Hi,
ive read through many posts on here and the consensus seems to be that the best bet is to get a donor vehicle so you have all the parts available to you. I've seen some beat up Tacomas for about $3500 with decently low miles (205,000).


​​​​​​My question is that a decent route to go? Obviously I'd love to find a truck that was rear-ended but otherwise taken care of but I've never seen one show up on Craigslist or anything and a wrecking yard isn't going to just sell me a whole truck for $1500 when they can make more than that on parting it out.

ive never done something like this before but if I could be within $1000 of breaking even then I'd love to do that and wouldn't worry so much about screwing up.

I keep looking on EBAY and they are ALL JDM engines which seems like there might some hassle with them and that's why they are plentiful and semi-cheap?

Thanks

 

I got my 99 at Copart. It was smashed in the rear (pretty badly). I got it in CO, so I paid someone's dealer fee to exercise the auction. Think it cost me $25.

 

What’s wrong with the JDM engines? I don’t know much about them.

 

I don't know either, but I think ToyOnly Swaps or one of the other swap specialists won't install a JDM engine or they won't make harnesses for them which leads me to believe that there must be some additional fabricating needed?

I don't want the headaches. I just want the easiest swap possible since I know I'll probably be way over my head anyway.

 

I'll let you all know. I have a low mile (45 K) eBay JDM about to go in my '96 T100. It came totally complete with engine harness, alternator, power steering pump etc all still attached so it should be plug and play (I hope, haha !). I'm saving my T100's 3.4 to rebuild for my 1st Gen 4runner too.