Best Engine Replacement

HappyHooligan

HappyHooligan

New member
so in my search for my 3rd gen I'm thinking of getting a great body/int version but with one with 300K + miles on it and just replace the engine. 3400

Good idea or bad idea? Where do I find a replacement? what sort of costs do you think it would add up to? I'd have a mechanic do the engine work.

thanks
 
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JDM if the stock motor is completely blown.

Can get a JDM engine for around $1k. You will need to swap parts from the stock 4runner engine to the JDM engine.

Japanese Domestic Market engines come from Japan and typically have around 60k miles on them.
 
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If the engine is in good shape, why not just keep driving it until it needs a new engine? A well maintained 300k miles isn't a problem. (mine has ~280k and runs like a top and burns no oil)

-Charlie
 
turbo8 said:
JDM if the stock motor is completely blown.

Can get a JDM engine for around $1k. You will need to swap parts from the stock 4runner engine to the JDM engine.

Japanese Domestic Market engines come from Japan and typically have around 60k miles on them.
Click to expand...

I'm curious. Why would they have such low miles? Also how would you ever know if they actually have that low miles?
 
enapa said:
I'm curious. Why would they have such low miles? Also how would you ever know if they actually have that low miles?
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Small island, how far are you going to go? And a lot of the world isn't as car centered as north america.
 
HappyHooligan said:
so in my search for my 3rd gen I'm thinking of getting a great body/int version but with one with 300K + miles on it and just replace the engine. 3400

Good idea or bad idea? Where do I find a replacement? what sort of costs do you think it would add up to? I'd have a mechanic do the engine work.

thanks
Click to expand...

Probably not the bargain you are thinking.

Any decent engine will be roughly $800-$1000. Factor in a shop doing the install, they will probably charge around $2000 for labor. You could call your local shops to see what they will charge for an engine replacement if you want an exact quote. A 4Runner with great exterior & interior with high mileage will cost you about $2000 - $3000 depending where you live.

Add it all up and it'll total $4800 - $6000 all said and done. It's worth a shot if you can swap engines yourself and save the labor costs but paying a shop will just cost you more in the end.
 
gamefreakgc said:
Probably not the bargain you are thinking.

Add it all up and it'll total $4800 - $6000 all said and done.
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Wouldn't that amount find a decent running 'runner with less miles ? 300K on the rest of the drive train is a lot of miles on any light duty vehicle regardless of who manufactured it. I'm not trying to sound negative or pessimistic, just looking at things from a "value" stand point. You spend upwards of $6K on the rig and it gets in a crash and is totaled, you're going to take a huge loss on it.
 
300k is nothing to worry about. Miles are damn near meaningless as long as the maintenance was on point. The maintenance was on point, right?
 
turbo8 said:
JDM if the stock motor is completely blown.

Can get a JDM engine for around $1k. You will need to swap parts from the stock 4runner engine to the JDM engine.

Japanese Domestic Market engines come from Japan and typically have around 60k miles on them.
Click to expand...

[MENTION=94914]turbo8[/MENTION]

Did you personally do a JDM swap. The internet, including this site is full of HORROR stories from folks who got a bullshit engine via the JDM method.

A couple of things:
* No real history
* No paperwork
* Removing the valve covers often voids the warranty
* You don't even get to know the VIN of the engine most times, my understanding is it isn't even stamped on the block itself so no way to trace

:noidea:
 
BrianSD_42 said:
[MENTION=94914]turbo8[/MENTION]

Did you personally do a JDM swap. The internet, including this site is full of HORROR stories from folks who got a bullshit engine via the JDM method.

A couple of things:
* No real history
* No paperwork
* Removing the valve covers often voids the warranty
* You don't even get to know the VIN of the engine most times, my understanding is it isn't even stamped on the block itself so no way to trace

:noidea:
Click to expand...

You beat me to it. The few swaps I've done with friends have always been with a wrecked donor vehicle. Seem's to be the best success/bet. JDM research showed the same when we were looking years ago.
 
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