Used Engines - Purchase Questions

Hi All,

I'm searching for a used 4.0L 6 cyl 1GRFE engine for my 2nd gen Taco.

After having looked many places online as well as general parts stores and eBay, I've come away a bit disenchanted.

I've received recommendations from one person only to be told by the next person not to purchase an engine from a particular group. (there seems to be a lot of shady sellers online)

Does anybody here have any recommendations or experience with buying a used engine online?

And if you do, who would you recommend and why? Thanks in advance for your replies and recommendations.

 

Buy locally from a wrecker, I would never buy an engine online. I need to know there's a physical company willing to stand behind it.

Many wreckers will give a warranty, and can show you exactly where it came from.

 

Jasper and LKQ are both reputable, I don't know what type of warranty you get if you install it yourself though, I know jasper has authorized indie shops that come with a warranty if the shop installs it. My dealer we use LKQ for used engines/trans a bit when people don't want new engine prices but they do butcher the wiring harness and sometimes oil pans come cracked so you have to swap over parts from your old engine.

 

Venus if your in the Sacramento,Calif area and only if you can go in to pick it out yourself.

Knowing what area you are in might help members recommend a place near you.

 

Thanks @Bishop84, I've been trying to find a local wrecker but living in a somewhat rural community has its drawbacks. I'm having a hard time finding a 4.0L engine in my area.

 

You might at least scroll through and see if there are any there.

https://venusimports.com/collections/toyota

 

Lots of cities have japanese enginges that only have 30000 miles on them

 

Thanks @joeyv141 & @Taco Roofer.

I live in Northwestern, New Mexico. Another friend had also suggested LKQ but I hadn't looked at the Jasper site yet.

I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks.

 

Is your engine completely destroyed ? If not I would recommend a rebuild kit. Could replace the pistons and rods, crank, valves and cams and stuff. Basically a new engine once you're done minus the block and head and other misc parts. Would be slightly cheaper and you'd know it's done right.

 

@NYCTaco52 Unfortunately the block is badly warped. I had hoped when I bought the truck that I could just do a rebuild, but such is not the case.

 

Damn, how did they warp a block! Were they racing this truck?? How many miles on the engine

 

The truck was actually used as a farm vehicle. (hauling irrigation pipe as I understand.) Apparently something??? happened, and the engine overheated.

I purchased the vehicle from a friend who owns a garage in my area. He believed that the engine could be rebuilt but after checking the square on the block we realized how warped it really was.

The vehicle has about 84000 miles on it.

 

car-part.com to find a local yard
$2-$4K depending on mileage
go to yard and do a visual inspection
it's usually plug and play 2 day day job. My mechanic billed $75/hr, so I was about $3500 complete.
Did water pump and idlers while out of truck
New frame and nice low mileage motor now, sweet!

 

I agree 100%. No way would I buy a used engine online.

 

I tried to go this route unfortunately there are only small yards in my area. I’ll probably end up traveling 300-500 miles to find an engine.

 

Most machine shops can deck an engine block then just use thicker gaskets to make up the difference. If you went the rebuild route.. The machine shop would probably be willing to the bottom end and rotating assembly for you.

 

Dont buy a used 2004-2006. Many had headgasket issues.
I have not had good luck buying used parts online, I have received parts that looked like they pick out the worst ones knowing you will not return it.
Try to find a nearby wrecker you can drive to. I would not hesitate to buy a used engine, if it was after 06 and saw the vehicle it came out of. even with more 100,000 miles many last until 300,000 or more.

 

My Jasper motor has 25k on it and burns 0.5qt every 1k miles.

Just throwing that out there in case you decide to go that route...

 

Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions. I really appreciate your input.

 

Sounds like you just need to find a reputable seller online, get some kind of a warranty with it, even if it's a 90 day.
I have actually had good luck with the two engines I have bought online. 1 was a rebuilt and the other was a used jdm.
Both ran tits.
I did let the used jdm engine seller know though that if it was a bad motor, I'd bring it back personally lol.

As far as time goes, it's plug and play. A day tops with the right tools and a buddy helping you. You don't need to pay a mechanic. Just take pix of wiring and such before you start so you know where everything goes when you re-install.

Welcome to TW btw