94 4runner 3L blown....worth fixing?

I would not pay 4 grand for an engine to put in a vehicle that blue books for close to that. Doesn't make sense, dollar-wise. For a seriously over-heated engine ----keep it simple----buy a good , 3.0 , pop her in and drive it. The 3.4 is almost impossible to find---the 3.0 , you can get cheeeeeep and I think they are decent engines, BUT....DO NOT OVERHEAT it even once. A novice that can't deal with a top-end rebuild should be able to do a motor swap. Make friends with a mechanic or pay one to mentor you through the swap.
For that matter---never overheat any engine. Keep water, coolant and oil up to par and you should get many miles out of any Toyota engine.
That being said---the 22R and 22Re is legendary for taking abuse and keeping on and on and on.
 
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I am new to this forum and to the 3.0 toyota motor. I aquired a 92 4runner with v6 5 speed 165k on it and 2 dead cyls. I ended up getting a jdm corp engine for 1500 shipped. I got it installed and it runs great i believe there 65k miles or less they claim avter bore scopeing it and running it. and i ended up with alot of great spare parts.
 
mikebontoft said:
Just the extra cost I'm sure. I wouldn't have a problem with a 5vze swap, but personally I don't feel like having another project vehicle.

For that matter, with a 350 you would just need to get a 700r4 or 4l60e to toyota transfer case adapter.

Why not a Ford 302? it's smaller anyway. Distributor at the front if you use that style of engine....
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I seriously looked into the 302 swap but that would mean running a 302 with a Ford AOD tranny and a dana 300 t-case since a Ford t-case will put the front shaft on the wrong side.
I also am considering a Chevy 350/700r4/NP208 swap as well as a 5VZ-E/auto/t-case swap.
But here is the deal with those options... It's gonna run a chit load of time and labor not to mention some cash to purchase a donor vehicle, etc...
So unless I run across a screaming deal on a complete donor vehicle... it's long block 3VZE city for me.
 
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Footofgod said:
I guess the point I am trying to make is this:

93 4Runner

93 4runner

1993 Toyota 4Runner

1994 toyota 4runner

REDUCED 1994 4runner

Why drop $4000 in to an old car when you can buy two of the same kind for almost the same money? To me that is ridiculous. If you can't fix it, scrap it for spare metal and buy another.
Click to expand...

Yea... I hear ya... But here is my counter point... I can go out and buy another $3500 4Runner or I can put a $3500 engine in mine.
If I buy another 2nd gen 4runner I really don't know how long it could be before it blows a head gasket or when other things may be lurking to go wrong... 5000 miles?.. 50k miles?
If I put a long block in mine at least I know what I have and I am not cluttering up my property with a 4runner graveyard.
Yes... I realize that some people think I am nuts to be willing to put $3500 into a 1995 4Runner but this is a very nice vehicle that me and my wife plan to keep forever because we will never get our money back out of it and as soon as the new engine is done I plan on doing a lift and tires next... lol.

Also - I will never buy another 3.slow 4runner... I will either buy a 1st gen or a 3rd gen if I ever replace my 2nd gen. A removable top with a 5VZe swap would be my ultimate choice. Call me lazy if ya want but I would buy it already done that way.
 
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As odd as this may sound coming from me, I don't blame anyone for putting 3k into the 3.0. I think it's nuts to put that much into a rear main seal and some head work though! But if it gives you a reliable engine in a vehicle that is otherwise in great shape then it may be worth it. I would rather spend 3k into an engine on a vehicle that is in good shape than roll the dice with 3k on another 4runner that may or may not be in good running condition.

Is it really any different than putting 3k into suspension, tires, armor, lockers, etc.? Either way you're dumping money into a vehicle when you're never going to get it back.
 
I just looked on ksl. there's 14 geo metros for sale. BUT. the going rate is between $1-3k? dafuq???

I would take one though... I recall them being fun to rev the piss out of. and I love how the starter sounds. haha.
 
Footofgod said:
WOW!!!! I could have bought two running 2nd gens for that much. Why in the world would you do such a thing?
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I used to sell used cars so I know something about them. Everyone in the repair business thinks they are an expert in this when in fact they don't actually look at the situation. First of all, take the time you spend to shop for a vehicle. How much is your time worth? Second, you aren't going to find a very good used 4 wheeler for 4 grand. In fact, 10 grand today doesn't go far in the vehicle market. Third, you never know what kind of headaches you are buying with something used. Even the best dealership used car managers get stuck paying big bucks for a lemon. Been there, done that. There's no set price for used vehicles, either. That's where the salesmen make their money in every dealership. Finally, they did the job quickly and without mistakes. I am rather confident that this 4runner will last two decades with care, barring an accident. Blue book value is only something that insurance companies use. Of course I take a beating if my 4-runner is totalled, and I have had that experience, too. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with generosity.
 
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I guess I'm not in the repair business then since I agree with you. haha.

I got my second gen for $1900. damn good condition after replacing the clutch and engine. So far I've found it has new brakes, new tires, I'm the second owner, it's been garaged and taken care of very well.

very lucky, I say. lol.
 
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