Unless you want to do a transmission swap, you are stuck with automatic for your Off-Road adventures. Our maiden adventure to Yellowstone was excellent. Should he stick with a Toyota motor, or save some cash with a sacrilegious GM swap? Trail 4Runner participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links or to other retailer sites from Trail4Runner.com. The 4.7l v8 4th Gen 4Runner is perfect if you ever need to tow anything or decide you want to do a massive lift and need the extra power. That engine did not debut until the 2nd gen 4runner. This thing is a straight monster! Odds are, if you are looking to prep the 5th Gen for off-road mortal combat, you will need some work. I would love to go with a 350, but I aint gonna do it if I gotta lose my dual case setup. Great article! You have steel plate and tube bumpers, skid plates, sliders and roll cage kits similar to the 1st Gen 4Runner but you have more of a variety than the 1st Gen 4Runner. RSG (Remote Start Guys) started in 2012 in a 2 bay warehouse in Wheatridge and we specialized in remote starts, automotive repair, and installing suspension systems on Jeeps, Dodges, Fords, and some Toyotas. The vehicle turns so effortlessly and easy makes it a joy to drive. This doesnt really come into play unless you are looking at long travel suspension lift kits and are seriously looking for a wide range of travel. Can this be a feasible addition? Thanks for catching that!! Either route would be perfect for serious Off-Roading, Fire-Roads or crawling your favorite mall. 3rd Gen gal all the way ! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a wrecked GX460 in a couple of years. with a 4L80E into his 1st gen tacoma and turbos it. This exhaust crossover pipe is designed to be used when swapping a Toyota 3.4L 5VZ-FE Engine into a 1984-1995 Toyota Truck or 4Runner that has the exhaust on the drivers side. We had a trip planned for Ouray and Telluride with Konrad from TrailTacoma.com but with plans to also stay in Denver before we headed down. Rock crawling is my prime objective, but some man made OHV parks get thrown in from time to time.. If you can prove to yourself there was no frame/engine/fire damage, then you should be fine right? But always good to acquire information so not going in blind. What is the best year? When you are on a trail, the power comes in incredibly handy in almost every situation. Now for the 2nd Gen 4Runner fun stuff. When the 4th generation was available, I jumped at the chance to purchase a 2003 Limited V8, that I still own and drive daily today. The2nd Gen 4Runner is a very popular choice for an Off-Road vehicle for many reasons. Like the previous 4th Gens 4.0, the current 4.0 does not have any major issues. KDSS was introduced in the 5th Gen 4Runner. You might need to get creative and/or do some weldingYoull also have to modify the headlight and possibly turn signal wiring to fit the new bulbs. Just, try to find a Toyota shop, not a Jeep shop. They have the same shocks as the SR5s do. WOW, I knew my 98 Limited was made in Japan, but didnt know 4th Gen Runners were too! Were not restoring that build thread here today (maybe one day if you guys want us to), but instead sharing a basic interview with the man himself along with a ton of rad T40R shots. This 5th Gen 4Runner is not only running straight axles on 40 mud terrains but also features a blown Tundra V8. Feature Friday: 11 Tire Options For The 5th Gen 4Runner in 2021. But unlike many other brands, we tend to rack up a ton of miles on our trucks. About the only thing you can do to blow a head gasket, short of adding boost or increasing compression, is overheating your engine. If you can get a grill from a base model, they have no chrome on them; theyre easier to paint. He uses an aftermarket ecu and wiring harness as well as a different accessory drive configuration to fit in there and retain ac. With that said, Jason stopped by my hotel, picked me up in the T40R and we hit the streets on straight axles and a blown V8. If it fits then there's maybe a way. An absolute beauty of a 4Runner, though. V8 limited solid!!!!! Toyota 4Runner Fitments: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Toyota 4Runner with 4.0L V6 & 2.7L I4 engines. Youre probably thinking of the crossover pipe at the back of the engine that some people think caused the head gasket to go, but thats not true. The updated head lights are a lot better, too. I just had them install a rear Eaton e-locker on my 5th gen and its amazing. If you find a low mileage, well maintained, V8 44 SR5 at a decent price, buy it! A fully converted engine via YotaShop.com. Luxury items are more apt to fail with age. There are many reasons to perform this engine swap, but the main reasons have to do with performance and reliability (and whose not interested in that? 1986 Toyota W56 transmission issues. Toyota Pickup Engine Swap Advice - YotaTech If you ever have any questions, let me know. I dont drive it on the street, it is my trailer [park] queen. We have been there before but not with a 4Runner. Engine Transmission Drivetrain Avg. 2014 - Now Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen (N280) Facelift 60. I think it's actually a 2nd gen body on Tacoma frame or something like that. So if rot begins to occur, you will have to find another 1st Gen 4Runner for quarters and floors and other common rot areas. Now if youre in the market for something that is offroad capable while being brand new or fairly used, the 5th Gen is the one for you. Thanks. If you do prefer to leave it with stock Independent Front Suspension versus doing a straight axle swap there are plenty of lift kits available for the 2nd Gen 4Runner. gen. unless you go to the top of the line model and then you get stuck with a bunch of expensive and unnecessary stuff. We covered 5 States in ten days and just marveled at the smooth systems of the 4Runner. Love my RSG sliders. Now for people wanting a 44 that isnt brand new but isnt a street princess, we bring you the 3rd Gen 4Runner. I started by removing the Tacobox along with other 4Runner parts pre-added to the truck during the SAS build-out and started getting into it. Essentially they are the same transmission, but Toyota won't let you use the 6th gear in the 4Runner. If SAS is not your goal but you still want to wheel, I would look for a 2000-2002 sport with maybe minor front and rear bumper damage (because you would replace with upgrades), mild miles (170-210ish), well-serviced (you can tell by the owner usually), and stock everything. But when compared to 3rz, Ill go 3rz or a new 2.7 when the time comes. Top 5 Favorite 5th Gen 4Runner Mods for Overlanding & Off-roading In our opinion, the 3rd Gen 4Runner, as of 2015-2017, is probably one of the go-to off-road 4Runners. Look incredible. I think that a really necessary mod for the 3rd gen 4Runner is the swap for a 2001 Tundra front brake set (199 mm). Discount Prices. I know alot of times with these swaps people use the whole drive train, ecu, dash, pedals, and all that, costume housing and lots of fab work. Luckily I only scrubbed through the video. Here's a total hack job. It was a great SUV. I hope whatever 4Runner you choose for Off-Roading or a daily driver or a combination of both, that you have fun in it and enjoy it and stay safe. Lightweight and powerful - with 190 HP (a 45 HP increase) - its equipped with a Toyota multi-port fuel injection system. We have owned 97, 2007 and now a 2018 TRD Off Road. I can say the 4th gen V8 44 is the way to go. 10 Months Of 4Runner Ownership & Frequent Modifications: We Like About Our 2022 TRD ORP 4Runner Build I come from a background of performance cars and living in the UK. The rectangular sealed beam lights and swing gate spare tire carrier are cool AF, and the second gen fenders have an almost flared/muscular look to them. Which year do you think is the best? If you decide against the stock 22re or your 3.0 decides it doesnt want to keep its head intact, consider swapping in a used engine. WORLDS FIRST LS 4th GEN 4RUNNER Part 1 - YouTube I do love them BMW swaps and Subaru. toyotanation.com is not in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The 4th Gen 4Runner has a new look yet again along with a new redesigned chassis and driveline. If you want to be sure that your head gasket is solid, FIRST, get your local dealer to run your VIN and see if the recall was done. Most offroad version vehicles have factory skid plates so thats better than nothing. They are great for work, play and carting around rescued Akitas! In fact, its pretty straightforward. Daniel, Super appreciate it, man. JavaScript is disabled. Every generation of 4runner has offered a V6 engine. While the 4Runner isn't known for its stock power levels, these engine upgrades allow you to squeeze out a bit more horsepower and torque without breaking your bank. His shop, his family, his team everyone he works with was just genuinely cool and incredibly humble. You'll be able to keep your current trans/t-case combo in the same location. Has anyone done an engine swap on a 5th gen? It has gotten a lot of attention but particularly from the 4th gen 4Runner owners. Regearing to 4.56 Gears on the 5th Gen 4Runner document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); [] surprised the heck out of both of us (Herself more than me, I think). There are steel plate and tube bumpers available from many fabrication companies. It was loud, very very loud. People use the wrong nomenclature for the 5.3L, prob because they want to feel included by saying they LS swapped it. Used Price; N280 SR5. In the5th Gen 4Runner Mods section, we talk about everything 5th Gen. Everything from small additions to large and custom aftermarket DIY installs. But, there are plenty of them out there for spare parts so its not a major concern like 1st and 2nd Gen 4Runners. anythings possible if you have the money The toyota e-lockers are a direct bolt on, if Im not mistaken might be cheaper to just get an aftermarket air locker instead There are several options, but diff lockers are not exclusive to Toyota, nor factory equipment. Kyle, Thanks. There is so much out there on every generation 4Runner but we didnt feel like you could find it in one place. Youll be able to keep your current trans/t-case combo in the same location. It causes oil to leak into cylinder 6 and cause a misfire. So one day in early February 2021 I found a donor Tundra on CarPart and bought it! Lately Ive been getting offers to buy it from strangers off the street on a reg basis . The guy puts an LS1 (LS2/3 maybe?) Some have 4wd, and some have 4wd with locker. There is also not a ton of options when it comes to the interior if your seats become ripped or destroyed. Brian, Yeah, I remember that about my 3rd gen, the brakes sucked. My eyes were wide open for about an hour straight. I have been wondering if it had been done before. The new driveline comes in two options like the previous years but the 4cyl engine is now out of the picture completely. (The previous owner ran it out of oil, so that doesnt count.) There are Straight-Axle swap kits, long-travel suspension kits, lift kits, skid plates, full undercarriage armor, roll cage kits, drawer systems and more. Great article with tons of information!! We Asked Nine 4Runner Owners What Their Must-Have Off-Road Recovery Gear Is For A Successful Adventure Heres What They Said! The 3rd Gen offers ARB and other lockers if your 3rd gen did not come with them from the factory. The skill it takes to extract an entire ECU, all the wiring harnesses, and the engine from a Tundra, and then swap all that over to a body thats 20% smaller all while making it look factory on the inside is crazy impressive. We enjoyed all of them but the 2018 is the best in my opinion. This one is an fair sunroofed 92 4runner with manual trans sr5 4wd no stock elockers with 205k miles on it, i found price range between 2200 up to 6000? Just lookour overview of the TRD Pro over the TRD Off-Road and decide for yourself. Toyota Turbo-Diesel Swap in 4Runner | Toyota Nation Forum Im trying to buy a 1992 Toyota 4Runner for a donor truck for my 1997 4Runner for $200 is this a good deal or what? This makes them very special. Once you get the swap, youll notice a discernible difference whether youre climbing hills, 4-wheeling to a secret camping spot, or racing down the highway.