fed exhaust back into the system. I guess what I am saying is wont this hose not being connected affect this CEL. I have only put 100 miles on it since Ive owned it so I could not say how long its been on. I did clear it after thinking it was a gas cap but after about 60 miles it came back on.

Just didn't want to pay to have Toyota read the code when this hose could be giving a inaccurate reading to the system.

I have attached a photo of the hose … why would someone plug this up instead of putting it where it goes.... I don't want to mess with it if its running ok and it is for now.

 

This is the hose with the screw in it.

 

Anything else jumping out at anyone ?

 

Hmmm.....you could always go by an autozone to have the code read. Then figure out what to replace.

 

I went but they don’t have a reader for this old a model. Ob1 or whatever it’s called. Even my friends (old school dudes have moved on to more modern readers. )

 

Oooo so I’m finding out that you jump ports in the diagnostic box using a paper clip and this will flash a series of codes. So that’s that.

What about this hose not being plugged in. Any idea