Supplier/Junkyard with Good Low Mileage Engines

[gamefreakgc]

Well, I'm in the market for a replacement engine. I've already decided I don't want a JDM, since I've modified so much on my current engine I need parts that are exactly the same as what I had, many JDM engines have different pulleys, oil systems, fuel injectors etc. that I don't want to deal with.

If you have a suggestion or experience on a good engine supplier with a low mileage engine please post up. Under 100k would be fantastic, but not looking at anything over 120k. I want this to be the only engine swap I ever do in my 4Runner.

 

[mtbtim]

Hey Jerod,

I have a proposition for you. I'd like to help you with this swap but I would want to film it which would add time to the job. If you are game for this, maybe Sean and I could come over one weekend to help you out and we could make a very helpful video for people to use.

What do you think?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Hey Jerod,

I have a proposition for you. I'd like to help you with this swap but I would want to film it which would add time to the job. If you are game for this, maybe Sean and I could come over one weekend to help you out and we could make a very helpful video for people to use.

What do you think?

That's a generous offer to help, I really appreciate it.

The only hiccup is that I'm not sure this will be a weekend job. There's a lot of parts I need to move over from my current blown engine, including camshafts, shims, crank pulley, alternator, headers, etc. I would then need to transfer them all over to my replacement engine, which will take time especially the valve adjustment. Also installing stiffer valve springs and better valves into the heads. This would be absolutely overkill for anyone just doing a simple engine swap from a filming perspective.

 

[mtbtim]

That's a generous offer to help, I really appreciate it.

The only hiccup is that I'm not sure this will be a weekend job. There's a lot of parts I need to move over from my current blown engine, including camshafts, shims, crank pulley, alternator, headers, etc. I would then need to transfer them all over to my replacement engine, which will take time especially the valve adjustment. Also installing stiffer valve springs and better valves into the heads. This would be absolutely overkill for anyone just doing a simple engine swap from a filming perspective.

Gotcha. That would be way more than we would need to film.

 

[JJ300K]

Engine Swap

I am replacing an engine with 451K miles on it. Seriously looking at this long block instead of rebuilding myself. They might have a short block for you. Worth a call.

Here is the link: https://spprecision.com/products/toyota-5vz-fe-34-long-block-crate-engine-sale.html

 

[Lindenwood]

Here is a complete engine (pumps, cams, covers, manifolds, etc) with a 5yr warranty for $2300, shipped. It does not specify mileage, but a 5yr warranty is a not--insignificant reassurance.

https://www.carmonkeys.com/2002-TOY...igit-5VZFE-Engine-6-Cylinder-5-Years-Warranty

 

[T4R2014]

There’s no single source. Start searching. I was in the same boat with a rear diff. Searched diligently and found a low mile unit from a Florida truck that only spent a few months up north before getting wrecked. I will only buy if I can see what the vehicle the part is coming from is like, along with a VIN history report to pull records.

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

Well, I'm in the market for a replacement engine. I've already decided I don't want a JDM, since I've modified so much on my current engine I need parts that are exactly the same as what I had, many JDM engines have different pulleys, oil systems, fuel injectors etc. that I don't want to deal with.

If you have a suggestion or experience on a good engine supplier with a low mileage engine please post up. Under 100k would be fantastic, but not looking at anything over 120k. I want this to be the only engine swap I ever do in my 4Runner.

I wouldn’t rule out JDM. I got a 5VZ-FE from a Toyota Granvia for $1000. It looked wayyyyy cleaner than my 180K engine which met a similar catastrophic end (a story I will tell here one day - somebody should have been sued)

Anyway, here is what I had to swap over:

1) Oil cooler
2) Exhaust manifolds
3) Power steering pump (stayed in engine bay anyway)
4) Water pump (was doing it and TB anyway)
5) Water pump cover w/ pulleys
6) Alternator
7) Oil pan / oil pickup
8) Wiring harness
9) Crankshaft pulley (switched to URD one anyway)
10) Throttle body
11) Engine mounts

That’s it. Even used the same injectors - they were identical (brown - same P/N)

These were all easy swaps. Would do a JDM engine again, for sure. As with any used engine you’re taking a chance. See what warranty the places offer in case you get unlucky.

 

[RunningForNow]

Jerod, you might want to have a look at this, I know you said you've ruled out JDM, but damn, only 65k miles on the motor? Hell, I'm tempted:

https://fresno.craigslist.org/ptd/d/toyota-5vz-engine-34lrunner/6715470412.html

 

[Lindenwood]

Also, since you are apparently okay with a little downtime, you could probably have your current engine completely rebuilt for the cost of a decent used one, no?

 

[T4RunnerSteve]

Jerod, you might want to have a look at this, I know you said you've ruled out JDM, but damn, only 65k miles on the motor? Hell, I'm tempted:

https://fresno.craigslist.org/ptd/d/toyota-5vz-engine-34lrunner/6715470412.html

Yeah the “rear sump” bit is what I mean about the oil pan / pickup swap. Honestly, that was the hardest part but it wasn’t even hard: you just have to get familiar with doing FIPG. Or... you can leave it as rear sump and do a straight axle conversion

My rationale of going JDM was as follows:

Toyota does such an amazing job with its parts / quality control, it’s hard to imagine most affordable rebuilds being quite the same. They are using aftermarket bits generally too — again, hard to imagine them being quite as well installed. Have heard stories of JDM fails but have also heard stories of rebuild fails after only 10-20K miles. With JDM if you get past the first miles it’s like you turned back the clock on your 4Runner.

My 2 cents

 

[gamefreakgc]

Also, since you are apparently okay with a little downtime, you could probably have your current engine completely rebuilt for the cost of a decent used one, no?

I could, but 5VZ-FE's are an exception in that a low-mileage one is often more reliable that a rebuilt engine. Everything in CA is more expensive than the rest of the nation, including labor from machine shops so I think I'd end up paying more in the end run.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Jerod, you might want to have a look at this, I know you said you've ruled out JDM, but damn, only 65k miles on the motor? Hell, I'm tempted:

https://fresno.craigslist.org/ptd/d/toyota-5vz-engine-34lrunner/6715470412.html

That one is pretty clean. Says mileage is approximate though, so no real guarentee on how much it has. For comparison, I'm currently looking at a 73k US Tacoma engine which would be less work and mileage is verified with the VIN. There's also some super shady JDM suppliers in the East Bay, so I don't trust all the sellers out there.

 

[dogtail]

Well, I'm in the market for a replacement engine. I've already decided I don't want a JDM, since I've modified so much on my current engine I need parts that are exactly the same as what I had, many JDM engines have different pulleys, oil systems, fuel injectors etc. that I don't want to deal with.

If you have a suggestion or experience on a good engine supplier with a low mileage engine please post up. Under 100k would be fantastic, but not looking at anything over 120k. I want this to be the only engine swap I ever do in my 4Runner.

I prefer to get an engine out of a running rig I can verify. With my current 99 4runner I had to do an engine swap because the former owner ran it out of oil. I checked on CL, found a frame rusted scrapper 2000 with 112K on the clock, running to verify. Ran great, mileage verified with digital odometer. I bought the engine for $1,200 (private seller removed it). I bought the gauge cluster too cause I needed it due to my faulty gas gauge.
I now have just shy of 275K on the motor running it an average of 1,000 miles per week, has been great. Gonna do valve cover gaskets when I get the time. So if you can get a nice running low mileage engine out of a wreck or scrapper I think that is optimal. Its easier for us guys in the salt belt cause we can get some nice motors out of rust abused rigs, we have plenty available. Also you can look at Tacomas.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Why swap the cam over? Is that to get the added performance. I image there will be risk as well. If you open it up forget the warranty.

As far as junkyard engines go you cannot believe anything unless you physically see it removed from the source truck and put into the back of your pickup.

I was told that our engines once removed don't have a Vin number stamped on the engine block so once removed you really only have their story to go on regarding the engine history. No actual way to trace a block to it's history once it's out.

.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I prefer to get an engine out of a running rig I can verify. With my current 99 4runner I had to do an engine swap because the former owner ran it out of oil. I checked on CL, found a frame rusted scrapper 2000 with 112K on the clock, running to verify. Ran great, mileage verified with digital odometer. I bought the engine for $1,200 (private seller removed it). I bought the gauge cluster too cause I needed it due to my faulty gas gauge.
I now have just shy of 275K on the motor running it an average of 1,000 miles per week, has been great. Gonna do valve cover gaskets when I get the time. So if you can get a nice running low mileage engine out of a wreck or scrapper I think that is optimal. Its easier for us guys in the salt belt cause we can get some nice motors out of rust abused rigs, we have plenty available. Also you can look at Tacomas.

That's the perfect scenario. I can't wait forever though but been checking CL every day. Sucks because I used to have a wrecked 4Runner with a perfectly running engine a few years back.

Why swap the cam over? Is that to get the added performance. I image there will be risk as well. If you open it up forget the warranty.

As far as junkyard engines go you cannot believe anything unless you physically see it removed from the source truck and put into the back of your pickup.

I was told that our engines once removed don't have a Vin number stamped on the engine block so once removed you really only have their story to go on regarding the engine history. No actual way to trace a block to it's history once it's out.

.

I'm doing it right this time and putting in a high-performance valve train kit from LCE that includes stiffer springs, stronger valves, etc. That will take care of the issues with the cams I had.

I was wondering about that, I've never seen the VIN on the engine. That's a bummer.