3RZ-FE swap questions (1 Viewer)

[Ryno5150]

So this is not a question of tech how to, I have searched plenty of threads for that info. I want to hear from people who have swapped a 3RZ into their rig, especially if you have done one in a Gen1 4Runner.

I want opinions and feedback.
1985 4Runner. I did a mild 22RE build back in 2009. Bored 0.020" over, 0.444" lift cam, full length header, 2.25" exhaust, later model upper plenum and throttle body. 4.56 gears.
With 31" ATs, it was tolerable. I could cruise 70-75 in 5th on the highway. The intermediate speeds (45 - 60) sucked when trying to go up hills, but it was doable in 4th.
Now I have 33" MTs. Not only has that just killed the already poor gas mileage (I got about 17-18 combined with the 31s), but any hills just kick my truck's ass. I went to NC to go hiking this past weekend and any hills forced me into 3rd gear, struggling to do 45-50 mph.
Off road, the 22RE is fine. W56, locked front and rear, even with the stock transfer case, it goes.
As my hiking and off roading travels take me on longer road trips, the lack of power on pavement is killing me. I don't need a hot rod, that is what my Mustang is for.
So the point is, will a stock 3RZ at least allow me to keep speeds on hills? I want to do the 3RZ since I want to keep the simplicity of an L4. I can still use my W56. It won't be crammed into the engine bay.
I also rarely have the top on the 4Runner, as it loses it's fun character with the top on, so that saves some weight. I've only put 38k miles on the 22RE since 2009, so it would be reassigned to 2WD duty in my 1991 pickup. It would be a great engine in a lightweight 2WD.

 

[gnob]

The 3rz is a huge improvement over the 22r. Idk if you are going to win back much mpg but the power is there.
The swap into the first gen is really simple. My brother and I swapped his 85 single cab in a few days.

todd's stinking blue pile

 

[KLF]

Regearing would be much cheaper, if you haven't done that yet. 33's run perfect with 4.88's in the diffs.

 

[Ryno5150]

Regearing would be much cheaper, if you haven't done that yet. 33's run perfect with 4.88's in the diffs.

I put the 4.56s in back in April 2015. Factory was 4.30.

 

[Ryno5150]

The 3rz is a huge improvement over the 22r. Idk if you are going to win back much mpg but the power is there.
The swap into the first gen is really simple. My brother and I swapped his 85 single cab in a few days.

todd's stinking blue pile

Thanks. I was just wanting to know if it was worth it. On paper, the power difference does not look like much, but from what I have read, in real world applications, the 3RZ does so much better.

 

[ntsqd]

I ran 4.88's with 33's for nearly 20 years in a 22R truck. Recommended. It wasn't a rocket, but it didn't bog down on the slightest hill either. Speedo calibration wasn't changed from the stock gearing and tires, and it was GPS verified to be within 3 mph from 40 to 80. Other than the brakes feeling the bigger tires the truck drove like a stocker.

 

[pappy]

I'm old. I'm crotchety. So here goes my opposing view.

I owned an 85 xcab, 22re, ported head and cam, Thorley header, 33" tires, 4.88 axles.

Still have my 85 4R, 22re, ported head and cam, Thorley header, 33" tires, 4.56 axles.

I much prefer the 4.56, hands down. Better highway rpm. If I need more rpm, I shift. Not a big deal.

I'm also doing a 3rz in the 4R. But, I think my expectations from the engine are different than yours. It's still a 4 cylinder. I expect better power. I expect to still row the R151F. I don't need to go 80. I'm not expecting the truck to keep up with my UZJ buddies. I think you will not be happy, and will be wanting more.

Oh, forgot to mention i also used to own a 98 Taco with the 3rz.

Not the populist answer. But there ya go.

 

[ntsqd]

I always felt that another 30-50 HP in that '84 would have made a huge difference in driveability. My stock 3.0 auto 4rnnr is giving me that (4.56's & 31's). Either my 3.0 is an anomaly or those that call them "3.Slow" thought that they were buying an LS7. OR perhaps they didn't set the trans programming to "Power" or whatever it's called and leave it there because I've found that to be huge and if I drive it sanely it has no impact on mileage.

 

[Ryno5150]

I'm old. I'm crotchety. So here goes my opposing view.

I owned an 85 xcab, 22re, ported head and cam, Thorley header, 33" tires, 4.88 axles.

Still have my 85 4R, 22re, ported head and cam, Thorley header, 33" tires, 4.56 axles.

I much prefer the 4.56, hands down. Better highway rpm. If I need more rpm, I shift. Not a big deal.

I'm also doing a 3rz in the 4R. But, I think my expectations from the engine are different than yours. It's still a 4 cylinder. I expect better power. I expect to still row the R151F. I don't need to go 80. I'm not expecting the truck to keep up with my UZJ buddies. I think you will not be happy, and will be wanting more.

Oh, forgot to mention i also used to own a 98 Taco with the 3rz.

Not the populist answer. But there ya go.

Pappy,
Your input is always valued since I have combed over your builds and always see your posts and you offer good knowledge and experience.
I do like the 4.56 in my 4Runner, since gears and bearings are all relatively new, wasn't planning on swapping.
As stated in my OP, I am not looking for a hot rod. If I only had to drop to 4th gear to keep speed up a hill, that would be fine. I would be happy if the performance was close to my 1991 reg cab 2WD pickup with a stock 22RE and a 3.58 gear. I'm not out to win races or go 80 mph. I don't even like going over 70 in my 4Runner.
I want to keep the simplicity of an L4, keep my W56, keep it Toyota. Just wanted a little more power and have the ability to upgrade in the future if I felt the desire (ie, turbo, SC)

 

[Ryno5150]

I always felt that another 30-50 HP in that '84 would have made a huge difference in driveability. My stock 3.0 auto 4rnnr is giving me that (4.56's & 31's). Either my 3.0 is an anomaly or those that call them "3.Slow" thought that they were buying an LS7. OR perhaps they didn't set the trans programming to "Power" or whatever it's called and leave it there because I've found that to be huge and if I drive it sanely it has no impact on mileage.

ntsqd,
That was my thinking. The 3RZ has the power of the 3VZ, but does it without blowing head gaskets and in an easier to work on package. I remember back in 1991 my bro in law bought a new 2WD Xcab pickup 5 speed, 3VZ. That thing was pretty quick. Of course it was a lot lighter than a 4WD.
I just need a tad more oomph on the highway, no need to melt tires.