3.4L or lift?

[Bubz28]

I have a 95 4runner and this summer im planning on doing either an sas or engine swap to 3.4L but im not sure what is best to do first any thoughts?

 

[NorCalBorn]

I have a 95 4runner and this summer im planning on doing either an sas or engine swap to 3.4L but im not sure what is best to do first any thoughts?

I'm replying in your thread about the coolant leak now..

How about you give more info on what you do or intend to do with the Runner first? A picture of the Runner also would help a ton, if nothing more than make people interested.

Where do you plan on going with it because plenty of people make great use of the 3.0. It's isn't necessarily going to grenade on you like some forums make it seem (headgasket). it is an anemic engine, but if you want a SAS it means you're going to wheel and honestly you really don't need to go sinking a ton of cash into an engine swap. Spend that money on a beater rig to SAS instead IMHO.

What trails have you done so far b/c you'd be surprised what you can do with 33's, lockers, and some armor.

 

[Hilux]

Well... You can't go wheeling without a solid axle...


And you can't get bigger tires b/c the 3.Slow has all the power of a 22R, and the MPG of a V8...


IDK, tough call...

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

3.4, Drive the IFS till it breaks.... The IFS is far more reliable than the 3.0...

 

[Bubz28]

well im planning on doing alot of camping trips and in a year or so im moving to La Grande, Oregon for college and I have talked to some of the guys there and they said they have a lot of good trails. With a combination of rocks and mud.

 

[85+92]

Well... You can't go wheeling without a solid axle...


And you can't get bigger tires b/c the 3.Slow has all the power of a 22R, and the MPG of a V8...


IDK, tough call...

I hope this was a joke?

a good running 3.0 will turn 33's no problem and if the ifs is in good shape leave it!

so I guess 3.4 and sell the 3.0 if it still runs

 

[Hilux]

...it is.


I just can't get over how an SA is the end-all-be-all and IFS is as good as I think it is.

Plus, it's easy when you sit and dream this stuff up. But when you realize a welder, the fab skills and products needed it gets complicated...

But it seems you can't lock your hubs without 1st converting it to SFA...

The gears for IFS are 10x easier to find.

IFS holds up EXTREMELY well even if it's slightly modified...


And looky here... another IFS and 3.SLow bashing thread.


I'm done.

blah, blah, blah Factory 4:88's.

blah, blah, blah Aussie Locker...

blah, blah, blah BJ spacers/ LC coils and a Body and DT lift...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Save your money! That's a nice riding, fairly capable truck in stock condition so my suggestion is don't mess with it until you actually move to the new location and determine if all those trails require more clearance and are really worth it.

 

[bouncin betty]

My thoughts

If you are primarily driving on the street then do the motor swap.

If you are going to make it a trail rig then do the solid axle swap. The 3.0 has plenty of power to turn the biggest tires (on the trail)if you are geared properly.

Heres the thing. It is very difficult to build a truck that will handle hard trails and be road friendly. THere are always comprimises on both sides of that equation.

Bottom line:

hard trails = solid axle swap
moderate to easy trails = engine swap

Have fun and happy motoring

 

[Bubz28]

well if i do keep the 3.0 and i want to run 33's should i regear from stock?

 

[Hilux]

Keep the 3.0.

Get rid of the H transfer case. Find someone converting their A340f to 5speed, and get them to give or sell you cheap their tranny.

Find a set of factory IFS 4:88 gears. They will do, but 5:29's would be better.

Get someone lifting their 80 to give you their old springs.

Buy a set of BJ spacers from 4Crawler...

And buy an Aussie Locker.

 

[NorCalBorn]

blah, blah, blah Factory 4:88's.

blah, blah, blah Aussie Locker...

blah, blah, blah BJ spacers/ LC coils and a Body and DT lift...

Hey now, I resemble that remark!

 

[Combat Chuck]

it takes alot more to break IFS than the 3.Slow. Get the 5VZ in there, and as I seem to say every time somebody breaches the subject of SAS: ask yourself if you really need to do it.

Unless you're wheeling hardcore, an SAS is just an expensive trinket.

 

[tomcolins]

Save your money! That's a nice riding, fairly capable truck in stock condition so my suggestion is don't mess with it until you actually move to the new location and determine if all those trails require more clearance and are really worth it.

I'll be unpopular and second that opinion. Good tires and a little extra clearance go a long way. Nothing comical, just serviceable. Spend your money on actual trips to interesting places, rather than on a bunch of expensive upgrades that let you ride through the bogged out section of a trail instead of on the highground. Rooting in a mudhole or driving up a gravel heap is fun, but spending 10 days exploring BLM land and camping in Nat'l Forests is kinda way better.

If you are really into trail riding locally you could buy something smaller and more capable and work it over. Maybe swap out for the 3.4 and have a tow vehicle. I have a hard time wanting to spend cash on an engine swap unless you burnt up the one you have. Same thing for IFS / SA swap. If you really want a solid axle, maybe get a solid axle truck? I sound like a jerk. Sorry.

I guess it's in how you want to use the truck. I'm pretty broke so my opinions are colored accordingly, but I have traveled a lot and gone to some pretty crazy places in damn near stock vehicles. Every other upgrade is gravy... But is't it the meat you really want?

 

[Combat Chuck]

I'll be unpopular and second that opinion. Good tires and a little extra clearance go a long way. Nothing comical, just serviceable. Spend your money on actual trips to interesting places, rather than on a bunch of expensive upgrades that let you ride through the bogged out section of a trail instead of on the highground. Rooting in a mudhole or driving up a gravel heap is fun, but spending 10 days exploring BLM land and camping in Nat'l Forests is kinda way better.

If you are really into trail riding locally you could buy something smaller and more capable and work it over. Maybe swap out for the 3.4 and have a tow vehicle. I have a hard time wanting to spend cash on an engine swap unless you burnt up the one you have. Same thing for IFS / SA swap. If you really want a solid axle, maybe get a solid axle truck? I sound like a jerk. Sorry.

I guess it's in how you want to use the truck. I'm pretty broke so my opinions are colored accordingly, but I have traveled a lot and gone to some pretty crazy places in damn near stock vehicles. Every other upgrade is gravy... But is't it the meat you really want?

I agree.
My grandad ran some pretty tough trails in a stock Dodge Ram 50 (the mid-sized rebadged Mitsubishi Mighty Max) for years. Most trucks, especially Toyotas, are ready for near anything right off the factory floor.

 

[TatonkaII]

Go 3.4 and dont look back. Sure, IFS isn't the most desirable but a old 3.0 isn't exactly reliable bullet proof. I'd rather have the 3.4 than a SA in your case. With driving skills you will be just fine to go where you want..I put one in my 85 and it's a totally different vehicle now.

 

[cavemancaleb]

3.4, Drive the IFS till it breaks.... The IFS is far more reliable than the 3.0...

amen

I freakin hate the 3.sl0w


I wheeled stock IFS for the past 8 years until my driving skill finally reached its limit with the factory ifs.

Now i have a SAS but I recommend to anyone, just get good trail armor and wheel your stock rig for a good long time.

You will be really surprised what a simple locker and good body armor will do.

And then when your finally on 35's with a SAS you will have the driving skills to go with it.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Well said caver!

 

[Combat Chuck]

I agree!
Don't make problems where ones weren't

 

[liljlandon]

I wouldn't change the engine unless you can't drive/repair the one in it for close to the cost of a transplant.

however, I love the 3.4 more than the 22R(E)
The motor, IMHO, is just well built and engineered. Its smooth through all the RPMS, gets decent fuel economy, and has power at the right RPMS. Plus, you can SC it!