Opposite from most, 3.4 to 2.7 or 22re?

Hey all I have a 1997 (build date 01/97) tacome 3.4 4wd truck W/ 269k.

On the 35 mile home commute this evening, the stock dummy temp gauge climbed to just a little shy of the red before coming back down to the known "dummy halfway spot". The gauge would be "normal" for several miles and then begin to slowly climb (usually when climbing *slight* grades in 5th between 40 & 45). Dropping a gear top raise revs & fan speed while maintaining speed would slowly bring the needle back to spec about every time.

When I got home and shut the truck off there were small amounts of coolant splattered towards the front passenger side of the engine bay, not good. I am fully aware the factory dummy gauge is not a good reference at all, but it never got higher than roughly 1/8" below the red line.

While I realize blown HG's are not terribly common on 5VEFE's other than 95-96 years, is my early production Jan. '97 a likely candidate with 269k? Im going to cold start and check for rad bubbles this weekend (have another DD) then sample the coolant for exhaust.

What else other than motor mounts & wire harness would be needed to replace the 3.4 with a RE or 2.7? If the the swap was semi straight forward with minimal fabrication I'd be interested in the 4 cyl for fuel economy only.

I know finding another 3.4 would be much much easier, what do ya'll think of the JDM motors? Any other advice and recommendations are appreciated, thank you.

 

You dont want an 22RE. Massive downgrade as they never came with the taco. Super underpowered too.

 

I agree Blue92 Ive driven severel RE trucks. Its my fault for not mentioning the truck is a somewhat "beater", albeit special to me if that makes sense.

The least expensive and/or least headache swap is what Im after.

Working 45-55 hours per week and commuting 10 doesnt lend much to spare time. Thank you

 

A 22re shouldnt be considered. The t-case drops on the opposite side of a taco. Just source another 3.4. People here have used JDM engines. Some things need to be swapped from your old one is all. Thats your least expensive/smallest headache option.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Thanks ya'll. So as far as "least time spent/ easiest route" the JDM 3.4 is the way to roll? My existing motor has all thats needed to put on the JDM you say?

This has been in the back of my mind for a year or so, and is raging now that an "opportunity" arises. I've looked a little into kubota v2203 swaps (most common is ranger pickups) online. Though I work at a Kubota dealer, a v2203 isn't something to be found "up for grabs'' so to speak. Are there some adaptor companies that have been known to be involved in v2203 (or other small diesels) swaps ya'll could suggest?

Because of how the cookie crumbles I'm sure I'll just end up swapping another 3.4, but a diesel swap (OM617, 1.9 TDI, V2203 etc) has had my mind for a few years. Now unexpectedly the potential chance has arrived.....

Anyone with any (preferably 617 or 2203 info as they are probably more attainable for me) toyota diesel swap advice now that the JDM 3.4 is selected as "probably inevitable and most practical"?

 

There could be many other causes for the overheating. A cracked head gasket wouldn't spray coolant into the engine bay. I would check the cooling system before jumping to engine replacement conclusions. Rad cap/hoses/thermostat/water pump?

 

I have swapped two toyotas with diesels, both are still going strong. One was a 2.8 td from a 90s hilux, and one was a 4jg2-t with matching 5 speed transmission from a 1993 Isuzu jackaroo. The easiest for your application would be an ome617.3 with an adapter for a w56 5 speed mated to it corresponding transfer case. Those are pre-made kits. Be sure and get the motor mount bases off the donor mercedes s-300.

 

Were are you located?

 

I'm in Brevard NC. The w56 adaptor could be mated to my r150 and transfer case?

I'll check the simple's this weekend but I'm checking options as I'm bad to procrastinate if I don't start digging early...

 

Yes w and r transmissions have the same pattern I do believe. Or I can deliver a jdm 3.4 for $1500. Your decision

 

Thank you I'll be considering all options, Ive got to get some sleep for the moment.

Thank you all for your insight I hope to be posting again Saterday

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

I also found a doner mercedes turbo diesel, I can deliver that for the same price as the 3.4 but you would still need the adapter kit

 

Thanks Bell, Im still fingers crossed Ill find out tomorrow the rad was just low on coolant the whole time and its just aggravating my paranoia.

I looked up some of the 617 swaps and obviously their extra length over the 5vz must be accommodated (not pecking, I know ANY swap involves much more fab than a factory repower). I stumbled across Kubota Swappers and saw their 2203 to w56 adaptor kit for $570. Any semi simple bell housing/ r150 tricks that could use the kit w/ stock t case?

Another thought to reduce complication from 617 length, though it'd of course drop power. A turbo 616 swap? Is the flywheel/ bellhousing the same as the 617?

Thanks all

 

Might be low on fluid, plugged rad, sticky thermostat, bad water pump, or slipping belt.

 

It's not recommended to turbo a 616. Weak crank rods, piston skirts overheat.....it hurts reliability, which is the whole reason for a diesel swap in the first place

 

Wow I so 616 is not to 617 as 4bt is to 6bt? I thought it was just minus a hole.