OK gang,

Here is the deal, my GF's brother has been sitting on a 1994 4x4 runner with 130,000 miles for almost 3 years.

I guess, and this is from my gf who knows less then a mouse about cars lol, that "some green fluid got into the engine, and it died, and that when you do start it, it blows smoke out the tailpipe"

What an amazing assessment of this fine SUV lol.

SOOOO, I translate that as somehow antifreeze got in the engine and it blew a head gasket? right? wrong? maybe?

I know more then a mouse but less then you folks. ha.

So basically its a free runner, I assume it has the awesome 3.0 right haaha.

Would a direct replacement be the best bet? cost of said engine?
what would a head gasket replacement cost?
What doe you all think, should I do this?

 

ya it blew a head gasket

 

And being a 3.0 that is common anyway right? so after replacement, this thing should be tip top again. so what will I be out of pocket fro this runner?

 

i have the same problem with my 4runner now i am going to scrap the 3.slow a chevy 350 th 350 dana 300 much cheaper and more power

 

that swap must be a lot of fab work, no?

 

you might say that...lol...

 

A 3.4 swap is going to be your most effective, easiest swap. More or less a direct bolt-in, but you need to have some tools and skills.

http://www.andrewzook.com/content/view/22/37

One of the better write-ups I've seen. There are a ton of good posts here under the 3.4 swap section, plus a lot of us have done them.

 

So on the low end it looks to cost about 2700 dollars on up for that swap?

What if I just wanted to get a low(lower) mile 3.0 and put that in?

and what If I wanted to replace the HG?

What do you think the cost of those 3 options would be, ballpark.

thanks all.

Where can I find engines?

 

I'll give you a $100 for it, it's pointless trying to bring it back to life.

 

LOL come on give me some god advice ha.

3 options.....

1. 3.4 swap
2. 3.0 swap(newer engine)
3. fix the engine, HG.

What would a round a bout figure be?

Also, I was on the JDM site and sen the 3.0 for 2100, the whole engine, what kinda miles do they have, isent it pretty low?

 

how would this be? wonder what miles it has?

http://usedautoparts.everdrive.com/p...px?sku=5000943

 

Not worth it, a 3.4 5VZ-FE or 4.3 Vortec swap would be much much better.

 

I redid the heads on my 95 and put in some new HGs and its been running perfect for the last 12k or so.
People dont give enough credit to the 3.slow

 

Your GF is pretty smart- "some green fluid got into the engine, and it died, ... when you do start it, it blows smoke out the tailpipe"

Taking care of the 3.0 the way it should be after a blown head gasket will set you back about 2000. And for another 1000 and some work on your end, you could do the swap to a 3.4 and get a more powerful, if not more reliable, engine.

 

A Chevy? I would rather not lol.

but the 3.4 swap would be nice. I see the engine for about a grand more then the 3.0 but what else would I need?

 

I would be willing to spend the 3k on the 3.4 swap, because then id have a 94 4x4 4runner with a 3.4 for 3k dollars basically.

Where would I source the engine, jdm? and what else will I need?

thanls.

 

check junk yards for the 3.4 or craigslist.org under autoparts for your area should find something tell me were u r and ill look

 

Thank you, I am in Minnesota.

 

You can check out my "Cracked Cylinder" page. I've been working on it awhile.

i bought the rig for 475 found an engine that for 600. But I've had nothing but problems. Still not sure if they are my fault or from the previous owner of the replacement engine.

After just doing said swap (about 20 hours I guess) if you are going to keep the thing just do a 3.4 swap. If you just want to use it awhile and get rid of it do the cheaper 3.0 swap. But after messing around and looking at this engine it is just not worth it for the long haul. It is an engineering disaster.

 

Which one is a engineering disaster? the 3.0 or 3.4?

Guys, could this 4runner possibly be covered under the HG recall?