Short history: Few months back a purchased a pretty worn out 1991 Toyota 4Runner with a 22RE motor, 5speed manuel transmission w/ 4X4, and 263,000 miles. I knew that it had a few issues before purchasing this truck for $2K such as burning oil and p/s fluid leak. I recently brought it to the shop to have the L/F axle boot and ball joint replaced. I had them check the engine compression since it seemed to have as much or less power than my '72 VW beetle and going up hill means dropping to 3rd gear. The cylenders tested at: 130, 130, 130, 90. From what I can tell and have been told, this truck has had basic top end rebuilds over its life but the bottom end is original with worn out piston rings and a few small leaks.

I purchased this truck as my commuter on the weekends, and since every month I drive a 500 mile round trip to visit family climbing from 4,300 ft elevation to 7,000 +. I don't see this motor lasting too much longer.

Plan A: Next month I plan on replacing the engine with a new (remanufactured) long block (22RE) from Putney's. I was thinking about keeping it stock except for the cam. I'll be replacing the clutch, p/s pump (leaking), steering box (leaking), and all the other things people replace with a new motor.

Eventhough I plan on doing this soon I'm still in the research phase and have not made any final decisions or commitments. I thought it would be a good idea to see what you guys think before pulling the trigger. I'm about to put $4K into a $2k truck. Everything else seems to be in good condition (i.e. suspension, transmission, drivetrain, interior), there's no rust, body is in decent shape though the paint isn't. Since I purchased the truck 3 months ago I have: replaced all 4 tires ($750 for a set of new 10.5 MT tires), replaced leaking radiator with thermostat and hoses ($300), replaced failed battery ($180), replaced missing center console and damaged drivers seatbelt ($200), replaced cracked intake boot ($45), and changed the oil ($30). After this new engine swap is complete I'll have a very reliable 4Runner at the price of $7,500~.

My question: is it worth it to go through all this trouble and cost? Should I just get rid of it and start over with a decent used 4Runner with the money I get selling this 4Runner and the money I plan on spending on it? Is there a different route I should take in replacing/rebuilding the motor?

I know enough about cars to do the rebuild/swap myself (BMW tech for 5 years and have done a couple restores: '72 VW beetle and '74 BMW 2002). I'm currently recovering from surgery, my garage is too small for this type of work, and I don't have all the tools needed. I would love to do the rebuild myself and save some $$, but I really don't have the time and resources.

This is my only means of transpertation in the winter when I'm not working, so I wanted to do a quick order-swap so it'll be down for maybe a week or two at the most. Thanks for any opinions, ideas, or suggestions you may have for me.

You're asking 4Runner fanatics if keeping the 4Runner is a good idea? I'm no psychic, but I think I can predict what the majority of the answers you get will be...

I paid to have my 22re rebuilt almost 2 years ago. I don't regret it at all, but if I had to do it again I would have paid for a mildly built crate engine. Oregon Engine Rebuilders sells a "better than stock" motor, or a Stage2 build from 22RE Performance...

I say go for it. With a fresh motor under the hood, you can look forward to another 250-300 thousand miles of reliable service. More if you take care of it.

ETA - forgot to mention, I'd rebuild instead of selling and buying another because you already know what you have. What's to say the new one doesn't ending up needing more work too?

You need to do a cost benefit analysis.

You are going to get a ton of "Toyota for LIFE", "RUNNERS ROCK!" posts on here from people who may or may not have been in a similar situation.

The 22re is a great engine, not doubt. You are already 2k in the hole and will likely only be able to afford a vehicle in similar condition for 2k. 2k is kinda that line where you start to move from POS into decent older cars. The 4k mark is where you really see the quality improve. A 4k-5k car is that 10-15 year old vehicle with lot of life left in it.

So. Do you stay or do you go>? The brand new spec'ed rebuilt engine is one way to go. You could "pull" an engine from a junker for cheaper, but then you are playing serious dice. An older 22r engine, who knows how long it would last.

If you really need a vehicle of that age and condition to last, putting a new spec'ed engine in it is the best way to go. If it is absent a ton of rust, and not just falling apart; you are not making a horrid decision.

If you had to do it again, who knows, right? Hindsight is 20/20.

That said. You are not making a horrid financial decision. If you were to sell it, right now, for say 1500 dollars or even close to 2k, what you bought it for. Took the other 2k you are about to spend, and bought a used 4-5k vehicle, you would be looking a a decent vehicle with around 140-200k miles.

For reference: I bought in 2009 a 99 Tacoma/4x4 with 140k on the engine for 5k. Was in very good mechanical condition.

But... it would be an engine with miles on it.

So, putting in a new engine... with I HOPE a warranty. Not a horrid idea.

About a year and a half ago I was in the same position as you are now in. My motor had one foot in the grave and I was trying to decide what I should do about it. My wife wanted me to get rid of it and get something else. But I am am 4runner fan and knew that if I got rid of my runner I would never forgive myself. So i decided to install a 1KZ-te turbo diesel from a Japaneese surf. after a year of working on it between building a new house and a full time job I am almost ready to turn the key. I don't regret how long it has taken because I know when it is done I will have a great ruck. I went this route becase I'm crazy about my 4runner. You don't sound like your too attached to your vehicle. You might be better off selling the one you have for something a little newer. You will save yourself some stress if you do.

Since it has no rust and it seems you've replaced almost 2k in parts already I'd say go for it. It usually better to stick with the vehicle you know whats been to it and if you get another used you could be in the same boat rather quickly.

Better the devil you know.

Like has been said, with the 22re that truck should last you another 150-200K miles or more if it's clean as you say. Another used car with ~150K already on the clock...who knows? The new motor is less of a gamble IMO

Thanks for the feedback! At the time I wrote this thread I was thinking about replacing my 4Runner with another 4Runner in much better condition (but had to be the 22RE w/ 5spd and 4WD). I decided to replace the engine with a quality rebuilt long block and I'm going to have it shipped tomorrow!

I just have one more question... Should I go stock or pay an extra $500 for a performance engine. After doing more research I found a company that seems to have a great product at a fair price: Zuki Engines
Their performance engine has a 9.7:1 compression ratio and option of: 260, 272, or 282 cam. I plan on calling tomorrow but I'm pretty sure the performance engine is about 125hp. I'm not sure what the difference if gas mileage is but that's also a factor in my decision.

I'm new to the Toyota 4Runner but so far love it. I look at it as $7k for a solid reliable truck that will last for a long time.

UPDATE: After doing a lot of research I'm pretty sure I'll go with Zuki Engines and their performance Keith Black 9.7:1 engine. I'm currently working with them, he usually needs several weeks to build one but might be able to get me one sooner than usually expected for one of their performance engines. I'll be cutting it close as I need this done by the 28th and next week is Thanksgiving. I really hope this works out, I'm putting a good ammount of money into this 4Runner but I look at it as an investment at this point. I really hope I don't regret doing this and that it all works out before I return back to work.

Good luck to you sir. I'm sure everything will work out.

By the way, you have the truck I want lol (22re, manual, 4wd, 2nd gen). Any chance you wanna trade lol.

I just ordered the Keith Black Engine from Zuki Engines (Zack Lee) awesome service so far. I plan on having the long block engine dropped in next week at our local performance 4X4 shop. Just ordered a few parts from LCEngineering and plan on getting some basic parts from the local auto parts store as well. This is turning into quite a project but I'm feeling good about it.. I just wish I could take my time. I'm worried I won't be able to break in the engine like I should. I go back to work Nov. 28th and have to drive my 4Runner back to Page,AZ from Show Low,AZ (260 miles with multiple hill climbs). I already plan on getting the special break in oil / zinc additive. I plan on updating everyone with details and pictures on the process (though I won't be able to post up many pics on the swap since I'll have a local performance shop doing all that).