Freemans4runner

Hello all...I'm new here and need some yota advice.
I recently picked up a 89 4Runner with 115k mi for $400.00. It is a 2dr SR5 V6 w/manual trans. The timing chain let go and did alot of damage to the motor. The body is very good (2 small rust spots, rust on 1 piece of the top trim) and the interior is good. Now the questions....
What years/cars can I use a 3.0 out of? Would I be better off switching to a chevy 4.3 or V8. I have a pretty decent shop/tools/mechanical knowledge..so doing a swap does not worry me. If I go with chev V6 or V8, which company has the best adaptors and will a yota t-case and axles handle it?
This would mainly be used as a toy and not a DD.
Just curious what these beasts are capable of..and thx again.

John

lee

if youre gonna swap to a different engine, go with the 3.4L out of the 96-2002 4runners. no use in saddling yourself with american engine problems.

the 3.0 is in runners before 95.

someone with more knowledge can chime in with more useful advice though...

rimpainter.com

Are you a good mechanic? That will tell us a lot about where to point you.

Freemans4runner

Lee,
Will the 3.4 bolt up to the manual trans that is in it?

<96 Runner>,
I consider myself to be a pretty good mechanic..I have done alot of work on my stuff, welding, engine swaps, etc..
My current crop of cars include a 99 Cherokee (lifted), 04 Altima, 04 Saturn, 1980 Camaro (built for 1/4 mile), 68 LTD Convert (cruiser), 72 Dart (someday racer .

Hope this helps..and thx for the replies so far.

John

rimpainter.com

Well, if you are a competent mechanic then I see no reason not to pick up a 3.4 and swap it in. A few guys have done it, and for a $400 4Runner, you are starting with a darn good platform. You may want to check Advanced Adapters for other idea's in possible American Muscle engine swaps. I would go 350 before I went 4.3. I hate the 4.3.

Waterboy

Why?
That would be my engine of choice if I was going to do a swap.

MvCrash

Greetings,
IF you have to rip it out, I would put a small block chevy in. If its not a daily driver and you have some time, know how and tools thats what I would do. There are alot of places you can find the adapters which makes it "sorta" easier.
No replacement for Cubic Inches and SB Chevy's are easy to build, easy to find and easy to find parts.

MV
PS, it would be really cool also.

rimpainter.com

The 4.3 is underpowered for its size, they tend to have a lot of problems, and when compared to a 350 SB, the simplicity and mod-ability of the 350 wins. IMO.

Freemans4runner

Thx for the replies...
I just assumed the 4.3 would fit better since it is shorter. I have access to 2 chevy v8's....My camaro motor, which dynoed at 337 at the rear wheels and a basically stock one out of a 76 Truck. I have seen 4.3's in the paper for $600 to $700.
How much will the yota t-case and IFS handle? This would be used on the street, light trails, and way too deep mud
I don't have a ton of money to drop into it, but I couldn't pass it up for $400.00...I figured the alloys and new 31's were worth that

Thx again

John

superjoe83

sorry to hijack this thread, but the 4.3 is just about identical to a 350 except its missing the back two cyl. the front of both motors are identical, the water pump and timing cover will interchange with a 350, or any small block, the bore and stroke is the same, Ive taken a 4.3 piston and rod and slid it into a 350 bore, no problem, you can take a 4.3 head and set it on a small block and it will line up except its 1 cyl short, and the ports are in slightly different spots, I'm not trying to flame you or any thing, but these motors are so identical, i wonder why you hate the 4.3 so much

JoKEpLaYeR

If you have access to a 350 I say do it. I don't know how many hills you plan on doing, but you may want to convert it to FI. I'd vote for the '76 350 if it has 4 bolt mains. I have seen some impressive 4.3L, but they are prone to failure. When I had my 1990 Camaro I knew some guys with newer ones with the 4.3L...

884runner

when you play in the mud,i assume you will be hitting the gas pretty hard and if that is the case, i don't believe the axles and transfer case will be able to handle all the torque. all the prople i know that have put 350's in vehicles such as yota's and J**ps all say it's about how you handle the throtle. With a lite foot it would be nice to have on trails but in mud the stock yota parts will have a tuff time staying together.IMO
thanks,
alan

Waterboy

I've had an abused 4.3 (very few oil changes, driven hard) go over 250K and at that point the transmission gave out.
I just figured if I was going to go threw the hassle of an engine swap I would want a little more grunt then the NA 3.4 and still be able to get decent mileage. The 4.3 seems to fit the bill and the swap is well documented. You hear about Toy axles and transfer cases standing up to v8's all the time so I don't think you would have to worry to much about a v6.

JoKEpLaYeR

I had a lightly abused Chevy 3.1L with oil changes every 3,000 go to 101,000 in my Camaro when the tranny started eating itself. I'd personally pick the 350.

EDIT: If you're going to mud, i'd say go with the 350 and get Marlin Crawler to build you the beefy t-case you need. A built 700-R4 really should do it for you or a turbo 350 or 400 from a truck.

Waterboy

I agree that the 3.1 isn't a very good motor but what does that have to do with the 4.3?
As superjoe pointed out the 4.3 and 5.7 are very close in design. The 4.3 just fits better and gets better mileage.

JoKEpLaYeR

(It didn't have much to do, I got off topic.)

The 3.1L is actually a great motor. The 60 degree motors are very well balanced and run forever. When my tranny went out the motor was running strong. I've had friends spin main bearings and have other big internal problems on the 4.3L motors. I personally would go smaller or bigger. 3.1 (3.4?) or 350. Was the 3.4L GM motor the same? I forget. The 3.1L would be a waste of money though over the 3.0L that Toyota made.

Freemans4runner

Again..thx for the replies.
I am leaning towards the 350..and being a little more gentle on the loud pedal

Who makes a good adaptor to fit a GMth350 to the yota case? headers? mounts?

oh..and it gets better...another buddy of mine has a 4 cylinder out of a Toyota truck. He said that it is a 22R(I think R). It has a carb, not FI. He said I could have it since he put a remaned motor in his. Will the 4 cyl bolt to the manual tranny that was behind the V6?

Feeling blessed

John

rimpainter.com

My biggest point is the mod-potential of the 350 over the 4.3. Supply and demand, cheaper and easier to go faster. We should also clarify which year of motors we are talking about, that could change things a bit.

No biggee, I didn't really slam the 4.3 anyway. Gosh, a lot of 4.3 defenders around here!

Freemans4runner

One last question..and this one benefits you guys. What are some good sites to learn about the 4runner...ie, what bolts to what, what generation it is, etc..
That way I can quit pestering you guys

John

rimpainter.com

I think you found it!