I have a 94 regular cab 22re 4x4, over the past few years i have installed engnbldr High performance head / 261 crawler cam, spartan rear locker, new 31's AT, and a new marlin HD clutch. I've owned it for the past 8yrs, its just been a backup / fun vehicle. The problem is i want more room and power to start taking longer more comfortable trips. I live in central Oklahoma so I'm just 1/2 day drive to Colorado and i have recently discovered Big Bend in Texas, but the problem is 100hp douse cut it going 80MPH + in Texas or climbing up in the mountains in Colorado! I have been offered $6000 for my truck as is and I'm wondering if i should take the offer and buy 100 series Landcruiser, 120 series 4runner/GX470 maybe a forester/outback or just keep the pickup? I wound not want to spend over 10k but i have seen all the above vehicles in that price range.
Need some opinions
- Thread starter 94toy22re
- Start date
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
That's a tough one. I personally think the earlier ones are a whole lot more interesting than the newer ones but it all depends on what you like.
If you do decide to keep the truck, you might consider re-gearing the diffs. That makes a big difference. With the overdrive transmission, you could put 4.88s in (or maybe even lower if it's an auto) and help give the engine some leverage. I don't try to keep up with the 22re. I just let it do 55-65...that's what it's designed to do. They're pretty rev-happy though, and they can go fast with the right setup.
Since you're considering crossovers, if a CUV does what you want to do, I'd consider going that route. They cover ground so much more comfortably and efficiently.
You can try some pro/con lists, really try to figure out what you want/need the vehicle to do, maybe test-drive some things. Vehicle choice is a really personal thing--no one else has a grasp on all the factors and what would work best for you.
If you do decide to keep the truck, you might consider re-gearing the diffs. That makes a big difference. With the overdrive transmission, you could put 4.88s in (or maybe even lower if it's an auto) and help give the engine some leverage. I don't try to keep up with the 22re. I just let it do 55-65...that's what it's designed to do. They're pretty rev-happy though, and they can go fast with the right setup.
Since you're considering crossovers, if a CUV does what you want to do, I'd consider going that route. They cover ground so much more comfortably and efficiently.
You can try some pro/con lists, really try to figure out what you want/need the vehicle to do, maybe test-drive some things. Vehicle choice is a really personal thing--no one else has a grasp on all the factors and what would work best for you.
Skinny
Active member
Sounds like your truck is in good shape and pretty capable. I personally would swap to a 3RZ or maybe a V6 which will help you in the power department. The 22re's are getting pretty long in the tooth at this point. You will have a lot of money in buying and outfitting a Cruiser. Sure they do great on the highway but aren't exactly powerhouses or fuel misers by any means. The UZ engine moves good but you'll pay at the next fill up. The 3RZ in your truck will move good and still get 20mpg if you drive it right.
Size, if you are feeling tight in yours (I know what you mean...owned plenty of Samurais and Yotas) then maybe move up to a 3.4 T100 if you can find it.
Size, if you are feeling tight in yours (I know what you mean...owned plenty of Samurais and Yotas) then maybe move up to a 3.4 T100 if you can find it.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
My truck is quite similar to yours. I have the same head and cam, actually. For a while I ran an LC Engineering intake tube and oversized exhaust, but returned to the factory plastic intake and OEM-type muffler, the drone irritated me. I ran 5.29 gears with 33" tires but have since returned to 30" and 4.10 stock 3rds. I have an Aussie in the back. I found none of it made much difference in reality. I did notice a performance hit going back to a quieter muffler. With the gearing, the RPMs were a little higher and it started from a stop better, but the overall performance was about the same. I cut off most of the armor, sliders, the heavy skids, etc. Shaving weight does help.
Our current path has been to replace it, there's a point when you just sort of realize that it's just not worth it anymore. It's the original reason why I bought this '91 in the first place, to replace an FJ40. I don't mind working on trucks, actually like to turn wrenches. But it got old spending evenings figuring out this or that so you could get to work tomorrow. Plus the constant tracking down parts from random places.
Old vehicles are almost always best complemented by a second vehicle that doesn't requirement much attention. When it's your only vehicle the dynamics change. If all my truck needed to do was trails and camping it would have been OK, but it's just so slow and uncomfortable on the highway and that's more and more of what it does. Also my poor truck has been worked pretty hard and has lots of nagging things wearing out. It was hit in a fender bender that to the insurance totaled it. Left a sizable dent in the side of the bed that is cosmetic, but just wasn't worth it for the insurance company to fix it. So that looks bad and is rusting.
I think the way to deal with these old truck is to (1) accept them for what they are, throw backs, or (b) update them. I was going through our desires in a truck and it turns out that it really wasn't going to be much more to get a nice, used Taco when considering doing an engine swap, semi-frame off restoration, body work, etc. I don't have the space to do it right and additionally I would need a car to get to work in the interim. It really pains me to cut Imelda The Wonder Truck loose, but that's the right thing at this point in life.
If time and money were no object I would do just as Skinny mentions, 3RZ swap. It's fairly straightforward. Or maybe a 4.3L Vortec. I'd take off the body, clean and paint the cab, probably go to a tray. Likely stick with 4.10 & 30" tires. Do a ton of sound proofing. Rebuild the suspension and steering, replace the carpet. Figure out how to install cruise control that isn't a stick shoved between the gas pedal and the seat... When I consider all that, add up the dollars and look at the time line, it was an "duh" moment when we test drove a lower mileage 2nd gen Taco. I know that it's not 1/2 the real truck my Pickup is, but man, it is so much nicer on Interstate and they're still pretty decent. Just took 30 second and pen stroke instead of a year of headaches. So far the only thing that really bothers me is the electronic shift t-case and that's just an FJC case-swap away from nirvana.
Our current path has been to replace it, there's a point when you just sort of realize that it's just not worth it anymore. It's the original reason why I bought this '91 in the first place, to replace an FJ40. I don't mind working on trucks, actually like to turn wrenches. But it got old spending evenings figuring out this or that so you could get to work tomorrow. Plus the constant tracking down parts from random places.
Old vehicles are almost always best complemented by a second vehicle that doesn't requirement much attention. When it's your only vehicle the dynamics change. If all my truck needed to do was trails and camping it would have been OK, but it's just so slow and uncomfortable on the highway and that's more and more of what it does. Also my poor truck has been worked pretty hard and has lots of nagging things wearing out. It was hit in a fender bender that to the insurance totaled it. Left a sizable dent in the side of the bed that is cosmetic, but just wasn't worth it for the insurance company to fix it. So that looks bad and is rusting.
I think the way to deal with these old truck is to (1) accept them for what they are, throw backs, or (b) update them. I was going through our desires in a truck and it turns out that it really wasn't going to be much more to get a nice, used Taco when considering doing an engine swap, semi-frame off restoration, body work, etc. I don't have the space to do it right and additionally I would need a car to get to work in the interim. It really pains me to cut Imelda The Wonder Truck loose, but that's the right thing at this point in life.
If time and money were no object I would do just as Skinny mentions, 3RZ swap. It's fairly straightforward. Or maybe a 4.3L Vortec. I'd take off the body, clean and paint the cab, probably go to a tray. Likely stick with 4.10 & 30" tires. Do a ton of sound proofing. Rebuild the suspension and steering, replace the carpet. Figure out how to install cruise control that isn't a stick shoved between the gas pedal and the seat... When I consider all that, add up the dollars and look at the time line, it was an "duh" moment when we test drove a lower mileage 2nd gen Taco. I know that it's not 1/2 the real truck my Pickup is, but man, it is so much nicer on Interstate and they're still pretty decent. Just took 30 second and pen stroke instead of a year of headaches. So far the only thing that really bothers me is the electronic shift t-case and that's just an FJC case-swap away from nirvana.
Clutch
<---Pass
That is a ton of work for very little gain, when you can go buy a 1st Gen Tacoma 3.4 under $10K. And honestly compared to what is out there today, it is kinda slow. I know I hear guys saying just drive slow, they'll give you a ticket here if you're driving too slow impeding traffic. Interstate speed limit is 80 here in Idaho. Most of the secondary 2-Lane highways here the speed limit is 55-65, yes the 22RE will do that, but there are a lot of times you need to pass semis...I have owned 2, 22RE's they don't pass in a safe timely manner...you have to plan to pass, (downhill with a tail wind, and all the squirrels cranked out on jolt cola) and by that time you usually miss the opportunity.
The nice thing about having some power under foot is, you don't have to drive fast, but it is there if you need it.
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DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
There is absolutely no disputing that the 22R-E is slow. I used to justify it because it's tolerant of abuse and not all that bad off road, particularly with low gearing that lets you get the RPMs up. But in the years since modern engines have become very reliable and far more efficient.
Back when the comparison was a 3VZ-FE or small blocks the 22R-E did hold an advantage being a long lived engine despite the down sides. It was rare for a domestic engine to last even 100K, however now it's rare for any engine not to last 200K or more, so it's harder to keep making the argument.
I will say this, it's still easier working on a 22R-E, changing plugs, doing tune-ups, valve adjustments compared to other stuff.
Back when the comparison was a 3VZ-FE or small blocks the 22R-E did hold an advantage being a long lived engine despite the down sides. It was rare for a domestic engine to last even 100K, however now it's rare for any engine not to last 200K or more, so it's harder to keep making the argument.
I will say this, it's still easier working on a 22R-E, changing plugs, doing tune-ups, valve adjustments compared to other stuff.
DVexile
Adventurer
I've got a 92 22RE with 125k on it, essentially stock. Oh my does that creep up steep hills with any sort of load! Top of Towne Pass in DVNP and I'm in 2nd gear doing about 35 mph with my camping gear in the back. It is a regular cab and now that we have a kid it isn't going to cut it anymore... I do love the truck.
Yeah, you could drop another engine in there I suppose... But honestly, if someone is going to give you 6k for it and you can pickup something with more space and power for around 10k then I think that would be the route I'd take. Personally since I have the funds I will be getting a new 2nd gen Tacoma soon - the resale on these trucks is so high that I see little point in low mileage used. But something like a 1st Gen Tacoma used makes a whole lot of sense to me in your case. And it will probably continue to hold value well if you maintain it - lot of people really like the 1st Gen.
Yeah, you could drop another engine in there I suppose... But honestly, if someone is going to give you 6k for it and you can pickup something with more space and power for around 10k then I think that would be the route I'd take. Personally since I have the funds I will be getting a new 2nd gen Tacoma soon - the resale on these trucks is so high that I see little point in low mileage used. But something like a 1st Gen Tacoma used makes a whole lot of sense to me in your case. And it will probably continue to hold value well if you maintain it - lot of people really like the 1st Gen.
Clutch
<---Pass
While no longer "new" but still leaps and bounds more modern than a 22RE, my 5VZ-FE just rolled 290K, doesn't feel all that more difficult to work on...at least the oil filter is easier to get to...and now the 1GR-FE have the oil filter like right there.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...ter-1gr-fe-4th-gen-v6-2010-07-27-10.10.37.jpg
Just think Dave, if we buy new trucks...we won't have to do any heavy spinning of wrenches for quite some time. While mine has been great, it is getting up in the miles and age, which means more work for me...getting a little tired of that. Rather spend my free time doing something else....oh like exploring.
Clutch
<---Pass
If they don't screw up the 2016...might be a lot of 2nd gens on the market soon..."may" bring down the resale.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Man, we're in the final stretch in acquiring a 2008 TRD... ;-) It's for all the reasons we've discussed over the past week or two. Just get in and go places.Just think Dave, if we buy new trucks...we won't have to do any heavy spinning of wrenches for quite some time. While mine has been great, it is getting up in the miles and age, which means more work for me...getting a little tired of that. Rather spend my free time doing something else....oh like exploring.
I went back and forth on this question and it turns out that the value of the last generation trucks sometimes actually goes up for a while when a new one comes out.
The 1st gen Tacoma held up against the 2nd gen and still does to some extent. In fact I think if it wasn't for all the frame issues on the 95-04 that they would be worth even more than they are. The 3rd gen 4Runner caused people to desire or hold on to 2nd gen.
Be it styling, mechanical changes, aftermarket support, not sure, but what is known sometimes continues to be in demand and even sometimes slightly (at least briefly) go up. For all the people who must have the latest and greatest there are also new market entries that want the old and familiar.
austintaco
Explorer
Its always a tough decision to let go, rebuild, move on, etc....and there is not one perfect vehicle that can do everything. Congrats on finding Big bend, and I am assuming you mean the State Park. I love that place, but if I had to drive out there in my 84 22r with 35's and 4.88's, I would probably turn around by the time I got to Junction, TX. I would be miserable. However, my 03 DC makes the drive easy and handles the trails and back road camping easily. You have a great vehicle, but it would be mind numbing on a long trip, IMO.
I just found this on CL and sent it to a friend. Just an idea of what's out there:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4835732865.html
I just found this on CL and sent it to a friend. Just an idea of what's out there:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4835732865.html
Clutch
<---Pass
Congrats Dave. This past summer about killed me, I did a major under carriage over-haul (spent about $4,000, which includes new tires)...turned my Tucson house into a rental, did a bunch of work on that, then moving...plus bought an older home here...which needs a little work here and there. Tired of fussing with stuff. For my vehicle...I just want to get in & go, when it comes down to it. Sure building a truck to exactly what I want would be cool...but I rather be doing something else...to tell you the truth.
True...I may of been looking at Ford too much doing heavy discounts with their out going model.
I am going to wait and see what the market is like when the 16 Taco hits the dealer floor...who knows I may get a wild hair and buy a brand new truck, never done that before. Plan would be to keep it for 15+ years. Would be nice to start with a rig that has zero miles...
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Clutch
<---Pass
I did a ton of long trips "Out West" in my 22RE's equipped rigs...I couldn't take it anymore. The 3.4 seemed like a power house at the time when I first bought it...now even that is feeling slow. Believe it is time for an upgrade again for me.
I have driven 3.4 4runners and Tacomas while the power is better its not nearly enough. I used to own a 2007 FJ Cruiser the power was perfect but at first sign of the fender bulge i traded it for small car. As far as engine swaps go I don't have enough free time to attempt any kind of swap! But power is not everything, i did swap in SR5 4runner seats which made it slightly more comfortable but their is less leg room then there was before.