Engine Change for 1GR FE 4.0 liter V6

I have a 2005 Tacoma double cab TRD Off-Road with the 4.0 liter V6 engine. It has ben a great truck for 352,000 miles but now is suspected to have a blown head gasket. I elected to buy a used motor from a 2006 model with 142,000 miles and am ready to start an engine swap. Is there anything really important I need to do (like crankshaft position, timing, settings, etc.) ? Or do I just disconnect all the electrical harnesses, yank out the old motor, drop in the new one, reconnect all the stuff, and ready to roll ? I never changed an engine before. My neighbor helping me is a skilled mechanic on military airplanes, has a post auto car lift hoist, engine hoist, lots of good tools, but he has never changed a car or truck motor either.

 

Pretty much unhook everything, if it's an automatic remove the torque converter bolts, remove the bellhousing bolts, support the transmission, motor mount bolts, exhaust, etc, and pull it out.

I'd reccomend swapping all the known working parts (sensors, injectors, etc) to the replacement engine.
Always use the wiring harness original to the truck.

Check the knock sensor harness in the valley of the replacement engine, rodents love to make a nest in there and chew it up.

 

Thanks for the replies. It's an automatic transmission. The Haynes manual says to remove the transmission. Is this really necessary ? Removing the tranny would add a whole-nother level of work to the project.

 

could make the argument to put new head gaskets on the 06 before putting it in

 

No you don't need to remove the transmission although removing it can make it easier to get the engine out and back in.
I've replaced quite a few engines on various vehicles and almost never removed the transmission first.

You just need to make sure to get the converter & bellhousing bolts out and support the transmission with a floor jack or other suitable device when removing the engine.

When going back in make sure everything is lines up with the engine and trans and make sure the torque converter can be rotated freely before tightening the bellhousing bolts otherwise you could damage the transmission. An adjustable load leveling sling can make life much easier especially when going back in.

Something like this.

$108 OTC (4305) Engine Load Leveler - 1500 lb. Capacity

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XSCEJY

 

I would. Kinda a mistake buying an 06 engine but oh well lol