2nd gen 4runner, 3.0 replacement options (1 Viewer)

[mountainmanryan]

A friend of mine just had the 3.0 v6 in his 4runner seize up and is looking for advise replacing it. Anyone have ideas of how much it will cost, where to shop, and if he should get another 3.0 or swap in something else? Thanks

 

[Man Jerk]

A 3.4 swap is almost a bolt in. There are lots of write ups online. Wiring harness is the biggest challenge.

 

[MaK92 4RnR]

3.4 swap.

 

[black95]

3.4 swap is going to depend on your friend's wallet size. They aren't giving those engines away, the harness is expensive, and you spend a lot of money to put in a well used engine. Rebuilding the 3.0, or finding a long block is probably his best route. I really don't think the 3.4 is a whole lot of power per dollar spent. A 5.3 vortec would be much better money spent, and probably not much in the way of cost difference. You really have to love your 2nd gen to dump 2 or 3 thousand into it, that would be nice money down on a 3rd gen with a 3.4 already in it, and you could part out the other truck for more money.

That being said, I have a friend parting out a 3rd gen 4runner right now that still has the 3.4 with transmission in it. He could hear it run and drive it. PM me if he wants to go that route and I'll give you the info. Remember, depending on whether is seized from lack of maintenance or high mileage, the transmission might be right behind that engine for failing too.

 

[mountainmanryan]

Some more detail. 1995, manual, 151k miles. The story I was told is that the mechanic in Denver thinks that the water pump froze up and the oil cooler quit causing the oil pressure to drop and the engine to seize. Does any of this sound right? The owner said the engine started rattling and the oil gauge drop just before it stalled out and quit. Now it wont turn over. He didn't say anything about overheating or steam or anything. How can we easily tell if it is truly seized and if it is rebuildable. Will the 3.4 bolt to the manual tranny, and how much of a headache is it to wire up? I should just look in the 4runner section huh?

 

[black95]

The water pump on a 3.0 is turned by the timing belt. If the water pump seizes, usually the belt overheats and shreds itself pretty quickly causing the cams to stop moving. This would have been a real bad design, but, Toyota made the 3.0 a non-interference engine, so the valves will never hit the pistons. You just coast to the side of the road, take it home, put in a new timing belt, and be on your way. It could be that the timing belt is all bunched up around the crank not allowing it to turn. The crank turns the oil pump, so the scenario given sounds odd, though not impossible I guess.

I would take it home, pull all the belts, take off the timing cover, and try to turn the crank with a ratchet. If it is truly seized, you won't be able to. That doesn't mean the block is not salvageable. Most likely the crank is junk. By the time you pay for that and machining, you could buy a rebuild online and save yourself some trouble. Talked to Rodney, he said he'll sell the 3.4 for $1,000. That's wiring harness and all, you pull it. I thought that was a pretty good deal.

 

[RLMS]

I am going to be starting an merc om 617 5cyl td swap in my runner here soon...

turbo'd power with great fuel economy!!

3.4 would also be a great swap.......then you can SC it!!

Justin

 

[CO_Hunter]

I am going to be starting an merc om 617 5cyl td swap in my runner here soon...

turbo'd power with great fuel economy!!


Justin

^^^ Do this

 

[Man Jerk]

Luke's got some great advice.
Seriously sound, well thought out advice. Don't see that much on the interweb