Lets talk 4Runner engine swaps

Whitey

Adventurer
Getlemen,

I'd like to have a round table discussion about engine swaps for a 1st gen 4Runner.

I've always loved the 1st gen, but being from MA, finding a clean example was like seeing a unicorn. I've owned a 3rd gen. and now own a 4th gen, but I plan on adding a 1st gen. to the family while there are still some rust free trucks to be found (I live in TX now). After driving the 4.0 liter V6, I'd hate to drive anything slower. The 3.0 is garbage and the 22RE is just too anemic for me.

What are some swaps that you've seen that you've liked? I've read up on some of the more popular ones. The 3.4 swap appears to be super easy if you have a 3.0, but I'm not terribly impressed with the 190hp V6. I don't want to pigeon hole the conversation with a budget, but maybe $3000 for just the drive train. 3.4, UZ, 7MGTE (I love boost), SBC? Without saying “read up on pirate/toyatech”, what have you day-dreamed about?
 
D

Deleted member 9101

Guest
I woudl go with a tried and true small block chevy. They are dirt cheap, plentiful, parts are cheap and you can get parts at 6pm on a sunday.
 

corax

Explorer
I'm happy with my 7MGE swap, the turbo version has enough power to compromise the transmission unless you spend some $$$$ and have a bell housing custom made to mate up an "R" series transmission behind it.

Here's my write-up on the 7MGE swap: 1G 4runner 7MGE swap notes and pics - if you have any questions after you read it, please post in that thread so all the info is in one place. If I had the opportunity to do it again I probably would, though I might take a closer look at the 2JZGE (many used a "W" trans, so the bell housing would bolt up + it's slightly more compact, though it is an interference engine so bad things happen if the timing belt breaks)

And just so you can do a quick comparison, here are the HP numbers for the various Toyota engines (remember, the "W" series trans is generally reliable to ~200hp)
20R, 2.2L, 90 HP@4800, 122 Ft-Lbs@2400
22R, 2.4L, 96 HP@4800, 129 Ft-Lbs@2800
22RE, 2.4L, 112 HP@4600, 142 Ft-Lbs@3400
22RTE, 2.4L, 135 HP@4800, 173 Ft-Lbs@2800, 6psi
20R/22R Hybrid, Estimated 135-155 HP depending on build
2RZFE, 2.4L, 142 HP@5000, 160 Ft-Lbs@4000
3RZFE, 2.7L, 150 HP@4800, 177 Ft-Lbs@4000
3VZ-E, 3.0L, 150 HP@4800, 180 Ft-Lbs@3400
5VZ-FE,3.4L, 190 HP@4800, 220 Ft-Lbs@3600
5M-GE, 2.7L, 143 HP@5200, 154 Ft-Lbs@4400
7M-GE, 3.0L, 199 HP@6000, 188 Ft-Lbs@3600
7M-GTE,3.0L, 232 HP@5600, 254 Ft-Lbs@3200, 5psi
 
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corax

Explorer
If you don't have to worry about emissions or gas->diesel swap laws, you could also go with a bullet-proof Mercedes OM617 turbo diesel. Here are some links I've had bookmarked for awhile:

swap thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyot...-mercedes-5cyl-turbo-diesel-stock-5speed.html
general diesel swap info: http://www.toyotadiesel.com/
diesel conversion adapters: http://www.4x4labs.com/products/diesel-conversions/
another swap thread: http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?8362-89-Toyota-4runner-OM617.952-Benz-Swap
 

Whitey

Adventurer
Corax, I've read your build a few times as well as the other builds on supracharged a number of times.

Is anyone well versed on the turbo 7M? 5psi stock is barely breathing on it.

The 2JZ is another thought. The TT's are super expensive, but I bet there are a bunch of the non-turbo mills kicking around.
 

tacollie

Glamper
What about a 4.3l V6? It will fit better than small block V8 and yields more power and better mpgs than all the naturally aspirated Toy motors. Any of the Toyota motors is going to feel slower than the 4.0l. Newer motors are just bigger.

The 3.4 with a SC would be cool but leaves your budget by a lot.

Also, having gone from a 4.0 to a 3.4 I can say it feels like I am crawling.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
I was at a Toyota car/truck/SUV show on Sunday, and one of my moderators was there with his '92 Xtracab truck, and had swapped a 3.4 with the TRD supercharger into into it.
Very nice setup.

Another moderator on YotaTech also has swapped in the 3.4 into his 2nd gen 4Runner, but has not supercharged it yet.

The 3.4 would be a good choice, and there are plenty of write-ups on forums about doing them.
 

Whitey

Adventurer
Talk about shoe-horned:
supra.jpg
 

BIGGUY

Adventurer
I've seen a couple of stories of the 5.0 Ford swap in Toyotas and have looked at a '90 ex-cab pickup that had one. It fit nice and it too has plenty of parts available for it.
 

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