What engine would you put in your truck and why?

Innocent Fool · 09-23-2009, 06:53 PM

So I'm stripping down my truck for a frame off resto and I find myself asking the question "what engine should I put in my truck?"

It's a 1990 extended cab 4x4 pickup with a factory 3.0/5spd. I've got the same engine in my runner with an auto and I really don't like it. No power and too much gas! That plus the whole head gasket thing. I really don't think I want to keep the 3.0

So, I'll throw the question out to you guys. If you had a choice, what engine would you put in your truck and WHY?

Ideally, I think I'm looking for something reliable and cheap on gas (and no, the 3.0 is NOT cheap on gas). Might consider turning it into a 2wd as I don't use 4x much.

So far I'm leaning towards:
- 3.4 swap. Might be too hard on fuel but a good bolt up solution
- 1.9 TDI swap (alot of work but don't know how it would start in the cold)

Let me know what you think and why

PS: Will any thing else other than a 3.4 bolt up to the 3.0 5spd transmission?

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

algranger · 09-23-2009, 07:06 PM

I would definitely do the 3.4 swap

Great power and torque
One of Toyota's better motors
Relatively easy to swap

There is a number of users here on the forum that have done the 3.4 swap, i'm sure they will chime in

thadlinkwent · 09-23-2009, 07:11 PM

I have a 97 blazer with some electrical ghosts. Got sick of chasing them so it sits.

I'd use the vortec 4.3 (converted to carb or maybe tbi.. Too much crap to go wrong with the current injection set up it has) out of that and rebuild my other g52 transmission with the adapter bell housing.

algranger · 09-23-2009, 07:42 PM

4.3 would be my second choice for a 3.0 Toyota

If it was a 22r or re i would do the 7m-ge or 7m-gte

toyota4x4907 · 09-23-2009, 08:34 PM

1uz-fe.

4runnermt · 09-23-2009, 08:38 PM

Toyota 4.7 v8. My 4th gen gets 20 miles per gal. highway and around 18 city. And its fast!

RobD · 09-23-2009, 08:42 PM

I did the 3.4 swap because it's easiest, got me way more power, and better mileage, too.

86toylet · 09-23-2009, 08:45 PM

Chevy 4.3, easy to swap in Cali, for most early toys. Parts are cheap.

Gator · 09-23-2009, 08:50 PM

I like both, but would probably go ahead and do the 1uzfe swap if money were not object. I have a 4.3 sitting in my garage waiting to be built though just in case.

yodathespian87 · 09-24-2009, 10:45 AM

Doing the 3.4 5vz to one of my 4Runners anmd going to do a 4.0 1uz in the other 4Runner. Keeping it Toyota! The power of the 1uz...

olharleyman · 09-24-2009, 11:21 AM

327/350 Chevy why? parts are cheap and on every corner and power out the butt options every where again cheap 500 hp not hard to do at all and it sounds so good and the tranny adaptors are not hard to find or you can go Chevy turbo 350,400 cheap as well.

Now if you want to stay Toyota the 3.4 would be the choice for me pretty much drop in and only a few things you need to do to make it work correctly

RMA · 09-24-2009, 12:10 PM

1uz, great power ,better gas mileage and all Toyota .

fillsrunner4 · 09-24-2009, 01:20 PM

4.3... Best motor for you

Its american, parts are cheap and usualy on the shelf, Did I say cheap, oh and powerfull and tourqy.

4.3 Hands down my vote

And to answere your question about the 3.4 bolting to a toyota 5speed the answere is yes. it will bolt right up to the r150f which is found behind the 5spd 3.0. It also is a direct bolt up to your excisting motor mounts.

If you go 4.3 go for the CPI as it has the most power. Usualy found in blazers, but also found in GMC rigs and vans

Adam F · 09-24-2009, 01:54 PM

3.4 for a daily driver. My 97 gets 18-19mpg consistantly

DubVipers · 09-27-2009, 02:30 PM

Am I late for this?

3.4L is pretty damn practical! TRD Supercharger eh?

then if you want more torque, i say the UZ family of motors. 4.0L V8, pretty small and its tough! plus if youre tired of the same V6 exhaust note, you can experiment with V8 glory

09-23-2009, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
algranger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here in the PNW Posts: 3,264	I would definitely do the 3.4 swap Great power and torque One of Toyota's better motors Relatively easy to swap There is a number of users here on the forum that have done the 3.4 swap, i'm sure they will chime in __________________ . . . I said lie, for me lying under a process tree . . . .

09-23-2009, 07:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
thadlinkwent Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marysville, Wa Posts: 65	I have a 97 blazer with some electrical ghosts. Got sick of chasing them so it sits. I'd use the vortec 4.3 (converted to carb or maybe tbi.. Too much crap to go wrong with the current injection set up it has) out of that and rebuild my other g52 transmission with the adapter bell housing. __________________ 1986 Toyota Pickup 22r 5-Speed 3 inch body lift rancho torsion bars and shocks 31X10.50X15 1st toyota

09-23-2009, 07:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
algranger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here in the PNW Posts: 3,264	4.3 would be my second choice for a 3.0 Toyota If it was a 22r or re i would do the 7m-ge or 7m-gte __________________ . . . I said lie, for me lying under a process tree . . . .

09-23-2009, 08:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,334	1uz-fe. __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS

09-23-2009, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
4runnermt Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 634	Toyota 4.7 v8. My 4th gen gets 20 miles per gal. highway and around 18 city. And its fast! Last edited by 4runnermt; 09-23-2009 at 08:47 PM.

09-23-2009, 08:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,726	I did the 3.4 swap because it's easiest, got me way more power, and better mileage, too. __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

09-23-2009, 08:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
86toylet Banned 'cause I was 4runnerchevy also banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Cruz Mountains Posts: 196	Chevy 4.3, easy to swap in Cali, for most early toys. Parts are cheap.

09-23-2009, 08:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gator Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL. Posts: 249	I like both, but would probably go ahead and do the 1uzfe swap if money were not object. I have a 4.3 sitting in my garage waiting to be built though just in case. __________________ Current Setup: 94 X-Cab 4x4 w/ 3.0, Auto, 1.5" BJS & Shackles, 33x12.5-15 BFG MT's, Detroit locker w/ 4.88 gears, ISR and Air Box mods, All-Pro winch bumper, Trail Gear Rear bumper, Warn XD9000i, custom body work by trees and rocks. Future Mods: 1UZFE Conversion, A340H to R150F conversion, SAS, dual cases, 12v Air Compressor & tank.

09-24-2009, 10:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	Doing the 3.4 5vz to one of my 4Runners anmd going to do a 4.0 1uz in the other 4Runner. Keeping it Toyota! The power of the 1uz... __________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner

09-24-2009, 11:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	327/350 Chevy why? parts are cheap and on every corner and power out the butt options every where again cheap 500 hp not hard to do at all and it sounds so good and the tranny adaptors are not hard to find or you can go Chevy turbo 350,400 cheap as well. Now if you want to stay Toyota the 3.4 would be the choice for me pretty much drop in and only a few things you need to do to make it work correctly __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

09-24-2009, 12:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
RMA Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Jose ,Ca Posts: 1,132	1uz, great power ,better gas mileage and all Toyota . __________________ '89 2wd X-tracab,W55,22re,My DD '94 SR5 4Runner 4x4,A340H, 3VZE,Alpine deck,Wifes DD '88 SR5 4runner ,A341E,1UZ-FE,kenwoodVZ907, XRC8, Homemade Roof rack.33x10.50,15 KM2 1" home made body lift, BJ spacers ,CB, rear disc brakes ,lockright rear.sky ebrake,truetrac front. My swap thread http://www.yotatech.com/f161/1uz-fe-...0-3vze-185324/

09-24-2009, 01:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
fillsrunner4 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sammamish, wa Posts: 2,724	4.3... Best motor for you Its american, parts are cheap and usualy on the shelf, Did I say cheap, oh and powerfull and tourqy. 4.3 Hands down my vote And to answere your question about the 3.4 bolting to a toyota 5speed the answere is yes. it will bolt right up to the r150f which is found behind the 5spd 3.0. It also is a direct bolt up to your excisting motor mounts. If you go 4.3 go for the CPI as it has the most power. Usualy found in blazers, but also found in GMC rigs and vans __________________ 94' toyota 4runner (Many a change!) purchased bone stock, NOW... SAS, 39" Iroks, Rear Leafswap, 5.29's , Air locked front, Welded rear, Chevy 4.3L V6, 5spd swap, dual T/C's MC10R10, flatbelly with custom skids, sliders, Chopped, Bobbed and so much more. Might as well start reading this if ya want know more Fillsrunner4 3.4crawler Build Thread Fillsrunner4.3 crawler (Part Two) build thread

09-24-2009, 01:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
Adam F Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 2,397	3.4 for a daily driver. My 97 gets 18-19mpg consistantly __________________ 88 4Runner. 350 V8, R150 5-speed. SAS, 36" TSL's, elocker rear

09-27-2009, 02:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
DubVipers Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wichita Posts: 5	Am I late for this? 3.4L is pretty damn practical! TRD Supercharger eh? then if you want more torque, i say the UZ family of motors. 4.0L V8, pretty small and its tough! plus if youre tired of the same V6 exhaust note, you can experiment with V8 glory __________________ 94 DLX XCab 2WD RN90

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search