ENGINE SWAP OR NEW TRUCK

My 2006 tacoma blew a rod at 225,423 miles and now I have a hole in my block and need a new engine. I had just put on 285 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T which now have about 1,000 miles on them. I also have a toytec lift kit installed - KSTAC05 - King Complete Kit for 05+Tacoma along with the Uniball Total Chaos upper control arms. Should I replace the engine or Buy a new truck. Dealer quoted me $5,960.87 without labor but also gave me a lot of other shit with quote. I also got a quote from a mechanic for a jasper engine which was about $10,000 including labor. I could also buy a used engine and replace it myself however I am strapped for time as I have two kids under the age of 3. I am not sure what route I should go. Do you guys have any thoughts?

 

You f truck itself is in good shape, and engine these days would be the way to go

OEM engine long block 3K
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~block~sub~assy~cyli~11401-09722.html

 

That looks to be for a 2TR, not a V6... which is rather confusing given the application info sure says 4.0L V6.

Another thing to keep in mind- you're basically guaranteed to be eating any core charge due to the hole in the block. I've done a few windowed block engine jobs, and that always makes shopping options soooooo much fun. Option X is $3500 with a $500 core, but Option Y is only $2500... oh, with a $1500 core, crap.

 

Should I pull the lift and tires and just scrap it?

 

That's a question no one but you can answer, homie. All the variables there... can you pick up a beater & dink on it in your free time? If you do, will you finish it, or have $$$$ sunk into a basketcase? Can you afford to pay a shop? Is it in good enough condition otherwise to be worth sinking $10k or so into paying a shop? No one can tell those answers but you.

 

I can tell you 3 things.

1.) I love my Tacoma, she floats on county roads.
2.) Apart from being a dad, my day job is an accountant.
3.) We are on the same page. Your answer, is the reason why I am asking here. As I cannot wait till next fall, I live in Wyoming and I need a reliable vehicle.

So with that being said.

I have one question for you.

Can I swap the kit and tires onto a 2023 Tacoma?

 

If the rest of your Tacoma is in good shape. Then the engine would be a lot cheaper than buying a 2023 Tacona.

Sounds like you are really attached to your Tacoma.

$10,000 vs $45,000 + !!!! (I haven't priced them out lately)

But only you can make the final decision as it's your wallet.

 

I agree with above, that if you have no other issues and no rust anywhere, then new engine would be what I would choose. My 2¢
Good luck with either choice.

 

First you need to figure out what you can afford. At 225k what next is gonna go out? Are you ok with replacing the transfer case or transmission? I personally would sell it and get a newer one, but that is me lol.

 

My experience with Jasper motors is in 40s and 60s. I think they’re crap.

 

Not understanding the "40s and 60's" can you elaborate pls?

 

Get a new truck

 

I would look around your local salvage yard for a spare engine or https://www.car-part.com/ for the global parts database for salvage yard. Then may be look for a local shop that will do the engine swap for you if you don't have the time. This would probably be the cheapest and time saving for you.

 

If it was me I’d look at a new truck. If you seek long term reliability and you can afford it then the 2023 sounds great. Now if I was good at wrenching and had all the tools, a place to work on it then I’d probably consider keeping it. But I’d have to do all the work. I take comfort in reliable well maintained vehicles. I need something that gets us out to the cabin, long road trips and back road exploring reliably.

I have 2 kids and they consume lots of your time.

Again, that’s just me. You really have to weigh all the pros & cons. Only a decision you can make. Like all of the others have suggested.

Maybe take a new Tacoma for a test drive first?

 

I am solidly in the “fix it” camp. From a financial standpoint, it almost certainly makes the most sense. Tacomas require their fair share of lifetime maintenance items, but you’ve already touched a number of the places where you’d be spending money (suspension) so really, you’re likely to get your money’s worth out of the engine replacement. Especially in today’s new/used vehicle market.

This is predicated upon having a frame that’s in good condition. If it’s got problems that can’t be fixed with some patching, then replacing the truck is the right call.

 

Hard one given the cost diff and the love we have for our Tacos. But my vote is to buy new w/v6 if it is within your comfortable means. A new matching engine is a good option if it keeps the bank from going bust. The only thing with this is to have a well-established / qualified shop do the work. I went through this once and it was a good experience, but also a bit more once completed than was quoted. $2000+ more at no fault of the shop. I am considering the same thing with my 2012 4 banger. I have 230K and no known issues but am giving early consideration to my options. Another option is to drop an all-in 35K with the guys that do the diesel swap. If everything else is sound on the truck, it is said to be a solid and reliable investment. I love the idea and if I were writing a check or wouldn't miss the monthly sting I would hand's down jump in with two feet. In my experience, the main thing to do is to be sure of what your getting and who in installing it. Have you ever heard of the Car Care Nut? (ref YouTube)... His shop is 16+ hours away from my home. But if I decide to replace my engine and transmission, he will be the one who does it. This guy lives Toyota and has the integrity of one who has been Washed In The Blood. With his background these two prerequisites seal the deal for me. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

New is ridiculous priced.

 

Locate a used engine, pay a mechanic to toss it in. Jasper remans are trash. I just replaced a 15k mile Jasper turd that blew up due to the wonderfully shitty internals they used. Trucks not worth scrapping, throw 5-6 grand into the truck now and use it for another 200k miles

 

If you want to sell your current truck, it is going to need to run, otherwise you’ll have to basically give it away. You should be able to get a motor swapped for less than the value of the truck assuming the frame is good. With the age and value of the truck a new engine is not practical, and I’d be wary of any cheap remanned units. With family and work obligations paying a shop is just easier, less stressful, not to mention quicker. Find a shop that can do a swap and they should be able to locate used OEM units from a wrecking yard for a more reasonable price. Don’t have this done at the dealer.

I recently went through this, though on a much newer vehicle. While I’ve personally done engine swaps before, it wasn’t something I had adequate dedicated time for when the daily driver is down. Paid a shop to swap a used motor, then sold the truck afterward. I’d look at fixing it regardless, then if you want a new truck sell it or trade it in. So step 1 is calling around to get quotes for sourcing and swapping a used long block.

 

"Short Block" Toyota typically does not sell long blocks (with heads)

Also that looks like it's missing the crank, rods, pistons, etc.

I'd swap an entire engine found from car-part.com