New Engine or New rig???

[BigD91]

Hey everyone! So the other day I was driving home from work when i noticed a loss of a lot of power and i had a really strong smell of coolant lingering in my car. I look out my side mirror and I am dumping a cloud of black smoke that was getting thicker and thicker and obviously my engine was getting hot as hell due to the loss of coolant. Anyways, I got it towed to the shop and the mechaninc told me I blew my top end and it wasn't worth it to rebuild because the bottom is gonna go soon. I have 200,000 on my rig and I would hate to see it go. Would it be more beneficial for me to drop a new engine or just buy a new runner. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[lem14]

Sorry to hear that the engine is toast.

I would say pull your mods, sell it to a scrap yard, and go get another. Just me though. It is tough for me to see putting a few thousand dollars into a vehicle with 200,000 miles. I know love is love when it comes to your t4r, but you will love another.

Good luck

 

[BigD91]

yea it definately sucks! But what you said is exactly what Im thinking. Thanks for your 2 cents!

 

[Gerdo]

My plan is...
If/when the engine wears out, I'll replace it with a rebuilt, maybe with a SC or do a V8 swap.

My rig is in good condition, so why replace it with something unknown.

I wish there was a plug and play V8.

 

[4Running Daily]

Singtoe is almost done with his conversion. He'll be bored soon I'm sure. I think he'd love to do another V8 swap.

 

[BigD91]

haha I feel you on that one...If I went with a V8 swap I could just see so many more problems happening one after another...with my luck :redbrick:

 

[4Running Daily]

haha I feel you on that one...If I went with a V8 swap I could just see so many more problems happening one after another...with my luck :redbrick:

He says on his 10th post.

 

[t4r4life]

engine swap for 3.4 is pretty straight forward.

 

[Gerdo]

engine swap for 3.4 is pretty straight forward.

I wish there was a way to build more power into the 3.4L, N/A.
(bore, stroke, cam)

 

[4Running Daily]

On a serious note,
I personally have too many memories in my 4runner to scrap it and get another one.

I vote engine swap.

 

[t4r4life]

I wish there was a way to build more power into the 3.4L, N/A.
(bore, stroke, cam)

you can for a lotta money, honestly i would just get a supercharger, have a machine shop make you a giant pulley, get higher flow rate injectors plus a 7th injection, headers, exhaust, open throttle intake. an a bottle of Noz plus some good gas, i bet the 3.4 could pull 400 hp easy, but why would you do that in a 2 and a half ton truck with a 3.4 v6 in it?

 

[AZ4FNER]

I just bought my truck and it flipped 200K. I would transplant a new 3.4 as long as your truck is in all around good condition. Engine swap could be cheaper than fixing someone elses problems...

 

[BigD91]

I just bought my truck and it flipped 200K. I would transplant a new 3.4 as long as your truck is in all around good condition. Engine swap could be cheaper than fixing someone elses problems...

Yea thats a good point. My transmission is fine and interior is immaculate. Who knows what Id pick up in a new runner besides the new engine.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I did a top end "swap" at 199,000 miles.

I now have two whole new heads by an aftermarket Japanese company called JE. But it was pricy. $1600 parts + $ gaskets + labor = over $2800.

 

[Singtoe]

I say engine transplant.

The funny thing is that the 3.4 is so expensive.

You could buy a reliable lexus V8 complete with trans and do the conversion for nearly the same price. (if you did you own work)

Mind you, I am still not done with mine but I am taking my time with it.

Engine choices

Tundra 4.7 or 5.7 with engine compartment alteration
Any Lexus V8
Go diesel
The new 4L v6 runner motor

 

[Gerdo]

I say engine transplant.

The funny thing is that the 3.4 is so expensive.

You could buy a reliable lexus V8 complete with trans and do the conversion for nearly the same price. (if you did you own work)

Mind you, I am still not done with mine but I am taking my time with it.

Engine choices

Tundra 4.7 or 5.7 with engine compartment alteration
Any Lexus V8
Go diesel
The new 4L v6 runner motor

As I'm sure you will agree. Swapping out a 3.4 for a rebuilt 3.4 wouldn't be too hard. Any other engine requires wire, exhaust among other changes.

Not a simple plug and play.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'm on board with dropping a new engine in it. If you stick with the 3.4 it's fairly straight forward.

 

[Mellow77]

How attached to your truck are you? How many modifications from stock have you already done?

If I were faced with the same predicament right now I'm afraid I'd be exploring another engine option but getting rid of the runner isn't the way I would go as it would be a tough replacement.