ENGINE SWAP OR NEW TRUCK

Just get a junkyard engine and swap it in or have a shop do it it cost me $2700 to buy an engine with 3k miles. I was quoted $700 to have it put in by a member on here but ended up doing it myself

 

Land cruisers.

 

If you can afford a new or newer truck that is the quickest and easiest way to go. Otherwise, I'd look for a scrapyard engine with under 100,000 miles on it. Losing yours at that mileage is unusual. I'd expect 300,000 minimum and would not at all be surprised at 500,000+. My 07 has 230,000 on it and everything about the truck still runs like new.

 

Find a used 4.0 with decent mileage and have a shop swap it in.
If you have “accountant” money get a new truck.

 

I have been very active in shopping for a new Tacoma for the last couple of weeks.

My transmission had some serious issues about 2 years ago, and is acting up again and have been contemplating buying new, or a few grand on a Tranny. I am at 235k miles and everything else runs super nice.

My issue is Inventory of new Tacomas, and i only want a DC, short bed, TRD-Off Road. Used 2020-2022 are like 37-42k for under 30k miles. Brand new, are about 40-43k for the same and the inventory is insanely low right now.

My personal opinion as a busy Dad...I will pay the few grand to a shop to do a replacement or a rebuild and in a couple more years, sell the running truck and put the money into a new one.

 

why not go the fun route? put a tundra engine in it

https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/865A/10002/-1

 

If you don’t have rust or transmission problems I would get a new engine. The guy with over a million miles on his Tacoma needed a new engine at 880k and he’s at over 1.5 million miles now and his transmission lasted 1.3 million miles. These trucks last forever as long as you don’t have rust. So I vote a new engine, hell of a lot cheaper and it’ll last.

 

Also, another member on here is selling a brand new short block. This might be a good route. Have a shop swap over your engine parts if the top end is still good or build a brand new engine.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1grfe-short-block-brand-new-needs-work.782424/#post-28012105

 

Depending on how low miles the new engine is Id go that route.

 

I’m selling a new short block for half-price. $1,600.

 

Best place to look for used motors is LKQ (in my opnion)

https://www.lkqonline.com/2006-toyota-tacoma-engine-assembly

 

Just seriously shop around on Facebook, Craigslist, offer up.

I swapped a 2006 4Runner (same thing) 4.0 due to bad head gasket. Bought a fj cruiser engine for $800 off offer up. Had a local mechanic swap it for $500. Sold the busted engine for $250.

 

Thank you for the comments on this thread. I appreciate the help as it’s a tough decision. I towed it back from the dealer last night as they offered me a $500 for it as is and they quoted me $3K if it ran on trade in. I told them to pound sand. I purchased this truck for $16K in to 2017. So I am going to let the truck live in my back yard for the foreseeable future. I am going to pull the lift and tires and put back on the original suspension with my older tires. I may swap out the engine on my own time or I may try to sell it as is on craigslist. I am going to purchase a 2023 in a 6 speed manual with the TRD package as soon as I can get one.

 

Update: I don’t know you guys are finding these cheap engines. I can’t find one under 100,000 miles nor can I find one under $3,500.00. Truck is still living in my back yard.

I did find a 2023 TRD 6MT in Lunar Rock which required a $1,000 down deposit and should be here before the end of the year.

 

Same experience searching for used engines that I went through. That’s why I ended up buying a new short block and not rolling the $4k dice on a junkyard engine.

 

It’s tough out there. What did you end up going with?

 

A brand new short block from Toyota, and then I had the heads refurbished by a machine shop.

Through a mishap in shipping, I ended up with an extra short block that needs a minor repair. I’m selling for half price if you’re interested ($1,600).

 

Check out Yota Yard out of Denver if you decide to do the engine swap, they've always helped me out. Looks like they're closing after New Years, that's too bad.

https://yotayard.com/

 

Thanks man. Do you have any other recommendations on salvage yards?