Estimated labor cost for engine & tranny replacement

[NEKExplorer]

So I have a 98 limited with a blown engine and auto transmission. It has nearly zero rust and I have replaced suspension (SS 1.2), exhaust, calipers, steering rack and hoses, most everything important but the engine and tranny at this point. Truck has 245k on it.

I have a 99 5-speed donor vehicle with bad frame but otherwise mechanically good (140k). Can anybody give me a ballpark estimate of what it would cast to swap the engine and tranny from the donor into my rig? Step one for engine removal in the FSM is "remove transmission" so since I have all the parts for conversion I thought swap in the 5 speed while I am there. What would this probably cost, figuring on $80-90/hr labor rate?

Thanks

 

[dogtail]

Shop book time will run about $2K (20hrs) for just a motor swap with motor being delivered ready to install. Try to do yourself or with a friend or some other alternative. I got someone to do for me for less that $500, wasn't even worth me doing myself.

 

[Bad Luck]

Are you planning on paying the shop to do the full manual transmission conversion? Wiring, changing pedals, installing clutch master cylinder, mounts, etc?

 

[4gambler]

Take it to an engine builder specific shop and have them do a complete engine overhaul rebuild. HAS TO BE AN ENGINE REBUILD SPECIFIC SHOP NOT JOES GENERAL MECHANIC BRAKES SUSPENSION LUBE SHOP. Will be more reliable than a 140k engine that might might grenade in the next 80k miles.

 

[BoomerBob]

There's no set answer to that. It depends on the state, county, and even neighborhood. A shop in an expensive neighborhood has higher overhead so they have to charge more to their customers to keep them in that neighborhood. Call it a convenience tax. Sure, you could drive or tow it to a not-so-good neighborhood and pay less but then you might get swindled because they might figure out you live in a ritzy neighborhood.

I recently paid $1100 for just the engine swap of a long block which meant transferring a lot of parts but I have a working relationship with that shop; even a friendship at some level.

At the very least do a long block swap. The swap from auto to manual transmission is going to jack the price way up. You'd be better off with a straight swap or rebuild of your existing auto trans in my humble opinion. You're looking at possibly $3k for just that.

I'd consider selling this rig for parts or keeping it for parts and buying a good running manual trans T4R rather than sink up to $5k into doing this swap.

 

[3bears]

Are you planning on paying the shop to do the full manual transmission conversion? Wiring, changing pedals, installing clutch master cylinder, mounts, etc?

that wont be cheap, ive done it on several cars, not a 4runner, and it is time consuming
there are lots of right ups on doing the conversion on the forum

 

[gamefreakgc]

I know you love your 4Runner, but having a shop attempt a 5-speed conversion on top of an engine replacement is going to run you some serious cash. I would estimate it around $4000-$5000.

 

[brillo_76]

I agree with the others from auto to manual would be extremely expensive as that is a job in a half. Probably cheaper to buy a 5 speed. I looked into it years ago and just bought a 4 runner with a 5 speed. :]

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[zoombyu86]

I've been looking for a solid truck with a bad engine/trans...

 

[Aldo947]

agreed

Im doing mine now with no prior experience and it is coming along fine.