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Whats invloved in an engine swap?

Old 09-22-2008, 11:39 AM
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Whats invloved in an engine swap?

Specifically swapping a 02 3.4L 4Runner for a 02 3.4L Tacoma motor. I have 190k on mine and have a line on a FREE 100K motor. My mechanic told me it would be about $2k to have the swap done. Whether they are busy or just don't want to do it I don't know but $2k seems a bit high for a like for like swap.

Aaron
Old 09-22-2008, 12:21 PM
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Well if your not needing a new engine you could always store the Taco engine.

Or heck I'll take it and swap it with my 3rz , I'll even take the 190k one

Last edited by crolison; 09-22-2008 at 12:41 PM.
Old 09-22-2008, 12:36 PM
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sounds about right for shop work! Why dont you DIY its so easy to swap your old 3.4 out and put another one in its not even funny!
Old 09-22-2008, 12:58 PM
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it is somewhat of an easy swap. depending on the 2k how soon will they have it back to you? if it is anything more than 2 days i would say that it is steep
Old 09-22-2008, 02:24 PM
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its just an engine. take lots of close up pics and half way lable stuff. i like to put bolts from certain areas and keep them seprate in a can and set with what it goes to. if you do mmuch work on your truck you can do this.
Old 09-22-2008, 03:01 PM
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See thats the thought process I was under, how difficult could this end up being. I mean it's like for like, as long as the ecu doesn't freak out (I wouldn't imagine it would). I was thinking about a set of headers but have read that it just won't work with the 1" BL. I will need to seel the 190k motor as well as the 100k auto tranny and 100k t-case.

Aaron
Old 09-22-2008, 04:06 PM
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you're just replacing your current engine with the same engine with less miles. Its very simple.

If you can turn a wrench and operate an engine hoist you can do it in a weekend. I've dropped the old engine out of my honda and replaced it in an afternoon.
Old 09-22-2008, 06:26 PM
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Oh I can turn a wrench and a little more, I'm pretty darn mechanically inclined.

Aaron
Old 09-22-2008, 06:31 PM
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It's not like you are from another planet or something (Jupiter).

Old 09-23-2008, 01:20 AM
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As the old saying goes..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

It's being more apparent that these engines are easily reaching 300K+

But like crolison said, pick it up anyway and store it for when the time comes.
Old 09-23-2008, 02:35 AM
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i agee with the if it aint broke dont fix it too. i have 227k miles on my 3.4 and still get 20-22 mpg on hwy. save the motor till you need it.
Old 09-23-2008, 05:13 AM
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Well I like to fix it b4 it breaks, like the armor under most of ours trucks.YOu certainly didn't wait until you cracked the t-case wide open before you armored up. Well some of you did. I don't really have the storage at the office or home for an engine. But I had considered this just letting the motor sit for a while.


Aaron
Old 09-23-2008, 06:21 AM
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I'd say figure out a place to store it until your current engine has an issue. Or if you're dead set on changing it, might as well freshen it up to stock and at least pull the heads off, get them cleaned up, valve faces lapped, etc, adjust valves, new cam & valve seals, etc. And maybe go as far as pull the pistons and mic everything, replace rings, bearings, etc. Even if you spent a couple hundred on some new parts you're still way ahead.

Here's a question: where did the engine come from? The reason I ask is because i'm assuming you've made sure your routine maint has been done since you've owned your truck... can you be sure of the same for the free engine? There is no guarantee that new engine will be as trouble free as yours has been.

I don't really see the point in installing an engine (especially a known reliable toyota) with 90k less than what you have. If it were me, the only way I would consider a swap (at the point you're at) is if the new engine was brought back to "new" spec.

Can you store it at a friends place? Family?

[edit] I know you didn't ask for advice on all that crap...sorry: but to echo the posts before - this type of remove/replace should be about as simple as they come. Maybe get some other quotes? And instead of "swap" I might use the term "replace". My guess is with the term "swap" shops are thinking of compatibility issues and thus quoting you accordingly.

Last edited by toy_tek; 09-23-2008 at 06:25 AM.
Old 09-23-2008, 07:47 AM
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It's the motor out of my brothers truck that was wrecked. You might remember the roll over carnage. Well I don't need the engine in now as we all know mine is running very strong. I appreciate the advice, and had thought of bringing the other one up to par. I'm fairly certain from the accident nothing was harmed. While this is hard to know until it's pulled I just thought I'd throw it out there. Yeah yea thats all for now.

Aaron
Old 09-23-2008, 09:27 AM
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what about that Tacomas have an EGR and 4Runners don't. IS the exhaust different or is it just a block off plate?
Old 09-23-2008, 10:31 AM
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pick up Toytech76's supercharger while you are at it.... let's do a real build up here....
Old 09-23-2008, 11:24 AM
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It was no problem putting a '94 22RE in place of the stock 22RE in my truck. My dad and I did it in a weekend.

Rob
Old 09-23-2008, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Ron Helmuth
pick up Toytech76's supercharger while you are at it.... let's do a real build up here....
Thought about building a SC'd swap but I will lose fuel economy yes to much to make it worth while. I have run this scenario b4, as easy as it would be to build it while out I just can't afford the near 5k for the charger and fuel mods. Hell I'd love to drop a 4.0 in there or a 4.7 while I was at it.

Aaron
Old 09-24-2008, 12:43 AM
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On a semi-related note, what is the suggested practice with regards to the odometer when doing an engine swap?

Leave it be or alter it to match the swapped in engine?
Old 09-24-2008, 05:24 AM
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No no no leave it be, I would imagine it would be rather difficult to roll back a digital ODO. Since I'm not the typical driver I would continue to own this vehicle for probably forever though the 4th gen with a V8 is tempting.


Aaron

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