Experiences with Toyota's 5VZ-FE motors?

[dug777]

Currently looking at 90 series Prados with serious intent, have my heart set on a manual with the 3.4 litre V6 5VZ-FE and since I know you get that motor in various vehicles stateside I thought I'd seek your experiences and advice

Forum feedback on places like Pradopoint (large Prado owners forum) here is pretty glowing, seems to be a very solid engine that goes and goes and goes and goes if you take care of it...

The 3 litre diesel is fine but a little lacking in oomph on the highway, and I'ma little leery of high-mileage diesels unless they are backed with a very comprehensive service record...

I'll be mainly doing long highway work (so the 160 litres of standard long-range tanks is a godsend, especially with bush fuel prices ), plenty of gravel roads and beach driving

New set of beefy shocks will go straight on, plus a snorkel (as much as anything to get the air intake out of the dust!) as soon as I pick it up

 

[mgttr]

My sister has this engine in her '99 4Runner. I have two friends that also have '99 4Runners with the same engine. The basic engine seems to be quite reliable. Problems that we've experienced have been starters (failed on all three 4Runners), and some issues with throttle bodies getting gummed up. My sister's car also required a MAF sensor replacement.

The engine has good torque and actually accelerates the 4Runner nicely around town, although out on the freeway it doesn't feel quite as good as aerodynamics take over.

 

[Throckmorton]

I had to look up pics because I've only seen the current Prado. Looks sweet. I wish we got those here.

 

[jlee]

Great motor. My 98 Tacoma had one- enough grunt to turn a 4wd drivetrain on 33 tires with stock gearing (5 speed). Certainly no neck snapping acceleration,but it did just fine. 198k on the clock when Toyota bought her back...still purred like a kitten.I want another one.

 

[dug777]

Yeah, it certainly seems like a nice smooth motor to drive, and given the vehicles it's normally in you perhaps don't expect them to rev quite so happily and smoothly if you want them to