Best engine for 87 Toyota 4x4

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

G

gater75

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year OG
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Threads
18
Messages
126
Location
Pullman, WA
Well, I did a search, but nothing good came up, So I am asking here. Haven't posted on here in a LONG while. Here is the scoop, I have an 87 Toyota standard cab 4x4, bed is bobbed, fenders chopped, with a toasted engine. I am looking for something that will give me a little more oomph, as it is at least an hour and a half of highway to any good off-roading spots. I previously had an FJ40 with a 350 in it, so I am sort of leaning that way, but not to sure if that isn't too much. Also looking for a reasonable price, as my wife and I spent the summer living in a hotel out of town while she underwent medical treatments. The truck has stock gearing, and I have a new Modine Radiator to install in it with the new power plant. I was thinking maybe a bigger 4-6 or a small v-8, but I have been out of the game for about 3 years.
thanks,
R
 
I think the first thing you should do is decide how much you can afford to spend on this project, then go from there.

The cheapest solution is to just rebuild or replace the 22RE with the same thing.

IMO, the BEST engine to install in these trucks is the 3.4L V6, from a Tacoma or T100. Very good engine, good power, easy to work on. But, this will be an expensive project. Your best bet is to get an entire wrecked truck so you have all the wiring.
 
Hi Rod,

Check out the FAQs on more power for the 22RE. Enginebuilder has some good info on rebuilding the 22RE for under $2000 and getting around 150 Hp out it.

As stated, the 3.4 is a good choice. More work than rebuilding your engine.

The Chevy 4.3 works well too, but more work doing this one too.

The Chevy small block is a lot of work to stuff into your truck due to the width of the engine. The Ford small block is narrower than the Chevy, but just as difficult stuff into the truck.

Each of the engine swaps will cost a good deal more than rebuilding the 22RE.

My 4Runner still has the 22RE in it and yes, I'd like more power. But, it weighs more than your truck does. The only power mods that I have in the engine are a better cam and Thorley header. It does fine even when loaded with all of my gear. I would like to rebuild it the way Enginebuilder recommends. But, that will wait for now.

Good luck.
 
It has been frequently stated that THE ideal engine for a 1-3rd gen Toyota is a 20/22R series.

Even better than the 2L/T engines.

I am inclined to believe this.
 
Even better than the 2L/T engines.
Click to expand...

Bah! The 22R-E is a great engine, but the Toyota diesels are WAY cooler (yes, even the frail 2LT-E). Unfortunately, for that 2K you *might* be able to get a 3L or 2LII-T diesel, either of which would be a pretty good trail engine I'd think. But if you can swing it, I'd go for the 1KZ-TE. Wicked good power and torque.

But then again, I LOVE diesels, especially Toyota diesels, so I'm uber-biased. And I spent a LOT more than that putting the 2LT-E in mine, but it's been money very well spent. Bump your price up a bit, and you've got a lot more options.

Are you specifically bummed on the 22R-E, or just the 22R-E that you have in there? The 22R-E would be the cheapest option, and they can give some pretty good oomph.

Sorry to hear about the wife's troubles, I hope she's doing better now.

Dan
 
I have no problem with the 22-R, I just wanted to try something different, and this engine is toasted. It was a replacement 22R. A diesel would be hecka cool, anyone know where to find one in Washington State??? I just want to get this beast running again. The snow is flying up here, well it was earlier today, now it is melting...
The wife is slowly getting better, about 65% or so now, but she is working with a physical therapist to get her strength back. And her tests have all come back negative, so we are happy.
 
Last edited:
Glad to hear it's going well with the wife....

In WA state.... Try Vancouver, BC. :) Lots of imported hilux'es and surf's up there, perhaps a couple for parts might be available.

There is a guy in the north Seattle area who has done some Toyota diesel stuff, but his name and the name of his shop escapes me at the moment. He advertises on craigslist every so often, and he also does diesel VWs.

Dan
 
just swap in a 4.3 chevy v6
 
gater75 said:
probably about $2000 or so total is what I am looking at.
Click to expand...



My REpowers are usually close to that?


Clutch.....$200

Machine work.....$100- $400+

Gasket sets....$100

Miscellaneous.....$100

My time and aggrava:censor:vation


No fabing and adapter$, and the reliability of the stock motor......priceless






For 2 grand I would look into a stroker crank.....
 
Last edited:
3rz is the cheapest bang for the buck (about 1200-1800 by the time its installed) for your truck... unless you have a 3.0, then the 3.4 is the easiest.

I have a high end LC 22re, and it isnt worth the money. Expecally since a stock 2.7 (3rz) will put out more power, be just as, if not more reliable, its lighter, and it bolts to a 22re transmission.

But by the time I go through the effort of a 3.4, I would rather have the 4.7/auto out of a tundra. I can find 4.7 autos with wiring and accessories all day long for 2k. In fact I was looking at a complete wrecked tundra with 45k on it for $2500 on race dezert. Meaning, about 4k into the engine swap (need a marlin adapter, and a chromo output shaft for the tc, plus new driveshafts). You will have great power, and 15-20 mpg to boot.
 
how about the 7mge / 7mgte from a supra or a cressida?
great power, bolts irght up the stock tranny, and is pretty close to bthe stock mounts (minor modifications)

have a buddy thats doin the swap now in a 2nd gen runner, and im planning to do the swap into my 86 pickup in the spring
 
woosung said:
how about the 7mge / 7mgte from a supra or a cressida?
great power, bolts irght up the stock tranny, and is pretty close to bthe stock mounts (minor modifications)
Click to expand...

Make sure you get a discounts on head gasket sets, ask about buying them in bulk.
 
that and search, a guy on here has done it, CARRR! motor as in high rpm no or not enough low end and not exactly an easy swap



3.0L 7mg (I'm assuming since I got this off Wicka, the 1st is NA and the 2nd is turbo)


190/204 H.P @6,000 rpm

185/196 Ft,Lbs @ 4,800


Bore 3.27

stroke 3.58

Comp Ratio (?) 9.1:1



See?
 
When I smoked the motor in my 89 pu I purchased a s-10 blazer 4x4 w/4.3 used for 600. Pulled the motor, trans, transfer case and pcm. took a couple of days and another 200 in incidentals but it has 2x the power ane 3x the fuel milage as the 3.0 .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom