I've got a friend who has a 95 4runner, vr4, limited 3.0 liter automatic and the head gaskets have blown and he's wanting to do a 22r/5speed swap. Is it basically just a bolt in swap if you use a carberator? Or will the transfer case not work? Any help is appreciated.

 

your putting in the older engine? why?

 

You will need to cut/weld new motor mounts on the frame, get a new trans/tcase, crossmember, drivelines, and many other parts. It is definetly not a quick swap in setup.

 

Go with the 3.4 swap. Far easier and less fab work.

 

Ah the 3.4 swap costs to much, and i know it's going to be carb'd. I thought some of that body style 4runner came with a 22r? If not what was the other option other than the 3.0liter?

 

They came with a 22RE, but very rarely. And read my post above.

 

By the time you change all that would need changing, you would probably find that the 3.4 swap would not be that much more expensive. It would also be far easier to swap in the 3.4 (fewer components that need to be changed).

The other problem is that it is illegal to swap in an older engine on a road-going, licensed vehicle. That could become a big problem come time to sell the Runner, later.

 

What he said. The 3.4, for all intents and purposes, bolts in. Use the old motor mounts, oil pan, and dipstick tube from the 3.0, change a couple brackets, route some wires, and with two of you, you should be able to get it done in a week. Knowing what I now know after doing mine, I could probably do one in 5-6 days.