2rz to 3rz swap questions

I have a 2wd with a 2rz/auto that's locked up from sitting. I happened upon a wrecked 3rz/auto truck and I'm wondering if I can run the 3rz in place of the 2rz. The 2wd is a 96 xc and the 3rz is a 98. I am researching but I'm also trying to move on this thing as fast as possible, so I figured I'd post a thread. Also, I've never owned an rz motor so I'm not super familiar with them.

My question is basically can I drop the 3rz in place of the 2rz?
What kinda stuff might I run into?

 

This is based on my limited knowledge of 1st gens and looking at service info/wiring diagrams/pinouts, there's people far more knowledgeable than me on the 1st gen platform that can likely give you a definite yes/no answer but from my research:


Not that easy, you would basically need all the guts, harnesses, and ECM from the donor truck.

2RZ uses a different transmission (A43D) which is fully mechanical aside from the electronic overdrive, the 3RZ uses the A340E transmission which is electronic.

While the 2RZ ECM will likely run the 3RZ since they are wired nearly identical it probably won't run very well since fuel and timing tables would be calibrated for a 2.4L instead of a 2.7L, The ECMs won't be a plug and play interchange because the 96 2.4L has 3 connectors and the 98 2.7L has 4 connectors because of the electronic transmission.

The only way I could see it being a drop in replacement would be if you could find a 96 3RZ ECM from a manual trans truck but those are getting to be pretty rare and expensive.

 

I was afraid of that. I'm just trying to get something to drive. I guess if I had an extra cab 4x4 frame that would solve the problem.

 

I would have the whole truck from the 3rz if that makes a difference

 

As I said I'm not too well versed in 1st gens but from what I can gather you would essentially need to swap the whole drivetrain, associated wiring harnesses, ECM, and possibly other related components or find a 3RZ M/T ECM from another 96 to be able to just swap the engine.

@Speedytech7 May have a better idea of what's involved.

 

I was just putting it out there

 

I have 98 that they just stuck in a 3rz out of 4runner.....
it ran just fine with the stock 98 2rz ecm......no problemo....no wild fuel trims...sun rose the next day......
it has the a43d tranny

everything just bolted up the same.........at least auto to auto....

Using replacement heads....which they all come with cam sensor drilled out now....
most just use a dummy cam sensor to plug that hole....no problemo
....if used on pre 98's

all new heads you have to plug the distributor port.....if you have 98 or later anyways
so there should always be a dist port available


toyota is some tough shit......you 'all dont give it enough credit.....


big question is......is that a good engine to go thru all that
many things to check 1st........like is there a distributor port on that 3rz
head cracked....rings shot...ect...

I suspect the later ecm(3rz) will not work with a43d as stated earlier......but it might...

 

You can also buy a reman short block with a warranty for around a grand....

and a new head for less than a grand......with a warranty

 

Ya but that's more than I got to get this thing going.

 

The 3rz is good. The truck still drives even though it's smashed up. It seems like the easiest thing is to just find an extra cab 4x4 frame and put everything on that

 

I've been looking at doing the same thing with my '04 and it sounds like you can swap just the engine without much issue. One thing that comes to mind is having to put the 2RZ oil pan and pickup on the 3RZ.