engine swap

I purchased a 98 tacoma 4x4 limited automatic. it has a bad engine. its the 3.4. i have a 2002 tacoma pre runner which is 2wd. will the motor out of the 2wd bolt up with no problems to the 4wd? someone was telling me that the oil pans were different cause of 4wd 2wd thing. the 2002 was flipped over so its a no fixer.

 

Hmmm. I think the following may not line up and are definitely different and will need some modification.

• oil pan (as you noted)
  
• transmission cross member
  
• motor mounts
  
• dash

harness plug

engine harness and ECU

 

i'm wanting to put the motor out of the 2wd into the 4wd i can change the motor mounts over i'm just curious if the motor is going to hook up and run fine with no issue's or do i need to find a motor out of a 4wd

 

Yes. I am trying to explain to you that you are looking at some work getting that motor to fit correctly.

Obviously you'd be better off getting a motor out of a 4WD, but even then there will be some sensors/cables to modify to match up correctly. Seems the electrical connections change somewhat every year.

Anyway, your plan is certainly doable. It will take some work and modification beyond that of a normal DIY job though.

The engine mountings in your 4x4 frame will not match up to the 2wd engine mounts by about 2 inches.

Several electrical connections will use different connectors.

Other differences as well.

In my opinion it's worth it. Essentially the same engine after all.

Best wishes.

 

thanks man. i'm gonna jump on it this weekend if the rain doesn't come. i switched out a motor in a 4runner using a motor out of a tacoma and i had to change the intake's over and the motor mounts. ran fine but both were also 2wd.

 

I swapped out a 3.4l. IIRC it was a 01 4x4. The hardest part was getting the input shaft out of the pilot bearing. Yours should be easier, but you still have to contend with the locating pins.
Remember to replace the seal on the torque converter and the header gaskets. Make sure the torque converter is pushed all the way to the rear when you install the engine.