Motor = 1988 toyota 3VZE, Truck = 1987 4Runner
In the process of either rebuilding or replacing stock 22re. In pricing rebuilt vs remanufactured engines (doing it myself or buying it) I came across an engine (truck attached) for a reasonable price. How difficult of a changeover is it? and ... is it worth it? Is there a noticeable difference in HP?
also have spotted a few 22r's around and may go that route.

 

The difference being the 1988 4wd Truck was recently in a wreck ... the owner is parting it out and says the motor was rebuilt last year ... I can get it all for 500.00. The truck cranks right up ... hit in the rear.
Rebuilt 22re engine - 900.00 & up
Do it myself 22re - kit, heads - 700.00 & up
Used engines - Ebay - take yur chances - anywhere from 200.00 & up

 

Well, you'll have a complete donor truck to work with. So if you have the time, it shouldn't be that hard to swap the 3.0L in place of the 22R. You could easily take the entire engine wiring harness and complete drivetrain and throw it in there. I don't know about using a 3.oL in the first place though. Many people have dumped those in favor of the 4-cylinders.

 

If you do the swap. i.e.- you need the wiring harness, ecu...! I'm partial to the 3.0 so, that's what I'd do! I like the LE torque on the 3.0! The 22re is also a great engine. The problem w/the 3.0 is the dreaded HG problems, but the '88 is a good year and you shouldn't have any problems with it! When I used to do HG recalls, 95% of them were '91 on!

Good Luck!
* Harry *

 

Why not just buy another truck with the setup you want? It will save you time and money in the long run... I promise you. When you start swapping parts here and there, there is always something that will snag and oop, there goes another grand and then you get frusterated and just want you damn car back and oop, there goes another $500... and... idono... i'm not for engine swaps unless your going to get some serious power gains out of it. BUT, thats just me.

 

What are some engine swaps that are workable?

 

... Say a 2RZFE from a 1998 truck?

 

So what exactly was the dreaded hg recall? Head gasket that bad? This truck apparently blew one recently and the owner had it replaced. When he started the engine it sounded really rough. He said that it had set 6 months before he replaced it .... he didn't seem too mechanically minded so I'm thinking I should look elsewhere. Back to the 22RE search.

 

I wouldn't even bother with the 3VZE. All that extra work to put that engine in is not worth it. Just search the forum with the word "3.slow" and you'll see why.

 

Thats what i did. Bought a cracked frame 87 pickup with 100k on a carbed 22R and pulled the engine, converted it to FI, and dropped it in. After buying the truck, gaskets, timing chain, and an engine lift off ebay it cost me $700. Plus I scored a painted fender and a few other parts off the thing.