5vz-fe needs to be replaced at 180,000 miles???

https://209yota1.com/products/5vz-3-4l-rebuilt-toyota-engine-complete/

ooof, 7-8 month lead time

 

That’s what I love about them, and simultaneously hate when buying one haha.

 

Yikes.

 

I went over it thoroughly with a hammer and looked at the inside of the frame when I bought it. There are a couple of spots that are too rusty for my liking, both sides of the frame at the very tail end toward the bumper. Nothing horrible but getting some raised flakes. Leaf spring bolts look okay, I know that’s a notorious spot. I think it’s good but I’m OCD and a worrier - always second guessing myself especially when on this forum haha.

 

$10K seems a bit high. I bought a reman long block from JIS Engine in the Dallas area several years ago, very reasonable, you might have to call to see what they have -- they do have a 5VZ-FE listed. http://jisengine.com/cathtml/LB.html

 

the worst spot was the spare tire cross member.

 

That's not bad. Looks like mine after I wash it. I use a steel wire brush on an angle grinder along with a big standard screwdriver to scrape stuff. Apply fluid film black every fall. Those rear sections of the tacoma frame are easy to treat as it's a C channel. I use an extension hose that attaches to the fluid film aerosol cans and coat the hell out of the inside of the frame through the access holes that are in it. Only way to keep an old Taco alive in the Midwest where they use Mag water.

 

They were quoting a re-manufactured motor, not a rebuild. Are they normally similar in cost?

 

My understanding is that a rebuild is usually cheaper than a remanufactured engine. But you'll find remanned 5vz short blocks online for $2500-3500 from relatively unknown companies [no clue if they're high quality stuff or not]. I'd suggest getting the pricing on a local machine shop or engine builder to do the rebuild, then compare that to a highly reputable remanned company like Yota1Performance. However, if Yota1 has 7-8 month lead times, like someone in this thread mentioned, that may make this an easy decision, assuming you can't afford to have the truck sit that long.

 

I trust the mechanic shop, they’ve always treated me very well and have been fair. It did seem pretty high to me, but he said they only use a quality company that provides a 4 year limited warranty on all of their remanned motors.

 

Aren't they the same thing?

 

Remanufactured means every piece that is worn is replaced in an attempt to get the engine back to an "as new" condition.

Rebuilt basically just fixes what's broken or entirely worn out, if a part is in an acceptable wear range, it will be reused.

 

I would say that the extent of the rebuild is up to the owners budget & the quality of the machine shop doing the work.

When the 350 for my 69 camaro was "rebuilt", not a lot of parts were reused. The block, crank and rods were machined and reused, everything else got replaced.

My "rebuild" got new GM heads, aftermarket pistons, rings, bearings, roller cam & lifters, timing chain & gears and the list goes on.

I get the fact that some rebuilds are low budget jobs, but I think it's misleading to imply that a reman is a better option versus a rebuilt engine.

 

It's going to depend highly on where you are. Remanufactured is the same as a rebuilt right? I would assume it is. Take an old one and remanufacture/rebuild it?

 

The sad fact those terms are interchanged all to often !

Then you need to compare building a engine to just bring it back to the stock specs.

A rebuilt engine in most cases gets much more personal attention one person does the short block another the heads. I know what I started with compared to unknown parts ..

I would go rebuilt over remanufactured .

One needs to look at each vendor to decide .

kind of like the Mom and Pop auto electric shop compared to big box store alternators and starters .

So many things can factor in to making a decision.

My go to is sourcing a running engine and having it rebuilt.

These inflated times have driven wait times and prices sky high in OP`s case supply and demand.

 

ok cool you know the drill.

 

Yota 1 engines they use OEM or better parts or a low mile with verified mileage from salvage yard

 

YOTA 1 engines had a 6 month wait when I called a few months ago

 

Thank you to everyone who offered advice. After weighing my options, it makes much more economic sense to replace the motor. Plus, I love my truck and want to hit as many miles as I can. This site never fails me!