Are all 2 7's created equal???

I have a 98' Tacoma 4x4 with a 2.7 motor with 284,000 miles on the odometer. It runs flawlessly and the body/frame/interior is very clean.
I would like to find another 2.7 engine that I can take my time rebuilding and have it sitting standby for the day it's needed when the other says it's goodbyes.
Which years should I search for? Are all compatible or some a better fit for a seemless switch-er-oo?

 

yes it matters

 

The big change, which I think happened in 98, was the move from a distributor to two-coil wasted spark ignition. The differences in the head are what will slow you down (but can be fixed). If you’re just looking, find one with the same ignition style as yours to smooth the process.

 

The heads changed again in 2000 with the introduction of coil-on-plug and doing away with the distributor and single or dual coil packs altogether. They also changed the intake ports to one big oval per cylinder versus the 2 round ports per cylinder.

There are probably several other small changes here and there, but as long as you get an engine from a range that yours falls into then it shouldn't be an issue. Like if you have a 98 then I would look for a 3rz from 98 - 2000 (before the mid-year change over in 2000 to coil-on-plug and whatnot)

 

Very good, I've noticed the ignition changes on some of the years. I'm sure if I just used the short block and switched things over from mine it would broaden the possibilities but I would like to have a complete motor available.

 

I have still been searching for a motor, even put a couple "wanted" posts up.
I finally got a reply from someone with a 2.7 that's claimed to be in a truck they needed the cab off of and ran nicely but unsure of miles...??

My truck is a 98' 4x4 and this one is a 01' 2 wheel drive....mine is a 5sp manual and as of now unsure of the donor vehicle.
What are thoughts here? Mine runs great currently, would it be fine if I had the 01' and used the shortblock switching the head from mine over when it's time? I would rebuild it anyway 1st and have it ready and at that rate I could get a new correct head for it and have it ready to go??
I haven't gotten back with him yet, unaware if this is a working plan. Also if the donor is out of an automatic if that will bring issues into the mix or not.

 

Edit #1: Make sure that the 01 2wd is a 6 lug truck...if it's a 5 lug, then that engine is the 2rz 2.4 variant and the bottom end is completely different! The top ends are almost the same though, with only slight variations that I can't think of off the top of my head right now. I wanna say injectors and cams, but don't quote me on those.

Your truck is a dual coil pack non-distributor ignition correct? If so then technically that engine should work theoretically as is. You will have to make sure to use your ignition system instead of the 01's coil-on-plug setup. It will also have a better flowing head and higher flowing injectors. Theoretically, it should work just fine, and maybe even get a little better fuel economy and smoother power delivery from the better intake port design. Just make that you get the entire engine to include the intake manifold because they are different. It should have the better steel tubular exhaust manifold as well, use that instead of your cast unit, those things crack, the updated version is way better. (Edit #2: If you stick with the updated exhaust manifold you *MAY* run into an issue connecting the stock exhaust from your 98 to the 01 manifold. Only because before 2000 midcycle change over some tacos were not 50 state emissions friendly and some were Cali-specific. I don't know 100% all the specific differences but just know that it may require some adapting.

Does your truck have a camshaft position sensor? if so, that's good, if not, that's the only thing I can think of that won't be needed that the 01 engine will have that you won't have a connector for on your harness.

As far as the donor truck being automatic, should be no difference, just remove the flexplate and install your flywheel and clutch.

There are wiring differences between the two trucks, but that's mainly pinouts at the ECU. I honestly can't think of any reason why all of the sensors wouldn't plugin and work just fine. If for some reason Toyota changed the connectors on the sensors starting in mid-cycle change 2000 with the coil-on-plug introduction then you could still just install all your sensors into the 01 engine and it would be plug-n-play as if it was stock.

I would be interested to see a side-by-side comparison of the two engines, other than the ignition they are probably indistinguishable from each other, or at least very minor updates and details that won't affect it running like stock.

 

WOW! that's a very very informative response and I thank you! I am not sure if I have a camshaft position sensor but can look into that.
When you say a 6 lug and not a 5 lug your obviously talking wheel studs correct? That's really good to know if so otherwise I may have ended up with a boat anchor I couldn't use.
I'll forward that question to the seller...any other questions I should forward? Thank you so much!
Also...yes my 98' is the dual coil pack/no distributor

 

The camshaft position sensor will be on the driver side of the head just above the fuel rail and intake manifold mount flange near or at the center. Easy to spot the exposed part of the sensor and connector, the sensor should be black, (Edit #3, checked the wiring diagram) connector is black, 2 wires only.

Yes, 5-lug hubs vs 6-lug hubs. 6-lug 2wd trucks are "Pre-Runners" that have the same suspension design as the 4wd variant, just missing the obvious 4wd components. 5-lug trucks have completely different suspension designs, are lower to the ground in stock form than their 6-lug brothers, have no option for 4wd (obviously), and have different 4cyl options. They can be had with the same 3.4 v6 in certain trim levels though, but that doesn't matter for your situation.

Aside from the typical condition-based questions, I can't think of anything specifically. If you need manuals for either engine let me know.

 

AWSOME THANK YOU! I'll check for the sensor after work and keep my fingers crossed this is a 6 lug truck. If I end up with it I would take my time rebuilding it and have it ready to drop in. Your help is very appreciated.....

 

I checked and I do have a camshaft position sensor...2 wire lead as you described.

 

I think you're good man. Just verify with the seller that he actually has a 2.7.