In the same situation as the OP, 98 blew an engine and I think I’m going to put a JDM in it. Haven’t sourced it yet but it makes the most sense to me. Anything else I should consider getting done or checking while the engine is out? 300k on it and I’ll be having someone else do the change.

Are Jasper engines readily available?

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Yes. A few things to consider:

Replacing starter contacts (starter 'rebuild')
Timing belt and water pump if mileage unknown
Radiator replacement if original
New engine mounts (I wish I had replaced mine)

There might be others but these jobs are immensely easier with the engine out. I cannot stress how simple these repairs are with the engine out and how frustrating and longer they are in the engine in. With the JDM, you'll also have to swap a fair amount of parts over from your blown USDM engine, including the crank pulley so just be ready for that as well.

Starter and radiator are < 1 year old. Will do the timing belt and water pump (30K miles) as well as the engine mounts. Mechanic is looking locally for a good looking 3.4L rather than going JDM but its still an option unless we can't find something.



Rally appreciate this forum. I'm almost 31 and I've been driving my 98 4Runner since I was 16 thanks to good upkeep and repair advice from this forum over the years.

A genuinely good 3.4 in a local wrecking yard will be a tough one. If it's a 96-98 you can verify with the odometer. 99+ and I would just assume they are lying if they claim under 200k miles. You're going to want to ask for a vin and run a carfax to verify the mileage is accurate. It's going to take a pretty good deal to makes it come out on top over a JDM. Best thing I can recommend when buying JDM is to pay with credit card, especially if you aren't able to inspect it before buying.

Don’t rule out Tacoma engines. And those trucks are everywhere.


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I would imagine they might be the easiest to find. Most places that install remanufactured transmissions and engines seem to sell Jasper units, but I guess availability depends on Jasper’s current stock.

A nationwide three year warranty is also good insurance.

Yes I know several garages that only use Jasper re-mfg ones. I just don't know too many folks running them in their 3rd gen. As that's probably going to have to be an option down the road here.

IMO carfax r not worth the paper the info is printed on... in rare cases when somethings was "totaled/salvage" titled then ok, but I say "totaled/salvaged" with quotes as it doesn't take much to for the insurance to decide this...

I've changed 2wd to 4wd, 4cyl to 6cyl, replaced frames, bodies, etc and none of this info will ever b on a carfax other then showing the original build info. 96-98 mechanical odo can be switched out easily if someone is the type to do said just as easily as the electronic ones can be altered. Most people don't care or know what to look for or to ask, they just want it to sound, look, and run good down the road when buying this old of a vehicle. Gone out of my way to make sure timing components are OEM and current as a selling point only to have the individual call a few months later and ask when the timing belt was last changed...

I still come across under 200K USDM engines a lot but with that said I've seen engines with 300K in better shape then oner with 180K, it all depends upon the previous owners care of said.


still don't understand people just not rebuilding their engines if they want to keep their vehicles

i've heard good things about the Jaspers and know a shop that only installs jasper trans after many issue with local trans shops, last I knew the low mile unit failures (when rebuild by local auto shops) stopped when they went Jasper

Yes, my 4Runner has had 2 engines and 3 transmissions. None of of that will ever show on it's carfax report. Neither will the small front end accident it had before I bought it.

It will show mileage though as I do bring it to my local dealership for small odd jobs I don't have the tools or equipment for, such as wheel alignments.

To me the only time Carfax has info is if the dealership reported it. 90% of people do not use the dealership after the warranty is over.


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Of course it isn't 100%; that doesn't mean you shouldn't verify the mileage when you're about to drop $1000 on a junkyard engine from a "low mileage" donor vehicle. Yards lie all the time to make a sale. You can still find free Autocheck links if you search. Of course, there are always exceptions. If you believe that 200k mile supercharged 4Runner with URD upgrades is on the original engine, transmission, or diff, you're being naive. General rule of thumb is that used parts from modified vehicles are beat to piss.