1st gen with no motor price?

I'm really torn on what to do with my 1st gen. It's a 2002 with the full manual transfer case, no push button 4x4. I'm sure a lot of you have seen my posts but after the bad rebuilds and now not having a block to work with at all I'm really debating on just selling the truck without the engine because after pulling and installing the engine 3 times I think that's the 3 strikes your out rule. The entire front end on the truck is brand new, EVERYTHING. U-Joints are all brand new, New JBA Upper Control arms. Put the tundra big brake kit on just before pulling the engine 1 year old OME lift and leaf springs, I have new front fenders, and a new tailgate to go with it, lots of random new and used parts, Arb Bumper, Smitty Built Winch and more. The main thing is the frame is in great shape. As bad as I want to get it going again I'm to gun shy to throw away another however many thousands on another engine. I don't trust any shops for being good or quality anymore. Everything is just get it done fast as possible to make the most they can. I think quality has went to $#!* anymore meaning the days of the good ol boys honest shops is over. Either that or I have the absolute worst luck out of anyone because right now I'm going through the same thing on my diesel at a "Highly Reputable Shop" which puts me at 0% for a successful shop repair ever being done right on big engine jobs. I know there will be the people saying $500.00 but I want a honest opinion on how much to list it for if I do decide to sell it. I'm on my computer writing this so I'll post some pictures off my phone.

 

lsx swap?

 

I'd love to but with everything I've read I'd need a 6" Lift with the drop bracket. I don't want that style of lift on a truck I'm going to use. If I could find a way to do it and keep the frame/suspension the same as it is now I would but so far all the forums I've looked at says it wont work.

 

What’s wrong with the engine? The engine is in it?

 

originally had low compression 90 psi in cylinder 6. Sent it to a machine shop in Casper Wyoming for the rebuild (PS If you google engine shop casper wyoming and go to the reviews you'll see my in depth review for everything that went down to see I wasn't just BS'ing). Got the engine back and put it in. Truck ran like crap. Did a compression test again compressions across all 6 cylinders were exactly what they was before the rebuild. Had a come apart on the phone with the shop owner. Pulled the engine again, sent it back for rebuild #2. Got it back, ran better but if the temp gauge needles was on the cold line it would crank/no start. Threw however much money away on coolant temp sensors, injectors, etc nothing worked. While doing this "new" water pump started leaking like crazy. Bore scoped the cylinders and had coolant running into cylinder 5. Compression tested again and none of the cylinders were at toyotas minimum specs. Really told the shop what I thought about them after they said oh it's out of warranty now but if you pay for shipping and parts we'll do it again.

Fast forward to now. Sent engine to Yota1. By the way I don't blame Yota1 for anything at all I'm just telling what's happened to get me to this point if everything would have worked out I'm sure the engine from them probably would've been great. Anyways In December 2024 I saw they had a 9 month wait for engine rebuilds. I called and asked if there was any way it could be done mid august so I could have the engine in and going by Sept 1st for hunting season. They thought they probably could so I sent it to them. We knew the block had already been bored to much for another rebuild so would have to start over with a different block. Last week called and there was no way the engine would be done so I canceled it so I could use that money for another truck. I got my oil pan and valve covers back just incase I went the JDM route but now I don't have a engine at all. I went and bought a 2nd gen tacoma so I'd have a small truck for hunting season.

 

Shit. I’m sorry. Maybe a carb’d 3.8 Buick v6 from an ‘87ish GM g body could be had. I don’t know.

 

Don’t expect much TBH. Engine missing or blown otherwise a fully functioning truck in my area will yield $2-3k.

Parting it out will get you more money but if you consider your time involved to remove parts and meet people, it’s not worth it. Than a year later when you can’t sell anything else, you have to find a way to discard the frame and leftover.

 

I have had two successful JDM swaps. That is what I would suggest if you did want to keep the truck.

 

Can you pm me what all you had to do for the jdm?

 

Sorry to hear the troubles. It looks like a nice truck - so I'd say make it whole again. I think the money you stand to lose on selling a motorless truck -- with all the mods and upgrades, would be countered by sourcing another 3.4 and dropping it in. If it's worth $3k as it stands but you could sink a new used engine in it and get $12k, there's you answer. Or, if you're fed up with it (understandable) and emotion doesn't get in your way (like it does for me), just unload it at best offer...

 

Look at my album pics in my profile. Jdm install myself 2 or so yrs ago. 30k on engine driving daily now. I'll second a jdm, happy as pie

 

Thanks I'll check it out!

 

Who did you go through to get your engine?

 

This place out of Garland, TX. I picked it up so no delivery fee.


Sorry bad pic, actually my nephew picked it up for me. He lives in Dallas so I got it sight unseen.

 

JDM installs are NOT plug and play. But if your doing it yourself you get to make sure all those little details that make things last get done. My install would not have gone so well if it wasn't for these peeps and this forum.

 

Looking at your album if I decide to keep it i will go the JDM route. Theres a place in salt lake it looks like that is the same price as where you got yours. If I get it there I can atleast core scope the cylinders and oil pan.. I'll plan on doing the same thing you did and change the timing belt, water pump and cam/crank seals.

 

You live in Utah? There is Dave's Auto Center located in Centerville, Utah. They mention in YouTube, and overhaul engines. can check them out.

 

I called and emailed them but never got a response.

 

Let me know what you want if you sell the truck.
I did a diesel conversion last year on mine as a winter boredom killer. I may do something again if I get ambitious.