hippie13gcid
New Member
I bought a 1990 4 runner about a yr ago. It was very cherry. Had been completely detailed. Few problems. Needed tires and a new stereo, SR5 with all the options, 3.0 V6, 5 speed manual, 4WD. Receipts showing new radiator, water pump, timing belt, steering parts, Shocks and brakes. Has had head gasket recall done. Passes emissions like new. No dents outside or underneath. Pretty much a cream puff. 208,000 mi on the clock. Runs smooth, but seems to be a bit wimpy.
First question.......what HP does that 3.0 produce? Ya, I know it weighs over 2 tons, Ran it across a scale at 4,250 lb. Not expecting 300 hp performance outa it. Drives nice and polite on the highway, Likes to run at 80mph there. Drives even better in 4WD Hi range on mtn jeep tracks and offroad. Not done any serious 4WD Lo Range with it yet as hasn't been needed. 4WD Hi range has taken me places I thot would have needed low range. 2nd and third gear in 4WD HI range at up to 40 mph give me better gas mileage than 2WD highway at 80 mph. Rpm about the same in both cases, around 3,000.
About Mileage, Highway=a little under 15 mpg. Offroad approaches 20mpg. Is this normal? Is this ute so aerodynamically challenged? Or is it just designed to be a "Boonie Beater"?
Other questions. Does this thing have an airbag in the steering wheel? If it does I want it disabled. I'm a small person and would like to avoid an airbag killing me.
Next question, I have NO Idea what kind of oil is in it. I'm gonna change the oil even if it looks very clean with what came in it a year and a couple thousand miles ago. I will run a premium filter but have no experience with synthetic oils, My newest engine previous to this was a 1979 Toyota 20 R and I ran it on Valvoline 10-40 natural oil. I could use some advice about oil.
Ya, I know my 4 Runner is 24 yrs old. It's likely to last me 10 yrs or more if I treat it good. I don't do a lotta miles per year........under 3,000 or so. I won't cut it any slack either. It will do what every car I ever owned did......Go or Blow! Ya, I push the tach to and over the redline. Occasionally, Who don't? Ain't that why we buy a proven engine or car brand?
Yes, overall I'm happy with my $2,000 old 4 Runner. Not in love with all it's power locks and windows and other pwr accessories. I like being in a big high car again after spending the last 20 yrs or so in a Celica sitting so low I couldn't see over a fireplug. I will enjoy camping in places that the 4Runner will take more gear. I won't enjoy the 4Runner 15 mpg mileage getting to those places the Celica got me to at 23 MPG. You wouldn't believe some of the places I took the Celica. Please don't tell it it isn't a jeep! LOL.
First question.......what HP does that 3.0 produce? Ya, I know it weighs over 2 tons, Ran it across a scale at 4,250 lb. Not expecting 300 hp performance outa it. Drives nice and polite on the highway, Likes to run at 80mph there. Drives even better in 4WD Hi range on mtn jeep tracks and offroad. Not done any serious 4WD Lo Range with it yet as hasn't been needed. 4WD Hi range has taken me places I thot would have needed low range. 2nd and third gear in 4WD HI range at up to 40 mph give me better gas mileage than 2WD highway at 80 mph. Rpm about the same in both cases, around 3,000.
About Mileage, Highway=a little under 15 mpg. Offroad approaches 20mpg. Is this normal? Is this ute so aerodynamically challenged? Or is it just designed to be a "Boonie Beater"?
Other questions. Does this thing have an airbag in the steering wheel? If it does I want it disabled. I'm a small person and would like to avoid an airbag killing me.
Next question, I have NO Idea what kind of oil is in it. I'm gonna change the oil even if it looks very clean with what came in it a year and a couple thousand miles ago. I will run a premium filter but have no experience with synthetic oils, My newest engine previous to this was a 1979 Toyota 20 R and I ran it on Valvoline 10-40 natural oil. I could use some advice about oil.
Ya, I know my 4 Runner is 24 yrs old. It's likely to last me 10 yrs or more if I treat it good. I don't do a lotta miles per year........under 3,000 or so. I won't cut it any slack either. It will do what every car I ever owned did......Go or Blow! Ya, I push the tach to and over the redline. Occasionally, Who don't? Ain't that why we buy a proven engine or car brand?
Yes, overall I'm happy with my $2,000 old 4 Runner. Not in love with all it's power locks and windows and other pwr accessories. I like being in a big high car again after spending the last 20 yrs or so in a Celica sitting so low I couldn't see over a fireplug. I will enjoy camping in places that the 4Runner will take more gear. I won't enjoy the 4Runner 15 mpg mileage getting to those places the Celica got me to at 23 MPG. You wouldn't believe some of the places I took the Celica. Please don't tell it it isn't a jeep! LOL.