Attempting resurrection

***wrong forum, sorry guys! Reposted in 1st Gen***


Long time lurker here, finally speaking up for some advice. My 2001 4 cylinder automatic 250k+ taco kicked the bucket a couple months ago. It was my first vehicle so it survived a few years of benign neglect until I started to wise up. What finally did it in was a coolant leak into the oil cooler that went unnoticed so it ran on milkshake for Lord knows how long until the radiator cracked and a cylinder seized up. At the very least it needs a new head gasket, but without knowing what other damage is in there I think my best bet to get it running again would be an engine swap. My questions are as follows:

1) How much reengineering would it take to upgrade to a v6 while I'm tearing it apart anyway, and is the ROI really worth it? I mostly want to keep it around for trips to the hardware store and transporting bikes to the track, no commuting, offroading, or major towing. I just like the idea of 0-60 being less than 10 minutes

2) Even with a straight 4 to 4 swap, am I better off just selling it and buying another truck? The body is in great condition and I'm sentimentally attached what with being my first vehicle and all but I'd have to rely quite heavily on gearhead friends and YouTube during the process unless I take it to a shop (haven't called around for quotes on that yet). I do have tools, machinist and motorcycle wrenching experience, and a diy garage next door but limited auto wrenching experience.

3) if I decide to just sell it as is, what ballpark can I expect to get for it? Tacos are in high demand around here (western Washington) and as I said the frame is solid.

Edit: forgot the other option, just fix the head gasket and cross my fingers that it'll keep going lol

Thanks guys!

 

Keep in mind if you replace the motor then you will certainly be replacing the transmission soon. Unless it is a manual trans anyway. Reason being is the motor and transmission have worn down together over the miles you have listed. A new motor will put stress on the old transmission. For instance: 25 year old woman in bed with a 90 year old man. Might work for a while. But sooner or later something has to give.

 

I wouldn’t do the v6 swap. Probably cost more than the vehicle is worth. I’d short block it and rebuild the head if it didn’t get destroyed. ATK also makes a long block that come with a 3/36 warranty. May be another route to go.

 

Is a 2001 a 2nd gen?

 

No. 1st gen.

 

Get another vehicle for now. Rebuild the truck as time and money permit.

 

Whoops, my bad! Clicked the wrong section

 

I have another vehicle (rav4), just trying to decide what direction to take the truck