So, I have been a fan of 4runner's since my dad bought his when I was about 10. Now 13 years later and years of forum searching, reading and researching I have finally took my shirt and shoes off and jumped into the Toy pool (figuratively of course lol).
At first I wanted to do a 7mgte swap. Wanted a lot of power and when it comes to cars I am a straight six lover (sorry guys but when it comes to cars BMW is where my heart is). I knew the supra's were all straight six so this was an easy decision to make, right? Wrong. After a lot of reading, thanks to supracharged.com, pirate4x4, and of course yotatech as well as others, I decided that the 7mgte wouldnt be feasible. Turbo's are just to expensive to maintain, especially if you blow it out. So I then said forget the turbo lets just go with a 7mge. Again after a lot of researching I concluded that this also wasnt very feasible given I dont know how to weld and the whole engine mount issues i have read about, its just not worth the hassle. ESPECIALLY since this is the first time i will be doing anything this technical (with exception of fluid replacement and radiator/intake removal/replacment).
So with the 7mgte/7mge out of the picture there was only 2 options left. Rebuild the 3vze with aftermarket exhaust, cams, camshaft any anything else that would bump up HP, or the 5vzfe (with TRD supercharger of course
) Considering this is the 3.4L swap section, you guys already figured out what my conclusion is right?
With the engine decision made, the next step was to find the donor truck. Let me just say CRAIGSLIST IS THE !! Only took me 2 weeks and i found a 1990 4runner 3vze 4x4 for $400, but it did come with problems. Engine had a knock (didnt bother me its getting scrapped anyway), no 3rd member (i have the axles and shell), and a busted up tranny, but hey, 400 bux. Oh yeah, the sunroof window is cracked too.
I have had the 4runner for about 3 weeks now. I didnt have any tools (ok i lied i had 1 lol 1 phillips screwdriver hahaha) so i went to sears and bought a 160 piece craftsmen set and ryobi drill and work light. And with this the tear down began.
I started with the air cleaner/intake manifold and worked my way down to wear the only thing connected was the engine mounts. It took me 2 weeks to finally find someone with a engine hoist that i could borrow and the engine came out yesterday. During those two weeks of downtime I focused most of my free time on the interior. I pretty much stripped out EVERYTHING except the rear seats and front carpet as well as the headboard. I took some pictures a long the way so that I may share with you all.
So the engine came out yesterday and is sitting in my garage (I finally broke my engine cherry). I took off most of the accessory drives and alternator but that's pretty much where I am at.
I don't get my next financial aid check until mid January (yes I am using my financial aid hahaha, its free money why not
) so I wont be able to get my 5vzfe longblock until then, but in the mean time I will be collecting the little stuff.
So far i haven't had any major problems. I mean, some of the I had to unbolt required some amazing contortioning skills, and sometimes I was cursing god for the big hands he gave me, but in the end I got it done. Those bastard Japs and there little hands hahahahah
But yeah, other then that and the occasional busted knuckle or 5, it was pretty fun.
I will be updating this thread as often as I get with comments, step-by-step work, and pictures. Without the help of people like us posting threads like this, I would have never thought of doing anything like this, so I hope at the very least my thread will inform or help someone.
I WELCOME ALL QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND CRITICISM (POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE)