Get new motor? Yes/no? Decisions decisions!

VA4runnerchic

VA4runnerchic

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I am thinking about replacing my engine (3.4L 5VZ-FE V6). Pending how much tax money is leftover after I order my other goodies! :banana:
We all know my rig has a re****ed amount of miles and I’m kinda wanting something with less! Not that it really matters with these trucks cuz they’re so bad@ss and will last forever with proper maintenance, but its kinda more of an “ease of mind” thing for me! And hell who doesn’t want a “newer” motor haha This is all pretty much up in the air….i just wanna do some research/get advice on places, motors, prices etc etc and see if it would even be worth it in the long run.
I HAVE searched around online :keyboard: for reputable business’s that sell them, but didn't know if anyone has had any experience with this and would recommend or not recommend a place. My ex and I use to buy motor swaps from a place up north (forgot the name now) when we owned our race shop, but it was only the ”ricer” motor swaps lol Anyways, I was hoping maybe someone on here, preferably on east coast – less shipping costs, would have any recommendations. I would more than likely want the complete swap…ie... motor and tranny.
:thanks:
 
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If the only problem with your motor is that it has high miles on it, I would do the maintenance items to bring it up to spec, and keep on driving it. The money you will pay to put a newer engine in your truck will not increase the value of the truck by 1/3 that amount = TERRIBLE investment that you will get no performance increase from. The money could be better spent on just about anything else IMO.
 
that guy with 600k probably does all highway miles, and might be a tad bit lucky.

as far as no performance increase, I doubt that too. Maybe only slight increase--but you'll almost certainly get more power out of a "newer" motor( I certainly notice a difference between my 96 and my families 02)

Check out JDM imports for factory built motors with around 60k, there on ebay a lot.
I would expect just to do a new motor, to spend around 2500-3000, to do tranny to...
I really don't know maybe tach on an extra 500-800.

Im sure it can be done cheaper--read: its not what you know but who you know--but I like to budget more then I actually think a project would cost.

Personally, I would do some maintenance and drive the ****er till it won't drive anymore--all the while saving the money and maybe locating everything for the eventual swap

Hope that was clear enough that you kind of get where I'm coming from.
 
Yeah 600+K in 11 years is something like driving about 200 miles a day the ONLY way you could do that is 95% highway miles.
Those like me putting 5000-8000 a YEAR on the engine but 95% of it is stop and go city driving very short trips are putting a TON more wear and tear on the engine and trans than someone that just hits the highway everyday until they run outa gas.
I have probably more wear on my engine in just 5000 miles than he does from 55,000.

Now if you get 600K out of a engine and you deliver the mail in it, stop & go, stop & go for 200 miles a day then you got a bullet proof engine.

I am hoping to get around 300K out of mine, but that is 140,000 more miles and I only drive at most 8000 a year so that is like another 17 years of driving for me. So looking to rebuild about 2030 when I am 71 years old. LOL
 
no there's nothing really wrong with it. just old. and needs vcg replaced (have the part just need someone to put it on!) just worried that once i lift it and throw bigger tires on it, if that will put a lot of strain on the motor and cause more problems...?
 
VA4runnerchic said:
no there's nothing really wrong with it. just old. and needs vcg replaced (have the part just need someone to put it on!) just worried that once i lift it and throw bigger tires on it, if that will put a lot of strain on the motor and cause more problems...?
Click to expand...

Honestly, with that many miles, I'd be more concerned with other parts after lifting it. Like tie rod ends, bushings, LBJ's, etc etc. All of those parts also have those miles on them.
 
Hepar said:
Honestly, with that many miles, I'd be more concerned with other parts after lifting it. Like tie rod ends, bushings, LBJ's, etc etc. All of those parts also have those miles on them.
Click to expand...

x2 , that where most of my maintenance dollars go.
 
Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely have an 'Engine Fund', but wouldn't use it until it was necessary.
 
sorry 4Runner chick but you should be saving up for a new vehicle not a new engine.

since your engine works fine now there is no need to replace it. However if you have a lot of miles your heads or tras could go out and any time.

If you suffered a major failure on that old of a truck, 2WD in moderate condition you would be smart to just trash it. Sorry but spending $3000+ on a vehicle worth $4000 that isn't even 4wd is a all around bad idea. I like your truck but if is was 4wd in mint condition things would be different.

I suffered a major failure, it cost me $3000 + for a new top end and that was at a trusted mechanic, basically Toyota pros. If you take it somewhere then it is all risk. Who knows how good they are.

I have a second vehicle now, a Camry for my DD. If you really want to go the long haul with your truck start saving for DD or newer one.

I am providing the most cost effective advice.

BTW, there is NO SUCH THING as a new motor, only a used swap. A new motor is like $8,000 and any used one might have a lot of problems that you only find out about after you do the swap. But if you can do the work yourself absorbing all the labor costs then i say go for it.
 
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:iagree: with the above.

If your engine is still in good shape, let it ride. Save your pennies for a new vehicle, though. As those great philosophizer's Kansas once said "Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky." :D

Also given that the value of a 2wd 4runner with high miles is probably ~$4000 or less, I would think you'd spend more on a new engine than on a replacement vehicle.

Just by way of reference, I recently put a used engine (not even rebuilt) into my DD Mazda (97 Protege in my signature) and the cost was a little under $2500. To put a remanufactured engine into a 4runner, my guess is that you'd be looking at a minimum of $4500 depending on what all needed to be replaced.
 
I've replaced my motor twice and its not a fun experience. With any new motor you have to worry about its reliablity. Sure the place you buy it from might have a warranty, but that doesn't mean they know exactly how good of an engine they are selling you. The money I have spent on the 2 engines I have bought could have gotten me a new and better rig to start over on. I agree with brian on this one. If I could go back and do it again I would start over instead of replacing the engine, but I wanted a hobby. I would save your money get another rig with 4x4, e locker, and everything else that tickles your fancy.

If you are going to buy a new engine and tranny anyways. I would say stay away from rebuilds and remanufactured engines they never run as good as stock ones.


Hepar said:
Honestly, with that many miles, I'd be more concerned with other parts after lifting it. Like tie rod ends, bushings, LBJ's, etc etc. All of those parts also have those miles on them.
Click to expand...

I had to replace almost every bushing and tie rod after my lift.. Good advice hepar..
 
As was already stated, I wouldn't go replacing an engine that is currently working fine. I'd be far more inclined to sell the high-mileage 2wd while it is still running fine, and find a low-mileage 4wd.
 
I don't see how a rebuild would be less ....

Rebuilding the top end of the engine, both sides is going to cost $3000+ from any reputable shop. The truck is probably worth less than $4k.

Better to sell it for $3.5k then add to that the $3k you would have spent on a rebuild / used motor. And then buy a 3rd gen 4WD with 150K miles on it for $6.5k.

:cheers:
 
:iagree: Totally!! I forgot her's was only a 2WD.. Yeah get that sold and get yourself(VA4runnerchic) into a comfortably equipped 4wd.
 
Bring the maint. up to date, clean her up and sell her while she's still going. Then go get one with lower miles if you helps you sleep at night. Save all the mods, that you won't get anything back for, for the new one.
 
If it wasn't for you being 2wd, I'd recommend doing what I did... Buy a low mileage used motor and have it ready and waiting to be put in when you need it. That way you can take your time and find the best deal on a motor.

Rebuilding is sketchy. If you want a quality rebuild with OEM parts, that'll set you back ~$5K or more after labor and R&R. I went with a cheaper rebuild and I had a lot of issues after I rebuilt mine. So many in fact, I had to fight for my money back (of which I got ~80% back). It took way longer than they said it would, then the first oil pump they put in wasn't working hard enough, then I had to take it back to re-adjust the valves because they were ticking, then my rear main seal went out twice after the rebuild, etc.. so it was a headache to say the least. I'd take a low mileage donor motor over a rebuild any day now (unless it was a Jasper or LCE, but who has the $$ for that!!). I took the money and bought the donor for way less than the cost of the rebuild. It's actually running great now, but my rear main still leaks. When that gets worse (or another problem happens with it), the donor is going in and I'll keep my current motor for parts.

But...
if I were you, I agree with the others.. sell it and get a lower milage 4x4.
 
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