New Engine for 2005 LC

[Deacon]

Hi everyone. I have a 2005 Land Cruiser with 285k miles on the original engine. A temp sensor went bad and by the time I realized what was going on with it I had blown the head gasket. Of course I can't get anyone to do just the head gasket on an engine with that kind of mileage so I'm planning to replace the engine. I've had this truck since 2006 when I bought it with 40k miles on it and it's taken me through a lot, including 6 years working in the oil fields in West Texas. It's not going to be my daily driver anymore and I spend a lot more time on-road now than off. I'm planning to make some "showy" mods, including nice paint and some (probably excessive) lights. It already has an ARB front bumper and an Iron Man lift. Purchased ARB side rails but haven't installed them yet. Tires are General Grabber A/TX C, 31x10.5-15. I live in Houston so heat and humidity are challenges, cold is not (recent Texas weather notwithstanding).

That's a lot of background to ask a couple of questions about engine replacement. My twin goals are ease of replacement and (if possible) boost the bhp.

1) Which Toyota engines are simple replacements for the 2UZ-FE V8 that was stock in this truck?
2) What's involved in swapping with a 3UR-FE V8 (standard in North America for the LC200)?
3) What would you guys recommend, given that I really want to keep the vehicle and will probably have it forever.

Thanks for reading all this and thank you in advance for your guidance!

 

[MongooseGA]

You get a 5.7 in there from a Tundra, you better make a kit.

Because you'll be selling a lot of them.

 

[FlammableFishie]

Could always swap a 2UZ from a Tundra or 4Runner. Or, ya know, just replace the head gaskets and call it a day. Maybe add a sc with the money you'll save from doing an engine swap.

 

[Deacon]

Could always swap a 2UZ from a Tundra or 4Runner. Or, ya know, just replace the head gaskets and call it a day. Maybe add a sc with the money you'll save from doing an engine swap.

That was my original plan! Head gaskets and a sc. But with 285k on the engine nobody wants to do the head gaskets (let alone the sc) b/c they don't want to give the standard 12 month warranty.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Of course I can't get anyone to do just the head gasket on an engine with that kind of mileage

Why? That’s preposterous. The engine has 500k miles or more left in it.

1) Which Toyota engines are simple replacements for the 2UZ-FE V8 that was stock in this truck?

Uh, any 2uz-Fe. Will have to swap some your parts over if you get a non-LC variant tho.

2) What's involved in swapping with a 3UR-FE V8 (standard in North America for the LC200)?

Nobody knows. Probably a lot.

3) What would you guys recommend, given that I really want to keep the vehicle and will probably have it forever.

Pull the head, take to machine shop, put new OEM head gasket on, put head on, drive forever.

 

[Hokie LX]

I'm in NC so I can't recommend anywhere specifically but I would look for a LC shop in the Houston area to do it. I bet they wouldn't be as "shy" about the mileage as other generic shops.

A quick google on my end yielded a few shops to look into. I obviously have no endorsement and these are purely from google. They all have reviews from LC owners though saying they are great with LC's.

- Duggy's garage --- duggy's garage - https://www.duggysgarage.com/

- Javier's Auto Unlimited/Gulf Coast Crawl Shop--- Javier's Autos Unlimited - http://www.gulfcoastcrawlshop.com/



I also saw a couple of LC restoration shops that I would bet have lots of experience rebuilding higher mileage engines.

Good luck

 

[FlammableFishie]

- Duggy's garage --- duggy's garage - https://www.duggysgarage.com/

AKA @duggy who had/has a 100. Probably a decent bet.

If you do wind up finding someone to do the head gaskets, and you want to add a sc, I would think it would be a good idea to redeck the block and heads and think about putting heavier duty head studs in to hold the additional pressure.

 

[ramangain]

2) What's involved in swapping with a 3UR-FE V8 (standard in North America for the LC200)?

This sounds like a perfect project for @Mauser and @Ramathorn15 to tackle together (if someone has a donor engine to let them use for testing) and have Owl Expedition make, box, and sell the required kit parts.

Just a thought!

 

[MongooseGA]

Did you get the 5.7 kit ready for sale yet?


I'm ready for the invoice.