roundhouse

Alrighty,

I have a 95 4wd Runner limited, automatic, currently a yard ornament.

I traded a $200 beater to a guy I know, who was in his last semester at college, and the HG blew, he had to have a vehicle asap, and didnt have a dime, so I traded the beater car for the Runner.

Its nice with leather seats, sunroof and power windows & locks.
Zero rust, 130K.


I''ve tried replacing the HG, twice, and it still sucks water and oil. plus I stripped the top of one of the head bolts, and now cant get it back off.



I dont plan on lifting it or doing any hard trails. Mostly grocery getter daily driver.


My options are:

1: part out the truck,

Plus: Probably the most $$ for the least work.

Minus: its a nice truck and I hate to do that,


2: Find a good running 3vz to pop in and sell the truck before the HG blows again.

Plus: DIrect bolt in.

Minus: Ive been unable to find one at a reasonable price.
Cheapest Ive found in Atlanta is $1100, and I aint about to pay that for a 3.0 with the HG time bomb ticking.
In the $300-650 range, that would be my first choice.




3: Swap in a Ford EFI 5.0
Plus: cheap and easy to find, Sturdy engine, will run with all the sensors unplugged. Ive done this swap before into an Early Bronco, so Im familiar with the wiring.

Minus: more weight,requires a trans swap, since my Runner has a automatic. and dont know if it will fit with ifs.

4: 1UZ Lexus
Plus: cheap engine, all toyota, can use the automatic from the Lex.
Minus: looks like a complex swap, and no motor mounts avail to buy.
id have to make em myself., and Im not good at that.


5: VolksWagen tdi turbodiesel

Plus: with a little tuning should get double the mpg with the the same power as the 3.slow
Minus: used engine costs about $1700. Also requires the auto to manual swap.


Pretend you are a contestant for the miss America pageant, but actually have a brain.

What would you do and why?