Whats Next for my Rig?

[Fadiddy]

Sup everyone,

Ok so, I have been dealing with several issues on my 2000 4Runner 4x4. It started with rough idle, that led to coolant disappearing and check engine light. After running codes and attempting to fix the issue, I came across some major problems with the 5VZFE. Long story short, I decided not to proceed to fix the issues as the motor has 200k+ miles and if I am going to spend money on this motor, I might as well get another lower mileage replacement. So, I have started taking apart the engine bay to pull the engine. I have gotten as far as removing the radiator, fan, battery, etc... and just need to unbolt the trans, exhaust, and engine mounts.

This is my first time swapping a motor in a 4Runner (not my first time swapping a motor), so I don't know what to expect. I have been contemplating a 1UZ or 2UZ V8, but I need more information from folks on the swaps. I don't mind spending the money to get the motors, I just want to make sure there are supporting parts for the swap.

Anyhow, I would love to hear your opinions on what route I should take...being realistic of course.

Here is where I am now (ignore the 2JZ and K24 in the background...those are out of the question):

 

[thegipper]

Do a search on here for 2uz swaps, it can be done but it's obviously a ton of work. One of our forum members here did it and the bill was a little over 10K when he was all done. He did have a shop do a lot of the work and I believe they pulled the body off the frame.

Tim/Sean made a video documenting some of that members work here:

YouTube

 

[Joelzy]

I would weigh it as, do you want the swap to be fast and easy or long and awesome?

When i got mine it had a sludgey JDM swap that i decided not to chance because i wanted this thing to be solid. So i took the factory motor(blown HG) and rebuilt it from the block up. I was also getting ready to move to Utah and knew this thing would be my daily so i didnt have a long time for it to be down while i figured out how to make the swap work. I was missing parts all over, had no frame of reference for how it should look and it was still a super easy install so i would imagine doing it without a trans and TC attached would be a cake walk.

THAT BEING SAID, if i didnt need it to be drivable the day i got to Utah, I probably would have done a V8 or diesel swap of some sort and taken my time with it. :moping:

 

[APhelps]

Why not just rebuild a 5vz and buy a supercharger? Seems like it'll give you the power you want without all the work of the v8.

 

[Fadiddy]

Do a search on here for 2uz swaps, it can be done but it's obviously a ton of work. One of our forum members here did it and the bill was a little over 10K when he was all done. He did have a shop do a lot of the work and I believe they pulled the body off the frame.

Tim/Sean made a video documenting some of that members work here:

YouTube

I saw this build a few weeks ago, awesome project...a little too much work for my liking (especially the frame off). If I had a lift, it would make things SO MUCH easier. I am working out of a 22x22 garage with no lift :-(.

I would weigh it as, do you want the swap to be fast and easy or long and awesome?

When i got mine it had a sludgey JDM swap that i decided not to chance because i wanted this thing to be solid. So i took the factory motor(blown HG) and rebuilt it from the block up. I was also getting ready to move to Utah and knew this thing would be my daily so i didnt have a long time for it to be down while i figured out how to make the swap work. I was missing parts all over, had no frame of reference for how it should look and it was still a super easy install so i would imagine doing it without a trans and TC attached would be a cake walk.

THAT BEING SAID, if i didnt need it to be drivable the day i got to Utah, I probably would have done a V8 or diesel swap of some sort and taken my time with it. :moping:

I like the idea of a 4.7 V8, but I also don't want something too complex to swap in. Complexity vs Time is the thing, I don't mind spending alot of time on the swap as I have a new daily STI I bought a few months back , I just don't want to custom fab things as I don't weld or fab things on my own. Now if; brackets, mounts, wiring, etc... are pre-made and ready to be bought for the swap, im all in.

Why not just rebuild a 5vz and buy a supercharger? Seems like it'll give you the power you want without all the work of the v8.

Been thinking about this too. I like the idea of a Magnuson supercharged 5VZFE. Hmmm....decisions decisions.

 

[thegipper]

I'm not aware of any kits that exist for "easy" motor swaps for these trucks. You pretty much have to fab everything, do all your own wiring and so on if you want to swap in a different motor.

If you're looking for more power, a supercharger or a turbo is certainly an easier route to take.

 

[Fadiddy]

I'm not aware of any kits that exist for "easy" motor swaps for these trucks. You pretty much have to fab everything, do all your own wiring and so on if you want to swap in a different motor.

If you're looking for more power, a supercharger or a turbo is certainly an easier route to take.

What about a 3RZ swap, and then turbo it? I don't mind downgrading cylinder sizes, it would be nice to have the room to work on the motor and maintenance. I would get a small turbo kit for it, and make ~250hp....still better than the 5VZ and better fuel economy than the 2UZ.

Do you know if the 3RZ or 2TRFE bolt up to the 3rd Gen's A340F 4x4 auto trans?

Thanks.

 

[thegipper]

I believe the 3RZ trucks (4WD) also used the A340F transmission so it should bolt up fine. I'm not familiar with the 2TRFE so I'm not sure.

I think these trucks only had two different automatic transmissions, the A340E (2wd) and the A340F (4wd) although there were some internal changes in the transmission throughout the years.

 

[Joelzy]

What about a 3RZ swap, and then turbo it? I don't mind downgrading cylinder sizes, it would be nice to have the room to work on the motor and maintenance. I would get a small turbo kit for it, and make ~250hp....still better than the 5VZ and better fuel economy than the 2UZ.
Thanks.

this is something i can get behind... that could be really rad

 

[Fadiddy]

this is something i can get behind... that could be really rad

Joelzy, after thinking it over some more....I am going to stick with the 5VZFE, and go TRD (Magnuson) supercharger. I will yank out the old motor, strip it down to the bare block and rebuild with new/reman'd parts.

I saw you did a rebuild on the 5VZFE, any parts you upgraded along the way (pistons, etc...)? Thanks.

 

[Joelzy]

Joelzy, after thinking it over some more....I am going to stick with the 5VZFE, and go TRD (Magnuson) supercharger. I will yank out the old motor, strip it down to the bare block and rebuild with new/reman'd parts.

I saw you did a rebuild on the 5VZFE, any parts you upgraded along the way (pistons, etc...)? Thanks.

I didn't, i mean the pistons and rings are a smidge bigger as my cylinders needed a baby bore but not enough to make any difference and everything is OEM.
My rebuild was for reliability as i planned on dailying and wheeling it, so i didnt aim for more power this time around, although i should have lol.

However, once settled into our new house out here i plan to start a new motor build and if i havent found a suitable project car, the motor(or maybe just SC for the fresh motor) will be for the 4R

 

[Fadiddy]

Motor is out! What a pain in the @ss!

With the 5VZFE out now, I really really want to mock up a 1UZ in there or an LS....but, too many other things to change if I go V8.

I think building a stronger 5VZFE (studs, bearings, etc...) might be the better route.

 

[Joelzy]

color me subscribed :biggrin2: