2k Limited struggling to let go

R

rm3sweet

New member
2000 Limited w/264,000miles ~approx
I wanted to get some input from a group that understands the attachment to the 3rd gen before making a final decision.

My motor started producing a low knock and appears to have spun a bearing. (all my fault and not the engine or durability of the 3.4l). This a long story I'd rather not vent at the moment.

Last fall I had just completed a 3.5'' OME lift w/Bilstein coil overs and 1'' diff drop. And essentially an entire front suspension rebuild.

I haven't the place, time or means to pull/swap an engine and looking at the cost seems too much to bare.

So I'm thinking of cutting my loses and selling. Looking for honest opinions and pro/cons.

Short list of recent upgrades:
Lower and upper control arms
Rack and pinion unit
285/75/16 BFG K2 (40-50%) tread life
Rear axle seals bearings
HVAC electronic control unit repaired by one of T4R member(awesome job by the way)
Larger Front Caliper MOD with drilled rotors
New rear drums and shoes
Radiator replaced (4 years old approx~)
LED interior bulbs and select exterior lights (added a LED flood backup light flush mounted for better visibility)

Will need to post pictures if requested/needed.
 
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You might get up to $2k for it since it needs an engine swap or rebuild. I'm not sure what a rebuild on the bottom end would cost but two rebuilt and ready to go heads are about $800.

Can you tell us the short version on how the rod bearing got spun. Were you over revving the engine in sand or mud? Something like that. No need to go into detail; just an idea of how it happened if for no other reason than for me to avoid doing the same thing.
 
rm3sweet said:
2000 Limited w/264,000miles ~approx
I wanted to get some input from a group that understands the attachment to the 3rd gen before making a final.
Click to expand...

I would ask myself this question?

I need something to drive, what is that going to be? My current ride needs an engine and that will probably on the low end run me $2000 for somebody else to do it. High end you can spend 5-6k with quality reman.

Your going to spend money to get a new ride so... why not keep this one going.

Sure you might have done some good maintenance but the truck needs a new engine so that is going to seriously affect the value.
 
I ran into financial drought and neglected to change the oil thinking since I was running full synthetic I could go longer. No over revving, just pulled out the driveway and heard the knock which got louder by the time I turned around and went back home feeling sick over it. Add to the leaking valve cover gaskets I kept putting off replacing and I got what I deserved. It still starts but I've only done that once to have a mechanic friend confirm what I thought was the failure.
 
rm3sweet said:
I ran into financial drought and neglected to change the oil thinking since I was running full synthetic I could go longer. No over revving, just pulled out the driveway and heard the knock which got louder by the time I turned around and went back home feeling sick over it. Add to the leaking valve cover gaskets I kept putting off replacing and I got what I deserved. It still starts but I've only done that once to have a mechanic friend confirm what I thought was the failure.
Click to expand...



How many miles on that oil change?


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So...the oil ran down through the leaking valve covers? Dag...
It's substantially cheaper to rebuild/replace the engine than to acquire another desirable vehicle, unless your definition of *desirable* is a ten-year-old hatchback.
You've done some of the major repairs (like the axle seals) that mean that once it's up and running, you'll have a quality vehicle. And, as a bonus, one that won't be leaking through the valve covers.
 
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If you don't mind me asking, how much would it run you to swap out your old engine w/ an OEM from Japan? The reason I'm asking is because I just recently swapped out my engine for a used one from Japan w/ around 60K miles on it. I've been driving it for almost a year w/ no problems. With everything I paid for, parts and labor included it came out to around less than $3k and that's a mechanic here in Southern California.

Prior to me swapping out the engine, I was seriously debating just purchasing a used 4th gen. But after thinking it over, I had sunk a lot of money into my vehicle already so I just decided to go w/ the engine swap instead. Couldn't be happier. Plus I still prefer this body style over the 4th gen, I just wish it had more power from the get go. Now if I could afford a used 5th gen, I'd be like sayonara my beloved 3rd gen.
 
What is the condition of the rest of the vehicle? Mainly rust. If rust is an issue, I'm not sure I'd invest much time and/or money in fixing it back up. But that's me.
 
JohnOfTheJungle said:
How many miles on that oil change?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I stopped counting after 8k... I was that broke. I'm actually thankful because had I not been driving such a durable vehicle I would have been thumbing it or standing on the corner with a cardboard sign. Not kidding.
 
pluton said:
So...the oil ran down through the leaking valve covers?
Click to expand...

Yes, but once the dirty oil started to wear I was getting cold start smoking and assumed I was starting to get oil blow by on the valves. After a minute or two the smoke would clear mostly. She ran really good but the damaged had been done. It was only a matter of time and I couldn't sell it with a clear conscience.
 
There is some frame rust but not as bad as some others I've seen. The extra oil leak/spray was preserving most of the frame for me. :) I went to look at a salvage yard motor today. They wanted $400 and $75core charge but it has about the same miles as my current motor. I'd like to find one under 200k so I've been seeking out listings for parts trucks that are wrecks, salvage or broken frames. Even those however, asking prices are too high in my opinion. Most want between $800 and $1000 here in Ohio which to me is not equitable when compared to the overall vehicle value. I did find one that has the Elocker so I'm going to try and reach that seller tomorrow.
Anyway, I've got transportation so I think I'll keep shopping and see if I run across a deal that makes sense to me numbers wise before throwing in the towel. At my age this should not be such a struggle to let go!
 
drei4runner29 said:
If you don't mind me asking, how much would it run you to swap out your old engine w/ an OEM from Japan? The reason I'm asking is because I just recently swapped out my engine for a used one from Japan w/ around 60K miles on it. I've been driving it for almost a year w/ no problems. With everything I paid for, parts and labor included it came out to around less than $3k and that's a mechanic here in Southern California.
.
Click to expand...

How do you even go about getting a JDM engine? I would think that is the pricey option, no? Not being on the coast and all those benefits. :)
 
rm3sweet said:
How do you even go about getting a JDM engine? I would think that is the pricey option, no? Not being on the coast and all those benefits. :)
Click to expand...

Maybe. They have some shops that sells used Japanese engines. They ship it from Japan since I think they can only go up to 60K miles before they have to replace it. Purchased mine from one of these shops and it cost me around $1150+ just for the engine.

Look around the internet for used Japanese engines. I remember seeing some shops in Texas and somewhere in the mid west.
 
Seems like everyone gets a better deal than my experience. I bought a 2002, that had the check engine light removed, which of course I did not notice, that had a cracked head. yes I am an idiot. There was no coolant in the oil and it seemed to run OK.

I paid $3800 for rebuilt heads installed at a local Japanese specific shop. They said the bottom end looked pretty good when they opened it up. It had not been using any oil.
 
Still making up my mind. lol

OP - I don't mind resurrecting my own post lol.

I still have my beloved 4R. I've had to put it on the back burner of decisions since I couldn't make one.
Although no decision has been made I can say that I've got a possible solution.
I also have a 99 SR5 that runs really well and may just pull the engine from it and drop it in my 01 Limited and install a SC.
I've considered engine swaps, diesel, rebuilds. Really a lot to consider so I think I'm going to do first thing first.
*Get the truck off the frame and take a clear overview to ensure the frame is in really good shape before committing to any engine work.
I've made this my priority since some light frame rust is visible and I want to be able to fix/restore and protect from any further damage if possible. If I find that the level of outcome doesn't meet my desire then I'll likely sell both to someone more committed and/or willing.

To be continued...https://t4r-1351852ontarioin.netdna-ssl.com/images/smilies/frusty.gif
 
Done! On the road again.

OP - Back on the road! :)

I found a local guy who was willing to pull the 99 engine and drop it in my 01 for $1k.
Discovered the frame had been replaced by recall and is in better shape than I thought!

Bad News:
My left front Bilstein coilover has prematurely failed. So I'm shopping for new front coilovers to maintain the lift. Very dissapointed so hopefully I can find a brand alternative that will provide the same lift.
 
Congrats on getting back on the road and having a new frame. I'd be pretty pumped if my front shock blew but I got a new frame.
 
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