Hi,

I am new to this forum, and I am here because I need some help. I recently purchased a 1995 4 runner that I was told was in good condition. It turns out there are numerous problems with the engine, head gasket, main bearings, low oil pressure, and possible stuck valve, and the price to repair it was more than I paid for the truck. So I decided to replace it with another engine. I had no idea this truck would be so hard to work on. Everything is jam packed in there. Hard to see, hard to reach....yikes.

I am kind of overwhelmed right now, in over my head, so that is why I am hoping to get some answers from you experts.

So are a few question to anyone that has been successful at it.

Can I remove the engine separate or do a have to take it out together with the transmission?


Is there a way to remove the engine without having to remove all the wiring harness and all it's many branches? Is there some way to disconnect the wiring somewhere rather than having to unravel the maze of wires. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to reroute the whole thing again. If I do have to do that, then I can't figure how to get that intake air plenum off so that I can remove the wiring to the injectors.

This has been a real challenge. Any advice or warnings would be greatly appreciated.

I just spent $1700.00 replacing the head gasket but kept my '95. (I hear they should have been recalled because they all seemd prone) The air conditioner went out 2 weeks later so I purchased a used '07 Sport edition. I will keep my '95 as a spare and rough hauler. I am crazy about the 4Runners.

Any advice on checking what might have gone out on the A/C would be appreciated. It happened very quickly.

Moved to Classic T4Rs sub-forum.

1) I have not had the pleasure of removing the engine from my 93 4runner - although, checking out the engine compartment it does look like a very tedious job. When the head gaskets went last year I opted to take it to a mechanic to do the job - $1500 later and a couple days work and it was done. I know there are some on this forum that have been successful and may be able to offer some pointers.

2) You should be able to remove the bolts from the transmission (bell housing where the torque converter is) and remove just the engine. This is what I have done whenever I have removed an engine on past vehicles; however, some opt to remove the tranny and engine as one unit - not sure how difficult this is, looks easy on TV.

3) I think you may be SOL on this one. Remember to label everything and take pictues if need be. Organization is KEY to a job like this - little zippy bags and a Sharpie pen, or an empty egg carton are very useful for tracking little nuts and bolts.

Good luck and keep us up to speed on your progress.

Just a quick note on the harness.
It may be possible to unplug it from the ECU/ECM and pull it through the firewall without unplugging the whole thing. You will still probably have to unplug a few connections.

Befor you start pulling the engine pull the ecu/ecm out and un plug the connectors and run the plugs back threw the firewall by removing the rubber gromet.I just pulled the one out of mine and put a chevy 4.3 in it.

When you pull the engine you can pull just the engine by itself.

good luck. Its easier than it looks

So when I pulled my 3.0 engine out, I reached my ratchet on top of the tranny to get the hardest bolts out. I picked the body up with a jack a little bit to get in there. If you cant get the top bolts off the tranny from the eingine then you will have to take the tranny out with the engine. I just pulled the engine out by its self.

Just pull all the wiring out. It was a pain but its the easiest way to do it. If you can afford it buy the whole wiring package if you can. If not buy tape that can stand extreme heat and wrap the whole thing.

It took me two weeks to do it. I was working on it 8 hours a day but it was worth it. The gas mileage just sucks in SUVs.

Unhook the tranny from the car when you put the new engine in. It is easier to line up the tranny with the engine than the engine with the tranny.