New on here. Just bought a 92 ExCab with beautiful body but not so good motor. 134k miles. Of course it is a 3.0. I hate V-6's in any form, but being 70 I figure if I can get this thing going it will last me 120k and I will be unlicensed by then. I am playing with one alternative and that is doing a 2.7 swap. I like the looks of that engine. About the same power as the 3.0. Is there anyone who has done that swap? Anyone who has thought about and rejected it? Anyone know how the electrical connections go?
I need 150hp for my plans for this truck. I also want a posi rear end in it. It is an automatic and will stay that way because my wife cannot physically use a clutch.
Just for further info: When I bought truck I was told it had stopped at a light, died and would not restart. Had been to a shop and they had said it might have a head gasket issue. They had left the Timing belt shroud off and the cooling fan. The previous own had "put them in a dumpster" when he cleaned vehicle out to sell. Lovely! I have since found out there is no spark, reason for no start. Not even spark at coil. So I assume coil or ECU? Plugs have been in there a long time. Checked compression on 3 cylinders so far but have to modify my gauge stem to get in to rest of plug holes. so far 150# on front two and left center. Will have to check cylinder numbering.
I appreciate and listen to good advice.

 

The RZ swap has been done, it's more common with the 22r than the 3vze probably.

You will have the usual issues, hood clearance and electrical harness mating.

There is no step by step direction for this, it always varies by what you can find for sale..

The usual advice applies, get an intact donor vehicle and pay for access to the diagrams.

 

I know you said you dont like any V6s but to avoid the hassle of moving mounts and having to get a different trans, look into a 3.4 swap. It will bolt into your frame and up to the 3.0 trans and have more power than the 2.7. You will probably have hood clearance issues but a small body lift or a small hole should take care of that

 

I had an Avalon with the 3.4 and I am OK with that engine if it was already in the truck. that option is still open. It just doesn't feel right to exchange one V-6 for another.
Other interesting options are a 2L-TE or a KZ-TE wishful thinking would be a 1KD-FTV. All are obtainable. Just finding the right engine at the right price. I will probably end up working with what I have until I get all my pieces collected.

 

Avoid the toyota 4cyl diesels unless you like cracked heads and feeling slower than the 3.0.
Having done , 2rz, 3rz, and 5vz swaps. Go with the 5vz. If your truck was a 22r or 22re, then i'd say go withe the 2rz or 3rz. The 5vz will be way less work to install. Wiring wise they are all the same.

 

I have driven a couple of the diesels available in Europe and they are not that slow. Granted they were not attached to an Auto transmission, but they keep up with traffic nicely.
Being a realist I know I will probably end up with the 3.4. Getting the wiring sorted out is something I do not have warm fuzzies about.

 

Of the 5 or so 2L series motors that have come through our shop (in prado's) 4 have had cracked heads.
The wiring isn't terrible. You could always outsource just the wiring. But you could always go the TIS route for diagrams and just do it yourself.

 

Why do anything else but a 5vz motor? Im sorry but I love them. Id also vote against a yota diesel but its your truck

 

I know this is a somewhat old thread. But one thing to keep in mind here is that a mount kit is a available to drop a 3RZ in a 22R truck. A mount kit is available to drop a 5VZ in a 22R truck. And a 5VZ drops right into a 3VZ truck. But to drop a 3RZ into a 3VZ truck, you are cutting and welding mounts.