Full Engine Replacement on 2002 Tacoma

In the upcoming month I'm going to do a full replacement of my 3RZ-Fe with a low mile used engine.
I have the help of a friend who has done a full replacement on his Datsun, and while I'm decently good with machines I'm diving into this project a bit out of my element.
I have a couple of core questions I want to ask since some of you are experts at this and might have a lot of resources sitting around:

1. Does anybody have a list of all the tools they used for this? My friend is confident he'll be able to supply everything we need but I want to be able to give him a list ahead of time and get any specialty tools for Toyota.

2. Since the engine is being pulled out this is a great chance to replace a lot of other worn minor hardware. My friend suggested this list so far, anything missing or that I shouldn't bother with:

• radiator hoses
• plug wires
• Plugs
• distributor cap and coil
• output oil seal
• Engine mounts
• waterpump
• Serpentine or other accessory belt
• Exhaust manifold gasket
• Intake manifold gasket
• Throttle cable
• Fuel filter
• Fuel line
• Vacuum lines

3. Does anyone have a list of the nuts/fasteners that I will need so I can get them now and hopefully reduce that hundred trips to a hardware store down to twenty.

Thanks

 

First of all, what engine specifically? Specs of the truck? Specs of the donor engine?

 

3RZ-FE, It's a 2002 Tacoma Prerunner 4-cyl Extended-Cab

 

14mm and 17mm 1/2"drive swivel sockets and a few extensions will be your friends while unbolting the bell housing.

 

Just off the top of my head: you'll obviously need an engine hoist, Quick disconnect tools for the fuel lines, a seal puller for the oil seals, spark plug socket, serpentine belt removal tool, maybe pullers?

What do you think @Speedytech7 youve done this before lol

 

Also a 2002 doesn't have a distributor, they're coil on plug I do believe. Mine had individual accessory belts as well.

 

Just warning you now if you buy a JDM 3RZ the accessories and a majority of the components will not work on your truck. You'll need to swap a majority of the items from your current engine - mainly the block is the same. For simplicity sake I'd replace it with a USDM engine.

 

Promise to post pics and updates on this build project.

 

That is very helpful to know. I don't think I've seen USDM marked clearly on any of the engines I've seen. Any easy well to tell by looking at the picture?

 

It'll look different than the one you have, lol. Air intake will be the most obvious followed by the accessories. If you look on eBay or Craigslist it'll be explicitly marketed as JDM since it's a selling factor.

JDM engines tend to be popular because there's some law in Japan where cars cannot exceed a certain mileage (I think 75k Miles?) before being pulled off the road. There are differences though since the JDM engines did not have to conform to US EPA emissions standards.

 

Oh man, this is actually a pretty easy job given the space around the 3RZ. Kinda tough to separate the transmission and get all the starter and clutch BS outta the way. Two of my favorite tools from the job ended up being...

TEKTON 12 x 14 mm Long Flex Ratcheting Box End Wrench | WRN77107

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01F512F7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_cHZlAbY4XETEC

And also a flex head long handle ratchet and some good extensions are super important for reaching the tough stuff... This will be the only time you see me push a harbor freight tool with more than one part. It is actually strong, I've put lots of weight on it and purposefully tried to break it when I bought it. It was invaluable in doing the swap.

Also happy birthday @BartMaster1234

 

i got a JMD engine and it there is not that much of difference, the only thing that was different was the oil dip stick location and the manifold other than that it has worked for me pretty good.

 

Hey thanks!

Any tips for when I do my 4x4 conversion? I'm swapping the transmissions next week.

 

I guess it depends on the vehicle it came off of. I've seen some where it looked completely different in exception of the block.

 

Do you have a full set of box wrenches and ratcheting box wrenches? Also how many extensions do you have haha. I'd buy a prybar set if you don't have one yet.

 

I have that Costco Kirkland wrench set with a set of box wrenches, I was planning on ordering this

TEKTON Flex Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set, 12-Piece (8-19 mm) - Holder | WRN57170

Tekton set of ratcheting wrenches. Always wanted a set.

I bought one of those Husky extension/swivel socket/converter sets and I have some leftover harbor freight extensions in my toolbox. Can't leave home without my prybars!

Any specialty tools I should get?

 

Make sure you have some decent box wrenches really, I need two 14s way too often. Uhh specialty tools, hmm I probably use some stuff people would consider specially but nothing coming to mind. You have a line wrench set? Probably need it for your tranny lines, also brass drift is helpful. Is your tranny jack fully adjustable, also I'd watch out for your engine fan. As soon as you pull the tranny off the engine will lean back into the firewall because the tranny supports it longitudinally. I used a soda can to hold it off the firewall haha.

 

Yup I splurged on the fully adjustable tranny jack from harbor freight. I'll pick up a set of flare nut wrenches too, that's a tool I wish I had when I did the Tundra brakes.

What's Brass Drift?

 

It's a piece of brass designed so you can transfer the force of hitting metal on metal without marring steel and iron because brass will deform first. Actually after going out to find mine and take a pic it reminded me a good set of half inch ratchets and sockets is nice too for busting big bolts like the bottom transmission ones loose. You don't feel the flex of all the extensions as much when you have 1/2 stuff.

Here's a pic of the drift I have, I'm sure you can find one easily enough.

 

Ah. That's what it is. I used a steel socket extension and a hammer to get my front differential clamshell open - the last one I bought was rusted to hell and that method didn't work. I ended up using a jack on each end of the mounting cushions.



I need to get me one of those Snap On ratchets. I still have my student discount account through them from that class I took but never bought anything. Savings are insane, it's like 50% off.