My Engine Swap in progress!

[poleclimber63]

After a rod failure before Christmas, I parked my 4Runner and considered my options. I decided on an engine swap, and I decided a JDM was ultimately my best option, so I bit the bullet and purchased it out of Quebec. I received the engine on a pallet and transported it home in my Trailer. Over the last month I've replaced TB, WP, seals, valve cover gaskets etc. I've discovered this engine came from a 2001 Hiace therefore, some of the peripheral components aren't compatible... such as the oil cooler, oil pan and alternator etc... I'm taking my time, double checking everything and researching all components for compatibility. My only deadline is boating season which kicks off locally, May 19th, Canadian Victoria Day long weekend!

 

[4Runner_101]

lookin good, did you test the compression before buying it?

 

[Suncoast]

Nice!! What did the engine end up costing shipped to you? Ive often thought if mine packs it in ill grab one of these..i'm surprised no one on the west coast sells them or imports them

 

[JayRolla]

Got excited when I read motor swap. Expected Some crazy v8 turbo diesel. Should be called motor replacement. Lol good luck!

 

[Diesel_Dog]

The ice not get off the lakes in the Okanagan until May? Your swap looks like fun, are you learning anything along the way?

 

[Blitzkrieg]

How many miles did your old 3.4 have before it gave up the ghost?

 

[poleclimber63]

lookin good, did you test the compression before buying it?

Nice!! What did the engine end up costing shipped to you? Ive often thought if mine packs it in ill grab one of these..i'm surprised no one on the west coast sells them or imports them

I inquired on several engines but the pat response I received from most was: "...we can't provide compression readings as the starter has been removed..." I did receive some numbers from a few places in the USA but none from Canada. In the end, shipping, duty, handling from the USA would have added approx. $600, so I went with the best I could find in the Canada, Japan Power Inc. This one cost me about $1800 including shipping and taxes. They were ok to deal with, however, they told me the engine was from a Hilux Surf and I discovered it was from a Hiace. They told me the mileage was 65K km... after having a good look inside the engine (ie under the pan, valve covers) I do believe it has LOW mileage--- extremely clean and little signs of wear. So, it may not have 65K but it certainly has LOW mileage. I'm pleased so far, but the real test will be turning the key!

 

[poleclimber63]

How many miles did your old 3.4 have before it gave up the ghost?

My 4Runner has about 250K km, which isnt that much compared to some on T4R... but I've concluded the previous owners may not have been great at keeping up with the maintenance.... the rest of the truck is in near showroom condition--- they at least washed and vacuumed it!!!

 

[poleclimber63]

The ice not get off the lakes in the Okanagan until May? Your swap looks like fun, are you learning anything along the way?

The ice comes off in March, but we get good storms in the Spring and we have frost threats till mid April so most people don't bother till late April or early May... except if you're a fisherman!! A guy I work with goes ice fishing in his hut, then hits the lake in his jon boat when the ice chunks arent too big....in the Summer he heads to the higher lakes for some peace from us rec boaters!

I'm learning a ton! I havent done an engine swap in 20yrs but its surprising how little difference it is... just a few more parts and lots of electrical connectors! At least I have REAL tools, unlike the last one!!!

 

[poleclimber63]

Got excited when I read motor swap. Expected Some crazy v8 turbo diesel. Should be called motor replacement. Lol good luck!

Sorry I got you all excited and let you down!!! I'm not even close to Singtoe as far as skill or desire, but with the time and money, it would be an awesome project! As far as this site is concerned, I should have said replacement, I stand corrected, LOL!

 

[zgensler31]

Im in the process of doing the same with mine. What about the alternator isnt compatible? Another thread I checked said it was just the pulley that needed switched.

 

[poleclimber63]

Im in the process of doing the same with mine. What about the alternator isnt compatible? Another thread I checked said it was just the pulley that needed switched.

Yes the pulley is different. The difference, aside from part numbers is the diametre and length of the alternator are larger. The Hiace has no oil cooler, therefore, the oil filter is at the back of the block, where the oil cooler is on the 4Runner. I haven't dry fit the alt and filter, but if they don't interfere I think it may be close. At best, using the larger alt, may make changing the oil a PITA... I believe, they are rated the same (70A). If you try out the larger unit before I do, let me know if it fits ok! I was thinking of trying it when the time comes, at best, I'll have a back up!

 

[zgensler31]

Yes the pulley is different. The difference, aside from part numbers is the diametre and length of the alternator are larger. The Hiace has no oil cooler, therefore, the oil filter is at the back of the block, where the oil cooler is on the 4Runner. I haven't dry fit the alt and filter, but if they don't interfere I think it may be close. At best, using the larger alt, may make changing the oil a PITA... I believe, they are rated the same (70A). If you try out the larger unit before I do, let me know if it fits ok! I was thinking of trying it when the time comes, at best, I'll have a back up!

Cool beans, I saw the oil cooler difference but hadnt had time to really look at the alternators. Ill try to find the thread I was referring to, becuase im pretty sure he only switched the pulley over.

 

[nissanh]

Someone made a wise move! I'll do the same if I had to replace an engine.

Hiace uses a high amp alternator if it is equipped with dual AC (AC for the rear area of the van, hence more motors running and therefore the high ampere alternator). This usually gives 90 Amps or so.
Do you have the AC compressor with the JDM engine? if it says 17 or 19 on the side, it usually comes for a dual AC hiace vans.
The bigger pulley in the alternator sounds like you have a high amp alternator.

 

[poleclimber63]

Cool beans, I saw the oil cooler difference but hadnt had time to really look at the alternators. Ill try to find the thread I was referring to, becuase im pretty sure he only switched the pulley over.

You probably noticed that the water pump is different on your replacement engine, due to the oil cooler. A month or so ago I came across another member that did the JDM engine replacement and he strongly recommended replacing the oil lines to the cooler due to the difficulty in replacing them after the engine is installed, if they fail. I ordered both and the union that threads into the block. I'm also replacing the coolant lines that connect to the throttle body, as they tore when I attempted to remove them from my old truck. Lots of details!

 

[poleclimber63]

Someone made a wise move! I'll do the same if I had to replace an engine.

Hiace uses a high amp alternator if it is equipped with dual AC (AC for the rear area of the van, hence more motors running and therefore the high ampere alternator). This usually gives 90 Amps or so.
Do you have the AC compressor with the JDM engine? if it says 17 or 19 on the side, it usually comes for a dual AC hiace vans.
The bigger pulley in the alternator sounds like you have a high amp alternator.

I'll check the compressor! The pulley has 5 "ribs" as apposed to the 3 "ribs on my 4Runner alternator.
Just checked the AC compressor its a Denso 10S17C. I took the number off the Alternator and looked it up and it appeared to be a 70A unit even though its larger than my original... it would be nice if it turns out to be a 90A Alt.!

 

[poleclimber63]

another day...

I spent the afternoon ensuring all plugs off the wiring were detached and the harness brackets were removed after an all day effort yesterday. what's been done:
-pretty much everything on the top of the engine including the fan, alt and rad
-as above
-starter detached (strapped it aside as its PITA to remove from it "cage"
-PS pump and AC detached and strapped to the side
-spark plugs removed enabling bolt removal from flywheel/torque converter
-exhaust down pipe from junction
-all brackets including trans hardlines, dipstick tube(trans), fuel and PS etc.
-cracked motor mounting bolts and transmission housing bolts(what a PITA!!!!)

-fab'd a block to support the transmission

Tonight I plan on attaching chain to various bolt points on the block and heads.
On the morning of pull day, I'll drag my oldest boys out of bed and get them to lift off the hood!!

 

[poleclimber63]

progress

Well, today I pulled the engine! After several days of rain I finally got the chance to do the big pull. I must admit, it went quite smoothly, considering I invested in a few key tools. It's been quite straight-forward but time consuming. If I ever have to do this again, it'll take a quarter the time! Next step is to clean things up and transfer over the essential components. I'll be cleaning the rest of the weekend!

 

[poleclimber63]

A few more things....

With both engines side by side and after a close examination last night, I noticed a few differences:
-motor mounts appear to be of the same dimensions (I'm measure them later today)with the same mating profile but are visibly different...
-AC mounting bracket is different. It appears to be larger.
-The exhaust manifolds are different. the DS has a completely different flange angle.
-I will swap over the oiler cooler (I ordered new lines, seal and the block union from Toyota)
-main pulley(to be expected!)
-Oil pan is a different shape due to the 4Runner front dif (I'll compare the oil pump sump, when I get the pans off)
- so far I've noticed 1 cable bracket which differs (DS front of head)

 

[zgensler31]

When you say the main pulley which are you referring to? The one on the crank, or the one that is bilted on with the fan?