Replace engine or replace truck??

There are a few different angles on this... If you look hard I'd find a junk yard drivetrain. Being Nevada you don't have the rust issue. $10k buys old beat up junk in taco world. If you're in it for the long haul, I'd drop anew motor and have the tranny overhauled, new torque converter. I probably just spent $8k of your money. The difference is you know what you have. How have you maintained the rest of the vehicle? Brakes, front end, transfer case, differentials, etc? If nothing else, get a cheap junkyard motor and have it put in. Your blown up $3000 truck becomes a running $9-10K truck. Find the cleanest 2015 and trade it in.
OR.... Cummins 4BD diesel that Bitch!!!

 

Yep. If the motor is toast then dump it. Next will be the auto trans, than cv's, etc etc.

 

I don't want to heart that! Just dropped a junk yard motor with 104k miles on it into my 98' TRD. Haven't try to light it yet. Can't get the ECU connectors to fit back in. connector pins are different. Everything on this has been plug and play. Motor came out of a 99' 4Runner. Was told that it would work. Any electrical gurus out there?

 

First gen. Yours will run forever.

 

Do you know if I can change out pins on the ECU connectors so they fit my unit? The connectors on the harness on the new motor are not the same as the old one. Or will ECU from the other vehicle work in mine?

 

I see this post is old but I have a similar issue so I am hoping some of you get an update and can help.
2003 180k 2wd 4d auto 2nd owner all big maint within 1k of the book I removed the carpet and sprayed rubber, got rid of the backseat for a shelve and I scrap so the bed looks like a truck. Issue: I was on the scale at the scrap yard leaning over to get something off the passenger floor and felt my boot get caught between the gas pedal, carpet and center plastic which happens sometimes. I don't remember starting the truck (I believe I was looking for the key on the floor) and at the yard the revving noise didn't register. I heard and felt the rod/s stampeding the oil pan and shot up thinking I was moving/running over something.
Truck is still at the yard.
About a month ago KBB said at the bottom level the truck is worth 7K
Without the back seat and so on I'll make it 6K
Do I try to sell as is for 3500 or take the rip off 1300 from a yard we know will fix it up and sell for 5k

Thank you in advance

 

I would replace the engine if the truck was otherwise well-maintained.

I'm probably looking at the same thing soon. I am fairly certain I have a head gasket issue with my Tacoma. It is an '05 with 193k, a model year known for having "the infamous head gasket issue".

A well-known, trusted independent wants about $3500 to replace my trucks head gaskets. It is a very involved job so I understand the price, but jeez!

At this point I am thinking it would better to just replace my engine. I won't even consider selling my truck with all the mods I've done to it... bumpers, winch, suspension, wheels, tires, lighting controller and light mods just to name a few... AND It is a family member too! LOL

 

I'd replace the engine.

 

Personally I'd replace the truck. But I can totally understand those who want to keep their truck and drop a new engine in it. If that was me, I'd also take the opportunity to do as many logical mods to the motor and surrounding areas while it's out of the truck.

 

This is what I would do also ^

 

I just had my 06 V6 motor rebuilt. It had the blown head gasket problem at 316k miles. I figured for the cost to just replace the gaskets that I would just rebuild the whole motor.
I researched getting a used mystery motor ($1500ish) plus install price or just rebuild my original motor that I know the history of.
I now have a 24 month 24k mile warranty on the motor.

 

Cost?

 

OP was in 2017. I'd bet he has made a decision by now.

 

$3600