replacing engine and tranny in a 96

Hi All,

Looking for some experienced advice... I am the second owner of a cherry 96' Taco extra-cab 4x4 with the 3.4 and auto. The truck has well over 300,000 miles on it and I am considering replacing the engine and tranny with a low mileage donor taco (which are rare in my neck of the woods) OR with JDM donors from Japan which seem to be readily available online.

I have no idea what considerations there are related to using a JDM motor and tranny. Also, I'm wondering if these are really as advertised (50,000 mile engines). Are there reputable sellers of these that anyone could recommend. Also, I wondered if any of the companies that sell these are experienced, reputable installers as well.

If I found a rare low mile donor taco locally do I need to match the year or is it a year range. Do 4-runner engines and trannys swap strait-up or are modifications needed.

If anyone new of a reputable shop in southwest Missouri that could do these swaps I would be interested in their name.

Thanks for the help and advice!

 

I bought another '98 that has 442,000 miles on it - no problems whatsoever. My daily driver '98 only has 92,000 miles on it.

I would keep driving it until something goes out - no need to spend money on something that doesn't need immediate attention.

 

Dear Darcytribe,

Sorry to hear you are having to replace both the engine and tranny on your 1996 Tacoma. Was the truck badly abused? Is this why both the engine and transmission are in need of replacement?

The reason why there are Japanese engines available with only 50,000 miles on them is because the Japanese government mandates that all internal combustion engines used in automobiles have to be replaced at 50,000 miles. This is why these engines are available for purchase. If you find one reasonably priced, this would be a good solution to replacing your engine.

The transmission is a little more complicated because the Japanese mandate does not apply to transmissions, which means you have to find one used or rebuilt.

Good Luck,
Paul

 

I did a write up putting a JDM engine in a 2003 4 door Tacoma... If I knew how to link it to you I would so sorry, you are going to have to search for it in this forum.

I will second the advice on the transmission. Toyota seems to change connectors and internals every few years... there could be an issue with the PCM not "knowing" about the newer transmission.

 

If compression is still strong, why replace?
If you are taking a more preventive approach- do the head gasket and check heads for cracks/warpage. Also service/replace the injectors and adjust valves.
There are a few 3.4’s with over 500K miles on here, but they have all replaced heads/head gasket.

 

Well said

 

In some other of my cars, there comes a point when it's easier to swap a known good engine/trans in than throw cash at one that's decided its had enough. Now that I'm older my labor comes into play as well, because I'm not going to waste time on something that can be replaced and requires less troubleshooting. I had a Honda with 275k on the stock D16Z6 when it spun about every bearing it had in it (sarcasm). I swapped in a JDM ZC, the exact replacement but JDM with 44k on it. That was the easier and more cost effective solution than pulling the head, replacing gaskets/seals, etc. Took less time, too.

I haven't looked into my Tacoma but I imagine it's easier to go the same route then find a USDM engine readily available (I could be wrong)

 

Thanks all for sharing your experiences and suggestions. I have a mechanic checking out my engine next week. Having some lights come up on the dash and doesn't want to stay running. Going to have him check compression and see what it looks like. I'm thinking it would be nice to replace the drive train and feel confident to take this truck on long road trips without having to wonder if this will be the trip she dies hundreds of miles from home. Anyway we'll see what the mechanic comes up with. Thanks again!