Engine Replacement?

Hi there,

I am relatively illiterate regarding car mechanics but I am trying to learn as fast as I can.

I absolutely love my 1995 4Runner 4x4. The only complaint I have is the lack of power. It is a manual transmission and I usually have to downshift just to get up pretty normal inclines.

Is it at all possible to replace the engine with a newer more powerful v6? Or even a v8? (or would a v8 not physically fit?).

If that is possible, how expensive would labor be to replace the engine?

Thanks so much,
-LowOnPower

 

The easiest swap for your truck is for a 3.4 V6 from a '96-'02 4Runner or Tacoma. Easy is a relative term, here - that motor will drop in and line up on your transmission and motor mounts, but there's still wiring and other fiddly stuff to do. If you're handy with a wrench and willing to drop $700 on a conversion harness from Offroadsolutions.com or Toyonlyswaps.com, you could conceivably get the swap done in a day or two.

Before you think swap, tune your motor and check your gearing. If you're running bigger than 31" tires, a regear will get you back into the powerband and restore some lost grunt. And a tune up always helps.

 

If you are thinking engine swap I'll throw this out there too. Contact James at the Truck Shop in San Diego CA or the guys at yota masters in Corona CA. Both own 2nd Gens with 3.4 swaps and run professional automotive e shops that only deal with Toyota.

Blue