Engines a goner, lets talk options!

[NorthernRyan]

Current Engine

Back Story:
When I bought the engine it had 150k km on it, was dealership maintained and maintenance records looked good. For the 30k I've driven it I've done Mobile1 Synthetic oil changes and drive it around town or 1000km round trips to Edmonton (the closest major city) and the odd off roading/camping trip. The engine failed when I was out camping and doing some exploring on pipeline roads. I was going up a long stretch of about 5% grade that took around 1.5 minutes. Revs were around 4k the entire time to keep up tire spin through thick mud that other works trucks had rutted up that day. For the play by play you can read the original thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/164527-went-pooched-again.html

Toyota said:
Once it was towed there and they looked at it I was told the #5 rod bearing "let go". When I asked what they saw was damaged exactly the desk guy went to the back and asked the tech and he came back and vaguely explained what sounded like they fired one cylinder at a time till they found which one was making the noise and I assumed guessed it was the bearing from the noise.

I care about its current state and why it failed to help weigh my options. Gadget said this in an email from URD:
"It would be good to learn why the bearing failed. If you have an XRunner it may be due to the shallow oil pan and loss of oil pressure due to pump cavitation."
...is a 2003 V6 4WD a XRunner?

Besides the two main options below I'm also looking for opinions on worth while add ons too. If I'm removing the damn thing I should be upgrading it as far as I'm concerned:guitar3:. Headers, intake manifolds, what's worth while?

Used Engine Option

Pros:
Cheap and quick...relatively. Not to underestimate those factors though.
I get a somewhat newer engine than the one I had hopefully.

Cons:
I don't really know the history of the engine or what quality I'm getting. Thought I was getting a good one before but maybe not.
To make that fact worse the main thing in the 1GR-FE family that has changed over the years is switch to a new cam shaft sensor in 2005. This means I'm only looking at 2003/2004s for a direct swap. This doesn't really appeal to me as if I'm going to swap a new one in I would like to get a 2009 with 30k km on it.
To do that I would then have to swap the cam sensors from my engine which as I understand is the sensor and the gear or what ever inside the engine that the sensor reads which is pretty involved sounding.
The selection that is close to up here in Northern Canada for these engines as well is pretty shitty to say the least.

Rebuild Option

Pros:
I know what I'm getting. Depending on how much is replaced I'm getting almost a new engine.
As my old boss said, if I'm replacing an engine, I'm making it better. If I do rebuild it I want to make it stronger so if I decide to, say, put a super charger on it, I'm not at any real risk of damaging the engine. The URD small block assembly looks interesting in this regard. Only really uses the stock crank shaft and block even in the cheapest rebuild. Short Block Assembly - Underdog Racing Development
It would be nice to get it done closer but my old boss was saying if he were to rebuild it, get a shop that has a good reputation and builds your engine or Toyotas in particular. Agree/Disagree?

Cons:
Cost, going to be more expensive, but at least I know what I'm getting.
Time, for the URD rebuild its 90 days which means for most the summer camping season I don't have my 4runner. :crybaby:

The Swap
I'm probably going to pay someone to help me do the swap. There's two people I know that have years as automotive mechanics and enthusiasts that I will pay around 1.5k to help me do the job. Cheaper then the 4.4-3.6 I've been quoted and I don't entirely trust myself to do this one. Thoughts?
And of course I'll post pics of it all. Might go pro the whole things if people care.

Shipping
Going to be a pain in any option living where I do. There are no used engines close to me and even a rebuild, the URD one being across the border. Anyone have any tips on how to ship engines at the cheapest cost, or what's even involved?

Thanks everyone! Lets have some fun with this...even tho I never really intended on ever having to spend any money on a Toyota engine...

 

[rinkman07]

Diesel?

Did they make a diesel for the Hilux 4th gen?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Diesel?

Did they make a diesel for the Hilux 4th gen?

Yes, there is a 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel (1KD-FTV) that was available in the 4th Gens outside of the US.

 

[Matrix]

Hi NorthernRyan

I'm new to this forum so bear with me while I try to figure things out. Just wanted to reply to your post here. Their is a reputable place here in Vancouver called Canada Engines. They have all the milling machines needed to rebuild an engine right from the block on up.

If the crank was scored, then you will more than likely need another one and down here in Vancouver, they are plentiful. The price you were quoted up their is (frankly speaking) outrageous, you could order a 4.0 from Canada engines, have it shipped to you and installed for a lot less money.

Just to throw another avenue of possibility out to you.

PS: Has anyone checked your engine for a broken valve spring? That can make a horrendous noise when they go as well. Just another thought and possibility to eliminate before pulling the pin on an engine replacement.

 

[swapmeet]

How much longer do you plan on keeping your 4R? How many miles are on the odometer?

I tend to look at things like this from a investment standpoint. I ask myself "What will have the most return on my investment?"

If you plan on getting something else in say.... two years, I might opt for the used motor and take it easy, get your money's worth.

If you plan on driving it into the ground/ keeping it "forever" I might opt for the rebuild.

Just for fun...
Toyota Hilux 1KD FTV 1KD Turbo 3 0 Diesel Engine 20172 | eBay

JDM Toyota 2L TE 2 4L Turbo Diesel 4x4 at 2LTE Hilux Surf 2Lt 4Runner Tacoma | eBay

Toyota Tacoma Land Cuiser 4Runner Hilux JDM 1KZ TE Turbo Diesel Engine 1KZTE | eBay

 

[DiskDoctr]

Yes, there is a 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel (1KD-FTV) that was available in the 4th Gens outside of the US.

Like this? Toyota Hilux 2 0L Turbo Diesel Engine AWD Automatic Trans Wiring ECU JDM 2LTE 2L | eBay

 

[MikeInNH]

From a financial viewpoint...the best is to just swap out the engine with a used one.

Rebuilding or replace with a short block is going to be more then the truck is worth.

Really think about keeping it for another 10+ years. By then the vehicle will be 10 years old. What else may fail?

 

[CookieRoe]

pretty sure you can't........................

Because no one has mentioned it, I will. I'm fairly certain you can NOT import used engines (or new) into the US (or Canada.......... maybe Canada, I don't know). I know b/c I wanted to import my Surf years ago, but could not. I thought I would circumvent that and just import an engine and install it in a 3rd gen 4R. Apparently couldn't do that either. So unless you drive it over the border and keep it in your garage (which really isn't practical since 99% of all have to go through some state vehicle inspection), one can not have it imported.

I could be wrong though...................

 

[RedSled]

Toyota Engine 5VZE 5VZ 3.4L v6 Long Block 1995-2004

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Because no one has mentioned it, I will. I'm fairly certain you can NOT import used engines (or new) into the US (or Canada.......... maybe Canada, I don't know). I know b/c I wanted to import my Surf years ago, but could not. I thought I would circumvent that and just import an engine and install it in a 3rd gen 4R. Apparently couldn't do that either. So unless you drive it over the border and keep it in your garage (which really isn't practical since 99% of all have to go through some state vehicle inspection), one can not have it imported.

I could be wrong though...................

I was under the impression that the Japanese are so strict with their smog laws that there's a booming industry of importing moderate mileage engines into the US to sell as JDM engines?

 

[Jim_M]

I was under the impression that the Japanese are so strict with their smog laws that there's a booming industry of importing moderate mileage engines into the US to sell as JDM engines?

Yes, this is correct. You can buy any number of JDM engines that have been pulled for emissions reasons. Keep in mind that if they were never sold in the US they most likely won't work with OBDII or be emissions compliant in the US. If you have emissions in your area you can't use them in cars newer than 1996 without some serious effort.

The problem CookieRoe ran into was trying to import a car that isn't 25 years old. "Take the engine out and re-install in the US" is not legal.

 

[rileyru]

That's a great price and warranty on the 3.4L, assuming it will bolt in without too much trouble and extra expense.. I want to say that engine was used in 4th gens in other markets? Might get better fuel economy too?

 

[CookieRoe]

Yes, this is correct. You can buy any number of JDM engines that have been pulled for emissions reasons. Keep in mind that if they were never sold in the US they most likely won't work with OBDII or be emissions compliant in the US. If you have emissions in your area you can't use them in cars newer than 1996 without some serious effort.

The problem CookieRoe ran into was trying to import a car that isn't 25 years old. "Take the engine out and re-install in the US" is not legal.

Correct, my Surf needed to be 25 years old. Importing an 1KZ-TE engine and MAKING IT WORK in a US 4Runner was going to be daunting and totally not worth it. I'm sure it's possible, but getting all the correct parts would have been a massive pain. State inspection? Of course it's illegal, but I know of some garages where they will "slap on a sticker".

In short: wasn't worth the effort.

Would've been cool though............

 

[Code2]

(which really isn't practical since 99% of all have to go through some state vehicle inspection)

Im curious since I dont know what vehicle inspections are you referring to? What is inspected? is this something done yearly?

I only ask cause in IL you buy a car or own one and the only inspection you have to take is a smog test pass or fail nothing more then that

 

[Jim_M]

Im curious since I dont know what vehicle inspections are you referring to? What is inspected? is this something done yearly?

I only ask cause in IL you buy a car or own one and the only inspection you have to take is a smog test pass or fail nothing more then that

Some states (PA for example) have a yearly inspection of the vehicle. They check that the lights are working, the tires have enough tread, brakes are working, make sure the exhaust isn't rusted/removed, etc. Basically check the functionality of your vehicle. This is in addition to smog checks.

When I was growing up in PA I worked at a garage that did inspections. Some garages are a little "loose" with the rules.

 

[Code2]

Some states (PA for example) have a yearly inspection of the vehicle. They check that the lights are working, the tires have enough tread, brakes are working, make sure the exhaust isn't rusted/removed, etc. Basically check the functionality of your vehicle. This is in addition to smog checks.

When I was growing up in PA I worked at a garage that did inspections. Some garages are a little "loose" with the rules.

Interesting whats happens if it doesnt pass one of the test

 

[DisguisedRope]

If it doesn't pass, you have to fix the problem. If you don't they won't give you an inspection sticker and you can get ticketed for not having one.

 

[BackOff]

Maybe another possible option.

2003 - 2012 Toyota 4Runner (1GR-FE 4.0L VVT-i V6) Engine

Looks like I may need a motor/rebuild also. The infamous head gasket may have let loose on my T4R....:Cry:
Funny start when cold using antifreeze and the water pump seal is leaking.

 

[V8Man]

You could buy a wrecked low mileage truck, the exact year and swap the engine. My son totaled my 2003 V8 Sport (#1). I purchased a 2003 SR5 (#2) with a bad engine for $3,500. Engine from #1 is now in #2. I just purchased a 2003 V8 Sport (#3) for $3,500. It has some front end damage, but the parts from #1 will fix it. In the states Copart or IAIA auctions, you can see what the wrecked ones are selling for in your area. Just an idea that worked for me.

 

[colson3265]

Going through the search functions and came across this thread. Just purchased an 03 4Runner Sport with the 4.0. Engine sounds like a small monkey with a big hammer is banging on the cylinder walls. I live in the interior of Alaska an no local yards have an engine that will work. I do though have a friend with a complete 2UZ out of an 04 Tundra. Engine, Trans, Xfer case, harness, computers and cluster..has anyone done this swap?Curious about the interchangeability of the 4.7 into a 4th gen runner that came with a 4.0