If you could put any engine inside the 3rd gen's chassis...

Think I had the same motor in my ranger 4.0 with the 5 speed. Loved that truck.

 

BMW M57

 

They really were great little trucks. I still see a lot of them driving around.

 

I think I actually explained it once and the mods removed all of it. But the thread you originally asked in was kind of a dumpster fire already, so a bunch of stuff got wiped.

If you truly seek the answers you desire, come ask where I normally chill on this forum. I don't venture out too often

 

I had the early version, I-beam suspension. Lifted 6". I jumped that truck every chance I got haha.

Back on topic. I say LS swap or keep it TOYOTA.

 

Now that you mention it I do seem to remember such events though not the specifics.

 

I'll just DM you, hold on lol

 

Realistically? 2UZ-FE. Would fit fine, amazingly reliable, sounds great, same fuel economy as what we have now.

Dream? R2.8 cummins.

 

The engine I would put it the third Gen is the engine from the second Gen.

Then the Tacoma wouldn’t have been discontinued after 2015

 

Real answer, 4Runner V6 or either Tundra V8, 5.7 or 4.7, dealer’s choice. In that order.

 

3.8 Turbocharged V6 from 90's Buick Grand National Regal would be fun.

 

I was going to say the exact same thing. Except I will throw in a bonus, the 4.5L 1FZ-FE I6 from the J80 land cruiser.

 

Lexus V8, 4.6L, 301HP, 329TQ. Had a 1st Gen Tundra with a 4.7 V8. I miss that V8!

 

I owned a 2005 4.7 V8 4runner. AMAZING vehicle. I can't understand why the 4runner got a V8, but the Tacoma never did. That V8 4runner was fast as hell!

 

Ford 7.3 Turbo Diesel with the Heavy Duty Transmission

 

Probably already been said

2JZ-GTE twin turbo

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1505-guide-to-understanding-the-toyota-2jz-gte-engine/

 

I’d want to keep it Toyota, but I think it would be super cool to have a 3.0L diesel, like in the 6th gen Hilux. For that reason, I say the 5L-E.

 

more like a Honeywell AGT1500.

 

Most "hypothetical" questions asked around here are usually pretty stupid, but this one is actually very thought provoking. Well done OP.

If serious low end torque for off roading was my primary driver, I would have to go with the straight six engine that was in my FJ55 Landcruiser. That thing was a fucking beast when you slipped the transfer case into 4 low.

 

5.0 2UR-GSE. When Toyota gave a UR V8 to Yamaha, and said improve it, this is what we received... a cranking V8 worthy of motorsports use. The scavenge pump that pulls oil from the cylinder heads is worth it alone.