[EQuin]

$4K seems a little high. Another option is to call the junkyards for a used 3.0 with relatively low miles. Back in 99, when I used to own a 92 4Runner, I got a quote of about $1500 to swap in another used 3.0 from a junkyard - and that was in Dallas. The 3.0 is notorious for blowing headgaskets, though. Hence, the reason for Toyota's 3.0 headgasket campaign of the late 90's and early 00's. Mine blew its 1st headgasket at just shy of 100K and the 2nd one (with the new and improved headgasket) at around 145K. A few have had good luck with theirs and have never blown a headgasket. Never heard of one blowing a rod through the block, though.