3.0 V6 Conundrum - Blown Head Gasket - Swap Motor or Fix?
07-06-2012, 11:55 AM
#1
3.0 V6 Conundrum - Blown Head Gasket - Swap Motor or Fix?
OK guys, my first post on this site but I'm not not new to Toyotas. I've been a longtime Landcruiser FJ40 guy and mostly hang around on IH8MUD. I have been lurking around here lately and have gained some great information here.
Here is my dilema. I have a 92 Extra Cab 4x4 that I purchased from my brother (original owner) a few years ago and was my DD. I wrecked it a couple of months ago and did some pretty good damage (not driveable) but the engine is still running great. My brother had the head gasket recall done a while before I got it also.
While on the hunt for another Toyota truck last week I came across a 95 4Runner 4x4 5-speed with a blown head gasket and picked it up at a good deal. There is no water mixing with the oil at this point but it is blown. There is no recall open on it either (I checked).
I am bouncing back and forth with either:
Swapping out my truck engine into the 4Runner or fixing the head gasket. I have read a lot of posts on the head gasket fix and it seems like a LOT of work and headache. I'm no stranger to wrenching and I feel I could take it on but I'd like some opinions.
BTW - mileage on the Runner engine is 185,827 and the truck is 177,000
A side note: I have toyed with the idea of the 5VZ-FE swap into the Runner.
Again, opinions welcomed.
Here is my dilema. I have a 92 Extra Cab 4x4 that I purchased from my brother (original owner) a few years ago and was my DD. I wrecked it a couple of months ago and did some pretty good damage (not driveable) but the engine is still running great. My brother had the head gasket recall done a while before I got it also.
While on the hunt for another Toyota truck last week I came across a 95 4Runner 4x4 5-speed with a blown head gasket and picked it up at a good deal. There is no water mixing with the oil at this point but it is blown. There is no recall open on it either (I checked).
I am bouncing back and forth with either:
Swapping out my truck engine into the 4Runner or fixing the head gasket. I have read a lot of posts on the head gasket fix and it seems like a LOT of work and headache. I'm no stranger to wrenching and I feel I could take it on but I'd like some opinions.
BTW - mileage on the Runner engine is 185,827 and the truck is 177,000
A side note: I have toyed with the idea of the 5VZ-FE swap into the Runner.
Again, opinions welcomed.
07-06-2012, 01:15 PM
#2
It really just depends on the condition of the 4Runner and if you think it's worth the effort/money to fix it.
Personally, I have no use for the 3.0. Never seen a good running one and wouldn't swap one, but that's just me. You could part out some of what you have and pickup a donor 3.4 vehicle and do the swap yourself.
I picked this gem up for $1250 with a knocking 3.0 to do a 3.4 swap (donor seen in the background) and use it as a daily driver. Even if it is a 2WD, definitely could recoup my money if I sold it.
:wabbit2:
Personally, I have no use for the 3.0. Never seen a good running one and wouldn't swap one, but that's just me. You could part out some of what you have and pickup a donor 3.4 vehicle and do the swap yourself.
I picked this gem up for $1250 with a knocking 3.0 to do a 3.4 swap (donor seen in the background) and use it as a daily driver. Even if it is a 2WD, definitely could recoup my money if I sold it.
:wabbit2:
Last edited by waskillywabbit; 07-06-2012 at 01:17 PM.
07-06-2012, 01:23 PM
#3
Swap
Yeah, even though I'm itching to get a Toyota back on the road I'm going to think on this pretty hard. Even though I have the Extra Cab sitting there with the good 3.0 I'd really like to have a 3.4 in the Runner.
BTW - what is the donor you have sitting there?
BTW - what is the donor you have sitting there?
Last edited by mtrdud; 07-06-2012 at 01:24 PM.
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