Dead 3vze. Perfect timing. Not.

[santanvalleydirt]

So after about 9 months of owning my 4Runner, the bottom end is done. (Which in doing research of course ends up being one of the most expensive repairs) The top end was just rebuilt earlier this year as well so I'm kinda pissed. So I'm trying to decide what to do. This is my daily driver and I need something sooner rather than later. I can either roll the rice again and buy another used car and hope I don't get screwed over. Or I can fix my 4Runner since I've already dumped around $2500 into repairing basically everything else that exists in it over the course of the year. If I keep the Runner, I either have to get a lower end for the engine and get it fixed.. or I can take this opportunity to get rid of that god forsaken 3.0 and get a 3.4 in there.. What do you guys think?

 

[KidVermicious]

3.4 5VZ V6 conversions

 

[nicnmike]

3.4 5VZ V6 conversions

Wish I did the swap too, but my rebuild is holding up well, so far. I didn't plan on doing the bottom end, but I'm glad I did. there was about an inch of sludge in the oil pan and I had pitted cylinder walls.

 

[lofreqjeff]

Whats your budget and time frame? I'm about to pull a perfectly good 3.0 out of my 89 4Runner in 2 weeks, so it will be up for grabs soon. If you're interested, maybe we can meetup before I pull it so you can see it in person and take it for a spin - I'm in Chandler.

 

[santanvalleydirt]

Whats your budget and time frame? I'm about to pull a perfectly good 3.0 out of my 89 4Runner in 2 weeks, so it will be up for grabs soon. If you're interested, maybe we can meetup before I pull it so you can see it in person and take it for a spin - I'm in Chandler.

Looks like I'll probably just have to go for a rebuild or another 3vze. How many miles are on the engine?

 

[theking11863]

Well personally, I really want to see you get that thing up and running again (preferably with a 3.4 because I want to see what that conversion does since you were trying to get me to do it so bad!) but I know that may not be the best option at the moment. If you really can't do that you could always do what I did and get a cheap used car to hold you over till you can get the 4runner working again. This gives you the option to take your time on it and look for good deals and then you can sell the replacement car later when you get your 4runner fixed.

Those are just options but my vote is 3.4 conversion! I'll help do it if you go with that one!

 

[lofreqjeff]

Looks like I'll probably just have to go for a rebuild or another 3vze. How many miles are on the engine?

It has 212k miles. Runs great, has a very small, very occasional oil leak - a few drops every few months usually only does it when its really hot out.

if you, or anyone else for that matter, is interested let me know. Will let it go for cheap hoping it goes to a good home.

 

[santanvalleydirt]

It has 212k miles. Runs great, has a very small, very occasional oil leak - a few drops every few months usually only does it when its really hot out.

if you, or anyone else for that matter, is interested let me know. Will let it go for cheap hoping it goes to a good home.

I'm definitely interested. My 4Runner in every other aspect in is good condition. Just need to put another engine in it

 

[lofreqjeff]

I'm definitely interested. My 4Runner in every other aspect in is good condition. Just need to put another engine in it

Would you want to just take it and install it yourself or do youu need it installed? I'm not doing the work on my truck myself, but I bet the guy doing the work on my truck would be happy to put my engine in your truck for a small fee. He is in Mesa near Elliot & Alma School.

 

[santanvalleydirt]

Would you want to just take it and install it yourself or do youu need it installed? I'm not doing the work on my truck myself, but I bet the guy doing the work on my truck would be happy to put my engine in your truck for a small fee. He is in Mesa near Elliot & Alma School.

How much does he do that kind of stuff for?

 

[lofreqjeff]

How much does he do that kind of stuff for?

I'll be going by his place tonight, I'll find out.

 

[BigRyan1986]

So after about 9 months of owning my 4Runner, the bottom end is done. (Which in doing research of course ends up being one of the most expensive repairs) The top end was just rebuilt earlier this year as well so I'm kinda pissed. So I'm trying to decide what to do. This is my daily driver and I need something sooner rather than later. I can either roll the rice again and buy another used car and hope I don't get screwed over. Or I can fix my 4Runner since I've already dumped around $2500 into repairing basically everything else that exists in it over the course of the year. If I keep the Runner, I either have to get a lower end for the engine and get it fixed.. or I can take this opportunity to get rid of that god forsaken 3.0 and get a 3.4 in there.. What do you guys think?

3" body lift and a chevy 350

 

[9494runner]

If you go with a reman, I just picked up a rebuilt 3vze from Denny's Auto Machine. She was gorgeous when she arrived and runs like a top

A bit pricey - but honestly you pay for quality sometimes. No buyers remorse here