mburg28

Problem:
I have a 89 1 ton with the 3vze 5 speed. It has roughly 305K, with a blown head gasket, body in great shape.

I also have a 94 4x4 3vze 5 speed. That has about 190K, runs good, but has a lot of body damage.

Can the 94 motor be swapped into the 89? Would it work? What, if anything would have to be changed.(i.e. wiring harness, computer, oil pan, etc...)

Anyone that has done this, or has some knowledge about the above proposed swap..any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Mike

breknraj

It should be pretty straight forward, mechanically.

You'll want to swap the engine, along with the matching engine wiring harness and the ECU. Where you'll probably run into some issues is when it come to making the new ECU talk to the old body wiring harness.

You'll need the wiring diagrams from both trucks, and the body harness plugs for the ECU from the donor (engine) truck. For the most part, it will be a case of transfering the body harness wires to the proper location on the donor plug. Tedious, but do-able.

Another issue that might be of concern would be the routing of vacuum hoses between the differet years. Taking LOTS of pictures from every angle you can will help, a lot. Also label the hoses and wires to ease the re-assembly, and take copious notes.

Good luck!

mburg28

Thanks!..

I have done swaps before using the same year/engine. I kinda thought that I would run into problems with the engine harness and vac.

Do you think it's worth it to do the head gasket instead (easier)? I'm mechanically inclined but from talking to friends and browsing around..seems like is a pain in the arse!

leiniesred

Be ready to switch the intakes and some of the sensors around. Those 2 years have different connectors. We've done it (89 engine in 93 'runner). Otherwise, yeah, it'll bolt in. No need to change the computer.

mburg28

Leinesred..sounds good..other than what you listed how was the swap..duration, problems?

Pozi

Congrats for getting 305k on the 3.0L. But if you are going to be keeping the vehicle for a long time in the future you may look at checking the swapee's engine for reliability (i.e. compression test, timing belt, water pump, etc) so you have years of engine life.

leiniesred

1 day out, 1 day in. 1 night getting it running. 1 day rework for busted knock sensor wire. (that is a sensor you will have to change too I if I recall and that is a pain in the but (take apart intake)). The knock sensor features a shieled wire that has to stay shielded so it isn't an easy cut the plug off the other one and swap 'em.

Getting to the top 2 bellhousing bolts is hard. Use long, long extensions and maybe even lower the transfer case a bit.

Getting the starter bolts is a pain too. use long long extensions and go all the way from the front of the truck!