EstebanC

Ok, so is there at least ONE person in favor of this swap?? I went thru this site and others and I'm 95% inclined towards NOT doing it. I guess I'm one of those who needs to be 100% sure...The whole story was originally posted at TOYOTANATION.com, so here it goes again. TY...

Thinking of going from 22R-E to 3VZ-E...

Check my signature, please. Like I state there, I’ve got a 3VZ-E sitting in the shop. It’s got 200k miles on it, but that aside, it’s in good shape; no head gasket problems like I’ve read EVERYWHERE so far.

I’m currently working on the 4x4 22R-E. I brought it totaled from the States, but the crash is not that bad after all. The 22R-E has 265k miles on it, but also in good shape.

So here goes: Is it a good idea to put the 3VZ-E in the 22R-E truck? How big of a hassle is it? These are my main concerns:

- Computers
- Wiring harness, etc.
- Transmissions
- Transfer case
- Engine mounts
- Power steering

Regarding computers, my concern comes from the 3VZ-E’s being clearly labeled “3VZ-E 4X2 M/T”. The donor truck is a 4x2 and the receiving truck is 4x4. Will that computer work on a 4x4 straight up? Also, do I have to re wire the whole damn thing? No plug and play? Wiring harness too? Do I have to take out all the 22R-E’s wires and replace them with the 3VZ-E’s? What about the fuse boxes?

How about the transmission + transfer? I do have the donor’s 4x2 M/T (although I don’t know which M/T it is and I’m pretty sure there were a couple of options back then). Do I have to use it? How on earth will it hook up to the transfer?? Will all the transmission + transfer from the 4x4 22R-E truck fit the 3VZ-E as is? What sort of modifications am I looking at with this swap?

I guess it’s a given that I have to chop off the mounts of the 22R-E and put in the ones for the 3VZ-E. Will that do, or am I going to need new / different mounts from the ones I already have?

I think I’m even going to have to re-route some power steering lines! Am I wrong?

Finally, what am I missing??? I’m sure there’s got to be plenty of stuff that I haven’t even imagined!!! Is it really worth it? Is there a reasonable benefit in all this? I have to be honest: I LOVED the way the 3VZ-E did in the 4x2 truck; I size it up to my KA24E Nissan Hardbody (which I’m assuming must size up to a 4x2 22R-E. Right? No?) There is a BIG difference in my own opinion. Gas consumption is pretty much near the same for both trucks (or at the very least it sure felt like it) and the 3VZ-E is WAY faster than the KA24E truck.

I don’t know if it is the same case when it comes to 4x4’s though, and that IS a big issue in deciding whether all this trouble is worth it or not. Also, since the 4x4 already has a SOA done to it, I’m thinking about going 31x10.5x15. Will the 22R-E be / feel underpowered if compared to the 3VZ-E with these specs in mind? Bare in mind, this 4x4 will be my daily driver, so power and gas mileage are of the essence. Which is the best ratio between the two configurations? Any write ups out there on the swap? Any final pros and cons? In advance, big thanks to anyone following this thread…
__________________
1991 4WD Shortbed; 22R-E M/T...
1991 2WD X-Cab; 2L M/T...
1991 3VZ-E sitting around collecting dust...
1993 2WD Nissan Hardbody KA24E

Bigblock

Take the same money AND PUT A 3.4 IN IT.
Bigblock

[N8]

I have no major gripes about the 3VZE, but there is absolutely no way I'd swap a 22RE out for one in any vehicle.

EstebanC

I certainly see myself buying a 3.4, but that's the thing: I don't have to buy anything; I already have the 3.0 sitting around doing nothing. Down here, they are not worth much (no gas engine is really worth much - we're diesel people), so selling it is not that great of a move either. Thanks for the thought tho, Bigblock.

Now, N8, from your signature I conclude you're riding on a 3.0, right? You're telling me you rather have a 2.4 rather than the 3.0 you ride, or is it just concerning the swap?

The thing with the 4x4 is that I bought it wrecked (engine fine, tho) and I'm in the middle of putting it back together. The 3.0 is from a 2wd and I loved that ride; big difference when I size it up to the 2.4 KA24E Nissan that I currently drive. I figure the KA24E and the 22R-E must be pretty much the same, right?

I have no experience with 4wd, so my concern is that a 22R-E might feel too underpowered moving those 31*10.5*15 that I have in mind (truck has a 2" lift or so). On the 2wd's that's a totally different story, isn't it?

I guess that the question now will be, is there a big, sensible difference between 4wd Shortbeds with 2.4 and 3.0? Power? Mileage? Etc?

Thanks to both of you for your input...

[N8]

My 4runner is a 3VZE, yes. I drove a 22RE 2nd gen 4runner recently and I was shocked by the small difference in power between it and my 3VZE. Given the 22RE reliability, popularity, and ease of maintenance, there is no way I'd swap a 3VZE in for a 22RE. I don't despise the 3VZE, but I'd never buy another one much less swap a 22RE out for one. I feel the power and mileage differences are minimal between the two engines.

EstebanC

Wow that close, huh? I know that on 2wd both consume pretty much the same, but I sure feel a significant difference in power. Any one else out there who has experience on both configurations and can match them up? Thanks N8!!

86Toyrunna

i dont know many good things about the 3.slow but when i had my 85 4x4 pick up with 200,000+ miles on it i passed my friend on the highway with his 91 and 3.0.. he actually had a hard time keeping up with me off road and on road with that truck... granted it would tow a small trailer better but id take the reliablity and stoutness of the 22re anyday.....thats my .02..... o yea if diesels are that popular down there... why not a diesel swap? wish we had em up here.. id do one in a heart beat!!

EstebanC

So, better at towing, huh? That means better lo-end torque doesn't it? Well I certainly know I won't be towing anything, so things are not improving for the 3.0 in my poll.

Now, regarding the diesel swap, that's precisely how I ended up with the 3VZ-E sitting around! My brother took it out of the 2wd and put in a 2L (which was one big pain in the a$$ in all its own rights). I'm not too crazy about that engine myself. I WILL LOVE to do the diesel swap myself, but that's further down the road. Unlike the gas engines, diesels ARE expensive here! I'm aiming at a 3L or hopefully a 5L, but not yet. When the time is right, I'll start a different thread! =P Thanks for your .02!! Greatly appreciated!!

86tuning

Well, why don't you find a 3.0L 4Runner or pickup and drive it around for a while, to see how much you like (or dislike) that engine.

IMO, if you're going to swap an engine, the purchase price of the engine has very little to do with the overall costs and the work involved with the swap. Also, the end result is that you'll have a truck that has very little resale value, if any. People who are familiar with Toyotas will generally steer away from the 3.0 v6. People switching from other brands (ie, ford exploder or whatever) will buy it because they think the 3.0 will be stronger than the 2.4. Which it is, but only marginally so.

I'd either stick with the 22RE or go with a diesel swap, or a UZ (toyota v8 swap).

Of the three options I list above, staying with the 22RE is the least amount of work, which means you'll spend more time 'wheeling, and have more funds for lockers, armour, tires, and a winch.

EstebanC

That's a good idea Brian. The thing is I have a decent idea of how the 3.0 behaves. Now, what I'm really looking forward to is to try out the 2.4 everyone seems so in love with!

What I really want to do is come across another wreck (front end), fix it up, throw the engine there and sell it for a few $$. That's been the plan all along but thought of doing that with the 2.4 and keep the 3.0. I never thought that would be such a bad idea.

EstebanC

Just in case that anyone's curious, check out what the guys at TOYOTANATION.com had to say about this one:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=279541

Thanks to all of you for all the interest shown in this topic!

75k5toy

Hey esteban, if i were in your shoes, i would sell that 3.0 and invest the $$ on the differentials, with the right g/ratio, that 22r puppy will fly on the higways, and climb trees in the woods.

olharleyman

I have one each 22re and 3.0 both with 5.29's and 35 x 12.5's the 3.0 is my dd the 22re is both dd and a toy given the 80mile round trip to work and back every day I say this.

I love the 3.0 (1990 4runner 4" lift)because even with 246,xxx it is reliable as the day is long it gets me to work and home everyday wiith out any issues except fuel mileage and power on the hills and its hills both ways but $20 a day gas bill kills it.

As for the 22re(1993 s.a.s. 4runner) it does the same but seems to pull the hills better and holds 65 longer without the downshift from 5th gear and to top it off better gas mileage and don't seem to work as hard to get it.

if anything I consider the 90 3.0 a bar hopper and the 22re a cruiser so if I were in your position theres not a chance in H E double tooth picks I would swap a 3.0 for a 22re. That said it is up to you what you choise to do but the fact remains the 22re is the better choice between the two motors in my opinion take it for what is is worth.

EstebanC

I honestly think your opinion is worth a lot, since you know both engines so well. Regardless of what people think of the 3.0, everyone seems to agree against the swap; I've read dozens of opinions here and over several other forums and is a landslide against the swap. It'll be pretty dumb of myself to go against such flow!

My mind is made about this one, and is all thanks to everyone here, there and everywhere looked! I don't have one doubt that taking the time to post here and there saved me several headaches, dollars, time and so forth, just to find later on that it wasn't worth it. Thank so very much to all of you out there who took the time to post on this subject.

Adam F

3.0 is pretty peppy in a lightweight 2wd pickup truck. Put it in a 4x4 4Runner and its a dog. DEFINETLY not worth the trouble of swapping one in.

EstebanC

That's precisely what I was worried about. From all the comments I've gotten from pretty much everyone, I pulled the plug on the idea. Like a lot of people suggested, I'm gonna save my money for a sexier swap further down the road. Thanks to all.

spanish-road

the toyota 2lt-e and any other L series diesel block is a direct swap into the 22re motor mounts. um there is a build info on http://vpizza.org/~jmeehan/toyotadiesel/

Adam F

still less power than a 22re

spanish-road

diesels and gas are way different look at the numbers
engine-----displacement----hhp------torque
2L-THE------2446-------99@3800---163@2400 diesel <--direct swap
1KZ-TE------2982------125@3600---219@2000 diesel <---pia but worth it
22R-E -------2366------112@4600 ---142@3400
5VZ-FE------3378------190@4800----220@3600
3VZ-E-------2958-------141@4600----177@3400

EstebanC

N I C E ! ! ! Im not going to lose this link! Thanks a lot!