Rebuilt Engine Good or Bad? (1 Viewer)

[matt80sc]

Hello Folks,

I was looking for a 100 series and came across one from a reputable Toyota dealership. It had a slight knocking and said they would rebuild it as part of the price. They were not entirely sure of its issues until they tore into it but was quoting $4500 max.
Total of 12k out the door with 6 month warranty.

Is this a good thing for a 200k rig due to it complete rehaul or is this going to cause more issues than fix.

It's otherwise is in good shape, no rust, no signs of wheeling or anything of the sort.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
M

 

[87warrior]

You should be able to find a really clean 200k mile rig with documented maintenance for $12k! Seems pricey to me for the rig. These Japanese assembled motors are part of the 100 series value.

I do not trust other folks doing a engine rebuild. However, if I was doing the work I would completely trust it.

 

[nissanh]

Depends on the parts used and who machine the engine. From my experience, a properly rebuilt with 100% oem parts and good machine shop will get you a good engine, otherwise no. For 4500 why not install a low mile engine?

 

[trdcorolla]

Rebuild's are only as good as the person doing the work. That's why a lot here look for a used motor out of a wrecked 100. 12K better be for a perfect paint/interior/no rust 100 because that seems like a high price.

 

[matt80sc]

Thanks for the input so far. I don't know the mechanics and that seems like the biggest variable. Not sure why a rebuild vs replacement and I'm not enough if a mechanic to do the work.

I thought 12k would get me what I was looking for but either people are too proud or dealer markup is high.

I just want a newer LC like the 80 I've been driving for 14 years with no issues. I have a hard time spending 12k for a truck with 20k less miles than the one I'm DD.

Thanks again-

 

[DDabs]

Dealership rebuilding an engine... sounds like you're asking to get F'ed.

 

[shadow247]

Dealership rebuilding an engine... sounds like you're asking to get F'ed.

I agree. I worked at a GM Dealer 2 years, and another Ford Dealer for 2 as well. I can tell you that exactly 0 engines were rebuilt at the dealer. I don't know how Toyota does it, but I would think a new shortblock would be a much better option. That knocking could be anything as simple as a single bad roller arm on the cam, or a loose crank bearing. I would just walk away from this one, and look for something in your budget without such a major issue.

 

[CanyonLX]

I’d walk away

 

[matt80sc]

Just learned they are swapping it with a rebuilt used engine. A lot of risk for the $.

 

[2001LC]

Their are number of re-builders around the country. The ones I've spoken with, I'd not buy from. They offer an engine from USA built Tundra or Sequoia in most cases, with cheap Chinese aftermarket parts and loose tolerances.

 

[brando1]

Keep looking.

 

[NicaNorth]

Hello Folks,

I was looking for a 100 series and came across one from a reputable Toyota dealership. It had a slight knocking and said they would rebuild it as part of the price. They were not entirely sure of its issues until they tore into it but was quoting $4500 max.
Total of 12k out the door with 6 month warranty.

Is this a good thing for a 200k rig due to it complete rehaul or is this going to cause more issues than fix.

It's otherwise is in good shape, no rust, no signs of wheeling or anything of the sort.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
M

Any photos or records available for this LC?

I’d be curious to know the year and overall condition. I’d also dig in a little more to see if you can uncover how the engine ended up failing. Although rare, these engines can fail, typically due to skipping preventative measures. Did the dealership provide the Carfax or Autocheck info?

Is it possible to find out where they sourced the rebuilt engine and speak to that shop personally? It’d be beneficial to know if they’ve rebuilt these 4.7s in the past and also see how familiar they are with them in general.

If it’s clean as you stated in your first post, I wouldn’t pass this one off just yet. Do a little more research and maybe try to squeeze a longer warranty period out of the engine.

Send me the VIN and I can look up the Autocheck and send it your way. I can also send the wholesale/retail valuation if you’d like.

 

[matt80sc]

FYI: Just posted my SC : FZJ80 : 223k in the 80 classifieds.

 

[FJ62INTX]

The best solution is to not buy a LC with a questionable Tundra engine in it.... The second best solution is to make sure the engine used to replace the original LC engine is a JDM built LC engine of the same year with low mileage....

I have built a bunch of high performance engines and I know you can't affordably and properly machine and build one of these engines as well as the factory assemblers can in Japan, especially for as cheap as someone can buy a good used engine from a LC of a similar year, usually with some type of warranty from the used parts yard you purchase from

 

[trdcorolla]

I read here on Mud that the early Tundra motor's were Japan built.

 

[FJ62INTX]

I read here on Mud that the early Tundra motor's were Japan built.

I have heard differently from others in the business, so buyer-beware either way..... if they are JDM manufactured, they would be of admirable quality. The others I heard from were ones who busted Tundra engines with the TRD supercharger, where I hadn't read that the LC engines had any issues... I also believe I read that the rods in the Tundra engines are different than the LC engines....

 

[97 AZ LC]

I read here on Mud that the early Tundra motor's were Japan built.

That must be true - the Tundra 4.7L V8 commenced in the 2000 model year but U.S. engine production did not start until Q2, 2003.

 

[apdxyk]

the Million Mile Tundra was Alabama built, btw.

Regardless, for this particular vehicle case: I would walk. They make it sound that they make you a favour, when, in fact, it is the other way around. Too much salesmanship in this story.