4.0 swap from a 2.7

I have a 09 access cab with the 2.7 and I’m lookin to see if anyone’s swapped a 4.0 into there’s I have a complete wrecked 4.0 parts truck to be used as the donor I’m gonna tackle the swap regardless just was hoping someone’s already done it and has some insight

 

I’d do an LS swap but you do you. Good luck! Edit: is the 2.7 broken?

 

I think @Jimmyh might know a thing or two on the subject.

 

@Steves104x4 the 2.7’s fine only has 96k miles on the motor i bought the truck blowed up and put a low mileage 2.7 in it about a year ago

 

Yes people have done it but it's not as easy as just dropping the motor in and changing a few wires, you will basically need the whole drivetrain, engine/transmission harness, PCM, instrument cluster, and probably other things I'm not thinking of from the donor truck to do the swap properly.

 

@Dm93 I know it’s not a easy and simple task to swap it that’s why I bought a whole parts truck that way Ik I have everything I’ll need the whole truck was pretty cheap and it would cost a fortune and take a lot of time to buy individual parts for the swap

 

Ok, just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. I can help with wiring diagrams, connector pinouts & location, wire routing, and stuff like that but the mechanical part is not my forte.

 

Main part I’m worried about is the immobilizer system that the 4.0 truck has with the chip key

 

Let me know what you need $ for the motor and wiring harnesses

 

Probably less of a headache to sell the truck and buy one with a 4.0

 

Yea that presents another list of problems, at a minimum you would need the Transponder Key Amplifier (on ignition lock cylinder) and Transponder Key ECU (buried deep in the dash, requires dash removal to access). You would likely need the dash harness from the donor truck as well as I don't think 4cyl trucks have the wiring in place for the immobilizer system, you may be able to do a custom solution there but I don't know.

As far as I know there's no way to turn off the immobilizer logic in the PCM but maybe someone knows a way.

 

That’s my main reason for posting this forum is to find out how to work around it bc that’s the main thing I’m stumped on figuring out my truck just had the frame recall done is why I’m wanting to swap the 4.0 into it vs buying one rust is a big issue where I live

 

Ohh, I would keep the 2.7 in it then, keep in mind unless you legit know you will have it forever, you'll take a hit on resell if you do the swap. You're biggest issue will most likely be splicing the wiring harnesses together to make it work.

You'll have to most like cut into your new frame to relocate the crossmember as well

There are plenty of rust free low milage 4.0 2nd gens for sale in socal and the southwest and prices are finally coming down. You can probably get top dollar for yours since you have the new frame and plenty of guys want the 2trfe

 

What year model are the trucks? Alot of body electrical stuff changed around 09 and again in 2012.
Is the wrecked truck worth repairing or is it totaled?
Some pictures of the trucks would be nice to see what you are working with.


There is a guy doing a Lexus drivetrain and electrical system swap with a 4.0l Tacoma, alot more than you are wanting to do but he is posting alot of pictures along the process that may give you some ideas how things come apart and go together.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-tacoma-4-6-v8-1ur-fe-and-gx-powertrain-swap.766665/

 

My truck and the parts truck are both 09’s and the parts truck is beyond saveable. Finding a 4.0 6 speed where I live is very hard to do and if you do find one there rusted pretty bad I went and checked one out yesterday the only one I could find remotely close and the rockers were rotted completely out as well as a big rust hole in the side of the bed

 

I don’t plan on ever getting rid of it and I can find plenty of automatics just not the 6 speed tired of searching tryin to find one so I figured I’d just swap mine

 

When you cannibalize all the harnesses of the "donor" vehicle, the immobilizer system system is there. You do have the key from the donor, no?