Possible 5 speed swap input appreciated

Z

zgensler31

Senior Member
I have the opportunity to pick up a 97 v6 5 speed 4runner. I have a 96 limited, obviously automatic. I understand that a 5 speed swap is not an easy task. But, if I were to have a complete donor vehicle, my plan would be to swap motor, trans, transfer case, engine wiring harness, ecu, and I dont think that the 5 speed would have a 4x4 motor like mine does.

All that would leave would be the clutch and related components. So there wouldnt really be any crazy wiring, or having to search for any parts right?

My knoweledge is limited but this really seems like the ideal situation for this swap correct?

To answer the question regarding why id swap motors as well is because I have had some serious blow by for quite a while, a misfire in cylinder 2 that hasnt been one of the easier fixes(I fear low compression but havent confirmed).

I also feel like even if I werent goingto be using ay of the parts that this wouldnt be a decent deal to part out?

Basically, although a 5 speed swap is not an easy task, if it were to be done, I feel like this would be the ideal situation(having a complete donor 5 speed), or am I nuts?

Any and all input is encouraged and appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the add...

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/pts/4133814745.html

And a picture of my truck just for good measure.

 
Register to hide this ad
Since the craigslist ad never stated motor type and the silver steelies scream 4cyl I didn't want you to assume anything.
 
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xcmtb83 said:
Since the craigslist ad never stated motor type and the silver steelies scream 4cyl I didn't want you to assume anything.
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I understand and I appreciate you looking out. Thata the purpose of this thread. To male sure im not overlooking anything crucial. Because the thought of a 5 speed swap has me totally psyched! Which can cloud judgement.
 
If you get the whole truck your laughing ... Still a decent swap ... but you will have everything you need. Clutch slave , pedals , harness , tranny , tcase , interior console , shifter boots... the works.... everything. Buying a donor vehicle like your doing is the absolute best way to do this swap... plus you can sell some parts off the donor and gain some of the money back afterwards.:thumb3: id say go for it.
 
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It could be a 2.7, I've seen SR5's that were and they looked very similar, no flares, no roof rack, no spoiler.

I would buy it either way, a running 2.7 and trans is worth more than 800$ to the right person.
 
Curtis f said:
If you get the whole truck your laughing ... Still a decent swap ... but you will have everything you need. Clutch slave , pedals , harness , tranny , tcase , interior console , shifter boots... the works.... everything. Buying a donor vehicle like your doing is the absolute best way to do this swap... plus you can sell some parts off the donor and gain some of the money back afterwards.:thumb3: id say go for it.
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Awesome. This is exactly what I was thinking. But since I haven't done a swap like this before I wanted to be sure I was just crazy.
 
UnderFire said:
It could be a 2.7, I've seen SR5's that were and they looked very similar, no flares, no roof rack, no spoiler.

I would buy it either way, a running 2.7 and trans is worth more than 800$ to the right person.
Click to expand...

Yeah good point about the value. But I did ask the owner and he confirmed it was the v6.
 
zgensler31 said:
I have the opportunity to pick up a 97 v6 5 speed 4runner. I have a 96 limited, obviously automatic. I understand that a 5 speed swap is not an easy task. But, if I were to have a complete donor vehicle, my plan would be to swap motor, trans, transfer case, engine wiring harness, ecu, and I dont think that the 5 speed would have a 4x4 motor like mine does.

All that would leave would be the clutch and related components. So there wouldnt really be any crazy wiring, or having to search for any parts right?

My knoweledge is limited but this really seems like the ideal situation for this swap correct?

To answer the question regarding why id swap motors as well is because I have had some serious blow by for quite a while, a misfire in cylinder 2 that hasnt been one of the easier fixes(I fear low compression but havent confirmed).

I also feel like even if I werent goingto be using ay of the parts that this wouldnt be a decent deal to part out?

Basically, although a 5 speed swap is not an easy task, if it were to be done, I feel like this would be the ideal situation(having a complete donor 5 speed), or am I nuts?

Any and all input is encouraged and appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the add...

1998 Toyota 4Runner 5spd manual 4WD

And a picture of my truck just for good measure.

Click to expand...

I can't comment on the engine sawp, but the transmission swap on its own is pretty easy actually. See the link in my signature for my writeup.

I did mine probably 50k ago, and it is still going strong. There are also several write-ups on ttora.org for swaps in Tacomas, but everything is essentially the same. The only tricky part is placing the clutch master cylinder precisely and getting your CEL to go off. The CEL can be easily fixed with an ECU from a manual 4-runner of the same year as yours. The guys on ttora have this part down to a science.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I did mine single-handedly in my driveway, so it is certainly doable for anyone with basic mechanical ability.

Looking forward to your swap thread.
 
danthemanx07 said:
I can't comment on the engine sawp, but the transmission swap on its own is pretty easy actually. See the link in my signature for my writeup.

I did mine probably 50k ago, and it is still going strong. There are also several write-ups on ttora.org for swaps in Tacomas, but everything is essentially the same. The only tricky part is placing the clutch master cylinder precisely and getting your CEL to go off. The CEL can be easily fixed with an ECU from a manual 4-runner of the same year as yours. The guys on ttora have this part down to a science.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I did mine single-handedly in my driveway, so it is certainly doable for anyone with basic mechanical ability.

Looking forward to your swap thread.
Click to expand...

Nice swap thread .... R150F FTW ... solid tranny.
 
danthemanx07 said:
I can't comment on the engine sawp, but the transmission swap on its own is pretty easy actually. See the link in my signature for my writeup.

I did mine probably 50k ago, and it is still going strong. There are also several write-ups on ttora.org for swaps in Tacomas, but everything is essentially the same. The only tricky part is placing the clutch master cylinder precisely and getting your CEL to go off. The CEL can be easily fixed with an ECU from a manual 4-runner of the same year as yours. The guys on ttora have this part down to a science.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I did mine single-handedly in my driveway, so it is certainly doable for anyone with basic mechanical ability.

Looking forward to your swap thread.
Click to expand...

thanks this is great info... exactly what I need.

I was of the understanding that cel wouldn't be a problem as long as I had an ecu of from a 5 speed v6 4runner, but your saying it needs to be the same year?
do you have any links backing this? not that I don't believe you just trying to know exactly what im getting into.
 
I was able to speak to the owner again today. I got the vin number and he answered a few more questions I had.

he told me that the previous owner had the timing belt changed right around 100k.(confirmed on Toyota.com now that I have the vin)

he offered to hold the truck for me, as I only have 600 available atm, but will be picking it up next week if al goes well.

im headed out sunday afternoon to drive it check it out and meet the seller. ive read the buyers sticky, but ive never boughten a vehicle with damge before, so if anyone has any suggestions as to specific things to look for shoot.

only down side I have found so far. he told me that the check engine light is on and has been for a few months. he had it checked out and the mechanic explained that it wasn't something that would harm the truck, and that the only downside to not repairing it was a possible loss in mpg....he didn't have the money so he declined.

he has the code written somewhere and is looking through his receipts for it. it sounds to me to be a lot like the o2 sensor code, but I will be taking my ultra gauge with me on sunday to confirm what it is
 
His ad says 800 obo. I'd go flash that $600 cash in his face and tell him you're helping him out by taking it off his hands.
 
zgensler31 said:
thanks this is great info... exactly what I need.

I was of the understanding that cel wouldn't be a problem as long as I had an ecu of from a 5 speed v6 4runner, but your saying it needs to be the same year?
do you have any links backing this? not that I don't believe you just trying to know exactly what im getting into.
Click to expand...

No I sure don't. I have not replaced the ecu on mine. You may be fine. The guys that we're doing swaps with me over on ttora all got ecus from the same year. I am sure just out of an abundance of caution, and they didn't have parts trucks laying around with parts available. If I were in your shoes and had one handy I would give it a try.
 
danthemanx07 said:
I can't comment on the engine sawp, but the transmission swap on its own is pretty easy actually. See the link in my signature for my writeup.
QUOTE]

just hit up your thread, and realized it was the only one I had found that was very helpful. so thanks for the great thread.

I never realized you were on t4r since your usernames are different.

I may hit you up with some questions along the road.
Click to expand...
 
zgensler31 said:
danthemanx07 said:
I can't comment on the engine sawp, but the transmission swap on its own is pretty easy actually. See the link in my signature for my writeup.
QUOTE]

just hit up your thread, and realized it was the only one I had found that was very helpful. so thanks for the great thread.

I never realized you were on t4r since your usernames are different.

I may hit you up with some questions along the road.
Click to expand...

Hmm. User names should be the same - you can pretty much follow my hobbies on all my forums with that name.

Any who - PM if you have any specific questions. I'll follow your thread if you send me a link to it too and chime in if I think of anything helpful.
Click to expand...
 
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