I need advice and a few questions answered about an engine swap im doing this weekend

[Ogbassist182]

This was the thread a while back.

So long story short, I have an engine in my front yard right now that I plan on putting in my 4Runner this weekend.

My 4Runner VIN:JTEBU14R270111070
My Tacoma VIN:5TEUU42N26Z254193

I know nothing about doing an engine swap. My uncle is doing it for me and I'm helping him. He has done engine swaps in the past and he said it's no problem for him. I haven't talked to him on the phone for a few weeks. I went to Toyota today to buy parts(seals,gaskets,thermometer, etc...I was actually going to ask you guys what parts I should replace while I have the motor out), and they were curious and asked both VIN numbers on both vehicles and I gave it to them and they said the ECU was different in both and it wouldn't work. This damn near gave me a heart attack. I called the place were I bought my motor(New England Auto Recyclers) and asked if they would fit because the ECUs had different part numbers and he said that I was to basically take all the "bolt on" parts off mine and put on his motor and that I would be using MY wiring harness and MY ECU(obviously) and basically just using his motor for internal parts. So my MAIN question about all of this is the wiring harness part. I know there are about 30 wires in the wiring harness. Do I have to individually put them wherever they are supposed to go? I'm very confused about the wiring harness part. If someone, if you'd be so kind, give me the quick walkthru of doing an engine swap. I just want to know about as many possible problems(realistic ones) before I actually come to them. I would be happy with other threads you recommend or youtube videos or whatever. My uncle is doing this for free(i'm still paying him some) so I want to make it as easy as possible on him.

Also, recommend parts I should replace while I have the motor out. The motor I bought looks super clean. It had 86k when it was totaled(body damage, from the rear) it still has a Toyota oil filter on it which makes me believe it was kept up well. The oil on the dipstick looks very transparent(new oil look). I can't remember the exact names of the parts, but I bought a rear main seal, exhaust manifold to head gasketx2, donut gasket??x2, thermostat housing thing??

 

[Snugg]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was taught that when ever taking on a HUGE project like an engine swap... you always get the ECU and wire harness for that engine specifically.

 

[cpark_12]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was taught that when ever taking on a HUGE project like an engine swap... you always get the ECU and wire harness for that engine specifically.

If it's out of a different year 4Runner, I would think you'd need the ECU out of that truck, but if it's from the same year and trim, I would think he'd be okay with just the motor.

 

[blackoutt]

Often times recyclers will sell engines with "no sensors" meaning you remove all your electrical components and sensors from the old engine and install them in the new engine. This ensures that you can use your old harness, and all the connectors will fit together. This also ensures that whatever ECU you're using matches whatever electronics are on the engine and are not off due to part number/half year changes/etc. To the ECU it won't be able to tell anything different if it's connected to all the same sensor components. If you're lucky all sensors and connectors will be the same on both motors and it'll just hook right up no parts swapping necessary. Yes there will probably be a few head scratchers to figure out along the way. Good luck!

 

[Ogbassist182]

Often times recyclers will sell engines with "no sensors" meaning you remove all your electrical components and sensors from the old engine and install them in the new engine. This ensures that you can use your old harness, and all the connectors will fit together. This also ensures that whatever ECU you're using matches whatever electronics are on the engine and are not off due to part number/half year changes/etc. To the ECU it won't be able to tell anything different if it's connected to all the same sensor components. If you're lucky all sensors and connectors will be the same on both motors and it'll just hook right up no parts swapping necessary. Yes there will probably be a few head scratchers to figure out along the way. Good luck!

This is what I was wondering.