Converting a 2.7l L4 2x4 PreRunner to a 3.4l V6 4x4 (Seriously)

Before anyone says so, yes I'm crazy and yes I know it'll be a hundred times cheaper and less of a hassle to just trade mine in or sell it and get a Taco with all the options I want. I don't care, that's no fun! Really I want to take this on as a project rather than because I need it.

Tacomas with simple front end damage with a v6, 4x4, and less than 150,000 miles can be bought for less than $2,000 (fees, taxes, and shipping included) on DashHub.

How hard would dropping in a V6 and doing the 4x4 conversion be? I would imagine I'd have to swap out the ECU/Wiring harness, the whole powertrain, rear axel/differential etc. But I'm up for a challenge.

The 4x4 PreRunner conversion is pretty well documented, but not so much the engine swap.

 

You don't need to swap the rear axle /diff.

 

Won't the gearing be different between the 2.7l and the 3.4l? I wanted to put in a rear locking differential as well. Looking to turn this thing from my daily driver into an off-roader.

 

You might be right on the different gearing but that is easy to determine. Hell, I wish I had the 4.10's or 4.30'sin mine vs the 3.90's but I run 33"'s. That where my thinking was.

Go for the swap!

 

I'm really considering it. I love this truck too damn much (plus I got it for free) to get rid of it. Only has 80k miles on it. Sounds like a fun project too, I was surprised how cheap Tacomas are on DashHub with Salvage titles.

I know the PreRunner is built on a 4x4 chassis so it seems like it won't be that difficult on say like a 5 lug or non-PreRunner.

 

Here's one of the ones on DashHub I saw (way too damaged) but it was interesting because it has Biohazard stickers on it. I don't think the driver walked away from this (from the obvious Biohazard warning). Point is, 1st gens on DashHub start at $900 dollars and most are in really good condition.

 

Here's a good example. '04 Doublecab v6. Only 122k miles and it looks pristine. Starting bid is $850.

 

Don't listen to people who probably can't even change brake pads. With a complete donor truck it would be very do-able. You also have a low-mile 2.7L engine and 2WD transmission you can sell afterwards to reduce the cost of the swap. When I converted my truck to manual hubs I even came out money ahead from selling the components I removed. @jacobrippey is doing a 2.7L to 3.4L engine swap with a complete donor vehicle:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jacobrippeys-1995-tacoma-single-cab-build.464821/

 

Yeah that's why I was looking at getting a whole truck rather than just the individual parts. I could sell all the stuff I don't need. Even the frame is worth something in scrap. The Tacomas out East are a lot cheaper due to frame rust.

 

I've only read a little on the topic, but one of the main areas of concern I've heard of with the 2.7 to 3.4 swap are the motor mounts are different between the two. You may need to do some cutting and welding and possibly fabricating your own motor mounts. Also i believe the fuel lines are a bit different as well but if you have an entire truck to pull parts from, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Like i said tho, i haven't read too much about it just tid bits here and there.

What i thought would be kind of cool is a 1GR swapped into a 1st gen
Dunno how do-able that is

 

If I could I would totally drop in a Diesel Hilux (1JZ?) engine, but I don't want to worry about the ECU and wiring too much. I saw someone's write-up on here who did the 1JZ swap and that looked way too hard and over my head. The whole reason I'm sticking with the 5VZ is because the wiring harness and computer is tuned for well, Toyota Tacomas.

I heard Cummins is making a drop in crate engine with ECU and everything. But it's like $8,000 dollars.

 

Converting a PreRunner to a 4X4 really should be easy enough. Add a T-case and the front drive line. If you're simply going for a stock 4X4 I think it would be a waste of time. However, going SAS or some other heavily modified version would require replacing most of the 4X4 parts anyway. Search around on here, others have already done the swap and there is plenty of documentation on it. Good Luck! I look forward to seeing your progress.

 

It's a lot easier on the V6's, unfortunately I have the L4 2.7l. Heard you have to do some fabrication to the transmission cross member or something.

 

Whatever you decide make it your own. Don't just duplicate a stock 4x4, that would be boring...

 

I am jumping into a similar project. I have my parts truck already. From past experience, I would consider manual hubs for the swap. Much easier than trying to get add to work with vacuum crap.

 

I also put 4Runner gears and an elocker in mine. Went from 3.58 gears to 4.30. I did need to convert the front diff to a manual setup (super easy) and get a locker rear housing.

 

How did the owner of this truck manage to damage it like this??? I mean, look at it... the front bumper is intact, but the radiator support member is pushed in and it looks like a telephone pole fell on the passenger side. How do people end up in these situations, honestly?

 

I have a strong suspicion that no one in this truck made it out alive. I don't remember if it was this truck or not but I remembered seeing a speedometer and steering wheel covered in blood. It honestly looks like something fell on top of it.

 

The vacuum lines are if you have the push button 4WD right? What are the advantages and disadvantages of electronic 4WD vs. manual hubs?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-swap-write-up-s.384303/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-transfer-cases-in-first-and-2nd-gen-trucks.345652/