Topic: 22RET swap or pass?

[sjelite]

Hey guys looking on some advice here

While looking for a 22re donor engine for my 1982 pickup I  stumbled across a complete 22ret for sale
The owners story: 4runner auto, 109,000 miles. He tried to swap it into his 93 manual truck but couldn’t figure out the wiring (was using auto ecu) so gave up and now selling it, been sitting for 4 years. 
Should I:
•   Spend the $800 and swap it into my street driven crawler truck and go turbo (4x4 dual case)?
•   Should I buy it and sell all the turbo items (intake/exaust etc) off it and keep the block and head for my 22re core rebuild and just build up a nice 22re?
•   Just pass on it entirely?

[OCD]

Not sure if you’d be interested, but...

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/engines-trannys-t-cases-sale/2690394-22re.html

And for another $50 I’ll include a 22RET core / complete short block that was pulled from a running truck....

[sjelite [OP]]

sent you a PM

Thanks

[redneckcustoms13]

A 3rz makes more power than a 22rte. More reliable, more abundant, obd2 diagnostics. Just put a 3rz in it. You will be doing just as much wiring. Why waste your time with a gutless 22rte?

[sjelite [OP]]

CA smog requirements and BAR certifications are the issue with going for a 3rz or a 5VZ
3Rz/5vz you have to buy a donor vehicle for anyone to do the swap plus the CA BAR needs donor vehicle VIN number (not sure how all that works). Then you worry about what side do you run the exhaust and two cats and the spacing etc.
The tried and true 22re I could swap by myself, I won’t need a donor vehicle lying around.

 If I could just buy a JDM direct motor, I would go the JDM route for sure in a heart beat…(nobody goes the JDM route) but then there is a possibility you have to swap the JDM parts over to USDM and then have a vin number for the CA BAR cert.. then whatever other items are missing. All in all it seems like the 5Vz would be the way to go over the 3Rz, then I think how will the weight of the 5Vz affect off-road capability? Will I have endless torque and be top heavy? 22re just seems like no gray areas


I defiantly appreciate any and all opinions on this subject

[gnob]

Not sure how cali BAR is going to jack you around about going to efi turbo when your 82 didn't have either?  Seems like 6 of one half dozen the other.  Do yourself a favor and defect from commiefornia.

[sjelite [OP]]

Not sure how cali BAR is going to jack you around about going to efi turbo when your 82 didn't have either?  Seems like 6 of one half dozen the other.  Do yourself a favor and defect from commiefornia.

Its the weather man....

[Pat]

You have the same smog issues with the 22tre as the 3rz or 3.4

[redneckcustoms13]

I have 3 3rz trucks, and 2 3.4 trucks. They all do ok. I do not have a 3.4 in a 1st gen though. And that my friend would be a good easy swap. However if I go to the trouble fo a v6 swap on a 1st gen it will be a 1gr. That would be a rocket ship.

[sjelite [OP]]

You have the same smog issues with the 22tre as the 3rz or 3.4

yea i know but the swap would be easier considering the 22r-22re-22ret basically have all the same routing for lines-exhaust etc (minus the turbo)  i know in the long run the 3rz is better in all aspects

[sjelite [OP]]

I have 3 3rz trucks, and 2 3.4 trucks. They all do ok. I do not have a 3.4 in a 1st gen though. And that my friend would be a good easy swap. However if I go to the trouble fo a v6 swap on a 1st gen it will be a 1gr. That would be a rocket ship.

thanks for the feedback, i keep wanting to swap in a modern engine then people tell me its so easy just to go with a 22re/header/cam combo

My goal is 36" tires (4:88or 5:29) and highway speeds inorder to drive to the trails (i already have the 4:88 and know the 3Rz would easily push 36" tires... from what i hear.

[EASYRYDERDANGER]

I did it with the auto ecu and wiring.  I didn't have any issues figuring out what connectors to de pin and relocate.  i wouldn't recommend anyone do this unless you are savvy. 

[Pat]

thanks for the feedback, i keep wanting to swap in a modern engine then people tell me its so easy just to go with a 22re/header/cam combo

My goal is 36" tires (4:88or 5:29) and highway speeds inorder to drive to the trails (i already have the 4:88 and know the 3Rz would easily push 36" tires... from what i hear.

Personally hate the crossunder exhaust with the 3rz. I even had everything to do it with my first gen last year.  I am doing another 3.4 not that the refs are finally accepting the crossover pipe going to the drivers side.  Way cleaner of a install.  I know for most it isnt a big deal but for me if I am going to do all the work I might as well have the power, the clean exhaust and that little v6 looks so good under the hood

[sjelite [OP]]

Personally hate the crossunder exhaust with the 3rz. I even had everything to do it with my first gen last year.  I am doing another 3.4 not that the refs are finally accepting the crossover pipe going to the drivers side.  Way cleaner of a install.  I know for most it isnt a big deal but for me if I am going to do all the work I might as well have the power, the clean exhaust and that little v6 looks so good under the hood

PAT
The 3.4 looks perfect, looks like it was made to go in the 1st gens.

Also would you foresee a problem with buying a used JDM 4.3 engine (less than 50k miles) and then just picking the extra USDM parts from a donor truck at a salvage yard. Just seems more cost effective to buy a good running 50k JDM engine for $12005$1500 then scavenging all the small items from a local wrecking yards. Otherwise you have to buy a 150k plus mile wrecked truck condition unknown, re-build the engine or replacing the head gasket. Then scrap the truck.

Also…
When you give the BAR ref the vin number from the donor vehicle does that vehicle have to be a no longer registered vehicle (scrap vehicle)? Or is it just a reference to obtain diagrams and smog limitation information?

[Pat]

I am leary of jdms,  hard to know what you are truly getting. I like getting the complete rig so I have everything you need.. the ref has never looked at more than everything  matches for me.

[redneckcustoms13]

I would buy a wrecked 4runner. They are everywhere and super cheap. The last 3.4 swap I did for a friend literally made money. Bought a wrecked in the rear 4runner for $300. Used the engine,harness, ecm. He sold the transmission for $200 and scrapped the body.

[sjelite [OP]]

I would buy a wrecked 4runner. They are everywhere and super cheap. The last 3.4 swap I did for a friend literally made money. Bought a wrecked in the rear 4runner for $300. Used the engine,harness, ecm. He sold the transmission for $200 and scrapped the body.

thanks
I kept looking for tacomas and T100 i dont know why i didnt look for 4runners.

[sirdeuce]

I'd pass on the 22RET, getting too hard to get parts for and if you're going to go as far as swapping EFI into your truck a 3RZ or V6 would get you more reliable power.

[sjelite [OP]]

Thanks for the input guys

The 22ret was an unexpected find I wasn’t looking for, have definetly decided to pass.

As far as 3rz or 5vz I like the 5vz option the most but I’m afraid of the extra weight and how it will affect offroad manners

[redneckcustoms13]

The few guys on here that have done 5vz swaps can tell you it's a shoe horn fit in a 1st gen. They have more power. Not a debate there. But the 3rz fits so easily. It is a bolt in swap. The only real fab work will be moving the transmission cross member if you dont already have a w56 swap done. A 3rz in a 1st gen feels like you're driving a go kart. It's so fun.

[Pat]

I dont agree on the shoehorn fit comment.  The engine bay is almost exactly the same size as 90 to 95. All of the fisrt gens I have seen with the 3.4 looks wonderful with lots of room. I indeed realized this seeing one in person at the marlin crawler round up. 

[CrazyYota]

I still want a 1uz.... .

[sirdeuce]

I still want a 1uz.... .

With ITBs!!