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motor swap with 1gfre 4L V6 from Tundra or Tacoma?

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by phreich, Aug 5, 2020.

  1. Aug 5, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #1
    phreich

    phreich [OP] New Member

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    Hi,
    I have a 2004 4runner with the 4L 1grfe v6 engine that I am attempting to resurrect. The headgaskets went bad and the motor overheated enough that the block surfaces are no longer within the 2 thousandths that Toyota says are the maximum allowable, so the least expensive way forward seems to be a motor swap.

    I have looked at all 17 pages of topics on this forum and seem to be seeing different answers on different posts as to whether or not the 1GRFE from a Tundra or Tacoma from the same generation will work.

    Some say the motor is exactly the same, others say the Tundra is significantly different, but the Tacoma is the same, others say that if the years aren't the same, that the ECU needs to be changed, some say not.

    So, has anyone on this forum successfully done a 1gfre v6 motor swap from a Tacoma or Tundra into this generation of a 4runner? If so, what year and model was the donor vehicle, and what, if anything, did you have to change (ECU, or sensors, intake, motor harness, or ????)?

    I have done a number of motor swaps over the years, and, for most of them, as long as the generation of the motor is the same, the most I have had to do when using a donor motor from a different model year or vehicle is change over manifolds or plenum, and sometimes sensors and the motor wiring harness. I've never had to change an ECU unless I am changing the type or generation of the motor and/or the transmission (then the TCU needs changing).

    Thanks in advance for your advise.

    Philip
     
  2. Aug 5, 2020 at 7:13 PM
    #2
    36tacundra

    36tacundra New Member

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  3. Aug 6, 2020 at 2:23 AM
    #3
    phreich

    phreich [OP] New Member

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    To @36tacundra: Thanks for the info! I'll keep that in mind when I get a motor and do the swap. In the post you linked to you mentioned just changing the intake sprockets and not the whole cam -- which did you do -- the whole cam and sprocket or just the sprockets?

    Anyone else have some sage advise to give?

    Philip
     
  4. Aug 11, 2020 at 7:31 PM
    #4
    36tacundra

    36tacundra New Member

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    Just the sprockets with a new chain and water pump, for good measure.
     
  5. Aug 14, 2020 at 6:07 PM
    #5
    phreich

    phreich [OP] New Member

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    @36tacundra. Thanks for the clarification -- makes the job a bit easier to not have to swap the camshafts themselves....
    Philip
     
  6. Aug 15, 2020 at 6:52 AM
    #6
    36tacundra

    36tacundra New Member

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    Changing the variable cam heads was easy. The two weeks trying to figure out the sporadic spark was a pain in the A. I changed the computer, messed with the coils, and finally went to check the timing. I had no clue. I mean why would there be different engine parts? Staring at things, I finally notice the difference.
     
  7. Aug 16, 2020 at 3:59 AM
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    phreich

    phreich [OP] New Member

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    @36tacundra, I really appreciate being able to leverage off of your knowledge and experience here, and not having to repeat the often lengthy and frustrating process of "figuring it out". Thanks again for sharing! As I see it, this is one of the main purposes for these forums.... Hopefully this thread will keep helping others besides myself as well.

    Your response has also enabled me to confidently pursue finding a replacement 1gfre motor from a later model year to avoid the pre-2005/2006 motors that had the head gasket issues.

    I'll update this thread once I have successfully purchased and installed the replacement with the details of the donor model and year and any further "findings" that might help others looking to do this. At this point I am finding a lot more used 1gfre motors available from Tacomas than any other Toyota model that uses the it.

    One more general question I have regarding getting a donor 1gfre motor from a Tacoma -- when I look for used motors on the main site I know of where the wrecking yards post their used parts (car-part dot com), I see that it differentiates between the 1gfre motors in the regular Tacomas and the x-runner version. However, I haven't seen there is anything different on the motor unless the buyer paid the dealership to install the turbocharger package on it (the information I did find said that the turbocharger isn't a factory installed option). From what I have been able to determine, the differences between the models are suspension, post-motor drivetrain and some cosmetic modifications. I'm going to pose this question on the Tacoma forum to see if I missed anything regarding this and will post what I find out here.

    Philip
     
    hitech and 36tacundra[QUOTED] like this.
  8. Aug 21, 2020 at 12:26 PM
    #8
    36tacundra

    36tacundra New Member

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    I think the difference is the frame. The x runner is a 2x4 that is not a pre runner. So it may be possible that the x runner has a different oil pan. Ether way, the engine parts from your original motor will likely exchange perfectly.
     
  9. Apr 5, 2022 at 5:01 AM
    #9
    Sawbilly

    Sawbilly New Member

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    Hey 36 tacundra what did you finally figure out on your newer 4runner 1grfe swap to a 2004. I am in the same situation with a 2004 4 runner. I was told you swapped the cam phaser and whatever sensors didn't match your harness, and maybe the intake and your good. I found a 05 4 runner it definitely has a 3 wire cam sensor where mine has 2 wire. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
     
  10. Jun 13, 2022 at 6:28 PM
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    Yotaman03

    Yotaman03 New Member

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    @Sawbilly im having the same problems should be able to change the wiring harness and be fine
     
  11. Jul 4, 2022 at 5:00 PM
    #11
    Phillip8409

    Phillip8409 New Member

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    @Yotaman03 hi there were you able to work this all out w the harness. What wiring harness are you referring to? You mean for the cam sensor? Where is it located and how do I change it if I’m getting a newer 06 through 09 fourth GEN motor? Did your donor motor come from a forerunner or did you go for a Tacoma? And if you don’t mind what year did you source and again thanks man I really appreciate it. I live in Maryland and I really need some help with the situation. My runner has been in an auto cocoon for over six months
     
  12. Feb 19, 2024 at 9:50 AM
    #12
    Anthö

    Anthö New Member

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    My reply might be late but there’s a couple things everyone should know about the 1GR-FE engines. I currently have an 05 4Runner whose engine cylinder walls cracked. But the vehicle like this. In the process of trying to find the right engine I went down a rabbit hole.

    The 1GR’s range from 2003-2016.
    The 4th gen 4Runners are from 03-09.

    Now, the 1GR changed from 05-09 making them different than the 03-04 counterparts. I believe it was the vvti change to a dual and of course the 2010-2016’s are much different.

    long story short 03-04 are their own engines and why people who swap older years 1GR’s need to do extra to get the engine running. Even though it’s the same same model for the 4Runner.

    Now here is where it gets even more complex. Even though it’s the same engine and years range. If you’re swapping engines from a Taco or FJ you are going to need the ecu but definitely the harness and sensors from what I’ve been told in forums, mechanics and Toyota. B/c the vehicles sensors ecu and harness are different for each vehicle. A Tundra 1GR engine however, is not recommended by everyone I’ve spoken to. Apparently the Tundra engine is bit different than the rest

    Would, like to know how your story of engine swapping finished. Since I’m practically in the same boat right now after doing all research? I have an 05 4Runner and am thinking of swapping in a 08 Taco 1GR engine. You basically did the reverse?
     

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