3rd gen 4cyl. to 6cyl., Is it a Biatch?!

[Hollywood1]

I have a 2000 3rd gen. that was in great condition with 135K miles and timing Belt changed at 90K. Was in an accident 2 years ago, guy ran the red. Took about 1.5 years to receive the claim after having to fight the Insurance denial in Court which was $5000. Money was spent on a Custody battle!
The 4runner has been sitting since and I estimated it would cost me about $2500 in parts and Paint to repair along with about $2000 worth of my labor and time to do the repairs myself. Title is still clean because the Ins. did not take the vehicle. Front end was damage and frame was bent forward of the front crossmember.
I currently have $4000 to spend on another 3rd Gen. It's Tax season, people have money to spend and the price of decent 3rd Gen's here in LA are usually above Blue Book Value.
I had been looking for a 2000-2002 Sport/Limited under 200K, thinking I can Pull my old engine and Trans for a rainy day when the new 3rd gen gives me problems. But a good condition, No need for repaint, under 200K are going for $4000+.
I have found some good condition 4cyl. for $2000-$3000.
Would it be a total has to swap my 6 into a 4 and not have to worry about Check Engine Lights? My girlfriend will be the one driving it the most so I'd have to have it run safe without the worry of a constant Check Engine light or Smog pass every 2 years.
I did a good amount of mods and repairs to the crashed 4runner so I can swap all those parts as well like Suspension, Tundra Brakes, New driveshaft, and a few others.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hollywood1]

Other Option would be just to pick up a Very High Mileage 6cyl. for $3000 or under, then do the Motor swap and keep Trans for a Rainy day. That may be easier but if ever decided to resell, the Mileage would be high. I don't plan on getting rid of it till at least 2 years.

 

[BlackCat914]

It’s not a super fun job, but having a complete donor truck is about the best scenario for the swap.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Other Option would be just to pick up a Very High Mileage 6cyl. for $3000 or under, then do the Motor swap and keep Trans for a Rainy day. That may be easier but if ever decided to resell, the Mileage would be high. I don't plan on getting rid of it till at least 2 years.

A V6 to V6 motor swap would be much easier if you are dead set on trying to get a cheaper but better running 4Runner this way. Everything will line up perfectly that way.

 

[phattyduck]

A fair amount of stuff is different between the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder (engine mounts, trans crossmember moves, wiring, etc.)... And since you are in CA, you can't (legally) swap an older motor into a newer vehicle - which means smog becomes a big hassle. It can be done, but there are many drawbacks to the project. I'd almost lean towards turboing a 4 cylinder before doing the V6 swap (same smog issues, so....).

A better plan would be: Sell all the good parts of your truck and use that 'extra' money to pay for a nicer 4Runner.

-Charlie

 

[gamefreakgc]

A fair amount of stuff is different between the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder (engine mounts, trans crossmember moves, wiring, etc.)... And since you are in CA, you can't (legally) swap an older motor into a newer vehicle - which means smog becomes a big hassle. It can be done, but there are many drawbacks to the project. I'd almost lean towards turboing a 4 cylinder before doing the V6 swap (same smog issues, so....).

A better plan would be: Sell all the good parts of your truck and use that 'extra' money to pay for a nicer 4Runner.

-Charlie

If you do go the part-out route and have patience to take a lot of photos of parts, you can get $2,500+ in parts alone for a 2000 model from Ebay for smaller items and sensors, and larger items like body parts, doors, etc. on Craigslist. Like I said though, it takes some time and patience.

 

[Hollywood1]

Ok thanks for the insight.
I was curious about the motor swap and legalities as well, even with the V6 I'm wondering if I need to pay any fees due to a straight v6 motor swap. I guess if i'm not planning on selling it for sometime then it shouldn't be that big a deal.

Due to it being for my GF, her patience is running thin on getting the 4runner. I told her I would rebuild the old one a year ago but the labor time just doesn't add up. She doesn't understand the amount of labor needed, she just wants her 4runner back. Oh and now she wants it with the scoop!

 

[Twisted Sid]

If your interested in parting out the old one, I'd be interested in the engine, harness, and ecu for the right price. I'm looking for the 4cyl to do the swap into my pickup. Would take the trans too if this was a 2wd 5speed.

 

[phattyduck]

Ok thanks for the insight.
I was curious about the motor swap and legalities as well, even with the V6 I'm wondering if I need to pay any fees due to a straight v6 motor swap. I guess if i'm not planning on selling it for sometime then it shouldn't be that big a deal.

Due to it being for my GF, her patience is running thin on getting the 4runner. I told her I would rebuild the old one a year ago but the labor time just doesn't add up. She doesn't understand the amount of labor needed, she just wants her 4runner back. Oh and now she wants it with the scoop!

The issue comes at smog check time... no extra fees or anything - but you won't be able to legally do a smog check with the wrong motor in there (unless it has been approved and follows all the motor swap rules). You wouldn't have to worry about cops pulling you over for modifications or anything, at least.

And it sounds like the GF needs to handle her own business if she wants all that stuff...

-Charlie