3rz Taco vs. 80 series Land Cruiser: Long Term

So I'm talking about trading my unlocked 97 Land Cruiser for this cherry 2004 Tacoma Xtra Cab with the 2.7 motor. It's on 33s, but they said it's been regeared. Frame replaced under warranty.

I like the solid axles and beefy frame of the Land Cruiser, but it feels too big and heavy, and I'm sick of the slushbox. My old Tacoma was way more fun to drive on and off road; I only got rid of it because of rust.

The Taco has 250k and the Cruiser has 227.5k. The owner said they're mostly highway miles and it runs really smooth, but he said he didn't know of any valve adjustments or tope end rebuild that had been done. I've heard some mechanics warn against the 3rz due to burnt valves: apparently the motor's biggest weakness.

The inline 6 in the Cruiser is more appealing in this respect since the valves aren't known to need adjusting unless the head comes off, although it does seem to like to pop its HG more often than the four-banger. Mine has good compression and doesn't overheat though/

The issue is it seems like almost nobody bothers with this maintenance until it's too late. Just how common of an issue is this with the 4 cylinders? Would you be wary of a 3rz rig with that many miles with no top work having been done, even if it's idling smooth at the time?

Finally, does this seem like good trade? I figure the 4 cyl would be way better for commuting, but maybe I'll regret going back to IFS and the lighter-duty frame and drivetrain of the Taco. Also, the LC is in rougher shape overall being 7 years older, but you could argue it's more "classic" and has higher value as a result.

I'd appreciate any insights from anybody who's worked on either of these rigs. Pics below of both actual trucks. Thanks for reading.

 

Adjusting the valve lash was common enough for me to do it. My 3RZ FE valve lash was out of tolerance at 234,000, especially the exhaust side.

 

Yeah that’s where they usually burn as I understand it.

 

I would also post this in a LC forum to get less-biased opinions. I love those LC's but that tacoma is cleannnnn. Plus if the frame is as good as it sounds and all those other goodies. I'd swap that in a heartbeat.

 

My 2.7 Tacoma ate a head gasket and cracked a head from valves that hadn't been adjusted. Didn't cost a ton to fix though. I've owned and currently own both vehicles in question, but you know that. I sell tacos now and then and the cruiser is a constant. That said I far prefer my early a442f auto your cruisers a343f. I still don't like being without a taco and prefer to wheel mine over the LC.

 

Ih8mud will literally never say to sell a land cruiser that's in good mechanical shape, especially not for an uncivilized pickup truck. Buncha snobs over there, I should know, I'm one of em

 

Oh I didn’t realise yours had the 4-banger. I was a little concerned about it dealing with the weight of the longer wheelbase and 33s, but it has apparently been regeared. The first thing I’d probably do is check the clearances

It really seems like this maintenance is usually neglected on these engines, unless it was owned by an enthusiast or something. At least an 04 should have the new style of exhaust manifold, which might make it less likely to burn the exhaust valves?

 

If this is something you're both considering maybe pay for him to take it to a mechanic of your choice to get the valves checked?

 

Yeah that might be a bit much for a PPI though. Doesn’t it usually run really rough if the clearances are off? I’d think you’d be able to hear tapping popping noises in the valve train as well, but I could be wrong.

 

Oh never mind you must have been referring to an older truck you had.

Why do you prefer the earlier transmission?

 

Old ones were. This one I have now is my first v6 taco

 

I prefer the big old bus transmission because it's very decisive, it's always in the right gear for the situation and while I'm sure it's more wasteful than a manual trans it doesn't feel like mashed potatoes like the a340 variants tend to. It still shifts nice and firm and tolerates my towing without breaking over 185-190°.

 

No idea. My 3rz runs smooth as butter(knocked on all the wood I can see).

 

Prefer manual over all auto's?

 

Just adjust the valves. Not really a big deal. VW's used to need it every 20K miles when I was a kid although they didn't use shims.

 

No, but that's because I've had the pleasure of a car with a double clutch auto, basically a super snappy manual trans that's shifts itself but still a technical marvel that shifts like an F1 car. But in general for older vehicles yes I prefer a manual, less maintenance, less power loss, more visceral experience. But my drag racing truck I built a manual valve body automatic for, autos absolutely have their uses.

 

Yeah it doesn’t seem like too hard of a job but I was wondering if there was a sure fire way to tell if it has burnt or nearly-burnt valves without checking compression or clearances.

 

No compression and leak down are essential

 

Yeah it can be tempting to say “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” but it seems like the best PM you can do with a 3rz.

 

So I was talking to the guy and he said my Land Cruiser was a little rough cosmetically for a straight trade.. which I thought was fair since his truck is in excellent condition.

He wants $2500 on top and/or $11,500 cash for the truck.