I have a 1997 base model manual 5 speed 4Runner, and I have always wondered if it would be feasible or even possible to swap my 2.7L 4cyl motor for a 6cyl. Anybody out there have any experience with this?

Of course, next I would want to swap out my 2WD for 4WD.

I'm all for people doing what they want with their money and vehicle and I normally don't tell people this but with the amount of work, time, and money it would be to do a V6 and 4x4 conversion, you would be miles ahead to sell this one and buy the vehicle you want.

You would need an engine/transmission/transfer case/ecm/wiring harness/driveshafts/front diff and that's just the big ticket items. You would likely need a rear diff in order to match whatever front diff gearing you find. The 5VZ does not bolt up to your current transmission (W59).

There's so many parts involved in doing that swap that it would likely cost you more doing the conversion than just buying a v6/4wd 4Runner just in parts not including labor.

Yes. Could it be done sure. Is it cost effective and worth doing no. I agree with @badluck on this one. Keep in mind, I rebuild frames and piece 3rd gens back together as a hobby in the rust belt.

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FYI, the engine mounts and mount points on a 2.7L 4runner frame r different that of a 3.4L 4runner (u will have to cut them off the frame and replace unless some body makes aftermarket mounts that correct for the off set), u have to cut out another point on the body (pass) by the ECU to run the 3.4L wiring on a 2.7L body, the trans cross member is also at a diff location, and if u plan to add ABS (assuming urs doesn't have said) the 2.7L body doesn't have to mount bracket required for the ABS module and firewall lacks the bolt holes for said brake line mounting.

Plus: all the suspension is undersize 15" wheel parts, ie brakes, hubs, wheel bearing.

That's good to know about the frame differences for the engine mounts. I just assumed the frame side would be the same and the engine mounts would be different. I didn't even consider the extra weight and needing new suspension parts.

There are plenty of V6's that were delivered with 15" wheels - It is front calipers and rotors and rear wheel cylinders. The rest is the same, other than spring/shock tuning.

2WD->4WD swap also requires rear upper links to correct the pinion angle due to the different driveshaft style between 2WD and 4WD.

2WD 4cyl manual to 4wd V6 manual is a HUGE change... I'd suggest keeping the 4-cylinder and just doing the 4WD swap. If you need more power, there's always a turbo (which is much easier on the 3RZ than the 5VZ).

-Charlie

I have one with 15" wheels and even wind up windows and even a 5 speed... So naturally, I will be switching it to the 16 inch, tundra 199mm calipers and the larger 16" wheel cylinders. I am thinking of making that one my winter mobile. When i retire or sell off Tetanus 1.

From my exp (which is not massive) with the 4cyl the hubs are also diff, the calipers have a smaller mounting point on said and the 16" will not bolt up, don't know if it just diff with models that came with ABS vs Non-ABS. I have a set of Non-ABS 4cly hubs that are only compatible with 15" calipers and rotors

That's a rare beast. Manual windows are very rare!

Yup. I never seen one until this one with 15 inch wheels too. The wind windows give a little more room on the door panels. Add that to a factory installed 5 speed v6. I say it's even more rare. I believe it's still an sr5. No sunroof..

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ABS and non-ABS have different knuckles (no ABS hole), but the knuckles are the same Toyota PN between ABS 4-cylinder and all V6's (all of which had ABS). If you had trouble installing 16" wheel calipers, maybe it was just the backing plate? I had to cut mine to get things to fit between the two... (first, I actually installed 15" wheel brakes on my 4WD swap that came from a 16" wheel truck before later upgrading)

-Charlie

I can understand wanting to change out an engine or 4wd, but to do both to the same vehicle isn't worth it. You might as well spend the money on buying one in the configuration you want.

Those mods together are very expensive. I think the 2wd 4runners have a different drive shaft too.

Adding to things that you'll gave to change, I4 has a different location for the fuel filter, most of the fuel lines will need to be changed or replaced.

The manual transmissions in the I4 and V6 are different too, all 4 cylinders have a W59, but the 4wd V6 has a R150F. I don't know how compatible they are, I've only heard of someone putting an R150F on a 3RZ.

So you'll be changing brakes, transmission, fuel system, engine, ECU, and a whole lot of other things too. This will easily cost over more than buying the vehicle your hoping to mod your car into becoming.

My 3rz came with the 16 inch wheels, it was a several hundred dollar upgrade and it also gave me a 4.56 rear diff. I've heard of the manual windows, but I've never seen them in person. Mine got power windows but not power locks.

Keep it as is and put in a turbo and rear locker. That will be fun to drive!

It's have the knuckles stash away and the calipers, I'll pull them out at some point and hopefully I was just being and dumbass, as I wanted to put a Non-ABS 4runner together and was disappointed I couldn't use the 16" Brakes, thanks 4 the info

I've changed a 2wd non-abs 4cyl to a 4wd ABS 6cyl and its was a massive undertaking I probably will never do again, know now what I didn't before I started.