Home / Toyota /

1988 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 V6 SR5 5 Speed Pro 5VZE-FE 3.4L V6 Swap Clean Rust Free

Price: Ask a price!
Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Toyota
Model: 4Runner
SubModel: Convertible
Type: SUV
Trim: SR5
Year: 1988
Mileage: 138,000
VIN: JT3VN66W5J0019140
Color: Silver
Engine size: 5VZE-FE from 2000 Tacoma (138k mi.)
Number of cylinders: 6
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: 5 Speed (R150 series) V6
Drive type: 4WD
Interior color: Gray
Options: 4-Wheel Drive, CD Player, Convertible
Vehicle Title: Clear

1988 Toyota 4Runner Convertible Description

VEHICLE:
Exceptionally nice - 2 Owner - 1st Generation convertible top 1988 Toyota 4Runner - runs & drives perfect with absolutely no mechanical issues and zero fluid leaks of any kind.
Professionally tended to, having just replaced the stock 235k miles 145hp 3.0L (3VZ) factory engine (which got terrible gas mileage and was prone to head gasket failure) - with a fresh 195hp 5VZE-FE (3.4L)2000 Tacoma motor with only 138k miles. The 5VZ-FE is legendary for smooth power & long reliability - while virtually doubling the gas mileage of the 3VZE.
HISTORY:
1988 was the 1st year the 4Runner was offered with a V6. They were brilliant trucks but unfortunately the original (3.0) 3VZE had a serious design flaw with the cylinder heads, the engine being rushed into production due to American demand for more power & torque than the traditional 22R 4 cylinder could deliver. The restrictive crossover exhaust along with the poorly designed 2V heads meant they ran hot & blew head gaskets. With 32 vacuum lines they were very expensive & ultimately futile to repair. To Toyota's credit they did recall every single one of them and replaced the head gaskets but ultimately they couldn't overcome a poorly designed 2 valve head.
By 1995 Toyota engineers solved that problem with a radical new engine design, the 5VZ-FE which 1st appeared in the T100 in 1994 and then the Tacoma in 1995 and finally the 4Runner in 1996. The 5VZ-FE was produced in the Tacoma until 2004 and many units are still on the road approaching 600,000 miles without overhaul. Over the last 20 years it's proven to be one of the best all around internal combustion engines humans have ever designed - bar none.
It was revolutionary in design because although it used the same strong engine block as the 3VZE (so the new engine bolts directly to the stock transmission) - it completely re-engineered the cylinder heads, using a 4 valve per cylinder design and a far less restrictive crossover exhaust, meaning they breathed better and therefore ran much cooler. They proved far more efficient because they pumped virtually twice the air during combustion, and since gas engines are essentially air pumps, the more air they breathe the more efficient they run.
The 5VZ-FE also happens to be the only timing belt driven V6 engine with 4 valve heads ever designed that is NON-INTERFERENCE. That means if the timing belt ever breaks it does NOT damage the valve train. No wonder only Toyota trucks are seen on battlefields all over the globe.
While the factory engine was removed a new ($200) OEM clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing and throwout bearing were installed, along with a brand new ($140) aluminum radiator, a new fan clutch ($60), new fan shroud ($60) and new upper, lower & bypass hoses ($50) were installed. A custom exhaust was built ($200) both crossover (behind the motor) and converter (under the truck) and then a custom ($600) "plug & play" wiring harness was built by ORS (Off Road Solutions) designed to allow every single light and gauge and OBD2 system work perfectly - just as it did from the factory -- when connected to the 2000 Tacoma 4x4 5 Speed ECU (computer) which is mounted in the factory location under the passenger kick panel. Finally a new air filter with OEM air intake and Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor plus new battery and factory OEM battery hold down were installed ($200 for all the parts after the ECU).
Knowing the history of the donor Tacoma that was rolled over with 138k miles the Aisin water pump & timing belt were replaced at 90k so that doesn't need touched for another 50k miles, however the valve cover gaskets ($30 with plenum gasket) were replaced while this motor was out just before the swap as there were signs they were starting to weep.
ENGINE:
The newly installed 5VZ-FE ($1200) runs like a sewing machine. Just smooth quiet power. You can hit 90 mph in 3rd gear if you wish. Starts every time with a bump of the key. No knocks, no smoke, no issues and absolutely no leaks. Strong oil pressure and of course fresh fluids. Runs super cool with the new fluids and aluminum radiator. These engines are bullet proof, powerful, fuel efficient and as reliable as they come, with plenty of original trucks still on the road approaching 600k miles. Want to know how good this truck really runs? On 4/9/16 this truck earned from ADEQ (Arizona Emissions) a Vehicle Inspection Report Compliance Certificate that passed with a (CO) carbon monoxide IDLE READING of 00.00 and a LOADED READING of 0.01. That means if you locked yourself in a garage with the truck running you probably couldn't kill yourself?
Intake:Stock 5VZE-FE air box and intake tube came from a donor 1999 4Runner. One corner of the air box and baffle were slightly melted when that donor truck had a fuse box/battery short. Both air box and baffle work perfect. They were simply deformed a bit around one edge which in no way affects their performance.
EXHAUST:
Custom crossover exhaust was built by a professional technician experienced with these swaps. The catalytic converter from the donor truck was incorporated due to the 02 sensor configuration. All the sensors are new. From the cat back the exhaust is all stock. Sounds good. Quiet. No leaks.
TRANSMISSION:
The factory R150 series 5 Speed transmission is known worldwide as Toyota's best. It has bigger bearings and a lower 1st gear than their 4 cylinder versions. It shifts smooth and concise as designed. With the new clutch it works amazing. The engine has so much low end torque you don't have to do a lot of shifting in this truck. Of course the gear oil is fresh and there's no leaks.
TRANSFER CASE:
The 4x4 works perfect as designed. This is a Toyota after all. The manual lockout hubs are Warn Premium. No other 4 wheel drive transfer case engages as smooth as a Toyota. Of course the fluid is fresh and there's no leaks.
DIFFERENTIALS:
8 inch V6 rear chunk has factory 4:10 gears. Open carrier. No leaks. Heavy duty compared to 4 cylinder chunks. Weighs 8 lbs. more. Has bigger bearings and a thicker flange plus 4 side gussets versus 3. Front diff also 4:10 with open carrier. No leaks.
INTERIOR:
Non-smoking truck. In fact the ash tray was deleted and a CB radio installed in its place. Nether of the 2 owners smoked. (I don't consider myself an owner because I bought this truck specifically for motor swap and I've driven it less than 50 miles). The interior is remarkably clean and in tact for a 28 year old vehicle. The seats aren't ripped or stained. The carpet's not torn. The only real blemish is the dash pad has 2 cracks in it from the sun/heat. A good quality "Dash Carpet" kit the correct color new in box will be included. One of the right front seat pictures shows how it might look. I didn't want to affix the velcro strips to hold it down lest the new owner didn't want it. There's an aftermarket CD deck with factory speakers. All the gauges and lights work. The rear window goes up and down with either center console switch or the key in the tailgate. Other than that the only thing not original is the fabric on the lid of the center console. The back hatch features 2 side compartments, the driver's side holding the original factory bottle jack with tools, which is a mighty rare and valuable thing. The only negative about the interior is the fact that this truck did NOT come with factory AC. Like anything AC could be added. I have access to all the OEM parts but that price would have to be negotiated AFTER the auction.
EXTERIOR:
Rust free truck. Never wrecked. No bondo or filler anywhere. No cracks in any glass. One chip in the windshield that has been repaired but not completely eliminated. In the right rear picture you can see a couple minor dings in the tailgate and a few minor blemishes on the right rear quarter panel if you look closely. On the passenger side near the center of the drip rail on the fiberglass top there is a couple inches of the drip rail missing. Rust free frame was prepped and painted with Dupilcolor spray on bed liner.
SUSPENSION:
Everything is tight. Truck drives like new with no rattles. 4 new shocks just installed. KYB rear. Monroe front. Four matching 31 inch radial tires with acceptable tread. The right rear has the most wear. No dry rot. Very nice aftermarket 15 x 8 aluminum rims. Absolutely no fluid leaks anywhere on entire vehicle. Note that most of these swaps are done with some kind of body lift to make things easier on installer or for hood clearance. This truck was not lifted in any way. For hood clearance we carefully removed one underhood support rib as shown in picture.
DRIVEABILITY:
Starts great. Runs great. Shifts great. Stops great. Handles great. Looks great. Comfortable to sit in. Comfortable to drive. Smooth. ride. No rattles. No issues.
PAPERWORK:
Clean, Notarized, Arizona, "A Box" paper title ready to go along with fresh passed emissions slip.
WARRANTY:
Old used vehicles like this come with at most a 15 day warranty in ANY state, period. But this vehicle's exceptional. The engine comes with a 6 month warranty. Everything else new, like the radiator, clutch, flywheel, hoses & MAF sensor come with a 1 year warranty, as do the o2 sensors. No warranty on anything not mentioned above.
TERMS:
Please do not bid without funds to honor terms. Cash or bank transfer for bulk of sale preferred. $1000 PayPal deposit due within 24 hrs. of auction close. Full amount due within 72 hrs. of auction close by bank wire transfer or overnight letter with cashiers check. Vehicle cannot be picked up until paid in full. PayPal fees will be charged after first $1000. Will help shipping agent load vehicle as much as possible. Will store vehicle free of charge up to 3 weeks after auction close. After 21 days a $15 per day storage fee is charged.
Price is on reserve but consider a similar stock 4Runner like this sells for at least $3k and these professional conversions cost $4500 (with warranty) so bid with confidence. I'm in no hurry to sell because I may go on to add lift or lockers or SAS (straight axle swap) - the possibilities are endless with a unique gem like this.

On Apr-10-16 at 18:13:29 PDT, seller added the following information:

I wouldn't hesitate to jump in this truck and drive it straight up to Alaska and back as it wouldn't need anything but gas.
There are absolutely no electrical issues with the vehicle as the interface wire harness was designed by Mike at ORS (Off Road Solutions) over 6 weeks using the specific VIN # of this 4Runner and the harness tag number off the 5VZE-FE just above the ECU. Having both those numbers ensures complete compatibility so that everything works like a factory truck.
The SR5 gauge cluster with tachometer works exactly as designed. Heat blows hot. All the lights and signals work.
There is absolutely no rust on this truck. Those couple spots where the paint has been chipped off, like the ding in the lower right rear corner is strictly a very thin layer of surface rust.

On Apr-10-16 at 22:21:39 PDT, seller added the following information:

For any questions call 520-977-0112 between hours 8 to 8 AZ time.

More Toyota classic cars for sale