Need a new engine. What route should I take?

[ghostmoney]

I would find a motor out of a wrecked vehicle with low miles, I would find one that has the motor still in so you can verify mileage and hear it run before it is pulled.
I did this when I swapped a 3.4 into a 1st gen 4runner, I ended up with a motor with 101,000 miles for $1,300. for what you are talking about spending you could purchase a whole wrecked 4runner and take the motor out and then part out to recoup some money.

 

[Scramble]

Hello,

My advice is never go with junk yard engines.
Rebuilt is quite tricky as you cannot tell how and what level of quality the parts used are. Unless trusted supplier.

Rebuild it and buy the OEM parts yourself if possible.

Otherwise by brand new engine from these guys:
Toyota New Engines

Yes there is no brand new in their website but give them a call. (to update website it a sort of a process with the website editor) so they may have but didn't listed it. (OR they may advice you from where to buy)

I will always recommend to rebuild it yourself (or under your supervision) save money and you know what you are having.

cool website, never heard of them. a new 3RZ shipped is less than what I paid for my High Boost TRD S/C w/ 5th injector. thanks

 

[cmtul]

I'm glad I ran into this post. Definitely good information and good sites for me to look through for deciding on a replacement engine.