Hi everybody!
I am attempting my own 3.4 swap. My donor vehicle is a 97 4runner with the A340F auto trans, and it is going into my 92 4runner with the R150 manual trans.
The obvious problem is obvious. I was planning on shelling out for a manual wiring harness and ECM, until I learned that I am going to have to have my entire donor engine machined and rebuilt, which is going to eat up my entire budget for this project. I have learned that I can rewire the harness so it fits a manual ECM, so I will probably do that with my dad. The manual ECM is part # 89661-3d310 and apparently they are a mix of dwarven technology and platinum since I cannot find one used on ebay for less than $400. Advance Auto has one for around $300 with a core charge, made aftermarket by Cardone. There is another online store, called flagship one, which has negative reviews and one very angry thread on a F150 forum about how horrible they are, but they sell a new manual ECM for $200. I'm not sure if anyone has any other places they can recommend.
I would love to just use the auto ECM and call it a day, but I need this thing to pass smog and in NV it's an auto fail if there are any CEL.
I also have looked around in the numerous junkyards in my area, and can only find other auto trans junked vehicles.
Plenty of auto trans ECM on ebay for $60.
Do any of you fine folks know of any other places or workarounds I can try before I completely crater my engine swap budget?
Thank you

 

I would search all of CL and maybe check on FB marketplace or TEP recyclers. You have plenty of time to search while waiting for machine work. Ask on every Toyota forum you can find.

 

Consider getting an ECM from a 2WD (4runner, Tacoma or T100.) You're more apt to find one for a manual anyway.

Your 4WD indicator light won't work when you're done, but it really shouldn't hinder anything about the actual function of your 4Runner when you're done. That's the route I went, and it saved me about $200-300 when I did my swap. In my case, Off Road Solutions built my conversion harness so I can't help with questions on the actual wiring, but just the fact that it can be done.

 

Might also check with FlagShip One, fs1inc.com They repair and sell ECMs. My s-in-law has bought a couple from them.

 

Bummer I’m just reading this now. I had a 1997 M/T 4x4 ECU I ended up trading to ORS for some work as I found a 1998 donor.

Note, I believe the 1997 pinouts are different than later ECUs (which is why I found a 1998 donor as the connectors are somewhat universal), so you’ll probably want a 1997 ECU rather than another or you’ll have some work to do.

 

I do believe this also. 99 may be pinned (and connector style too!) like the 2000, but I ran into this issue few years ago when trying to do my harness conversion.

Probably a lot to be said for going with ORS or ToyOnly swap harness. For sure faster, lol

 

actually it will still work just fine the computer doesn’t turn the light on the switch on the transfer case does that and the 4wd ecu gets a signal from the switch I’m guessing to change fueling and timing for the added load of having to spin extra stuff. Mine is a 4wd ecu but nothing is hooked up on the 4wd wire and the light works perfectly fine

 

Thank you everyone for your answers!
So I ended up religiously checking pick and pull inventory, and found a unicorn 2000 MT Tacoma, and paid a whopping $34 for the ECM.
I had a long conversation with someone at Flagship1, and I would not recommend using them for this type of engine swap. They had stated they could only sell an ECM that was originally sold with the original VIN, and they would not do anything to support engine or transmission swaps. I tried bluffing, and used a VIN that I had found from a junkyard 98 4runner MT, and they had said that I need to prove that my name is associated with the VIN, so I would need to attach a title or registration with my order. I've never seen such a difficult part ordering process.
In the interim, I am going to use the auto ECM, to remove a variable when I get this thing rebuilt and installed, and make sure I can actually get the thing to run before I go crazy rebuilding the wiring harness. I'm happy enough to put the work in to put it in and take it out.
Also, would anyone be interested in if I created an engine rebuild/swap thread? I know this is probably routine for most viewers, but I am an unemployed botanist, so I think rebuilding an engine is a pretty big deal.

 

Hell yeah, would love to follow along. Plus if you were to run into any snags, you're in the right place!

 

wowzaa. 34 bux?! I only see (99 4x4/MT) for order of 700ish.

Glad you confirmed flagship1. There was quite a bit goofy in conversation with them, but they did not mention VIN. (Register a wreck - impossible anyway - just to prove some BS? No Thanks.)

There is a subforum 3.4Swaps a level or two backup the dir structure.