V6 Truck Converted To 4 Cylinder?

84Toyota4x4 · Aug 2, 2007

So a 1988 4Runner followed me home tonight (on my trailer), and I talked my other half into letting me keep it. Only thing is, its a 3.0 V6 which is mostly likely in need of some serious work. The previous owners attempted to do a timing belt, and "immediately after" they did this work, it started knocking pretty bad. Sounds like the valves hitting the pistons to me (didnt get the belt on right?), maybe rod bearings. Either way, it needs work. However, I have a complete drive train and wiring harness from a 1990 I have that had a 22RE which needs rod bearings.

How hard would it be to swap them out? Is it really as "simple" as pulling the V6 and drivetrain and swapping in the 22RE stuff and just fabbing up some mounts? Or are there other little stupid things that are going to make it really amazingly difficult? Anyone ever done this before? Tips? Advice?

My plan for now is to just try and verify the belt is on right (covers are still off), and if not, put it on right and see how horrible it runs with holes in the pistons/valves bent to ****. Also check the oil for bearing shavings of course. If its still fawked, Im gonna try and swap in the 22RE I think, maybe something else (4.3, 3.8?) and keep the V6 tranny and swap the t-case out for my 4 cylinder gear drive unit? Who knows...

~T.J.

EDIT: Newly realized fact. I forgot the 3VZE isnt an interference engine like the 22R/Es all my other trucks have. Must be rod bearings. Interesting since it idles so quiet and only knocks when you give it gas, haha. Anyway, looks like Ill be swapping in something, just not sure what yet...

stealthrunner1 · Aug 2, 2007

4.3 chev motors are a good choice....sevarall people i know have 4.3's in there toyotas....:awesomework:

84Toyota4x4 · Aug 2, 2007

Well, Im trying to stay cheap, and use what I have. I have the whole drivetrain and complete harnesses from the 90 and the 22RE. I wouldnt mind having a 22RE powered runner, its going to just be somewhat of a daily driver and thats about it. I think I might just go this route, only problem is the 22RE needs a rebuild like the 3.0 (rod bearings too). Although, a 3.4 swap would be cool also... Haha

~T.J.

angelfly · Aug 2, 2007

Dude it a cake walk we did it to my buddies 92 yota came with a toast v6 and we got a brand new lc engineering motor and swapped it right over

84Toyota4x4 · Aug 2, 2007

So did you have the wiring harness and ECU from a 4 cylinder then too I assume? I have all that for mine from the 90, Im just curious about the little things I might run into, but from what it seems to me, it shouldn't be that hard at all.

Im still thinking I might try and hold out for a 3.4 motor to put in and use the V6 5 speed and swap out the t-case for one of my gear driven ones, but then Id need to find another ECU and harness and crap, whereas I have everything I could need for the 4 cylinder swap.

I also cant really justify the V6 since its just gonna put around town for the most part, and it wont ever tow anything. I just know that there are times in Ashleys 87 with the 22RE Ive said it would be cool to have a 6 cylinder, haha.

~T.J.

angelfly · Aug 2, 2007

Yeah we used all the 4 banger stuff to do the swap. But as far as the small stuff no worries most japanese cars use a universal body and just install different parts per model. So your v6 model has all the holes mounting brackets everything that you need already on it or on the 4 banger so your set:awesomework:

84Toyota4x4 · Aug 2, 2007

Thats what I was thinking. I noticed the bodies are almost the same even from my 84 to Ashleys 87 4Runner.

It seems that its actually stupid simple to do considering I have everything (the whole 90 truck) to do the swap. I think thats the route I'm going.

~T.J.