$500.00 tacoma project

[68dave]

I just picked up a 2004 taco 4x4 with 147k from a customer at work. The PO ran it low on oil and locked up the camshafts and broke the timing belt. The bed had a bunch of empty oil cartons in it. He did'nt want to make any repairs to it so he offered it to me for $500.00, i could'nt get to the bank fast enough to withdrawl the cash but it took him 2 weeks to obtain the lien release, he lost the original. So with the title/lien release in my possession i pulled it in the shop last night and saw oil leaking from the oil filter, it was loose. Instead of having the oil leak diagnosed he just kept driving and adding oil which led to damaged engine internals. I'm thinking of replacing the top end and keeping my fingers crossed that the bottom end somehow survived. For some reason i have to edit/crop my pics.

 

[4Running Daily]

I'll give you $525 right now.

 

[68dave]

I'm considering replacing the 3.4 engine in my 04 taco 4x4, what years will fit? Besides the flywheels, is there a difference between a auto trans 3.4 and a manual trans 3.4? Thanks.

 

[Diverse4runner]

What a deal thats awesome!!

 

[JohnsD90]

Ill trade you my 96 ranger straight up.

 

[nevada]

wow...some people.
friggin morons.

good for you tho.

 

[jmildoc]

That's a straight up steal!!!!!

 

[68dave]

Thanks, i do have to admit before i took the pics i spent about 3 hours scrubbing the interior [it was filthly] and surprisingly i was able to clean off the caked on brake dust from the fr. rims, so she looks alot nicer now. However i did find $15.00 in bills and $33.00 in change after cleaning the inside! A co-worker was laughing at me for cleaning a non running truck, but it was so dirty inside that it was embarrassing. I'm debating on whether to rebuild the top end and hope the bottom end survived or just buy a used engine, either way it's gonna be a fun winter project.

 

[jmildoc]

so you really bought it for $452 that is awesome!! i would just go get a used engine and put it in there, then rebuild the one that you take out and re-sell it. or sell the engine in there now for a few hundred bucks

 

[68dave]

Why do i have to crop/edit my pics here? Well i removed the valve covers tonight and this is what i found.

 

[68dave]

I found a complete replacement 3.4L from a 99 4runner 4x4 for $600.00 with 155k, will this engine work in my 04 taco 4x4? Any differences with emissions equipment from the 99 to the 04? If for some reason the shortblocks are different will the 99 heads work on my 04? Sorry for all the ???'s, but if this 1999 4runner engine will work in my taco i wanna jump on this deal and get this project movin' forward, thanks.

 

[68dave]

Well i finally got around to pulling my motor today. I bought a used and amazingly clean 3.4L out of a 03 tacoma prerunner with only 69k miles from a salvage yard for $1200.00. I'm gonna replace all the usual maintance items, clutch, w.p. & t.b. kit and misc. gaskets. From what i've read i have to switch the oil pan and exhaust manifolds because the donor truck was a prerunner and mine is a 4x4.

 

[slowpoke99]

wow you made out pretty good with that deal even after you drop the money on the engine into it! hell just the complete body and interior alone would run way over $500 even at junk yard prices. best of luck on your build/rebuild!!!

:cheers:

 

[DeathCougar]

Well i finally got around to pulling my motor today. I bought a used and amazingly clean 3.4L out of a 03 tacoma prerunner with only 69k miles from a salvage yard for $1200.00. I'm gonna replace all the usual maintance items, clutch, w.p. & t.b. kit and misc. gaskets. From what i've read i have to switch the oil pan and exhaust manifolds because the donor truck was a prerunner and mine is a 4x4.

Nope. Prerunner and 4x4 use the same oil pan, manifolds, everything. You will have to switch wiring harness and maybe a few sensors depending on Emissions.

 

[DeathCougar]

Nope. Prerunner and 4x4 use the same oil pan, manifolds, everything. You will have to switch wiring harness and maybe a few sensors depending on Emissions.

P.s. Around here, that Truck is $12,000-$14,000 Aaaaallllll day. You STOLE that truck. Fix and flip!

 

[68dave]

I know it's been a while but i just got my project back together. I replaced the t.b., w.p. and related compoments, drive belts, rad.& oil cooler hoses, tune up items, fuel&air filters, oil pan gasket sealant from toyota, valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, T-stat and a Aisin clutch kit[wanted a Marlin Crawler kit but it was out of stock with no eta]. I finally installed the motor and got her up and runnin'. Motor is 69k miles out of a 03 auto trans prerunner and installed into my 04 manual trans 4x4 with no issues, even the wiring harness was the same. First time driving it today. I drove it home from work and it drove great, everything works and no issues except for the p. steering felt stiff compared to my 4runner. I'm gonna flush the p.s. fluid with our BG machine at work then change the diffs, Tcase and the manual trans oils next week. I removed 2 like new G.Y. wranglers from a 4runner that i recently purchased and quickly sold then i purchased 2 new matching tires. So my $500 project is now closer to $3000, i have'nt added up my parts receipts yet for a accurate cost. I'm a auto tech with after hour use of a fully equipped shop so i saved a bunch of $$$ there. Now i'm saving my $$$ for a suspension lift and wheels.

 

[tamerunner]

You stole that thing. That is awesome. I would consider that a once on a lifetime opportunity right there.

 

[68dave]

I've been driving my project truck daily for a couple weeks now with no issues except i replaced a faulty p.s. pump, cleaned the screen in the p.s. resevior and performed a BG p.s. flush with synthetic ATF. I changed all the driveline fluids with Redline synthetic fluids. I'm planning a roadtrip to Texas with this truck in mid march so i lowered the spare to check its condition and pressure and i saw that it still has the factory label on it, never used. I used it today to haul some lumber and fencing, it felt good to have a pick up again. Now i'm saving my $$$ for a suspension lift & tires.

 

[68dave]

A pic if the label.

 

[68dave]

I just returned from a 3,280 mile 7 day trip with my project tacoma to pick up my new casita camper in Texas. No issues, the tacoma performed great. Didn't even burn a drop of oil. I'm not a new truck kinda guy, i get great satisfaction from buying something broke and fixing it with my own 2 hands. My brother and a couple buddies all have brand new trucks and are always making jokes about my "old" toyotas but i just tell them to keep makin' them payments. lol!