I have an '88 4runner with a 3.0 and auto trans. I want to go to a smaller motor and manual trans. What do I need to know? Where is the best place to source the engine, trans and parts? What is the most desirable motor that will work in my truck? What other parts will I need. Can anyone direct me to a really good how-to thread? I have done an auto to manual swap on another vehicle so I am prepared to knock this out but I don't even know where to start. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!

SCHOOL ME, DUDES!!!

 

Too many choices, and just as many sources. I am doing an 88 4runner just like yours. I have a rebuilt 22r so I don't have to deal with excessive wiring issues like the fuel pump. Mine was a stick since new.

So first is what is your budget, that defines everything you can do. next what are your skills. and be realistic. You can lie to me all day long, but lying to yourself is pointless.

The first challenge is to get a set of pedals into the truck. Having to reverse the previous owners decisions and put mine back in, I don't recommend it. I needed a special 14mm 1/4" drive flex head socket to put the brake pedal back in. My back hurts just thinking about that task.

I like stick, driving stick since I was 15, but sometimes automatics are attractive in what bullets you can dodge.

That said, I'm doing a 22r (272 Delta regrind cam) w/ special bell housing to R151 to a chain drive xfer case. Using 4.30 gears. The distributor is coming from LCE so I can do less wiring, not more.

There is fellow here who makes conversion plates for diesel engines to R151 trans, I tried to get him to make one for a Honda H322a (prelude tuner engine) DOHC VTEC engine. I think he needs to see more interest in gas engines.

If you can find that jeep AX11 transmission that might make things less complicated.

Glad to help just PM me.

 

My budget is somewhere around 2k to 3k. I am not a professional auto mechanic but I have done quite a bit. I would say I am pretty solid as far as abilities. I want to put in a 22re I think but don't know the difference between the 22r and other similar motors. I want to use the proper Toyota transmission to go with the 22re. I have 4.88 gears if I remember correctly and my truck is 4wd. I had to install a clutch pedal in an Infiniti G20 when I did the auto to manual swap. It was a nightmare.

 

I'm thinking 22re with a W56 tranny.

 

What about 2rz or 3rz? From what I've heard,much better motor than 22re as far as a 4cyl goes.

 

Why not do the smart and simpler thing, and do a 3.4 swap? You will get just as good, but probably better MPG then a 22re. It will have lots more power then the 22re will or 3.0 did. It will bolt into where the 3.0 went without any frame or engine mount fabrication. Wiring diagrams for the swap can be found or bought online.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f160/

 

Maybe cause I am getting older I say look for what you want .Buy that.

Quite different if this is a fun project for something to do.

Best thing really is to buy the complete vehicle then your not spending all your time chasing after parts.

If your going to all that trouble Why a 4 Cylinder??

I say go with a 3.4 swap lots of support and help

 

You will need to weld in different motor mounts for a 22re. I have converted from 22r to 22re and made a how to step on it https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...4-88-a-278925/ Once you get the drive train out, this should help. I dont know about transmission mount. Installing a clutch pedla is easy to do.

 

i would start looking for a later model complete 4wd toyota, that's been wrecked or whatever, so that you get all of the donor parts that you need.

you don't gain much with a 22re swap, and since you are in texas, there isn't any smog check? go with the 2rz or 3rz or even a gm motor swap.

 

My 2¢...
Either go larger displacement or not at all. The effort it takes to do any engine swap is quite large, some, of course, are easier then others. I'd go 1UZ or 5VZ in your case, however, I was in your shoes with the same rig, I opted to change to a manual trans and sink the rest of the money into suspension. Flat out, my tired 3VZ stomps the 22re, and the 3VZ (5VZ also)is a non interference engine, break a timing belt in the woods, and through another on and drive out! The 3VZ's weeakness is the exhaust manifolds, alter the crossover and driver side to get rid of any possibilities. BTW, my tired engine has 255K on the clock and a rod knock for the past 10k(since I got it from the PO). This is not typical, the PO did a poor job of putting permatex on the oil pan and got most of it on the oil pickup...hence rod knock from starvation.

Easiest engine swap will be the 5VZ, bolts right into the stock location, but gas mileage is pretty poor. The 1UZ requires more fab, but mileage is better, and a few more ponies under the hood.

 

Personally, I did a 3.4 swap to replace the 3.0. Mechanically it's just easier. The 22R is a good motor but the 3.4 has more power, gets about the same MPG and is a very SMOOTH running engine with good low end torque.

If you really want to go 4cyl you might want to look at the 2.7. My second rig has a 22R and if the time comes when it needs an engine that's what I'll put in. Not because I prefer it over the 3.4 but because it's the easy swap for the 22r

 

I think you guys have me talked into the 3.4. I was hoping for better MPG. I get about 15 now. I like the idea of more power and after looking through the how-to threads, the swap looks very do-able. Thanks, guys!

 

You can expect about 19mpg at best on the 3.4 swap. The upside is your truck is lighter then the stock tacoma.