Picking a 5vzfe rebuilder

The 5vzfe in my truck is getting tired after 400k miles. I take good care of it but I'm pretty sure I've developed a crack in the head and I'm slowly losing coolant.

I want to keep this rig indefinitely and I take it lots of remote places, so my plan is to replace it with an engine from a reputable rebuilder and be done with it.

Used engine prices in my area are to the point where they just don't seem worth it for something I rely on as much as this truck.

My goal here is a stock engine that's as good as what the truck came with from the factory. I have no plans for forced induction.

Right now, I'm considering 2 options, mainly because they seem to have good reputations.

Yota1 - https://209yota1.com/products/5vz-3-4l-rebuilt-toyota-engine-complete/
YotaShop - https://www.yotashop.com/toyota-eng...er-t100-tacoma-tundra-1995-2004-5vz-dlb-9504/

I guess I'm wondering -- is there anything I should be considering in picking between these two (or any other shops I should consider?)

Yota1 has a shorter warranty and longer lead time, but is considerably cheaper and close enough to Socal that I could pick the engine up myself. They use King bearings instead of OEM in a couple sports.

Would love some feedback before I make the plunge.

 

From reading the information on the 2.
I like the Yota1 better.

They provide more detailed information

 

I bought a rebuilt 22RE from Yota1 a year and a half ago. They were great, I’d certainly recommend them.

 

I'm sure you are set on a rebuild. But I always recommend a low mileage used engine. Getting harder to come by, but no one can assemble the 5VZ-FE better than Toyota did.

Rebuilt engines aren't a 100% sure fire fix. They can and do fail after install.

 

Normally I'd agree, but verified low-mileage engines are getting hard to find and expensive -- these trucks are all pushing 20+ years old. Not really interested in the totally unverifiable JDM stuff, nor do I want to deal with the conversion process.

I guess I feel a little weird paying upwards of $2-3k for a 20 year old used engine that's still got 150k miles on it. I know that's not that crazy mileage for a 5vz-fe, but it's also nowhere close to new.

My hope is that getting an engine from a well-reputed rebuilder that focuses specifically on these engines (not some general-purpose shop like Jasper) will be my best bet...though I could be wrong.

 

Totally understand. Though I have found some for closer to $1,500 for a used motor. Going used is a gamble for sure.

Will you be installing this engine yourself? Some rebuilders want to see a real shop do the install, in order to honor any warranty on the engine.

 

Or, get a used (running one) and rebuild yourself while chugging along in your rig.

 

So here's the deal. I have a motor that has around 160,000 on it that came with a wrecked 1998 that I bought from a friend. I know the truck it came out of and I know it runs. He slid in the rain on bald tires and rolled the truck. I believe the shaft for the fan broke? I can't remember, I can get pictures and what not. But here's the kicker, I started taking the top end apart to experiment with 3vz cams and never got around to it, life got busy. So, valve covers and cams are out, along with the timing belt and such. I have hardware labeled in baggies. I also put the starter out of it in my 2002, I can include the old one if you'd like to rebuild it. It's currently in the bed of my 1998 in my garage on an inclined driveway, and that truck does not run. I know I won't have time for a long time to do what I want with this motor, and I love these trucks, this forum, and the people in it. All I have for help is an engine stand and tools. So if you're interested, and can find a way to get it out, I have no problem selling it at this point to someone who needs it more than I do. I'm thinking, in these conditions and where I'm located (Sonora, Ca) I would be happy to let it go for $300.

 

Being able to deal in person is always my choice.

dealing with shipping and phone calls can be a royal pain.

 

If only you were a couple states closer, closer I’d come get it right now lol.

 

Fair to say he posted it to help the OP cause 1. He needs to rebuild an engine and 2. They're both in So Cal

 

Meh, central Cali, like 6 hours to LA

 

Well, you get it though

That guy chimed in like he wanted to snag it when you were just trying to help the OP

Yeah I drive all over CA; right now 152 and 99 are still a shitshow, as well as some parts of 101

 

Yeah it's for the OP if he wants it, thats why I ignored it

 

Good gesture nonetheless

 

Thank you, I hope he takes it, would love to see the motor get put to good use.

 

Cool. I was just saying that I’d be all over that if someone was to offer it to me and was semi close. Guess that got missed, and it came off that I was trying to snag it… cause yeah, I’d love to drive for 2 days for a cheap 5vzfe

 

Not a problem, OP already messaged for the deal