I couldn't find much specific information on this when I was initially looking for it, so hopefully documenting my experience will assist someone else somewhere down the line....
Story picks up here.....
About a month ago I picked up our most recent Toyota, a '98 LC.
180k on the truck, one owner, primarily in California with a few trips to the old stomping grounds in Big Timber, Montana. They thought it was going to be in their family forever.....You know those pesky little heater hose T's behind the intake along the firewall? Yeah.....I'd probably replace yours if I were you. Or at least pay attention to the engine temperature.... or the coolant level..... or the check engine light.
There are two T's. One of mine was busted, the other wasn't until I touched it. This is what the good one looked like after I pulled it from the truck. I've never seen any fitting look like this, not sure what Toyota did wrong on these.
I bought it for the price of $2k. One minor problem. Needs a new motor. I talked to the tech at the local Toyota dealership (1/2 mile from my house) who looked it over, and he confirmed that yes, the internals are shot, though no one knows how bad until it gets opened up.
I went the easier route and blindly ordered a used motor from a salvage yard in Washington state (Gundie's if you want to know....). Used motor from a '99 has 138k on it, compression between 210-220 on all 8 cylinders, shipped to my door for $1735.
I looked into putting in a Tundra motor (you can read my thread on that here). Friend that runs a salvage yard and has an interchange book says that a Tundra motor up to build date of 4/2000 will swap in, though you need to retain LC oil pan and exhaust manifolds.
I wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible, so I went with the LC motor instead of a Tundra.
Story picks up here.....
About a month ago I picked up our most recent Toyota, a '98 LC.
180k on the truck, one owner, primarily in California with a few trips to the old stomping grounds in Big Timber, Montana. They thought it was going to be in their family forever.....You know those pesky little heater hose T's behind the intake along the firewall? Yeah.....I'd probably replace yours if I were you. Or at least pay attention to the engine temperature.... or the coolant level..... or the check engine light.
There are two T's. One of mine was busted, the other wasn't until I touched it. This is what the good one looked like after I pulled it from the truck. I've never seen any fitting look like this, not sure what Toyota did wrong on these.
I bought it for the price of $2k. One minor problem. Needs a new motor. I talked to the tech at the local Toyota dealership (1/2 mile from my house) who looked it over, and he confirmed that yes, the internals are shot, though no one knows how bad until it gets opened up.
I went the easier route and blindly ordered a used motor from a salvage yard in Washington state (Gundie's if you want to know....). Used motor from a '99 has 138k on it, compression between 210-220 on all 8 cylinders, shipped to my door for $1735.
I looked into putting in a Tundra motor (you can read my thread on that here). Friend that runs a salvage yard and has an interchange book says that a Tundra motor up to build date of 4/2000 will swap in, though you need to retain LC oil pan and exhaust manifolds.
I wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible, so I went with the LC motor instead of a Tundra.
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