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3rz re-power for 87 4runner. Advice and ideas welcome!
The time has finally come, it is time to repower old Betty, my first love, a 1987 toyota 4runner sr5 with a 22re 5spd . I have been wanting to do this 3rz re-power since I first bought this rigg back in 2005 when I was still in highschool. It was my first truck and I love it beyond reason. I have sold it twice and have always regretted it. Once when I needed a more commuter friendly car back in 2009 when I was working for Cal-Fire, and once after I had my first kid and needed something that my wife could get a car seat in and out of. I have also brought it back from the grave twice now. The first time, after I sold it to my younger brother and he cracked the head. Second: after I sold it the second time, I lost track of it for 6 years, turns out it had developed some kind of EGR related problem and sat in neglect, with the motor partially dismantled for 5 years. I found it and bought it back for the cost of $600 of DMV fees and a uhaul trailer and a hard days work getting it out. This was 1 and 1/2 months ago.
I got it home and running within a week, right before I had to leave for a long family vacation. Well when I got back I was able to take it for a little test drive around the block and let it warm up for the first time. turns out it has a horrendous knock, and needs a rebuild.
Well that's ok because now I finally have an excuse to do a 3rz swap !!! I researched the cost of doing a good job rebuilding the old 22re (210k) and the cost of the 3rz swap and they seem pretty similar. Granted the cost of 3rz motors has gone up significantly since the days of BigMike doing the first ones in the early 2000's, plus there is an extreme lack of low or even lowish mileage 3rz . But I am determined to find the funds and bring old Betty back to life .
So here is the to do list thus far: 1) build garage in backyard to do swap in 2) pull the 22re out and sell it if possible 3) start tracking down a donor vehicle 4) buy off road solutions engine mounts and a IFS oil pan kit, considering wiring harness service (pricey though) 5) clean up engine bay and prepare for new engine 6) months of slow and steady work to get it all in and running 7) never sell Betty again and live happily ever after, with the wife and kids too of course
Last edited by FjordWarrden; Jul 27, 2019 at 07:41 AM.
So I have made the plans to rebuild the old shed/s in the back of our rental yards in to a functional garage/ workshop space. Once that is done I'll have an appropriate space to do the engine swap.
I have also started my search for a donor vehicle, I have been told by experienced persons that this can take quite some time. I also talked with the Rancho Cordova toyota dismantlers and they said that they would hand pick a donor for me and pull all the necessary parts all for the tightly sum of $2500. I am still considering it despite the cost because: 1- I lack the space to store a donor vehicle 2- The dismantlers inspect test and warranty all their parts.
Last edited by FjordWarrden; Jul 27, 2019 at 08:19 AM.
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Jul 27, 2019 | 07:33 AM
3rz re-power for 87 4runner. Advice and ideas welcome!
