Well I was driving down the interstate yesterday and the truck starting making a noise that I can only describe as someone sticking something in a fan. I turned off the AC and it kept getting louder and louder. After about 15 seconds the engine quit and it popped the stick out of gear. I coasted to an offramp and when I was stopped tried to start again. It wasn't good sounding.
Well I towed it to my local Toyota dealership and they say the engine is locked up. They don't even recommend tearing apart the engine to see what is wrong. They said something came lose and to find out what that thing was would be pretty expensive. They say it will cost minimum of $5,000 to replace the engine. This is a '94 4Runner with 130,777 miles on it. Man this sucks. What would you guys do?

 

Swap in a 3.4 for around 2-3K

 

This is the opertunity I am waiting for. I would love to be forced to get the 3.4L put in. You might also want to look into getting the inline 6 that has been brought up in here a couple times.

 

Larunner,

Sorry to hear about the misfortune. I used to live in Shreveport, LA until last year? Whereabouts do you live there?

Yokem Toyota on Bert Kouns really treated me well when I was up there. If you need some contacts, I can put you in touch with the right people there.

 

Put in a supra 3.0 L6. You get sportscar performance back for it. And doesn't cost $5000. Search this site for superrunner. He does these swaps all the time.
O, and you'll get a better milage with some 80-100 hp more!

 

rpeamp, yeah my 4runner is in Yokem's hands right now. They have said the tradein is only worth $4,500 running. Not running the tradein is only like $2,500. The cost to just take a look and see whats broke is more than that. Theres a guy at Yokem who always acts like he is taking care of us but sometimes I'm not so sure.
I'm really in a dilema here because I just don't have the cash to replace the engine or the truck. I have had to put $0 in the truck since I bought it 2 years ago. It has run great and I hate to just trade it in....however I need something nice I can drive clients around in. Oh well....

 

Do you know of an independant shop that would be willing to check it out and tell you what is really wrong with it. Dealerships are notorious for being overpriced and unwilling to do major work because it ties up a spot. You may want to get a second opinion.

 

Ditto on the second opinion No offense to any honest mechanics out there, but I heve seen alot of dishonesty or at least ignorance in the field. Definately get another point of view on things... sounds like you may have blown a rod by your description. :cry: Sorry man...

 

I doubt I could get a shop to do an engine on my Runner with its 203K when it goes out being its lifted as it is and all. I may just end up getting a loan and getting a 3.4 outta a yard and buy a engine hoist. I got a quote on my last repair for an eng job and he said 4400

 

Ditto on the second opinion. GET IT. Most dealers are dishonest, ignorant and overpriced. Some are honest, ignorant and overpriced. The remaining small minority are honest and not ignorant, but still overpriced. You need someone with lots of experience outside of dealership to take a look at it. Good luck ..

 

Well I took my truck to another shop. Before I towed it over there they told me they thought they could replace the engine for around $2,500. Well the shop called yesterday and said the best price anywhere was $3,000, which does not include labor and new hoses etc. So I am in the same place I was a couple of days ago. There are no 4runners for sale that seem logical. The most reasonable I have found had 100k miles and was in rough shape. They wanted $15k for it.
Does anyone know anything about Tahoes?
Is there a site like this out there for other type trucks?

 

I know you don't want one! It won't get near the mileage or hold up like your Toyota. If you get a Tahoe you'll be doing this all the time...



Brian

 

Yep, i do.
I own a '97 Yukon (same as the Tahoe)
I really like my Yukon but you can mark on your calendar when things are gonna break.
Right now i have a small coolant leak. The dealer says its a leaking soft plug and he might need to pull the engine to get to it

Its a real nice ride. But you will need to do alot of work to it.

 

MUhhahahaha.. That's what you get for buying a GM product My condolences

 

So true!