3.0 to 3.4 engine swap

[peppernation]

Hey all,

I bought a really nice 1990 2 door SR5 4Runner as a refurbishing project for my daughter to drive when she got her license. She finally talked me into letting her drive my black 1998 Toyota Tacoma Limited Extended cab that I have had for a long time. I have a six inch Trailmaster lift on it with 17 inch tires/wheels and other goodies. I also have a TRD Supercharger on it and it is in really nice shape. Beautiful truck still even though it is older now.

Now I will be fixing the 1990 4Runner up to my specifications rather than for her so it will be done a little different than the original plan. I joined this forum to get advice on the prospects of doing a 3.0 to 3.4 engine swap in the 2nd generation 4Runner. I'd also like to swap the transmission at the same time so most components in my truck and 4Runner would be the same. I plan on finishing it off with a supercharger just like on the Tacoma.

I have read many threads on forums related to this subject and I am hoping to hunt up any information that is thought to be the main points to consider for a person that is thinking of doing such a project. Is this more work than it is worth or is there anyone on here that has actually done it that would be willing to share facts, pictures, etc.

This is my first post so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Peppernation

 

[rbuchmann]

I hadn't found a lot but this forum seems to have a ton of info on the process.

3.4 Swaps - YotaTech Forums

 

[DeathCougar]

You didn't really have a question in there, so its a little tough to give you advice. Way too many options and possibilities when it comes to 3.4 swaps.

Check out the 3.4 swap section on Yotatech, TONS of information over there. I have two swapped rigs, one which is supercharged. The 90-95 4Runner 5speeds are probably the easiest to swap. Autos tend to be a bigger PITA.

Probably the BIGGEST piece of advice I can give is get everything for the swap from ONE VEHICLE. Find someone who is fresh parting out a Tacoma, 4Runner, or T100, and get everything you will need. Piecing a swap together gets tedious and very expensive. Its even better to just find a wrecked vehicle and have all the parts right there, but not a lot of people can do that. I have parted out a lot of 4Runners, and I always make sure to keep the engines as complete swaps so keep your eyes open for local craigslist ads for people who part them like I do!

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't think I've ever seen a 2door second gen in Utah. You'll need to join us on some trail runs once you're done, that should be a sweet truck!

 

[mikebontoft]

Welcome!

I have to say... your daughter should be a lawyer if she can convince you to drive the Taco.

 

[thatoneguy]

Agree with Kid, those 2 doors are very rare. A 3.4 equipped one would be special.

Friends' shop has done a couple 3.4 swaps. They don't seem like the hardest thing ever. They're both VZ family motors, both sending power through an R150 trans (if manual). If I had a 2 door 2nd gen with a 3.0 I'd look into the swap.

 

[peppernation]

Agree with Kid, those 2 doors are very rare. A 3.4 equipped one would be special.

Friends' shop has done a couple 3.4 swaps. They don't seem like the hardest thing ever. They're both VZ family motors, both sending power through an R150 trans (if manual). If I had a 2 door 2nd gen with a 3.0 I'd look into the swap.

Thanks DeathCougar, rbuchmann, and thatoneguy. The point about using parts from a single donor is a good idea. Hey thatoneguy, which shop are you talking about that has done a few of the swaps? I may need to call them up to see if they are interested in doing another one.
KidVermicious, I looked for a 2 door 4runner for a long time in Utah and finally imported one from Florida after I found it on trucktrader.com. I found one in Ephriam but it was posted on KSL for $12,000 so too rich for my blood. It is a pretty slick rig with all the SR5 goodies including the swing away spare tire carrier. It will be a street ride but I may have to throw a turkey or deer in it every now and then.
Mikebontoft, I have to admit I thought twice about giving her the Tacoma but now I have a nice project to work on for awhile.
I also have a different question about a Supra 7MGE with 56 trans swap because there just happens to be a person selling one on KSL. I am thinking the 7MGE swap would be a little more difficult except for the fact it is coming straight out of another 4runner so that should make things easier. Is there any benefit other than horsepower to a Supra 7MGE swap over a swap to a 3.4 engine/trans set up? Has anyone on here actually done one and is happy with it?

 

[KidVermicious]

Thanks DeathCougar, rbuchmann, and thatoneguy. The point about using parts from a single donor is a good idea. Hey thatoneguy, which shop are you talking about that has done a few of the swaps? I may need to call them up to see if they are interested in doing another one.
KidVermicious, I looked for a 2 door 4runner for a long time in Utah and finally imported one from Florida after I found it on trucktrader.com. I found one in Ephriam but it was posted on KSL for $12,000 so too rich for my blood. It is a pretty slick rig with all the SR5 goodies including the swing away spare tire carrier. It will be a street ride but I may have to throw a turkey or deer in it every now and then.
Mikebontoft, I have to admit I thought twice about giving her the Tacoma but now I have a nice project to work on for awhile.
I also have a different question about a Supra 7MGE with 56 trans swap because there just happens to be a person selling one on KSL. I am thinking the 7MGE swap would be a little more difficult except for the fact it is coming straight out of another 4runner so that should make things easier. Is there any benefit other than horsepower to a Supra 7MGE swap over a swap to a 3.4 engine/trans set up? Has anyone on here actually done one and is happy with it?

The 7MGE swap is easier to run the W56 transmission behind, and the W56 doesn't require an adapter to run the gear drive transfer case you need to install duals or lower low-range gearing. The 7MGE is longer than the 5VZE, so space in the engine bay front to back is tight.

Going from the 3VZE to the 5VZE is about as easy as motor swaps get. The 7MGE will be more work (motor mounts, core support mod, transfer case crossmember, drivelines, etc).

 

[thatoneguy]

Thanks DeathCougar, rbuchmann, and thatoneguy. The point about using parts from a single donor is a good idea. Hey thatoneguy, which shop are you talking about that has done a few of the swaps? I may need to call them up to see if they are interested in doing another one.

I also have a different question about a Supra 7MGE with 56 trans swap because there just happens to be a person selling one on KSL. I am thinking the 7MGE swap would be a little more difficult except for the fact it is coming straight out of another 4runner so that should make things easier. Is there any benefit other than horsepower to a Supra 7MGE swap over a swap to a 3.4 engine/trans set up? Has anyone on here actually done one and is happy with it?

I personally don't care for the 7M swap. I've heard gossip that they don't lubricate themselves well enough at super low (wheeling) RPM's. Don't quote me on that. An acquaintance put one in his first gen, he's now getting out of wheeling. Guess he wasnt happy with it. By the way, the 7M did have more power when it was new, but it has less torque than that 3.4.

My bud's name is Dylan. He runs Locked Offroad in Murray. Check your messages and give him a call sometime. He's down for a 3.4 swap if you are.

 

[peppernation]

The 7MGE swap is easier to run the W56 transmission behind, and the W56 doesn't require an adapter to run the gear drive transfer case you need to install duals or lower low-range gearing. The 7MGE is longer than the 5VZE, so space in the engine bay front to back is tight.

Going from the 3VZE to the 5VZE is about as easy as motor swaps get. The 7MGE will be more work (motor mounts, core support mod, transfer case crossmember, drivelines, etc).

Thanks for the additional advice and the lead on the shop KidVermicious and thatoneguy.

I think I will stay with the thought of the 3.4 swap instead of the Supra engine. I'll be contacting that shop in Murray to talk through it with them.

I am locating a donor vehicle now and there are plenty on KSL for a decent price. I'll strip out the engine, have the 3.4 engine and trans gone through and then have the swap done. Then sell the scrap leftovers.

 

[peppernation]

1990 4Runner mods

I've taken a few people's advice and visited Locked Off Road in Murray, Utah. Dylan has done a few things to my 1990 2 door 4Runner that make it look way better than stock. I had him install 63 inch springs, a high pinion front diff, a lift for the front with Bilstein's, and just put a new set of wheels & tires on it. The next thing up is the 3.0 to 3.4 swap once I have found a wrecked vehicle as a donor. Things are looking good! Here are the before and after.......

 

[KidVermicious]

My bud's name is Dylan. He runs Locked Offroad in Murray. Check your messages and give him a call sometime. He's down for a 3.4 swap if you are.

Dylan is your boy? That's who I picked up my 3rz from.

 

[thatoneguy]

Hey! Was wondering if you were gonna come back and post this. Your (super rare) 2 door came out awesome!

Lol, Kevin. Not surprised, he's always peddling something.

 

[Footofgod]

Drool.........

 

[peppernation]

More on my 1990 4Runner

I forgot to add a picture of the straight front axle swap. I also had him change me to 4.88's. I changed the 16 inch wheels & tires to 17 inch wheels with 285 BFGs this past weekend. It's a little tall for me still so I will be having Locked Off Road lower it a few inches since I'm kind of an older fart.

Like I said before, next is the 3.4 swap and then I will finish it off with body work & paint making it a real beauty. Can't wait to finish it off this spring.....

 

[BigBluePile]

Sweeeeeet!

 

[SR587]

I really like your plans for this truck! It looked super clean stock, Im a little jealous haha. Im not a fan of those chrome wheels and Id lower it just a tad like you mentioned but it looks great! Cant wait to see the 3.4 swap. I was always thinking about doing that swap with the blower on my 94 some day.

 

[peppernation]

Looking for a Toyota engine rebuilder in Salt Lake City

Hi all,

I finally found a rolled donor 1999 4runner vehicle so I can now complete the 3.4 swap through Locked Off Road in Murray, Utah. The donor vehicle is at Dylan's shop and he is about to a point where he can pull the engine in the donor vehicle so I can have it rebuilt. I have searched for an engine rebuild shop that specializes in Toyota engines but I have come up short. There isn't a big demand for rebuilding Toyota engines due to their long life span so finding someone that specializes in them is tough. I can find shops all day long that want to rebuild it but I would rather work off of a referral than taking a chance. I also want it rebuilt with only Toyota parts. Can anyone offer advice on an engine rebuild shop that specializes in Toyota's?

Once the engine is done, I will add a supercharger and then it will be finished off with body and paint. Can't wait, it is almost done!

 

[KidVermicious]

Divinity Auto specializes in Toyota/Lexus. I think the guy costs too much, but maybe that's what happens when all your customers are Lexus owners.

 

[peppernation]

OK thanks,

I'll check them out!