How does a 22RE-powered 4x4 pickup do in the mountains where most of us aim to go? Surely they are lacking in the power needed to get up in places like Colorado? Can anyone here speak to that?
They do fine.
I had an 87 4runner from stock to heavily modified.
When I bumped up to 33" tires, I regeared to 4.88's, which was slightly over geared for the swap. I, however, found it to be perfect as it allowed me to be in the power band more.
One thing about these trucks is they like to run at 3500-4000 RPM. I know a lot of people who've gotten them and tried to drive them like a V6 or V8, and keep it in the 2k range, which is way too low.
Mine drove all over the Colorado mountains every day for 20 years. It drove best on 33x9.50's with 4.88 gears.
I now have a supercharged 3.4L in a 99 4runner, and I like it a lot more. I get 19-20 hwy, 17-18 mixed, which is slightly worse than what I saw in the 22re, but not horrendously so. Like Clutch, I like the power. OTOH, the 22re is a great little motor, and I'd own one again. Probably for a weekend toy though, not so much for camping/hunting/etc... The cruise control, power, and comfort of the more modern suspension and drivetrain is a nice combo.
As for the original question, is it worth that money? Hard to say, I guess. I personally wouldn't pay that much, but I also wouldn't be looking quite that far back. If you are set on that model, that price is in line with what I've seen around here, so it would seem that its the going rate.
Cheers!