1995 'runner - contemplating project.

I have a possibility of acquiring a 95 4X4 manual trans 4 runner for a few hundred $ that needs a motor. When I inquired about what motor was in it, all he said was 4 cylinder but he wasn't too sure. He was still so pissed that his daughter ran it without oil and locked it up that he could barley talk. I am pretty sure that he has no clue if it is a 1995 or a 1996. I think this is a break point from the 22R-E to the other 2.4 cyl motor but I am not sure. If it is the 22R-E and I drop a rebuilt (short or long block) or the other 2.4 are there any weak points in either motor that I need to be watchful of that can be upgraded while the motor is on the stand?


update... I was sent some pictures... it is the V6, assuming the 3VZE 3.0.

 

95 would be 2nd gen 3.0 (not as desireable)
96 would be 3rd gen 3.4 (better as defined by the masses)

Get the VIN, determine the year

 

definitely a 95 and definitely a rod knock. going to have to really think about this one.

 

2nd gen 4runners kinda suck. I wouldn’t buy them unless you really like it or get it for dirt cheap. Just my opinion.

 

I thionk I am going to pass on this. The people that I have spoke to that have owned both a 3.0 and 3.4 say find a 3.4 4Runner.

 

yup, thats a much better path