02SE
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The 22RET was a stop gap until they had the 3.slow ready to go. crap turbo and barely any power. The v6 was crap until the 3.4L rolled around.
I saw and worked on all three engines you mention, as a Toyota Master Tech during that era. I saw no real issues with the 22R-TE. It definitely over-powered the NA 22RE.
The 3.0 V6 3ZVE had some headgasket issues, but was fixed with revised headgaskets. The 3.4 5VZ-FE also had some initial 95.5 in Tacomas- to early '97 headgasket issues, but was also fixed with a revised design. I owned a 3VZE powered SR5 Hilux Xtra-cab pickup that I swapped the headgaskets on, under warranty. I also owned a late '97 SR5 4Runner with the 5VZ-FE, manual transmission, locking rear diff, factory leather, etc. I owned it for 22+ years, with no issues at all, except for needing to replace a hydraulic clutch hose. Approx $20.00, and an hour of my time.
All of those engines will feel underpowered compared to what is available today. But at the time they were sold, they were competitive with what was offered by competing brands.