OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!

I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
recommend?

PLEASE HELP

Confused & trying to get help!

<ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
>
> I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> recommend?
>
> PLEASE HELP
>
> Confused & trying to get help!
>

It would be useful if you also posted the model year, engine type, and where
you are located - U.S., Europe, etc.

Installing a different type of engine from the one that originally came with
the vehicle involves a lot of modifications.

For example, if your generation 4Runner was not offered with a V8, then you
will have to modify the engine mounts and cooling system and change the
engine control computer and transmission. If you change the transmission,
you will probably also have to change the transfer case if it is a 4 wheel
drive. This can easily spend $10,000 on modifications on top of the price
of a new engine.

Even if 4Runners were offered with both 4 and 6 cylinder engines, you will
probably still need to change the computer and transmission, so plan on
spending at least $5,000 on top of the price of a new engine.

If your engine is rebuild-able, then rebuilding it is the least costly
option.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

<ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
>
> I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> recommend?
>
> PLEASE HELP
>
> Confused & trying to get help!

What are your goals, your budget, your (his) skill level?

The least expensive and easiest is to directly replace what's in there
already with a certified used engine. The next alternative is to get a
"long block" which are usually sold on an exchange basis. If you use your
truck as a daily driver, both are "weekend" projects and will get you back
on the road soonest.

Rebuilding your blown engine might or might not be cheaper than the long
block swap, depending on mileage and what parts were damaged when it "blew."
The advantage is that you can make your own decision on marginal parts -
replace them for increased life and reliability or run with them for reduced
costs. You can also make any mods that you may feel are appropriate for
your use - different cam, high volume oil pump, etc.

Swapping requires more knowledge, skill and money. If yours is a 4cyl and
you swap in a V6 from a 4Runner so equipped it may be fairly painless as far
as swaps go, but you may have to upgrade wiring, computer, suspension,
radiator, charging system etc - and maybe even the transmission - to the V6
model. I honestly don't know what it would entail not having done this swap
but it could be anywhere from "drop it in and go" to requiring some fairly
significant modification.

As far as a V8 swap goes, this is most complicated yet. Depending on what
engine you want to put in (Toyota, Chevy, ??) you may need adaptors, upgrade
of the entire drivetrain, suspension, brakes, cooling system, firewall,
frame... and what you end up with, again depending on the skill level of the
one doing the work - will either be a professional, safe and clean looking
installation, or it may be a total hack job. I have to warn that I've seen
far more of the latter than the former, when done by people with little or
no experience, and if your state requires inspections a "hack job" may not
be certified as safe.
--
Mike Harris
1995 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L
1987 Corolla
1963 Willys Wagon 4WD SBC conversion

ali79shine@gmail.com wrote:
> OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
>
> I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> recommend?
>
> PLEASE HELP
>
> Confused & trying to get help!







OK Here's more info-


94, TOYOTA, 4RUNNER, 5 SPEED TRANY, 3.0L V6 ENGINE

94, TOYOTA, 4RUNNER, 5 SPEED TRANY, 3.0L V6 ENGINE








Ray O wrote:
> <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> > OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
> >
> > I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> > 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> > for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> > recommend?
> >
> > PLEASE HELP
> >
> > Confused & trying to get help!
> >
>
> It would be useful if you also posted the model year, engine type, and where
> you are located - U.S., Europe, etc.
>
> Installing a different type of engine from the one that originally came with
> the vehicle involves a lot of modifications.
>
> For example, if your generation 4Runner was not offered with a V8, then you
> will have to modify the engine mounts and cooling system and change the
> engine control computer and transmission. If you change the transmission,
> you will probably also have to change the transfer case if it is a 4 wheel
> drive. This can easily spend $10,000 on modifications on top of the price
> of a new engine.
>
> Even if 4Runners were offered with both 4 and 6 cylinder engines, you will
> probably still need to change the computer and transmission, so plan on
> spending at least $5,000 on top of the price of a new engine.
>
> If your engine is rebuild-able, then rebuilding it is the least costly
> option.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)

OK- this helps alot, BUT which is the best route to take! We've got the
money to do it all but what's the best one?? Is he better off to just
rebuild? He's planning on swapping out the tranny too to a 7R4 Tranny!
He's just hung up on "what's the best way"






Mike Harris wrote:
> <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> > OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
> >
> > I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> > 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> > for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> > recommend?
> >
> > PLEASE HELP
> >
> > Confused & trying to get help!
>
> What are your goals, your budget, your (his) skill level?
>
> The least expensive and easiest is to directly replace what's in there
> already with a certified used engine. The next alternative is to get a
> "long block" which are usually sold on an exchange basis. If you use your
> truck as a daily driver, both are "weekend" projects and will get you back
> on the road soonest.
>
> Rebuilding your blown engine might or might not be cheaper than the long
> block swap, depending on mileage and what parts were damaged when it "blew."
> The advantage is that you can make your own decision on marginal parts -
> replace them for increased life and reliability or run with them for reduced
> costs. You can also make any mods that you may feel are appropriate for
> your use - different cam, high volume oil pump, etc.
>
> Swapping requires more knowledge, skill and money. If yours is a 4cyl and
> you swap in a V6 from a 4Runner so equipped it may be fairly painless as far
> as swaps go, but you may have to upgrade wiring, computer, suspension,
> radiator, charging system etc - and maybe even the transmission - to the V6
> model. I honestly don't know what it would entail not having done this swap
> but it could be anywhere from "drop it in and go" to requiring some fairly
> significant modification.
>
> As far as a V8 swap goes, this is most complicated yet. Depending on what
> engine you want to put in (Toyota, Chevy, ??) you may need adaptors, upgrade
> of the entire drivetrain, suspension, brakes, cooling system, firewall,
> frame... and what you end up with, again depending on the skill level of the
> one doing the work - will either be a professional, safe and clean looking
> installation, or it may be a total hack job. I have to warn that I've seen
> far more of the latter than the former, when done by people with little or
> no experience, and if your state requires inspections a "hack job" may not
> be certified as safe.
> --
> Mike Harris
> 1995 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L
> 1987 Corolla
> 1963 Willys Wagon 4WD SBC conversion

We've got the money, He's got the skill, and we've got time! Thanks for
your info! Anything else you can recommend???? Thanks!!!



ali79shine@gmail.com wrote:
> OK- this helps alot, BUT which is the best route to take! We've got the
> money to do it all but what's the best one?? Is he better off to just
> rebuild? He's planning on swapping out the tranny too to a 7R4 Tranny!
> He's just hung up on "what's the best way"
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mike Harris wrote:
> > <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> > > OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
> > >
> > > I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> > > 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> > > for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> > > recommend?
> > >
> > > PLEASE HELP
> > >
> > > Confused & trying to get help!
> >
> > What are your goals, your budget, your (his) skill level?
> >
> > The least expensive and easiest is to directly replace what's in there
> > already with a certified used engine. The next alternative is to get a
> > "long block" which are usually sold on an exchange basis. If you use your
> > truck as a daily driver, both are "weekend" projects and will get you back
> > on the road soonest.
> >
> > Rebuilding your blown engine might or might not be cheaper than the long
> > block swap, depending on mileage and what parts were damaged when it "blew."
> > The advantage is that you can make your own decision on marginal parts -
> > replace them for increased life and reliability or run with them for reduced
> > costs. You can also make any mods that you may feel are appropriate for
> > your use - different cam, high volume oil pump, etc.
> >
> > Swapping requires more knowledge, skill and money. If yours is a 4cyl and
> > you swap in a V6 from a 4Runner so equipped it may be fairly painless as far
> > as swaps go, but you may have to upgrade wiring, computer, suspension,
> > radiator, charging system etc - and maybe even the transmission - to the V6
> > model. I honestly don't know what it would entail not having done this swap
> > but it could be anywhere from "drop it in and go" to requiring some fairly
> > significant modification.
> >
> > As far as a V8 swap goes, this is most complicated yet. Depending on what
> > engine you want to put in (Toyota, Chevy, ??) you may need adaptors, upgrade
> > of the entire drivetrain, suspension, brakes, cooling system, firewall,
> > frame... and what you end up with, again depending on the skill level of the
> > one doing the work - will either be a professional, safe and clean looking
> > installation, or it may be a total hack job. I have to warn that I've seen
> > far more of the latter than the former, when done by people with little or
> > no experience, and if your state requires inspections a "hack job" may not
> > be certified as safe.
> > --
> > Mike Harris
> > 1995 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L
> > 1987 Corolla
> > 1963 Willys Wagon 4WD SBC conversion

Top posted, but she did it first ... sorry folks.

(sigh) That question can't be answered without knowing what your goals are
for the truck.

Are y'all happy with the truck in its stock configuration? If so,
rebuilding the existing engine or replacing it with the identical "crate"
engine is the "best" way.

Do y'all want to turn it into some wort of fire breathing dragstrip eater?
Not *my* first choice of vehicles for this but whatever floats your boat.
Dropping in a blown 454 rat motor, TH400 and Ford 9" rear end is the "best"
way. Get out your checkbook.

How about towing? I'm kind of partial to the Detroit Diesel 6V-92 Turbo
with the Allison HT transmission. With 1100 ft/lbs of torque you could
climb trees with it - that's the "best" way. *Really* get out your
checkbook.

If you don't want to go to these extremes, as Ray O pointed out, swapping a
V8 - even a Toyota V8, might end up costing $10K or more. For that kind of
money, the "best" way would be to rebuild or replace the existing 3.0L
engine, sell the nice, stock 4Runner, and buy yourself a Tundra with the V8
already in it.
--
Mike Harris
Austin TX

<ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161287109.067167.175380@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
> OK- this helps alot, BUT which is the best route to take! We've got the
> money to do it all but what's the best one?? Is he better off to just
> rebuild? He's planning on swapping out the tranny too to a 7R4 Tranny!
> He's just hung up on "what's the best way"
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mike Harris wrote:
>> <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
>> > OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
>> >
>> > I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
>> > 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
>> > for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
>> > recommend?
>> >
>> > PLEASE HELP
>> >
>> > Confused & trying to get help!
>>
>> What are your goals, your budget, your (his) skill level?
>>
>> The least expensive and easiest is to directly replace what's in there
>> already with a certified used engine. The next alternative is to get a
>> "long block" which are usually sold on an exchange basis. If you use
>> your
>> truck as a daily driver, both are "weekend" projects and will get you
>> back
>> on the road soonest.
>>
>> Rebuilding your blown engine might or might not be cheaper than the long
>> block swap, depending on mileage and what parts were damaged when it
>> "blew."
>> The advantage is that you can make your own decision on marginal parts -
>> replace them for increased life and reliability or run with them for
>> reduced
>> costs. You can also make any mods that you may feel are appropriate for
>> your use - different cam, high volume oil pump, etc.
>>
>> Swapping requires more knowledge, skill and money. If yours is a 4cyl
>> and
>> you swap in a V6 from a 4Runner so equipped it may be fairly painless as
>> far
>> as swaps go, but you may have to upgrade wiring, computer, suspension,
>> radiator, charging system etc - and maybe even the transmission - to the
>> V6
>> model. I honestly don't know what it would entail not having done this
>> swap
>> but it could be anywhere from "drop it in and go" to requiring some
>> fairly
>> significant modification.
>>
>> As far as a V8 swap goes, this is most complicated yet. Depending on
>> what
>> engine you want to put in (Toyota, Chevy, ??) you may need adaptors,
>> upgrade
>> of the entire drivetrain, suspension, brakes, cooling system, firewall,
>> frame... and what you end up with, again depending on the skill level of
>> the
>> one doing the work - will either be a professional, safe and clean
>> looking
>> installation, or it may be a total hack job. I have to warn that I've
>> seen
>> far more of the latter than the former, when done by people with little
>> or
>> no experience, and if your state requires inspections a "hack job" may
>> not
>> be certified as safe.
>> --
>> Mike Harris
>> 1995 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L
>> 1987 Corolla
>> 1963 Willys Wagon 4WD SBC conversion
>

Mike Harris wrote:
> Top posted, but she did it first ... sorry folks.
>
> (sigh) That question can't be answered without knowing what your goals are
> for the truck.
>
> Are y'all happy with the truck in its stock configuration? If so,
> rebuilding the existing engine or replacing it with the identical "crate"
> engine is the "best" way.
>
> Do y'all want to turn it into some wort of fire breathing dragstrip eater?
> Not *my* first choice of vehicles for this but whatever floats your boat.
> Dropping in a blown 454 rat motor, TH400 and Ford 9" rear end is the "best"
> way. Get out your checkbook.
>
> How about towing? I'm kind of partial to the Detroit Diesel 6V-92 Turbo
> with the Allison HT transmission. With 1100 ft/lbs of torque you could
> climb trees with it - that's the "best" way. *Really* get out your
> checkbook.
>
> If you don't want to go to these extremes, as Ray O pointed out, swapping a
> V8 - even a Toyota V8, might end up costing $10K or more. For that kind of
> money, the "best" way would be to rebuild or replace the existing 3.0L
> engine, sell the nice, stock 4Runner, and buy yourself a Tundra with the V8
> already in it.
> --
> Mike Harris
> Austin TX
>
> <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1161287109.067167.175380@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
> > OK- this helps alot, BUT which is the best route to take! We've got the
> > money to do it all but what's the best one?? Is he better off to just
> > rebuild? He's planning on swapping out the tranny too to a 7R4 Tranny!
> > He's just hung up on "what's the best way"
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mike Harris wrote:
> >> <ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:1161279485.021689.6780@h48g2000cwc.googlegrou ps.com...
> >> > OK I know I may sound stupid but here I go!
> >> >
> >> > I am lookinf for information for my husband! Our engine blew in our
> >> > 4Runner and he's ttrying to figure out if he should rebuild or swap out
> >> > for a V6 or V8. Has anyone done this or does anyone have a website to
> >> > recommend?
> >> >
> >> > PLEASE HELP
> >> >
> >> > Confused & trying to get help!
> >>
> >> What are your goals, your budget, your (his) skill level?
> >>
> >> The least expensive and easiest is to directly replace what's in there
> >> already with a certified used engine. The next alternative is to get a
> >> "long block" which are usually sold on an exchange basis. If you use
> >> your
> >> truck as a daily driver, both are "weekend" projects and will get you
> >> back
> >> on the road soonest.
> >>
> >> Rebuilding your blown engine might or might not be cheaper than the long
> >> block swap, depending on mileage and what parts were damaged when it
> >> "blew."
> >> The advantage is that you can make your own decision on marginal parts -
> >> replace them for increased life and reliability or run with them for
> >> reduced
> >> costs. You can also make any mods that you may feel are appropriate for
> >> your use - different cam, high volume oil pump, etc.
> >>
> >> Swapping requires more knowledge, skill and money. If yours is a 4cyl
> >> and
> >> you swap in a V6 from a 4Runner so equipped it may be fairly painless as
> >> far
> >> as swaps go, but you may have to upgrade wiring, computer, suspension,
> >> radiator, charging system etc - and maybe even the transmission - to the
> >> V6
> >> model. I honestly don't know what it would entail not having done this
> >> swap
> >> but it could be anywhere from "drop it in and go" to requiring some
> >> fairly
> >> significant modification.
> >>
> >> As far as a V8 swap goes, this is most complicated yet. Depending on
> >> what
> >> engine you want to put in (Toyota, Chevy, ??) you may need adaptors,
> >> upgrade
> >> of the entire drivetrain, suspension, brakes, cooling system, firewall,
> >> frame... and what you end up with, again depending on the skill level of
> >> the
> >> one doing the work - will either be a professional, safe and clean
> >> looking
> >> installation, or it may be a total hack job. I have to warn that I've
> >> seen
> >> far more of the latter than the former, when done by people with little
> >> or
> >> no experience, and if your state requires inspections a "hack job" may
> >> not
> >> be certified as safe.
> >> --
> >> Mike Harris
> >> 1995 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L
> >> 1987 Corolla
> >> 1963 Willys Wagon 4WD SBC conversion






Well Mike- Our goal is to have a vehicle that will go to and from work,
and also on the weekends climb some hills, do a little
crawling.................But still have some power too! As it was... it
was so POWERLESS on the road! My husband has been getting into this
whole 4x4ing thing, and it has to have the power to make it uphill, he
had also been talking about making it into an automatic.
> >

<ali79shine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161296664.419986.124720@e3g2000cwe.googlegro ups.com...
>
<snipped>
>
> Well Mike- Our goal is to have a vehicle that will go to and from work,
> and also on the weekends climb some hills, do a little
> crawling.................But still have some power too! As it was... it
> was so POWERLESS on the road! My husband has been getting into this
> whole 4x4ing thing, and it has to have the power to make it uphill, he
> had also been talking about making it into an automatic.
>> >
>

If you want to go crawling, think about the FJ Cruiser, new 4Runner with V8,
or Land Cruiser. For what it would cost to change the V6 to a V8 and
change the transmission to an automatic, you could probably fix or replace
your current engine, sell the vehicle, and then get a brand new vehicle and
then you will have everything fresh from the factory instead of something
that will be difficult to repair or sell later.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)