Buying a 2000 Tacoma SR5 Xtra Cab 4x4 3.4 TRD w/ Bad Motor

A family friend has a 2000 Tacoma Xtra Cab 3.4L TRD SR5 5-Speed (PW, PDL, Cruise, Tilt, A/C) that has some kind of a engine issue from being ran low on oil. The mileage is a bit less than 229k and it's a California truck without any rust. It's in pretty good shape - needs a drivers side inside arm rest, driver side window regulator, tires, drivers side window trim (sun baked), headlights, and the front plastic is a bit sun baked as well. No accidents or repaint, two owner. He's had it since 17k miles. Body only has a few chips/scratches in the paint, no dents. Been off-road about four times.

I'm going to sell my very clean 95.5 Tacoma with 110k and I was thinking maybe I'd pick this up as a project and mod it instead of my new to me 02 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Doublecab Limited. Or just buy it, fix it and flip it.

They are asking $3,000 but I'm not willing to pay that, so I asked for thier bottom dollar. I figure to buy a used motor, plus a clutch, timing belt, water pump, tensioner, new hoses, belts, and other maintenance items - $2,500-$3,000. Assuming that, I figure it would be worth around $7,500 - $8,000 here in this market after being repaired. So I could make a little cash or keep it as a trail rig. What do you guys think?

Video of engine noise(tapping):

http://youtu.be/G58WW0768-A







Edit: now buying.

 

Even at $3k that's a pretty good deal.

And I would get a JDM (I think) take out from Japan, if I were you. I have gotten 6 or so of them from LKQ here in fresno.

 

unless you're ok with not selling for profit, Dont bother.

 

Well they are going to give me a price tonight I think. I found a motor locally for around a grand with less than 100k on it. I figure new hoses, belts, timing belt, water pump, clutch and fluids should make it less than $2,000 to get it back on the road. A few hundred more in cosmetic fixes to make it cosmetically very nice.

So we'll see. Fixed, it would bring $7k all day long in this area.

 

They gave me a new price of $1,500 for the truck, so I think I'm going to buy it.

 

Dump $2k into it and turn it for a nice $4k profit.

 

For $1500 buy it! I found a used 3.4 for my project on ebay from a salvage yard in Az. It came out of a totaled 03 taco prerunner with only 69k miles. I also replaced the clutch, wp, tb, drive belts, hoses, Tstat, valve cover gaskets and tune up parts while the engine was on the stand. Then bolted it in, no issues. Keep us posted on this project.

 

Why are you still posting? Go buy it before it is gone.

 

LOL. Really?

Select the blown motor option?

 

Yup. I'm going to do the same thing. Trying to locate an actual 4Runner or Tacoma motor before going JDM. I'd do exactly what you mentioned - give it a full tuneup, new gaskets, new rear main seal, new clutch, new flywheel, new hoses, etc.

Any tips on pulling the motor?

Thanks!

 

I can't buy it until this weekend because they were away for New Years. It's a family friend so they are not actively trying to sell it. Originally they consulted with me about the issue and then they decided not to fix it cause he's just tired of the truck after driving it for over 200k miles. I can't blame him.

I figure it will make a nice daily driver truck for me or I'll just sell it once it's fixed since I have my 2002 Tacoma Doublecab Limited 4x4 with only 76k miles on it.

 

Well the price went up by $100, because I wanted the toolbox that was installed on the truck. I'm picking it up tomorrow.

Put a deposit on a 3.4L from a 2000 4Runner with 85k miles on it for $1300. It's complete with stainless exhaust manifolds (can I use these instead of the cast iron ones on the Tacoma?), all wiring, starter (can I use?), power steering pump (will use), A/C compressor (not using) and alternator (can I use this too?). I'll go pick that up next Saturday.



Here's what I'm going to buy:

1. Aisin Clutch Kit w/ Flywheel (eBay Link)
2. Timing Belt Master Kit (eBay Link)
3. Tuneup Kit w/ Valve Cover Gaskets and Intake Plenum Gaskets (eBay Link)
4. Rear Main Seal (eBay Link)

I'll pick up coolant from the local Toyota dealer and other misc parts such as hoses as needed.

Any other tips or suggestions?

 

Its not necessary but plugs come to mind. They suck changing out. If you're installing a gasket kit go ahead and throw fresh ones on.

 

Already part of the tuneup kit I linked. New OEM plug wires and plugs were part of my plan. I think I'm going to install a new radiator as well.

 

Got the truck home. Drove it on and off the trailer without a problem. It's puking oil from the front of the motor though.

Used some Engine Brite and pressure washed the engine compartment to make it a bit less messy to work on. Ordered $1200 in parts in addition to the $1300 motor.




I'll probably start stripping some parts off the engine during the week. I ordered a set of 3/8" wobbles and a couple other tools to assist. I had made a mistake that this truck had cast manifolds but they are stainless, so I should be able to use the ones on the 4Runner motor.