1fzfe removal question

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Joined
Dec 26, 2025
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2
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Location
Seattle, WA
Hi guys,

Sorry if this question have been asked. Kind of desperate at this point. Long story short, I’m in the process of removing the 1fz out of my 80. At the point now where I’m trying to lift the engine to remove the engine mounts in order for me to tilt the motor down to get access to the transmission bolts. With that said, do I need to loosen up anything else? Like transmission mount bolts or ???.
 
Hi guys,

Sorry if this question have been asked. Kind of desperate at this point. Long story short, I’m in the process of removing the 1fz out of my 80. At the point now where I’m trying to lift the engine to remove the engine mounts in order for me to tilt the motor down to get access to the transmission bolts. With that said, do I need to loosen up anything else? Like transmission mount bolts or ???.
You very well may need to loosen/lower the transmission crossmember. I believe a few folks have run longer bolts in one at a time so they could lower it even further safely

But also you can get to those top two pesky bolts from behind with the right combo of extensions and a wobble socket. Done it twice before that way. I’ll see if I can find a pic

Edit: all I can find at the moment. Got a better one somewhere. Coming at them from behind the tcase and crossmember with a combo of extensions and 1/2” impact
IMG_3504.webp
 
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It might help to loosen the the trans isolator and cross member bolts some. In my opinion, removing and installing the power train as a single unit is easiest. With the transmission removed you can also easily address cooked or otherwise damaged wiring.
 
It might help to loosen the the trans isolator and cross member bolts some. In my opinion, removing and installing the power train as a single unit is easiest. With the transmission removed you can also easily address cooked or otherwise damaged wiring.
I’m leaning that way but man I am nervous because of how big this unit is! I came from a 4runner a platform but this engine is absolute behemoth in comparison to the 5vz.
 
You very well may need to loosen/lower the transmission crossmember. I believe a few folks have run longer bolts in one at a time so they could lower it even further safely

But also you can get to those top two pesky bolts from behind with the right combo of extensions and a wobble socket. Done it twice before that way. I’ll see if I can find a pic

Edit: all I can find at the moment. Got a better one somewhere. Coming at them from behind the tcase and crossmember with a combo of extensions and 1/2” impact
View attachment 4242408
Thanks for the info! I swear removing it this way is like a rights of passage along with replacing a head gasket on this thing.
 
I’m leaning that way but man I am nervous because of how big this unit is! I came from a 4runner a platform but this engine is absolute behemoth in comparison to the 5vz.
First thing is to confirm that your lifting equipment is rated to carry at least 1,000 pounds. Engine/trans/transfer case are 800-900 pounds. The fulcrum point needs to be back near the firewall. A helper is nice but I’ve pulled and installed all three units assembled on two occasions. You will finish with another reference for confidence.
 
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I've swapped engines in /out of these a few times now. No way I would attempt to take the engine & trans out as a unit. The weight and balance of just the engine is sketchy on a suitably rated engine crane. Moving it while raised is scary, and after a lifetime if sketchy sh!t in construction, I don't scare easy. If it tips, you have zero chance of stopping it, just hope you can get out if it's way fast enough.

I've always unbolted the trans crossmember at the frame, and lowered the back of the trans on a jack enough to get at the top bellhousing bolts. Then re-attach the crossmemeber before pulling the engine. Put some anti sieze on the cross memeber bolts as soon a you get them out. It will make zipping them in/out easier.
I use a ratchet strap looped around the frame rails, under the front of the transmission to hold it up as the engine comes out.

You can take engine out with the mounts attached to the block no need to remove them first.

Having done it more than once, it definitely becomes easier
 
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