What a mess lol. Hate mud or clay.
Nice score on the motor. I would do t belt. Water pump. Spark plugs. Valve cover gasket and reseal or replace the rear cam covers.

 

Alright that sounds like a good idea.

Is there anything obvious I should look for in issues with my new engine?

At least the clay doesn't smell. It was everywhere though.

 

Not that I could think off. Once you pull the valve covers. You will see how clean the engine really is. If it's all stained. Than it's either lack of oil change or cheap oil. I seen 3.4 with 150k and under the covers looks brand new. Good oil and change it regularly will do that.

Oh change the t stat as well.
After all that. You should be rocking that for another 100k easy. Just change the plugs every 30k

 

I'm pretty excited. The only thing is how the hell am I going to get the engine out of the bed of my truck? I suppose I could go get an engine stand and maybe rent an engine hoist?

 

Toyo, only 30k before you're supposed to change the plugs? Really? Didn't think it was that low, something more like 50k or so(which I'm still over, now that I think about it). What's the timing belt interval on 5vz? I've seen some conflicting info on that depending on year.

Red, definitely want the hoist with your back problems, but might only need to rent the hoist. Really just need it for moving the 3.4 to a stand, pulling the 3.0, and dropping in the 3.4. May work out better to buy one and sell it when you're done, though. That's what I was gonna do when I bought mine years ago, but I never sold it. Been used on 5 different rigs now, 3 of which are mine.

 

Harbor freight is your friend for engine stand and hoist.

The 3.4 is 30k for spark plugs and make sure you buy factory plugs. See too many misfires with aftermarket plugs. The t belt is recommend every 90k or 7-8 years (rubber ages) . You can stretch it but. 90k is a major service. T belt. Coolant. Spark plugs. Diff services. Transmission services.

FYI. I have never gapped a spark plug in my life lol. Toyota OEM or NGK plugs don't need gaping. They come ready to go as long as you don't drop them lol

 

Toyo, thanks for that. I did get OEM plugs from the dealer when I did my swap, but that was 60k miles ago now...so I guess I'll be hitting the dealer up soon. Thanks for the clarification on the timing belt, figured Andrew might not mind the thread jack since it applies to his rig soon as well

 

The spark plugs will last 90k plus but mpg goes down and puts more work on your coils. They are fairly cheap to do every 30k.

 

Are they as annoying to change as the 3VZ?


I like conversational flow in my thread so I like thread hijacking. Besides, I learn stuff I didn't know I needed to know.


Might be worth the drive to Bellingham as well as paying duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-c...ane-69514.html


compared to Princess



http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/R...rane/8210072.p

 

3.4 is a much easier motor to work on. Plugs are pretty easy and tons of write ups on other forums on how to do it. Since your motor won't be in a vehicle. You will see how easy it is. Even the pleumn takes like 10 mins to take off of you ever need to replace the valve cover gasket or an injector. Not saying you need to now. But they have been a problem for misfire codes. Kinda rare but I seen a few in person and it's on the web as well.

As long as you do what I already posted before install. You will be set.

 

Off road solutions are the first guys to offer the swap parts/harness. You might want to consider these guys as well: http://www.toyonlyswaps.com/Home_Page.php

I know you will probably need it beforehand, but I have an engine hoist and stand.

 

Awesome, great advice guys.

I'm going to get a hoist and stand. I need them anyway my back is trashed so I have to be careful with it. Thanks for the offer.


EDIT//

I'm glad the 3.4 will be easier. Honestly one of the most frustrating task I have done myself to Red was changing the spark plugs. It was also the most uncomfortable and my knuckles hurt.

 

Back to the photos!

I have to crank these out so I can get back to the build stuff. On top of all this I'm renovating another house. Been crazy busy.


So we had made it late to the Grand Canyon so we had a quick peak then crashed out.

We woke up early the next morning to watch the dawn and head out to Mesa Verde.





















































































Of course the gift shop. Got my new favorite mug there.



Tail end of the Grand Canyon and heading into Navajo lands.

 

There is another canyon heading into Navajo land and a cool dinosaur area. There are bones, footprints and asteroid fragments!

Pretty neat.


So this is Arizona heading towards Four Corners and Colorado. In the Navajo lands is the Valley of the Gods and the pillar park.















A BIG footprint.

A Tyrannosaur apparently.











A piece of an asteroid that impacted in the area.













Dino Turds.

 

I'll get up Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley tomorrow. It's getting late.

Thanks for looking!

 

Beautiful photos as always....x2 on the 3.4. I love the 97 limited we have.

 

WOW, really beautiful scenic pics! Looks like you guys are having a really fun trip! My son (almost 6yrs old) would really get a kick out of seeing the dinosaur footprints up close and personal like that. Nice to see the 4 runner is treating you well on your journey!

 

It's been over a few months. I have so much on the go it just took ages to post.

Trust me, dinosaur footprints bring out the 6 year old in a grown ass man.

This road trip is what prompted the SAS task ahead shortly.

 

Monument Valley, Navajo land. It was stunning. I felt like a needed an old colt 6 shooter and a horse.









































Sarah took this next one.

She's never played with an SLR camera and I encourage her.








I freaking love horses. No idea why, can't even properly ride one. I have a personal goal of having enough land to own some and learn.





















As we started heading North we saw more snow and colder temps.

 

Great pics!! Thats my favorite part of the country. My parents live in Moab, and everytime we go there to visit, we make it a point to head to valley of the gods and monument valley. Just breathtaking views out there.

Looks like you got a few photos of the mittens and Merrick Butte when you were in Monument Valley too!. Very cool rock formations. Are you guys heading up to Moab also? If you are and run into any trouble, let me know and Ill give you my dads number.