While I started with an 85 Truck, I have spent my adult years with Land Cruisers. My 97 factory locked 40th Anniversary FZJ-80 will be sold and gone in a couple of weeks...leaving us with a 99 100 Series DD and a 77 40 Series wheeler.

I need a second DDish vehicle, and I have always wanted a clean 1st gen Runner.

So: I plan to find a clean 1st Gen. My wife and I have been happily married for 14 years...so it will have a factory AUTOMATIC tranny...no way around it...trust me.

That said, I don't have questions about an SAS. I know that an 85 with SFA and EFI would be a head-start but, for initial use, an IFS rig is fine.

My main question is, as we get down the road, which rig is easier to swap the 3.4 into? Do I want a 4 banger or the 3.0? I thought that one required zero mods and the other required several...so my guess would be the 3.0 truck is closer to a direct swap, but I'm not sure.

I realize search is my friend, but I gave it several goes and didn't find the answer to this question amongst the wealth of knowledge I dug up.

Thanks!

 

I love my 22re but it is very slow for a DD so I save my driving for the weekends. I would go 3.4 IF you want to devote that much time and money into it. Stay away from the 3.sl0w, nothing but headaches and head gaskets... It all comes down to personal preference.

 

3.0 will be closer to the 3.4 swap, the re is closer to a rz swap.. Do research of what motor will be better for you.. If your not looking for crazy flex then yes a Ifs frame will be fine with an sas..

 

Thanks, guys. I've owned 2 22Rs and 2 3.0s and know what to expect with each. I loved the 3.4 in my 3rd Gen and that's the swap I'd want to do down the road.

I found a clean 89 with the 3.0 that is advertised as a fresh rebuild/new HG...we'll see if it's still around after the 80 sells.

 

Get the 3.0L, makes putting the 3.4L in it waaaaaaay easier.

 

That's what I was looking for...thanks!

 

88-89 4Runner 3.0 is easiest of 1st gens for 3.4 swap. Just finished an 89 last month.

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