I threw 2 crank rods 1GRFE @ 185k

Make sure you dont end up with a 4rnr/fj motor from a 2010+ as they have dual vvti and not compatible with the tacos systems.

 

Yeah, I'm aware.

 

Have you checked out Gerry’s foreign auto in Kittitas?

 

If you find one north of the OR/CA border along I5, and someone to stage from Portland up, I can handle the OR section of TWexpress.

 

I have not. Never heard of them, but will give them a call in the morning. According to their online inventory they don't have one. That doesn't mean they don't have one though. I've called a few wreckers that didn't list any online, however they had "just got one in".

I found one in Okanogan that seems fairly priced. I have a buddy that lives in omak who said he'd bring it over.

 

I appreciate the offer. I could probably pull a few strings and meet you vancouverish if it comes to that.

 

If that is needed, just let me know.

 

Not sure why this matters??
Sounds like a win cuz less money that you're spending (on an upgrade, not just a repair) so more money to pay off your loan...

 

While the engine and transmission are compatible, the ecu and motor mounts aren't exactly plug and play. Also the exhaust and drive line are different too. There's other small but important pieces too that would add to the total price.

 

True. I was assuming you would handle the fab work yourself though to keep costs down.
If you leave the transmission where it is (and keep the Taco or manual FJ xfer case) you can leave the drive shafts and most of the exhaust unmolested. Just need to make your own motor mounts.
The motor mounts from the V8 runner actually do. bolt up but would require either clearancing the firewall or moving frame horn forward.
ECU is plug and play if you re-pin the body harness.
I just haven't figured out the immobilizer hack yet

 

I'm tentatively picking up a complete engine this weekend from a private party. Pictures show intake/alternator/ps pump and other bolt on accessories included. Should be a PNP solution. Story is that it's a 2008 1GRFE with 40k from a truck that had a tree fall on it. Guy doesn't have a Vin from the salvage truck for me to research background info. I'll be taking a compression tester, and a video scope to inspect the internals such as cylinders and the front cover/timing area.

Any other suggestions on what to look for, or to observe that could confirm the sellers story of 40k miles? He actually has the engine and transmission complete and is asking $3500 for both. He said he would separate them and has agreed to my sight unseen offer of $2k for just the engine. If anything's off or doesn't look right, I'll try to negotiate the price lower or just walk if it's got issues.

 

Pull a valve cover and look for sludge and burnt oil. If the engine has sat for a while, you could take a garden sprayer with a 1/4” barbed to male 1/8” npt fitting, and push oil into the oil sensor port to lube the bearings while checking for compression. Sprayer and fitting should be $12, so cheap insurance

 

A starter, and a battery to crank it to test compression.

12mm and 10mm.

 

I have a YouTube video of how to compression test with it sitting on a pallet, if I haven't already posted it in here. Can't remember.

 

You'll be able to tell when you pull the spark plugs. If one side is Denso and the other NGK it's probably low mileage since those are likely the original plugs. They are all the same brand they've been changed since it left the factory. The specified plug replacement interval is 60k on the 1GR, so if it's still the OE mixed set 40k is plausible and the chance of being high mileage is smaller.

 

I'm not sure how widely it's know about the Denso/NGK mixed factory install, so it could be a tactic used to deceive, too. If they are a mixed set and look too new I would wonder.

 

Extremely well known.

 

Here I guess it is and among mechanics I assume it is. I wonder if a random owner parting out a truck or a salvage yard guy would know that level of detail. I didn't know it until I owned a Tacoma wouldn't have except that I do my own work.

 

New motor. 2010. Still had the ngk denso plugs and a oem filter.

 

You'll be up and running in no time