After a rod failure before Christmas, I parked my 4Runner and considered my options. I decided on an engine swap, and I decided a JDM was ultimately my best option, so I bit the bullet and purchased it out of Quebec. I received the engine on a pallet and transported it home in my Trailer. Over the last month I've replaced TB, WP, seals, valve cover gaskets etc. I've discovered this engine came from a 2001 Hiace therefore, some of the peripheral components aren't compatible... such as the oil cooler, oil pan and alternator etc... I'm taking my time, double checking everything and researching all components for compatibility. My only deadline is boating season which kicks off locally, May 19th, Canadian Victoria Day long weekend!

lookin good, did you test the compression before buying it?

Nice!! What did the engine end up costing shipped to you? Ive often thought if mine packs it in ill grab one of these..i'm surprised no one on the west coast sells them or imports them

Got excited when I read motor swap. Expected Some crazy v8 turbo diesel. Should be called motor replacement. Lol good luck!

The ice not get off the lakes in the Okanagan until May? Your swap looks like fun, are you learning anything along the way?

How many miles did your old 3.4 have before it gave up the ghost?

I inquired on several engines but the pat response I received from most was: "...we can't provide compression readings as the starter has been removed..." I did receive some numbers from a few places in the USA but none from Canada. In the end, shipping, duty, handling from the USA would have added approx. $600, so I went with the best I could find in the Canada, Japan Power Inc. This one cost me about $1800 including shipping and taxes. They were ok to deal with, however, they told me the engine was from a Hilux Surf and I discovered it was from a Hiace. They told me the mileage was 65K km... after having a good look inside the engine (ie under the pan, valve covers) I do believe it has LOW mileage--- extremely clean and little signs of wear. So, it may not have 65K but it certainly has LOW mileage. I'm pleased so far, but the real test will be turning the key!

My 4Runner has about 250K km, which isnt that much compared to some on T4R... but I've concluded the previous owners may not have been great at keeping up with the maintenance.... the rest of the truck is in near showroom condition--- they at least washed and vacuumed it!!!

The ice comes off in March, but we get good storms in the Spring and we have frost threats till mid April so most people don't bother till late April or early May... except if you're a fisherman!! A guy I work with goes ice fishing in his hut, then hits the lake in his jon boat when the ice chunks arent too big....in the Summer he heads to the higher lakes for some peace from us rec boaters!

I'm learning a ton! I havent done an engine swap in 20yrs but its surprising how little difference it is... just a few more parts and lots of electrical connectors! At least I have REAL tools, unlike the last one!!!

Sorry I got you all excited and let you down!!! I'm not even close to Singtoe as far as skill or desire, but with the time and money, it would be an awesome project! As far as this site is concerned, I should have said replacement, I stand corrected, LOL!

Im in the process of doing the same with mine. What about the alternator isnt compatible? Another thread I checked said it was just the pulley that needed switched.

Yes the pulley is different. The difference, aside from part numbers is the diametre and length of the alternator are larger. The Hiace has no oil cooler, therefore, the oil filter is at the back of the block, where the oil cooler is on the 4Runner. I haven't dry fit the alt and filter, but if they don't interfere I think it may be close. At best, using the larger alt, may make changing the oil a PITA... I believe, they are rated the same (70A). If you try out the larger unit before I do, let me know if it fits ok! I was thinking of trying it when the time comes, at best, I'll have a back up!

Cool beans, I saw the oil cooler difference but hadnt had time to really look at the alternators. Ill try to find the thread I was referring to, becuase im pretty sure he only switched the pulley over.

Someone made a wise move! I'll do the same if I had to replace an engine.

Hiace uses a high amp alternator if it is equipped with dual AC (AC for the rear area of the van, hence more motors running and therefore the high ampere alternator). This usually gives 90 Amps or so.
Do you have the AC compressor with the JDM engine? if it says 17 or 19 on the side, it usually comes for a dual AC hiace vans.
The bigger pulley in the alternator sounds like you have a high amp alternator.

You probably noticed that the water pump is different on your replacement engine, due to the oil cooler. A month or so ago I came across another member that did the JDM engine replacement and he strongly recommended replacing the oil lines to the cooler due to the difficulty in replacing them after the engine is installed, if they fail. I ordered both and the union that threads into the block. I'm also replacing the coolant lines that connect to the throttle body, as they tore when I attempted to remove them from my old truck. Lots of details!