1995 4Runner 4WD AUTO.

Plan to do the 3.4 5vzfe swap.
Read up alot about it months ago, but all has been forgotten.
Ultimately I want to be worry free and have confidence to go coast to coast trips with no sweat after all is said and done.
I plan to redo brake lines, brake master cylinder and other components, fuel pump, suspension, bushings, and such while prepping the swap so I do not have any worries.

Had some questions.
I plan on doing 1 of 2 swaps.
Both methods I plan to replace almost everything besides cleaning and reusing some brackets, but specifically leaving the block, pistons, and crank in tact - replacing all else more or less.
(Oil pump, new heads, accessories, coils, etc, etc)

1.) Buying a rebuilt longblock (I see them online $2k +) and then a cheap donor (running or not) and using it as a mock up and reference while i purchase and build up the longblock.
or
2.) Purchase a donor 3.4, and tear it down to the block, leaving pistons and crank in tact, and rebuilt with new parts back on up.

Any feedback on this?

Also, when looking for a donor, I believe there is a certain year timeframe I need to look for in order to swap correctly. If memory serves, is it not 3.4 up to 2001? or 2000? in my situation (95 4Runner 4WD)
And I want to make sure the wiring harness is still attached with the donor motor.
Do I also need the ECU from the 3.4 if i use a plug and play harness conversion kit?

Now with that side, I believe I have a few of the sites bookmarked with the conversion kits (Plug and play harness, crossover pipe, oil pan, dipstick modification)
Is there anything else I should look for?

And then my final question.
JDM vs non JDM?
I believe I recall reading somewhere, possibly here, to stay away from JDM 3.4 if doing the 3.0 > 3.4 swap.
Any feedback on this?

And if anyone has any site recommendations for Donor motors, or parts in general, much appreciated!

Thank you all in advance

 

I swapped in a 98 3.4 into my 91 Ext Cab.

I believe 99 or 01 switched to a throttle by wire system that makes the wiring harder. Might want to look into that.
Make sure you get the engine with harness and the ECU that comes with it. Don't try to match up an ECU later. If planning to use a manual transmission make sure the donor ECU is for manual trans. Also get the exhaust with downpipe, 02 sensor, and catalytic that came with it.

The actual engine isn't the issue, The point is to get all the wiring, sensors, and ECU that match as a system

As far as the motor is concerned It pretty much bolts in. There really isn't much to mock up so you won't gain much by using one to test fit and another to rebuild. Just rebuild the donor motor and do the swap when ready.

 

How hard is accessing the oil filter after 3.4 swap on a pickup? Thanks

 

Anyone know of any good places to look for a donor motor that includes Accessories, wiring harness, and ECU?

 

Also, Can someone ro sure confirm with me on if i were to buy a 99, 2000, or 2001 4runner as a donor, did they change the throttle cable on those years? And if so, what extra would i need to do if that is the case?

 

I believe the only year the throttle changed was 2004 when they used a partial drive by wire system. Literally any block from 96-04 will work, but the benefit of the 96-99 blocks is the dipstick relocation passage is already drilled, but capped. On 2000 up, you will have to drill it.
eBay is a good place to look, whether you go with a donor or a long block, you'll likely find what you're looking for there.

You will need the ECU for the 3.4 that matches your wiring harness. I believe this is another place where the 96-99/2000-04 difference is. I know the MAF sensor is pinned differently after 99, and maybe a few other differences. However, that won't matter if you have the correct harness for your ECU.

You will need to use the motor mounts and dipstick tube off the 3VZE. But pretty much everything else will be native to the 5VZ or remain original to your truck.

 

It's in the same place as the 3.0

 

thank you for all of that information man!
im actually going to pickup and probably buy a running 98 4runner auto tomorrow. So I should have everything I need minus the conversion kits like exhaust crossover and I’ll probably buy a plug and plug harness kit.
that is, unless you recommend I do it myself?
its around 700 for that kit.

 

Score man! Literally all you will need is the crossover and the adapter harness! I would definitely spend the money on the harness, you know it will work right, and if it doesn't you can fall back on the manufacturer. Are you looking at the ORS harness? They're building my engine harness for my 01 JDM swap.

 

Yes I plan on the ORS wiring kit.

im also thinking of tearing down the 300k motor even though it runs all the way down to the block
my question is does anyone recommend I go further than the block? Such as replace the piston heads, rings, crank bears, and thrust washers?
Or should I leave the block alone and just buy new heads?

i will more than likely buy new heads fully assembled either way just wanted to see if I should rebuild bottom end or not...

 

You'll probably get arguments both ways. The way I see it, do you want to spend the extra money and time for peace of mind or not. Personally, if I were that far in I'd probably go ahead and do a full refresh with that kind of mileage, but these engines are also known to go 500k and beyond, soooo....

 

Well i also may have just pulled the trigger on a 2000 with 240k on it, so i would feel better on that.
That way ill just replace the heads and be done with that major part. Probably will replace sensors while i have the motor out and all the little stuff, prob new alternator, power steering (why not, ya know? lol)

Also, they make a guide kit for the oil dipstick drilling from ORS, and since ill have the pan off, no worry about shavings, etc.


PS, this is what the 3.4 is going into:
95 4Runner 4WD Auto
(before and after tint)

 

One question that I have that I can’t seem to get a straight answer on:

if I keep the a/c compressor from the donor 3.4 will it attach right back up to my 95 4runners ac lines, etc?
do I need anything else to keep a/c working?
my 95 has r134a, so same refrigerant.
I read somewhere that all I would need is to grab the plate off the top of the 3.0 a/c compressor?

 

No one ever answered this?
Your 95 looks zacrey like mine. (cept i still have factory wheels).
I don't even have the new motor in yet, but just today went to swap the pulley on the a/c compressor. THats what you really need. Should be easy (assuming your bearing isn't rusted onto the compressor crank). In fact I just ordered a new bearing (that is in the 99 (donor)) for the clutch. Guess they're not available from toyota separately. I will replace that, then the 95 compressor going onto the 3.4

If you do that, AND you haven't opened the system on the 95, you'll be good.
What did you end up doing on the long block and harness?