1FZ Engine replacement - how many bananas

[Webster]

So swapping out the tired 1FZ for a used with lower miles.

Trying to weigh doing this myself (limited time) or having the dealer do it.

Sorry searched on this subject but didn't find anything.

Anyone who has done this care to ping on the kind of hours or difficulty in doing this?
What kinds of special tools might I want to have lined up ahead of time?
Anyone done a good how to with pictures?

Thanks!

 

[nocrawl]

it is going to be cheaper to buy a MAF rebuilt engine and sending the core back than having the dealer rebuild it. My local toyota dealer in Miami quoted me $12k to rebuild the engine. I just paid MAF $4995 for the engine and there is a $1200 core so you'll be better off doing this

 

[jlg32281]

I think he already has a used engine to put in it.

I haven't swapped a 1fz, but I have pulled similar engines. I would put it at the 2 banana mark. It's not difficult but will take some time. The trick is to be organized. Take a bunch of pics before you un-hook anything. Get a roll of masking tape and label every plug (both ends), every vacuum hose, etc. The only specialty tool that you need is an engine hoist. You don't need it, but it will make life much easier. I think that you could get it done in two days if you've never done it and could dedicate two full days. It's just a matter of unplugging and unbolting everything and pulling it. The install is the reverse of the pull. Where are you located? Usually it's not hard to find fellow cruiser heads to help with such things. I know I would be willing to help if you're local and you compensate me with pizza and soft drinks. Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it ends up.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

It depends on what the venue is. I swaped out mine in the dead of winter during a storm OUTSIDE!! in an alley and it took about a week of working in the dark (after work). But isnt terribly difficult, just need to get some long extentions and a U-joint to remove the top 2 tranny bolts. that was the most time consumming (well acctually I gave up on them and pulled the tranny and tcase out with the motor.

Not hard at all if you have a garage that it will fit in and a cherry picker.

 

[warpdriv]

Take a good look things that are rusted and will need to be replaced.

 

[Impreza]

I'd say 3-4 full dedicated days with all new parts ready to be installed, running into no real roadblocks as in missing gaskets or junk bolts. You want to put time aside in cleaning the bay itself.

Don't forget to get rear heater lines, those things were absolutely toast when I took them out. I also got all new wiring harness so hacking out the old one wasn't a concern.

As for the top two tranny bolts, yeah, those are awful. I went through the transmission hole inside the cab with like 3 extentions. Terrible.

 

[99UZJay]

Also depending on the year of the engine vs the year of the truck there are some differences in plugs on the intake, just look at 'em before you get into it. I did mine in 3 FULL days in a large garage and ended up pulling the engine, tranny and transfer case as we couldn't get a wrench on the top bolts of the bellhousing.

 

[cruiser tech]

no real problem, biggest issue is disconnecting the wiring harness, the plugs can only plug in to their respective ports.

 

[calfj60]

Where you at?? Might find folks to help if you want it by posting a location..

 

[AShoe]

I would give it a very heavy 2 banana job. I just did this in mine about a month ago. It was much easier than I expected, but be ready to deal with a very heavy engine. It took me a week, but i pulled both engines, and put one back in as well as spending a full day replacing things on the engine like fuel filter, vacuum hoses, rubber lines ect. The only real difficulty I ran into was getting the engines out and in, which took several extra hands. Unlike the manual I pulled the A/C evaporator and front bumper to allow my cherry picker to get closer to the engine.
If you pull the engine, trans, and t case as one unit the center of balance is very near the rear lift loop which causes the engine to twist to the drivers side and causes some difficulty. Also be sure to label the transmission cooler lines, as they get a bit confusing with everything removed.
Do not try without the FSM. I found it more important than anything else. The only real special tool I had was the sears spring clamp remover. Other than that my craftsman 300 piece tool kit had everything I needed. Well I had a couple sets of various pliers and screwdrivers too, and an angle grinder and torch.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. The thing that held me up the most was the exhaust bolts, which are kind of hard to get to, and very stuck.

 

[UWdave]

I swapped one this winter and it was my first time ever swapping any motor. I would say easy 5-6 days. Things just end up taking time.

- I pulled radiator & coolers
- electrical connectors under the IM by starter were a bitch on mine. Spent hours on those alone (and managed to damage a wire)
- I separated the engine/trans, which likely made it easier to lift but was a pain to separate
- I kept finding other little things I wanted to do (flush radiator, replace trans cooler lines, rebuild starter, etc, etc)

 

[alia176]

where are you located?