stevenf

I may have the opportunity to get a late 80's 4runner. I fell in love with it when I saw it and since then I have been looking at different options to beef it up.
What are the basic easy to find/perform engine swaps that people usually do in these? I read that they have 105hp stock and I know that wont cut it.
Any v6's? Any more powerful 4cyl that just bolt up?

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

search "engine swap" and you will fine 400 pages of answers.

Most popular: 3.4L v6
most expensive: all of them
best bang for the buck: 1UZ?

Anyways, just search around.

seafarinman

What is wrong with 105HP? Are you going to race the Baja 1000? I have a 22RE in my 87 truck which is on 38" tires with an auto tranny and it will still easily get up to freeway speed. My 94 truck has a 3.0 V6 with 150HP/180TQ but it is dying and is not cost effective to rebuild. So, I have a 98 Tacoma 2RZ-FE with 142HP/160TQ (V6 to 4 cyl swap) to swap in along with a R151F turbo tranny and dual cases. BTW my 94 has 37" tires on it already. Both rigs are running 5.29's

CoedNaked

NO ENGINE SWAP is cost effective, PERIOD. The amount of $$$ you would save rebuilding your engine would pay you back many times over with less headaches, issues, and it has more HP and torque to boot. And you'd have a little $$$ left over to get some new rubber, maybe some new bilsteins and a few other goodies. Even with reduced gas mileage compared to a 4 cylinder, the improved power of the 3vze over the 4 cylinder with less HP & TQ, you're still not going to pay yourself back swapping an engine in.

stevenf

Well, I want it as a toy for offroad/ towing use. Seems like the 4cyl isnt enough power.
Are there any other 4cyl that can be found in a junk yard that bolt to the same trans and have more hp? Or Is the stock motor with mild internals good enough? Im just wanting a powerful engine to throw in it without the cost of a turbo.

CoedNaked

What are you going to tow?

stevenf

A Landscaping trailer. 4-5k pounds atleast.
I just wanted to know if there are any bolt in swaps for bigger engines for these things. Like a Bronco II has a 2.9L engine but you can do a bolt in swap with 3.0L 4.0L, or 4.3L v6's. They use the same motor mounts, same tranny. Just a different computer and wireing harness.
Do these things have any upgradable bolt in swaps?

89934runr

Coed is absolutely right- RARELY are they cost effective. If it's a 22R or RE, they'll do 95% of what ya need. There are MANY power upgrade parts for that family- have you looked into that?

Also- ask anybody who builds a tow-rig about living with it when they aren't towing. How often will you tow, what will you tow, etc...

CoedNaked

First off, there is a reason why Toyota made the new 4 liter V6 Tacoma's wider & bigger with a 6500 pounds towing capacity. It's called towing stability. While you can put all the power in the world to tow with a compact truck or compact in width SUV (like a 1st-3rd gen 4runner), a 3.4 L V6 in the 1st gen Tacomas, or the 4.3 L V6 in the S10/Sonoma, or the 4.0 V6 in the Rangers are about as much engine as you would ever need to tow with these trucks. The reason I say that is because it's not that you can't have as much engine as you want and all the power in the world. It's the truck that you need. While these compact trucks will tow 4000 plus pounds they're rated to do it which most are (read, the trucks I just described which are all compact and rated to tow around 5000 pounds give or take), they don't have the weight to safetly and regularly control the heavier towing loads repeatedly. Even with trailer brakes you should look midsize or full size for that much weight if you do it with any recurring regularlity and you want to do it safely, as well as be responsible to maintaining your truck. It's possible, but quite honestly not practical.

About towing that much weight with a 22R or 22RE. Even with a Stage 5 built up 22R/RE built up from LC Engineering, you'd still be undergunned. Maybe a Turbo'd rig, but you're going to need several thousands of dollars in modifications to make that possible. So realistically if you won't heed my advice and you insist on making a compact truck/suv a 4000 plus pound towing machine, you're going to not only need a swap one a 3.4, or 4.3, or a 350, but you might even need some decent modifications on the swapped motor itself too. Coupled with drive train modifications too.

seafarinman

I will have my engine and everything swapped in for less than the cost of the rebuild of the 3.0 and the required adapters to convert the chaindrive transfercase to a geardrive. I did my homework before I bought my parts. I am not worried about the headaches that you mention as I have everything from the donor truck, but thanks for your concern. With the reduced weight and the available turbo/superchargers the 4 cyl is a way better engine to have than the problematic 3.0. I know this, especially since my 3.0 has over 217000 miles. If money was a major concern, I would probably pursue a cheaper hobby. 8HP/20TQ is not enough for me to miss the 3.0.

CoedNaked

So you can buy an entire engine & block, with the ECU, as well as all the adapters, on top of the R151 transmission and all that jazz, swap it all out with any required tools, and knowledge, for cheaper, than the cost of a 3vze rebuild kit and your labour?

Also, since money appears to be no object to you, why did you go with such a whimpy mill? Why didn't you go with a 3.4 which has super charger capacity, as well as a heavy aftermarket following?

stevenf

Ok, I have another truck for towing also.
Heres the deal, Im pretty sure Im getting this thing for free. the guy has 4 of them just sitting in a feild. I want it to be a TOY, off-road, mabey a little rock climbing here and there. Just a TOY. However, even with gears, It just doesnt seem like 105hp is enough for 33-35inch tires and to use it for what I want.
If there are no bolt in swaps for power, How much of a difference in HP would I be looking at with a rebuild, mild cam, cold air intake, good exhaust(no cats). and a good tune from someone who knows what there doing.
Basically, without a turbo or supercharger, What would I be looking at with these slight typical mods?
Also, How is the reputation for transmissions with these model trucks? Are they known to easily go out under stress?

dj86515

Hi again 'Techers,
I've given up on the 86 4x4 turbo project, since I can't locate a block and an exhaust manifold....naw, really don't want to go through the hassle of rebuild and maintenance of a 22RET. I'm ready to take a 1995 22RE block to the machine shop, but want to know what adjustments I will need to convert an86 turbo to regular 1995 block, with complete chassis, driveline intact on the 86. Gonna sell off the turbo parts after. Again, I'd like to hear from you guys. Thanks again. DJ

GV27

To answer your question Steven, yes - there are bolt-in options. For sure a 3vze will bolt right in but not a big upgrade. Do a search as suggested. There is a 3.4l V6 and a 2.8l 4 that are great motors and will swap in easily. A JDM diesel too. (I think that 's the 1UZ mentioned earlier).

Generally not cost effective as mentioned, even if you get the truck for free. But if you get a good deal on a motor and do the swap yourself......

C