SR5 Engine Failure

Hello,
New to the forums. I had just more or less bought a 2000 Tacoma from a friend that maintained the vehicle very well. The other day when driving the truck I started to hear a flap/squeek. I was thinking it was a bearing on the tensioner or maybe the alternator starting to go. I was going to drop it by the Toyota dealer on the way home and long story short, I didn't make it.

They aren't sure why it happened but one of the spark plugs blew out of the engine ruining the threads in the process. They need to rip the engine half apart to perform the repair. I think they were going to rebuild the heads and heli-coil the stripped threads but with 165k+ miles on it this just doesn't seem like the best idea, especailly with the $2000 price tag and not knowing if other damage occured. I've played this game before with higher mileage engines only to have the repair performed and have the engine fall apart in 1000 miles.

I was looking into crate engines/used engines and it looks like something can be had for about $1500 to $2000 before installation and over $4000 after installtion at the dealership. I guess I'm at a loss as to what to do. The truck is in good shape otherwise so its really hard to say its time for the junk yard but I hadn't even made the last payement to him.

I'm in Minneapolis and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions or knows of a reputable local mechanic thats looking for a project? Let me know guys. Thanks.

 

Find someone to help you put a engine in it, its not that bad....

 

x2....its not to difficult to drop a engine in....especially if your gonna stick the same type of engine that was in it back in.......i would also recommend that you rebuild the tranny while you are at it.......that way its a fresh start on everything.

 

Throw in a v8

 

i like this idea.......i think a 350 would be nice

 

Exeactly

 

Take a really good look at the frame for rust as well. If the frame is in good shape, do it! With a new engine, you're going to get 500K for sure.

 

fuck there engines! when I blew my engine in my 240 I got one from them and at first the head had a crack in it and just junk like that.. there customer service wasnt great.. worse of all they wouldnt take blame for there bad parts.

 

I got a replacement 3.0 when my 4runner crapped out, can't remember where we ordered from though. Motor and install was like $7,000.

 

i might catch shit for this, but jeep 4.0 engines are a dime a dosen cheap to get and are bomb proof.......you could possible swap one of them in.

 

The 4.0's are bomb proof torque monsters. They can drink the gas though!

 

^^^^^^ a'huh

 

A good machinist at your local heavy equiptment macine shop / welding shop could fix it while you wait installing the helicoil with little to no contamination (Tricks of the trade) + vacuum and bore scope the cylinder to verify. Probally cost you $100 for an hrs labor + helicoil. Then drive it another 200k if it was well serviced and in top condition like you said. BUT I AM A DUCT TAPE AND ZIP TIE KIND OF GUY>>>

Jasper engines are good reman units but my first choice would be a low miles OEM used take out (Crash engine).

 

i also have a 2000 taco and i plan to swap in a 4.0 stroked out to 4.3 or 4.7 with a mild cam and some other goodies when the 3.4l blows.....them jeep 4.0s are some killer engines.

 

I say you just wait until you find a wrecked truck with the same engine and pay the guy and swap that sucker right out. It will be alot cheaper

 

Took my jeep 4.0 through water that was over the hood, thought it was going to hydro lock never let off the gas got pushed down the stream a little but made it.

I was shocked.

I beat on that 4.0 daily I mean HARD and it never gave out on me.

 

Jeep 4.0L and Toyota 3.4L make very similar #'s Hp Tq and MPG. I see no gains to be made with the Jeep 4.0L and seriously doubt anyone would want to put in the wrench time to follow that swap thru to drivable.

This truck is dead because some bone head didn't tighten the spark plug not because Toyota failed to design a good engine.

 

Don't take what I said wrong.....I was in no way trying to bash toyotas 3.4 but I was saying like you said that the jeeps 4.0 is very similar to the 3.4 but at the same time it's way cheaper and has a strong history to back it up

 

I was ruff on mine as well and that thing just kept on tickin

 

i agree....i think the hardest part would be electrical and it still would be tobad........i think of all non stock motors to put in the 4.0 would be one of the easiest