Help! Replacing a 1996 Tacoma engine with a new(er) one.

Thanks in advance. Sincerely.

This is for a 2RZ-FE.

Full disclosure…I’ve never installed an engine before (more on this in next comment).

A few specific questions.

• Anyone know of a tutorial/ guide /discussion for a straight engine swap for this truck? Anything along those lines would really be something (scoured the internet looking but coming up short).
• Are there any gaskets I should be getting for the install?
• Any references (videos/guides/discussions/walkthroughs) for the torque converter part of this? That bit has been glossed over in everything I've read.
  
• The replacement engine is <60k but not rebuilt. It’s been tested for oil pressure and compression, and “guaranteed” (for what that’s worth). Anything I should tackle (or check) while the engine is out?
• Do I need to make any adjustments to the engine or is it pretty much just plug and play?

I'll add some more context below in the next comment.

 

More info:

At 270k miles, the (already rebuilt) 2RZ-FE engine on my ’96 Tacoma took a turn for the worst. Pressure on two of the cylinders is below 50. Trusted mechanic confirmed my fears: It will need to be replaced.

I love my Tacoma, but putting 3-4k into this 22 year old work truck is not happening. It’s either do the labor myself or sell it for peanuts.

This will be a big level up for me. Most I’ve done up to this point are things along the line of a radiator or a starter replacement. I’ve watched a bunch of videos and read many of the threads on this forum. People keep saying it’s doable for a guy like me. I have more than a few trepidations. Jumping in regardless.

I got a good price on a 2RZ-FE engine (pre-coil pack) from a reputable local dealer to replace my busted one. Since it’s close, I won’t have to worry about shipping for the engine or the core return...AND if things go south, I can yell at them in person! They have assured me it has less than 65K miles on it.

What I’ve got:

• The replacement engine (being delivered next week)
  
• Consumables (oil, radiator fluid)
• Spark plugs.
• An engine hoist (borrowed)
• Normal tools…sockets, torque wrench, impact drill, pliers, etc.
• Jack and jack-stands.

What am I missing?

Thanks, gang!

 

Hey friendo,

Before I say anything take what i say with a grain of salt. Ive done 3 engine swaps but that doesn't mean I'm an expert I would just like to share what I've done. I'll start with your questions.

As far as straight engine swap guides for the specific engine I can't say. But if it is the same engine as previous the wire harness should be plug and play (don't quote me on this) 2 of the engine swaps I've done were both plug and play the last is because it's a Japanese 2JZGTE going into an older 84 supra.

- Only other thing to worry about is fuel feed line/return. Dont get these mixed, label them so you don't forget which ones the feed and which is drain.
- Radiator/heater hoses
- A/C
- vacuum lines, take a picture of the lines, take some blue scotch tape and label them if you don't understand the diagram; some cars have a diagram under the hood.

Some companies will only give you a warranty if it installed by a certified mechanic so make sure you get a compression reading before you load it up if you insist on doing the work.

At 276k on your current engine i would replace the engine and transmission mounts. if you're not removing any gaskets don't worry about replacing them. if they have to be remove than yes always replace. ex: if there are no gaskets for exhaust manifold on new one replace it doesn't matter if you have the old one from your truck now, don't reuse old gaskets.

people say its doable for you, if you know how to replace a radiator you can replace and engine its very doable. I did my first engine swap with no knowledge; my uncle just told me take it apart if you break something let me know lol. started up on the first crank.

But my best advice for you is LABEL everything you can that you're not familiar with. Bag and label bolts, brackets etc.

 

It really is cake, I swapped a 3rz in a weekend. Just gotta make sure you get one with a head that can accept your distributor. The newer ones won't.

 

You don`t say where you live!

If at all possible get some help while you can get this done yourself it will be very frustrating for your first time .

 

Noted. Will do.

Will do. It didn't occur to me how easy that would be with a starter and battery just sitting there. I probably would have waited until it was all hooked up.

Replacement engine has intake and exhaust manifolds attached, but just realized I'll have to swap them out for my current ones (emissions) so I guess I will be needing some gaskets. I think the distributor also has something going on, but not sure.

That's encouraging. Thanks.

Yeah. I barely caught that about there being two different 2rz engines. Luckily found one with the distributor port. Do you know if there's much special I should look out for about getting the distributor on the replacement engine?

Noticed you were on a different thread I was reading. My truck is an automatic (sigh). The replacement engine, I don't know. If it's also an automatic, do I need to wory about pulling the torque converter off the transmission or can I leave it there? Actually, I'm generally concerned about getting the engine to hook back up to the transmission properly. This is one area of the install that I'm encountering a lot of conflicting and scarce info about. Some sources say to pull the engine off with the torque converter attached, while others say to just leave it on the trans, and others say to remove it but reinstall it onto the trans. Some say to pull the whole transmission out with the engine (which sounds like a whole lot of extra work). Anything you can direct me toward would be appreciated.

Fixed! NorCal. So long as I swap out the intake and exhaust manifolds, I should be good with emissions, yeah? The truck never failed before, so it would be a bummer for it to tank now on account of that.

I fully expect there to be a lot of cursing and a lot of "please, don't talk to me right now" to my gf. I got someone to loan me a hoist, but unfortunately their time wasn't on the table.

 

That is to bad so much easier one person up top the other under the truck .

I see a lot of up and down in your future

One thing to look for is the O2 sensor harness most often bolted to the top right side of the transmission it is part of the engine harness