Hi Folks, I'm a newbie here so please be patient with me. I've purchased a very clean 1999 Pre-Runner with the 2.7 liter 4 cyl. The rig has 215,000 (mostly highway) miles on it. I'm assuming this is a timing chain engine. Do I need to replace the timing chain at this point if the engine is running normally?
If this engine ever goes bad, can the other Toyota 4 cyl engines match up to replace the 2.7 with the automatic transmission? Is this a cost effective swap?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

i dont know whether you need to replace the chain at this point. if you plan to keep the truck, and can afford it, it certainly wont hurt, and could keep you out of trouble.

if that engine "goes bad", you would be downgradng with a 22RE. i've had more than a few of those, and they are good in their applictions. but i would just rebuild the 3RZ you have, keep it simple and enjoy the benefits of progress.

 

Welcome To YotaTech ... check the timeing cover for a tag for when it was last replaced

 

Welcome aboard glad to see you found your way over. I think we already covered what to do at the other board-I echo these guys advice. Dont bother with the 22 series-its not the best application.

 

Welcome to Yotatech! Give it up for the 3RZ-FE 2.7L 16valve 4bangers!

As far as the timing chain, I bought my 4R thinking it had a timing belt, so I asked for a reduction in the selling price since the owner didn't know whether or not it had been replaced. So she gave me another $400 off. Then after buying it, I called Tempe TOYOTA to schedule service for a timing belt replacement and lo-and-behold it had a timing chain instead! They stated I wouldn't need to replace this... Although I'm not sure if they meant indefinitely...

Oh, and in my experience, this engine hasn't been very receptive to air intake mods. After trying out the Volant Cool Air System and various other custom setups, I've found that the best driveability came from the stock set up minus the small silencer found on the rubber intake tube. I replaced that with a 1" PVC cap and a hose clamp to secure it in place. I'm running a FRAM Air Hog high flow filter too.

 

Thanks for the quick responses! This looks like a good forum, and I've got a lot of reading to do while I turn wrenches on my new (well used) Pre-Runner.