Potential Engine Swap?

[Ilovemy97Limited]

A friend of mine has been pushing me to do something out of the ordinary. I am no mechanic, and my knowledge of the 3rd generation 4runner is still limited so I'm asking for opinions and interests.

My friend happens to be my mechanic as well, and a good one to boot. He sold his toy recently (a jeep cherokee) and is in between projects. Until he finds a new project he has offered to play with mine for free. This includes, but is not limited to, suspension work, engine work, etc. He is pushing me to do a cummins swap (labor is free, it would just take time). I am seriously considering a swap of some sort which brings me to my biggest question: What would be some potential candidates to put into my 4runner? Like i said, I'm not mechanic and im not too familiar with the T4R from a techanical standpoint. When, and if I do a engine swap, a solid front axle replacement is implied.

What are your opinions on the matter? I'd like to do something original since a challenge is what he wants. I want to find the best bang-for-my-buck and get the most power out of it. All opinions are appreciated, and I've made no plans at all, I am just testing the waters and weighing my options!

 

[cdrewferd]

Not sure if you could get a Cummins of any size to fit. They are big and HEAVY. However, the 4BT might be the best chance you have.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

What is the 4BT from?

 

[the great him]

if he has never done one in a 3rd gen before id pass... i know a guy who put a 4bt(cummins -its basically the same motor they put in the dodge pickups, but with two cylinders lopped off) into an 80 series LC and spent $25k to have a shop who claimed to have done it before and knew what they were doing mess it all up and leave the guy with a rig that would run, but was not driveable... another $4-5k and its running now thanks to a good cummins specialist and someone who has done a multitude of diesel swaps, but still $30k for a motor swap... i can think of a lot of things i would rather spend even $15k on...

my point here is that this will be costly, and if you have the money and dont know what else to spend it on, and dont mind the hassle, sure go for it. but if you ask me, no way in hell would i do this. not saying your friend cant do the job, but what happens when he gets 50% done and has a job come up that is actually paying him, or 80% done and cant figure out the last 20%...? youre stuck with a rig that wont run or be driveable. -your gonna have to replace all the fuel system, all the electronics, redo most of the wireing, support and gusset the frame, source a new trans, you will have to do SAS and body lift(4bts are tall motors -there is a reason dodges sit so high from the factory).

if he wants a challenge tell him you want a 1uz or 2uz motor swap. this is doable and has been done a couple of times before, but its rare so you will defiantly have a unique rig. the SAS is very doable, 3 or 4 guys on here have them and a couple more are getting ready to do so.

but dont do a diesel swap unless you have some mechanical knowledge yourself... what happens if or when you move? you will need to find a mechanic that will be able to work on your one off rig, a lot of parts will have had to be custom made and hard to get if they brake, some shops wont even touch custom stuff like that for fear of the unknown ect. if you had good mechanical aptitude and had basic understandings of both gas and diesel motors and mechanics id say sure that would be awesome, but i think you will soon find yourselfs in over your heads.

just my thoughts

 

[the great him]

4bt's are common in cab-over box style delivery trucks. they are a great motor but yes still very big. probably half again as tall as the 5vze in your runner now, and just as long if not longer. i see if i can find any pics of the 80 series i was talking about for you to see its size.

 

[audiness]

I know a guy who got a cheap 4BT cummins from a bread truck and put it in a 60 series landcruiser. It fit in there with room to spare. It is a SUPER beefy motor and he said the swap was pretty easy, minus the fab work for the motor mounts. The motor is pretty simple.
The only big gotcha is the transmission - what transmissions work with the 4BT, I have no idea. But factor in a new trans with the costs.

 

[audiness]

here is his build thread, hit him up if you have questions about the 4BT, he is very good with them. ROTW: Moonshine - GLTHFJ60

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I most definitely understand the concern over a mechanic doing an unfamiliar engine swap. That is part of why I am considering it and why he wants to do it. The big perk is that he is not a backyard mechanic, but a fully ASE certified diesel mechanic. He's a good friend to have when I'm in a pinch and he has become familiar with my T4R enough to where is he considering buying one as a street queen.

Time is no concern, and money is an object, but not something that can't be overcome with time.

Like I said, I've made no plans, just looking for viable options so I can make an educated decision on the matter. I would love to have something unique, since the forums are full of similar rigs with different set-ups.

Edit:

As for custom parts, etc, I am a NIMS certified machinist and a Journeyman level in both manual Mills and Lathes. I am still learning CNC machining and have nothing to brag about in that department, but that is an added perk to doing a swap of sorts. It's better than nothing.

Secondly, I would do the swap with him and learn along the way. Obviously, he went to school to learn and be as experienced as he is now, but I will at least have a better understanding of the motor and drivetrain during and after than I would have now. Again, your advice is greatly appreciated and brings up several concerns I must address!