2.4L I4 to 3.4 v6 engine swap out question

what all is involved if I wanted to swap my 2.4 4 banger for a v6 but wanted to keep my auto tranny?

is it a simple pull out and drop in swap or would I need new motor mounts and a lot of other stuff too and if so what?

I already realize I need all new exhaust system (I assume nothing can match up there)

ps - nothing is wrong with the engine I have now, I just think a v6 would be better suited for towing

 

bump -- anyone ?????

I have read two opposing views on this question,

some say the wiring harness, exhaust, computer, and CC ecm is different so you need to buy a donor truck to swap everything

then I have heard the truck doesn't know or care what engine it has and the v6 will just plug right in and you don't need a donor truck

can anyone who knows about this say what is and isn't "reasonable" to do.

would I be better served to buy a v6 truck and sell mine or do an engine swap with mine from a 4 to a v6?

 

I've never performed this swap but i'm positive the ecm, wiring harness, mounts and exhaust will need to be changed. A v6 radiator may be larger also. A donor truck would be your best bet if you decide to do the swap. I'm sure somebody here that has had expeirence with this swap will chime in.

 

The transmissions might be different but like 68 said, a donor truck would be your best bet and you can just swap all the parts over. I'd think it would just be easier to find a V6 truck myself but that's just me. Good luck!

 

I did this same swap on my 99. The easiest way to complete the swap is with a doner truck. Swap the entire wire harness, motor, transmission, ecu. The frame mounts for the motor are further back about 3/4". Radiator and shroud are different. Also the tach is different between the 4cyl & 6cyl. With all that a donor truck is the easiest route.

 

ok thanks guys, thats what I needed to know.

this is more about research for "what if" because im thinking sometime in the next 5-10 years i was to make the truck "new" again and would need a new hood and tailgate (dents) for that as well as thinking of a bigger motor then my 2.4 and new paint job so i was wondering just how much donor stuff to look into for a project like that but it sounds as though its best to stick with whats in the truck and if i want a v6 its better to buy a v6 truck.

trouble is its getting hard to find 2wd v6 first gens around here lol

 

Hey Mark, how big a pain in the ass was swapping the wiring harness?

 

It's not too difficult. Be ready to remove the dash and steering column and glove box and knee panel. Remove instrument cluster, there are a couple of nuts behind it. Remove the screws around the heater controls. Then pull the dash out. There are about 5 clips on the dash that will like to stay in the body below the windshield, pull those out and reinsert them in the dash. Now the wiring harness can be pulled. I leave most of the relays and electrical boxes (ie 4wd computer, antenna relay etc.) connected just remove the mounting bolts. Pull fuse box with the harness. Several sub harnesses can be disconnected from the fuse box/ intergration relay. The main PITA is some of the harnesses runs into the engine compartment, just disconnect and feed into the cab. Then lay out the new harness and reinstall in reverse. One thing to note, some electrical connectors change between years of the same model truck.

 

Sorry to bring up this old thread, but there are very few threads with real info on this subject.

If you can remember, would you mind telling me what you did in regards to the motor mounts being a little too far back? 3/4" doesn'tseem like much.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

I used the 4Runner mounts and welded them in place. Your right about 3/4" back. I placed the motor and trans in place then tacked the mounts.

 

@COMAtized99,

@jacobrippey did this swap on his truck, it does involve removing and re-welding the motor mounts a bit father back. Here's his build thread.

Having a donor truck will make your swap 100x easier. You can buy one on DashHub shipped to your door for around $3,000.

 

I found his build thread, and have already talked to him.

I don't have a specific donor vehicle, but I've got so many spare parts laying around that I've basically got a donor.

This will be my 4th motor swap. Other than the motor mounts, it should be pretty simple.

 

Eventually, I will build a comprehensive thread on how to 3.4 swap tacos. Good luck with your swap brother!