1995 4Runner - the Alaska Rig

[runrunner]

I guess I will be the first to ask, any info on the headgaskets? Were they done already, or ? If you dont know you can always run the vin through the dealer and they can usually tell you.

Nice looking runner. If it wasnt for the pasky 3.0, I would be more than happy with a 2nd gen.

 

[squatch]

hit a moose in my toyota 94 p.u. with ARB bumper in the yukon.was able to finish my trip to AK. very lucky! moose are crazy.the ARB took the hit and pushed it into a sideswipe. was going 45 mph. animal armor is a must!!

 

[tacollie]

Good looking 4runner. I like the 2nd gens a lot for the most part. They are a great size. Your milage seems about right. My 90 averaged about 18-19 unless I went over 70 even in 2wd. There are good options for bumpers outside of ARB but shipping will still suck.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I guess I will be the first to ask, any info on the headgaskets? Were they done already, or ? If you dont know you can always run the vin through the dealer and they can usually tell you.

Nice looking runner. If it wasnt for the pasky 3.0, I would be more than happy with a 2nd gen.

Am I right that once your factory headgasket is replaced by an upgraded factory headgasket, you're good to go with these motors?

Are the dealers required to retrofit these rigs with the upgraded replacement, or is it simply "available" when the original one goes?

 

[aka rover]

Nice rig i think i was parked next to you in anchorage a week or so ago off of bragaw in allstates parking lot:smiley_drive:.


Cheers Ed

 

[runrunner]

Am I right that once your factory headgasket is replaced by an upgraded factory headgasket, you're good to go with these motors?

Are the dealers required to retrofit these rigs with the upgraded replacement, or is it simply "available" when the original one goes?

It was a factory recall and they would replace regardless if you were having issues or not. I think the work included an upgraded headgasket, but I am not sure if that solved the issue. I think some have still blown gaskets regardless if they were replaced.

 

[JCMatthews]

Bump

 

[rickashay]

It was a factory recall and they would replace regardless if you were having issues or not. I think the work included an upgraded headgasket, but I am not sure if that solved the issue. I think some have still blown gaskets regardless if they were replaced.

They upgraded the headgaskets upon the recall. The "old" gaskets were cork I believe and the new ones weren't. The headgaskets are still an issue either way... some people will go 300K miles on the original headgasket while others will go through them every 60k miles.

Mostly its due to poor engine design, the 3VZ has a cast iron block and aluminum heads. It apparently contracts and expands at different rates causing HG issues. Not to mention, the exhaust cross-over wraps tight to the #6 cylinder causing excessive heat in that cylinder, also causing problems. Apparently the best way to avoid it, is do the factory recall, throw some aftermarket headers in to keep the heat off the #6, and cross your fingers while you save for a 3.4L (5VZE) swap. lol

 

[Schattenjager]

Well...

Put in the OME 1.5" lift springs in the rear and now have the stinkbug attitude. Took it in for alignment / adjustment and the guys told me that the torsion bars were already "cranked" all the way up. Given the low miles and the copious service history (which shows no alignment ever being done) this does not seem right. Second opinion time or are the front bars often in need of adjustment and this a likely possibility?

Thoughts?

 

[Schattenjager]

Took it to a different shop and they were able to adjust the front with no problem.

Wow. Can't believe how hard it is to give away money these days...

And it continues: wheels and tires

Just got a KILLER deal on a combo wheel tire package - tires are 265/75/16 Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT's that are very near new. Fit is good and they rolled well on a trip to Seward AK today. This is as big as I think would make sense even with the lift. Factory gearing seems very adequate for the taller tires.

Crapy pics:

Factory vs OME rear springs (Medium Duty)

New Wheels and 265/75/16's

 

[Applejack]

Nice! No more saggin' for you!:ylsmoke:
I must say that I'm watching this thread closely. My older brother is looking to buy a 2nd Gen and his needs are not for some rock crawler but mostly a DD with weekend exploring w/family. He has been extremely weary of the HG issues, but I know some people who've had theirs for 228k now and no issues what so ever.

 

[Schattenjager]

Nice! No more saggin' for you!:ylsmoke:
I must say that I'm watching this thread closely. My older brother is looking to buy a 2nd Gen and his needs are not for some rock crawler but mostly a DD with weekend exploring w/family. He has been extremely weary of the HG issues, but I know some people who've had theirs for 228k now and no issues what so ever.

So far I am very pleased with this rig. You might have seen my Land Cruiser thread By far the finest rig I have owned. Head and shoulders over my 05 Tacoma. Solid, cool, and very capable. It was way overkill for what I do.

This 4Runner is getting 18MPG, is easy to park, has lots of room inside and the rack will carry more crap if need be the case. The head gasket was an 'issue' for LC's as well but I never had a problem. Hope the same is true for the 4R.

A lot in my life changed, necessitating the 4R, but I have drawn some conclusions about overlanding and me:

Building a truck is a lot of fun. However, I would have to argue, even after much justification, that most of my past mods are just not necessary. They are super cool, but not critical. The rig becomes the icon in garage of potential adventure energy, whither we are going to tackle the continent of Africa or go fishing on a Sunday afternoon, we like to think we can do it all. I did anyway.

Using the truck is important. It's the journey etc. etc. I just spent a great Sunday in remote Alaska near the sea and was able to focus on where I was and not on the rig. With a modest lift to cure rear sag and give me more tire room (which opens a few more doors) and a shovel, axe, high lift, hi lift kit and a camera, Atlas and I were able to have as much fun in the far and away as I ever did with the Cruiser. And I did for about $15K less money.

I will get an ARB for recovery points and moose protection. Nothing practical about loosing your radiator in -20 and I do live in moose country. That will be about it for mods.

Now, that being said, if the fellow who bought my Cruiser ever wanted to sell it back to me, I'd carve out a kidney to get it.

4R got me here:

 

[Co-opski]

Is that the Spring Creek side of Res Bay looking at Bear Mountain and Mount Marathon? Nice pictures BTW it was a good weekend to get out. :elkgrin:

 

[hillbillyjake]

not to get off track, but you stated that you were going arb on the front to protect the radiator if you had an encounter with a moose. if you were to hit a moose at say 40 mph, would the arb actually protect teh radiator? just curious.

 

[Schattenjager]

They are quite robust units. While I am uncertain of how much damage it would prevent, I am certain of the damage of not having one.

Right on the money with location co-opski!