Hello- I hope I am posting this in the right place. I spent some time looking around the forum, and didn't find anything to match my problem. It's pretty straightforward- I got a 1997 4WD manual Tacoma from a skeezy used dealership. Bought for $6,500, with 184,000 on the ODO. Truck came from New York, I purchased it in Portland, OR, close to where I live with a clean title. 3,000 miles later and I've been told it needs a new engine. Truck is currently running, though not well. The oil is metallic and there isn't enough oil pressure. I would like to fix the truck, but the toyota dealership I talked to quoted me $6,000+ and the mechanic I took it to the same- although I don't think he really wanted the job, nor am I sure I would want him to do it. Not that he's bad, it's just not a great fit. I have gotten advice from Toyota enthusiasts that it is worth the fix, and there is a less expensive way to do it. Ideally I wouldn't like to spend more than $3,000. Thoughts? Ideas? Help? I want to save the little buddy.

 

How long have you actually had it and start searching for a JDM engine to swap in. Do some serious research.

 

Thanks for the reply- I've only had it 6 months. I'm trying to figure out where to go from here, but as a total newbie I've had trouble figuring out a good direction to go in.

 

Let me mull it over. I've been keeping my eye out for an opportunity to jump on such as this. I've been hoping it would be an engine I'm more familiar with(3VZ-E expert). But at this point I'm just about ready to take whatever "job" I can get.


Long story short, I'm in your neck of the woods and I could really use the money right now. A motor swap would be a piece of cake for me. But I can rebuild anything on wheels. Never worked on a 2.4. But that's not a prohibitive factor. I can get the tech info and do it 1000% by the book. I've got all the tools and equipment required. And I can guarantee whatever's wrong with it can easily be fixed within a $3000 budget. Most likely much less. I don't believe in charging people to work on their cars. I've always done it to expand my skill set and stick it to high priced mechanics by doing the same quality work or better for free. Now I'm not saying I'll do this one for free. But cheap enough you won't know the difference.


Like I said though...let me sleep on it. But you may just be in luck.

 

A 97 Taco 4wd should have had a 2.7 3RZ, not a 2.4 2RZ (that is the 2wd engine)

 

I'm just a step above an idiot on this stuff!

 

let me know if you need more info!