Hello BITOG!
First post so bare with me!
I've read the sticky on oil recommendations and figured I'd throw my own oil recommendation request out there for your consideration.
I'll keep this is as short & sweet as possible.
Truck: 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD
Engine: 5vz-fe 3.4 liter engine
Transmission: a340f
Milage: 416,000 miles on original engine (and transmission). Never been rebuilt or opened up either.
Oil recommendation according to owners manual: 5w-30
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Vehicle driving environment: California weather consisting of temps as low as 30* in the winter and highs up to 110* in the summer.
Vehicle driving conditions: 80% city driving with 10-15 average engine starts per day. During summer high temperatures, engine is sometimes left to idle for up to 20 minutes multiple times per day. Most trips allow engine to reach and maintain full operating temp (or very close) throughout the day.
My driving style: I'm not conservative or aggressive but maybe in the middle. In other words I don't pick my nose at stoplights — but I don't floor it or race off the line like a 17 year old either. The only times I drop the hammer is when passing or making short merges onto the freeway (weather and conditions permitting of course).
Current oil change interval: 5-7k but on average 6
Current oil: Valvoline Maxlife synthetic blend 5w-20 high milage (I run this mostly but have also experimented with QS UD full synthetic oils a few times as well)
Oil Filter: Toyota filter
Engine condition: Engine runs very strong. Fuel milage is normal. No known significant engine issues. Engine consumes about 3/4 quart of oil every 5-6k miles. I top off periodically between oil changes, never allowing the oil level below halfway mark on dipstick. No noticeable smoke from exhaust but I do have leaky VCs and rear main seal that probably are responsible for the majority of the oil "consumption".
Vehicle history: Previous owner had vehicle until 350,000 miles then gave to me for free (they mistook shoddy maintenance for a shoddy vehicle). Oil changes were infrequent at best and non-existent for extended periods at worst. Oil changes were performed at the cheapest oil change places they could find and only the cheapest (read least expensive) oils were ever used.
Previous owners overall vehicle maintenance could easily be rated as a C- or D+.
Under my ownership where I have done all maintenance and repairs myself from 350,000 miles to its current 416,000 miles — oil change intervals have averaged about 6,000~ miles with Valvoline or Quaker State synthetic or synthetic blend oils & Toyota OEM filters.
So, my questions are:
If this was your truck and you lived where I live and drive how I drive — what oil would you be using and why? Emphasis on the "why".
Thanks to anyone who bothered to read all of this. 
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Vehicle driving environment: California weather consisting of temps as low as 30* in the winter and highs up to 110* in the summer.
Vehicle driving conditions: 80% city driving with 10-15 average engine starts per day. During summer high temperatures, engine is sometimes left to idle for up to 20 minutes multiple times per day. Most trips allow engine to reach and maintain full operating temp (or very close) throughout the day.
My driving style: I'm not conservative or aggressive but maybe in the middle. In other words I don't pick my nose at stoplights — but I don't floor it or race off the line like a 17 year old either. The only times I drop the hammer is when passing or making short merges onto the freeway (weather and conditions permitting of course).
Current oil change interval: 5-7k but on average 6
Current oil: Valvoline Maxlife synthetic blend 5w-20 high milage (I run this mostly but have also experimented with QS UD full synthetic oils a few times as well)
Oil Filter: Toyota filter
Engine condition: Engine runs very strong. Fuel milage is normal. No known significant engine issues. Engine consumes about 3/4 quart of oil every 5-6k miles. I top off periodically between oil changes, never allowing the oil level below halfway mark on dipstick. No noticeable smoke from exhaust but I do have leaky VCs and rear main seal that probably are responsible for the majority of the oil "consumption".
Vehicle history: Previous owner had vehicle until 350,000 miles then gave to me for free (they mistook shoddy maintenance for a shoddy vehicle). Oil changes were infrequent at best and non-existent for extended periods at worst. Oil changes were performed at the cheapest oil change places they could find and only the cheapest (read least expensive) oils were ever used.
Previous owners overall vehicle maintenance could easily be rated as a C- or D+.
Under my ownership where I have done all maintenance and repairs myself from 350,000 miles to its current 416,000 miles — oil change intervals have averaged about 6,000~ miles with Valvoline or Quaker State synthetic or synthetic blend oils & Toyota OEM filters.
So, my questions are:
If this was your truck and you lived where I live and drive how I drive — what oil would you be using and why? Emphasis on the "why".
Thanks to anyone who bothered to read all of this. 
My choice would be Napa Synthetic since it's on sale for only $2.99/qt. Pair it with a Napa Gold filter.
If you're near a Kmart, Smitty's HM often goes on sale for a little over $2/qt or $9-10 for a 5qt jug.