Would really appreciate some input

[Johns06yota]

I've been deciding on a possible project for this summer that I'm sure some of you will think I'm insane to do but here goes nothing.

My idea is to buy a totaled 06-09 4th gen v8 4wd 4runner and swap the drivetrain into my current 06 v6 4wd 4runner. I know a lot of people will say you would be better off selling yours and buying another but here is why I don't want to do that.

for one before I bought it, it was in my family since almost new so I know what its been through along with the service records and the other reason is with all my mods I would not want to have to rip all that out to put in a new 4runner.

Here is my reasoning, If I can buy a totaled one for a couple grand or less, pull the v8, the transfer case and front diff and swap those over (along with wiring harness) and be all in maybe 2500 I feel like I would be saving money in the long run. And in the process change the spark plugs, timing belt and water pump (fluids, etc..). Then after sell the other to hopefully make some of that back.

I do have a few questions though

1) Has anyone pulled the engine and trans at one time or did they have to be pulled separately?

2) In real world uses I have heard amazing things about the v8. I would love to hear your experiences with power output, daily driving, etc

3) As far as wiring harnesses go other than the engine harness is everything else the same? Like the wiring to the 4wd switch and the instrument cluster. Im wondering because I'm trying to see if I would have to pull all the wiring to make this work. something even better would be if someone has the schematics for the wiring diagrams of both.


I know this project would be an extensive amount of work but I have been itching for a v8 since I sold my squarebody suburban several years back. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

[having fun]

V8 only came in 03-05

 

[Johns06yota]

V8 only came in 03-05

From what I read the 03-05 were the non vvti engines and the 06-09 4runner had the vvti 4.7 v8

 

[Samm25]

You're right, John. The 03-05 were the non-vvt 4.7s. They still made the 4.7 V8 until 2009, just WITH VVTI at that point.

I also don't think this is a crazy idea. A ton of work, but one thing to also keep in mind is the actual V8 service, etc. Because now you're putting that engine into your truck and you're not sure of those records. So, I would think doing regular maintenance such as the timing belt, water pump, etc. when you get it would be a good peace of mind. Sounds like an awesome project.

 

[Inv4drZm]

03-04 were non-vvti, 05-09 have vvti. I have an 05 V8 w/vvti.

You're swapping out your entire 'taken care of' powertrain for one with no records at all.

This is doing the opposite of your own reasoning.

 

[084RUNNAH]

I was in the same situation as you having the V8 urge. Test drove the V8 and yes, it is nice especially on the low end but if you are not towing/hauling, no point other than "I got a V8" and the sound.

You should look into the URD supercharger along with exhaust upgrades which is the route I am taking. Equals to the same power and possibly more in the end.

Still dreaming of a 1UR-FE in a 4Runner :flame:

 

[DZNUTS]

You’re going to break everything in your drivetrain when you use 4Lo and turn the wheels.

Also, if you really do this swap, install the Doug Thorley headers while the engine is out of the truck. You can thank me later


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Johns06yota]

You're right, John. The 03-05 were the non-vvt 4.7s. They still made the 4.7 V8 until 2009, just WITH VVTI at that point.

I also don't think this is a crazy idea. A ton of work, but one thing to also keep in mind is the actual V8 service, etc. Because now you're putting that engine into your truck and you're not sure of those records. So, I would think doing regular maintenance such as the timing belt, water pump, etc. when you get it would be a good peace of mind. Sounds like an awesome project.

03-04 were non-vvti, 05-09 have vvti. I have an 05 V8 w/vvti.

You're swapping out your entire 'taken care of' powertrain for one with no records at all.

This is doing the opposite of your own reasoning.

Thank you guys for clearing that up and thats a very good point about the other drivetrain as in defeating part of the purpose of a well taken care of vehicle. If I did this I would pull the service records just to feel a little more at ease.

 

[Johns06yota]

I was in the same situation as you having the V8 urge. Test drove the V8 and yes, it is nice especially on the low end but if you are not towing/hauling, no point other than "I got a V8" and the sound.

You should look into the URD supercharger along with exhaust upgrades which is the route I am taking. Equals to the same power and possibly more in the end.

Still dreaming of a 1UR-FE in a 4Runner :flame:

Yeah I forgot to mention that. Although I currently don't haul anything I would later like to be able to use it for that. Im going to be finishing up college in another year and a half and depending on where I find work, being able to have a trailer would make life a whole lot easier and the extra v8 torque would be amazing. I find the v6 to lack a lot of torque until the upper rpm range.

I guess the whole reason I didn't want to do the urd route is for one, money as it is really expensive and two, just to say that I was able to do the swap haha. and a 1ur-fe 4runner would be amazing!

 

[Johns06yota]

You’re going to break everything in your drivetrain when you use 4Lo and turn the wheels.

Also, if you really do this swap, install the Doug Thorley headers while the engine is out of the truck. You can thank me later


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What about 4lo would mess up the drivetrain if I swapped over the transfer case and front differential too? Is there another piece to the puzzle that I am forgetting about? and I have heard great things about those. Do most people do that swap due to the cracking oem exhaust manifolds?

 

[simple]

Dude, I almost guarantee you there will be a lot of unforeseen problems. I’ve been on this board a long time, and don’t think I’ve seen a successful swap thread.

The wiring will certainly not be the same. On E-Bay, clusters are broken out between v8 and v6, and v8 is full time 4wd. So you’ll probably have to replace a couple ECUs as well. It’ll be great that you should essentially have all the parts you need, but if for whatever reason you don’t get this to work, you’ll lose a lot of money and time.

 

[thennen]

:bluejump:

I've been deciding on a possible project for this summer that I'm sure some of you will think I'm insane to do but here goes nothing.

My idea is to buy a totaled 06-09 4th gen v8 4wd 4runner and swap the drivetrain into my current 06 v6 4wd 4runner. I know a lot of people will say you would be better off selling yours and buying another but here is why I don't want to do that.

for one before I bought it, it was in my family since almost new so I know what its been through along with the service records and the other reason is with all my mods I would not want to have to rip all that out to put in a new 4runner.

Here is my reasoning, If I can buy a totaled one for a couple grand or less, pull the v8, the transfer case and front diff and swap those over (along with wiring harness) and be all in maybe 2500 I feel like I would be saving money in the long run. And in the process change the spark plugs, timing belt and water pump (fluids, etc..). Then after sell the other to hopefully make some of that back.

I do have a few questions though

1) Has anyone pulled the engine and trans at one time or did they have to be pulled separately?

2) In real world uses I have heard amazing things about the v8. I would love to hear your experiences with power output, daily driving, etc

3) As far as wiring harnesses go other than the engine harness is everything else the same? Like the wiring to the 4wd switch and the instrument cluster. Im wondering because I'm trying to see if I would have to pull all the wiring to make this work. something even better would be if someone has the schematics for the wiring diagrams of both.


I know this project would be an extensive amount of work but I have been itching for a v8 since I sold my squarebody suburban several years back. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

I have nothing technical to offer. All I can recommend is that you not use 'saving money' as a justification in any way. It'll bite you later. "I just want to do this" is about the only justification that'll mean anything. Enjoy! :bluejump:

 

[S p a r k y]

I get what your saying as well. But holy crap, I really think your just throwing out ideas. Yes there is a difference in v6 vs v8. and blah blah. But i don't think its worth that cost and work to swap. I have a V8 and love it, but what your wanting to do is a major undertaking for that mildly marginal gain.

I suggest driving someone else's mildly modded V8 and see the difference for yourself before doing this. I'll let you drive mine if you want!
[MENTION=91185]V8Man[/MENTION] will help with this topic, seems he does a lot of work on these.

 

[Ed_C]

If you have a complete donor vehicle and have the time and resources (work space, tools, something else to drive while working on the swap) go for it :eyebrows:

 

[AuSeeker]

I would say if you truely end up doing this swap, swap everthing you can, all ECUs, 4WD switch, as much wiring as possible, instrument cluster and on and on.

The reason I say this is the V8 is full time 4WD and the V6 not, so the 4WD switch may function differently, the instrument cluster as mentioned could be different as well, the ECUs will defintely be different, so if all this holds true then most all of the wiring in the engine compartment and under the dash will be different as well.

Do your due diligence not only on getting a good low mileage well taken care of donor vehicle but also as far as what is actually different between the V8 and V6 before actually deciding to do the swap by looking up all part numbers for both engines/vehicles to see the difference in the parts for the V8 and V6.

 

[duffdog]

I've been deciding on a possible project for this summer that I'm sure some of you will think I'm insane to do but here goes nothing.

My idea is to buy a totaled 06-09 4th gen v8 4wd 4runner and swap the drivetrain into my current 06 v6 4wd 4runner. I know a lot of people will say you would be better off selling yours and buying another but here is why I don't want to do that.

for one before I bought it, it was in my family since almost new so I know what its been through along with the service records and the other reason is with all my mods I would not want to have to rip all that out to put in a new 4runner.

Here is my reasoning, If I can buy a totaled one for a couple grand or less, pull the v8, the transfer case and front diff and swap those over (along with wiring harness) and be all in maybe 2500 I feel like I would be saving money in the long run. And in the process change the spark plugs, timing belt and water pump (fluids, etc..). Then after sell the other to hopefully make some of that back.

I do have a few questions though

1) Has anyone pulled the engine and trans at one time or did they have to be pulled separately?

2) In real world uses I have heard amazing things about the v8. I would love to hear your experiences with power output, daily driving, etc

3) As far as wiring harnesses go other than the engine harness is everything else the same? Like the wiring to the 4wd switch and the instrument cluster. Im wondering because I'm trying to see if I would have to pull all the wiring to make this work. something even better would be if someone has the schematics for the wiring diagrams of both.


I know this project would be an extensive amount of work but I have been itching for a v8 since I sold my squarebody suburban several years back. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

Well, It can't be done...sorry about that.

Not that someone with an extra $80,000 cash couldn't do it, but you are beginning this project with something that is patently false. There are barely any 4wd v8 4runners for sale at any price that are 06-08. Even a wrecked one will cost you as much as a working truck because the parts value is so high. I challenge you to find a wrecked 06-08 v8 4runner that also isn't rusted for sale for $5000 anywhere in the world. The salvage yards will outbid you every time, leaving you with a wrecked truck that costs as much as a non-wrecked truck and now you will have to spend a ridiculous amount of labor to remove the ENTIRE wiring harness and all sensors from BOTH trucks and put the ENTIRE wiring harness from a V8 vvti 4runner into a v6 4runner. Next, you will have to change the entire drivetrain because the engine simply won't fit on your existing transmission and you will have to remove literally every part of both engine bays. All electronics, intake parts, sensor locations and 4wd part locations are different and different part numbers.

I think this is a horrible idea all the way around.

 

[Johns06yota]

Dude, I almost guarantee you there will be a lot of unforeseen problems. I’ve been on this board a long time, and don’t think I’ve seen a successful swap thread.

The wiring will certainly not be the same. On E-Bay, clusters are broken out between v8 and v6, and v8 is full time 4wd. So you’ll probably have to replace a couple ECUs as well. It’ll be great that you should essentially have all the parts you need, but if for whatever reason you don’t get this to work, you’ll lose a lot of money and time.

Thanks for the input man I appreciate it. I just found a full guide for the 06 4runners both v6 and v8 down to the circuitry diagrams which I plan to go through over the next several months before making any kind of decisions

 

[Johns06yota]

I get what your saying as well. But holy crap, I really think your just throwing out ideas. Yes there is a difference in v6 vs v8. and blah blah. But i don't think its worth that cost and work to swap. I have a V8 and love it, but what your wanting to do is a major undertaking for that mildly marginal gain.

I suggest driving someone else's mildly modded V8 and see the difference for yourself before doing this. I'll let you drive mine if you want!
[MENTION=91185]V8Man[/MENTION] will help with this topic, seems he does a lot of work on these.

Thank you for your input! Time wise its definitely not worth it at all. I find this to be more of to say that i've done it type of project. I am very mechanically/electrically inclined so this would be really fun for me to figure out. And I really appreciate the offer I may have to take you up on it the next time im in that area. Thanks again!

 

[Johns06yota]

:bluejump:
I have nothing technical to offer. All I can recommend is that you not use 'saving money' as a justification in any way. It'll bite you later. "I just want to do this" is about the only justification that'll mean anything. Enjoy! :bluejump:

If you have a complete donor vehicle and have the time and resources (work space, tools, something else to drive while working on the swap) go for it :eyebrows:

Thank you guys, I appreciate all the input!

 

[Johns06yota]

I would say if you truely end up doing this swap, swap everthing you can, all ECUs, 4WD switch, as much wiring as possible, instrument cluster and on and on.

The reason I say this is the V8 is full time 4WD and the V6 not, so the 4WD switch may function differently, the instrument cluster as mentioned could be different as well, the ECUs will defintely be different, so if all this holds true then most all of the wiring in the engine compartment and under the dash will be different as well.

Do your due diligence not only on getting a good low mileage well taken care of donor vehicle but also as far as what is actually different between the V8 and V6 before actually deciding to do the swap by looking up all part numbers for both engines/vehicles to see the difference in the parts for the V8 and V6.

I really appreciate it! I mentioned to Simple that I found a complete file with all wiring diagrams, connectors, ecu's, circuitry diagrams, etc that I plan to go through over the next several months before I make any kind of decision on this because I don't want it to turn into a major headache.