My dilemma...what do you think?

I've got an '05 Tacoma d/c 4x4 with 178k on it. CEL for #6 misfire. Replaced plugs and coil pack but found coolant low so it's either head gasket or head. My mechanic recommends a motor swap and I pretty much agree with him. I can get a used motor with 32k for $2100 plus his install fee. Nothing else wrong with truck except a bit of clear coat cancer forming on the flat surfaces. Love my taco, it's been a good truck. Trade on new or go with motor?

 

motor swap.

 

motor swap assuming the truck is paid for. The 2100 plus install fee will be better than new truck payments.

 

New truck payments vs paid off truck or almost paid off

 

you wouldn't get much for it anyway with a major repair pending

 

I'll assume you've done testing to prove head gasket/head are at fault.

Low coolant does not necessarily means you have an issue with either one of these.

 

All of the symptoms are there and the research and people that I've talked with have the same conclusion. I forgot to mention that there was also water from the exhaust. No, I didn't do a leak test but as I said, all of the knowledgeable people I talked with at least agreed on the gasket. With the motor being torn down that fathom knows what else I'll need and want to.do while in there.I guess my biggest concern is are the newer trucks better overall? I'm very leary of some of the new electronics being applied to autos this day and age. I also have other financial concerns so that I don't want to get wrapped up in big monthly payments again. I'm inclined to go with the motor swap. At least it will be done in a few days and paid for.

 

Honestly I'd see if you can fix the motor that's in it first then if you have to, swap the motor. Another motor may not be the best bet....yet. I think there is a Dude in the 2nd Gen B/S/T section parting out an '11 TRD

 

I have a 09 DC 4x4 with 133K, actually just traded down for it because I wanted THIS truck vs the single cab 4x2 I had with only 40K, my plan is IF I ever run into motor issues I will do what your contemplating, motor swap. I did this years ago on a Honda and those motors from Japan or cherry. If these are the motors your talking about then its a no brainer because they come with a warranty. (at least that one did and the shop that does them here confirmed the Toyota one does as well. I guess that is a long winded answer for "motor swap"

 

I want to try to replace head gaskets on my own when they blow. But I can't find a DIY guide for it.

 

Motor swap. Screw a car payment, especially just for a new version of what you already have. Some people get the "new car bug" and can't shake it though.

 

Even if you buy a '15, it will have the same equipment.

Buy that engine and have it installed. That would be a smart move IMHO.

 

Yep. I think engine swap is the way to go. Just can't justify another car payment. 32k is nothing on these motors plus I get to keep the old one should I need any parts in the future. I'm in the process of building a new shop so I can get back to doing my own work but the truck won this race. I'll be ready the next time to do my own work. Thanks for the help.

 

Swap an LS1 or 5.7 in it

 

178k is nothing on these motors.

 

Buy a new engine. Still cheaper then a new truck payments.

 

If the replacement motor is an 08 or later (I believe that's the year they updated the gaskets) that would probably be a good way to go just to get a much lower mileage motor. But the head gasket job isn't a total deal-breaker either. I got the misfire cylinder 6 and the sound of coolant gushing around in the heater core 3 weeks after I bought mine a few years back. Pretty sure that's why it was traded. The condition of the truck and the service history sure indicated the guy intended to keep it for the long haul, as I do. I had to put up a bit of a fight but the dealer where I bought it (a Toyota dealer) did fix it for free under their regular 30 day/1000 mile used car warranty. And according to the paperwork it was about a $3k job. And it's been fine ever since and that was over 30k miles ago. I'm a pretty skilled mechanic myself and wasn't in any way uncomfortable taking on the job myself but if I could get Toyota to do it I would be crazy to spend the money and take the time... That said if it happened again and I could get a 32k mile motor for around 2 grand I would go that way if I was short on time. It would take less time to swap engines than to do the gaskets. And the parts for the job when I last looked was over $500. If it happened in the summer when I had both my other cars on the road I would probably pull the engine and do the gasket job out of the truck. But now that mine has the updated gaskets the likelihood of it being an issue is pretty small.

 

see if that land cruiser V8 diesel fits

 

my truck uses up coolant, it doesn't leak when its off, wonder why? I top it off every 10k miles or so.