99 4Runner, auto, 4wd

[vtbooth]

Hello all, I've been reading this website and others to include ih8mud.com and lextreme for a few months now and have decided to tackle this build. I currently have a 99 4Runner with the 5vz, auto, 4wd and am looking at purchasing either a complete 95 SC400 or a 93 SC400 block in much better condition with the accessories from the 95. My first question is, will the ecu and other wires sent to phoenix tuning (tweak'd) jive with both the 93 block and my 4Runner. Second, can the stock 4Rrunner transmission handle the additional 100-150hp I plan to add over the 5vz motor and is dellows the only place to have a transfer case made for the bellhousing. I don't have a spare vehicle and my truck runs great, so I'd like to get as much of the work done to this motor before i start to pull the old and fabricate a new oil pan and motor mounts. This is my first motor swap and I'm only really familiar with bolt on horsepower and basic concepts; so while it's intimidating, after reading all the build threads and with the support of my base hobby shop I really think this project can come to fruition. Thanks for any help.

[toyminator]

The tranny should hold up as they are virtually the same.  The one thing you may have a problem with is that you have an OBDII emissions vehicle that you want to put an OBDI motor into.   Emissions standards changed in 1996 from OBDI to OBDII.   I don't know what the emissions laws are in your state but you may want to check that out before doing it.  Some sates also do not allow the installation of an engine older than the vehicle it is going in. 

[vtbooth]

Appreciate the reply. I decided to go with the '93 block and the '95 accessories to include the transmission and starter. I scoured the forum to make sure I have all the accessories and I think im good to go, but living only an hour away from the disassembler I feel pretty confident I can source whatever additional parts I need in the future.

I'm actually in a pretty good situation as far as emissions are concerned. I'm a Florida resident who lives in Maryland, thanks to a military clause that allows for dual state residency, so I don't have any emissions checks to be concerned with. Will sending the engine harness to Dr. Tweak to make it compatible with the 4Runner harness not fix the OBDII problems? I'm hoping to have all the prep work done by the end of this summer and if there is anything I can do to tackle the OBDII problem before the actual swap takes place please let me know.

[vtbooth]

I also just re-read toylexus' "mating an auto transmission" build thread and I couldn't find a final answer on the best solution to keeping my 4runner 4wd. Do i need to rerun all the wires from the Lexus transmission into the 4runner? Or can i just swap the valve bodies like hillbill mentioned on the advice that a japanese transmission shop gave him that all "a34xx" transmissions are the same. Again, thanks for the help

[toyminator]

You will basically have to remove any OBDII emission stuff from your truck and use all of the OBDI stuff from the Lexus.    There  is no way to make the Lexus motor OBDII compliant because the computer and all measuring electronics are completely different.  You would have to get a donor from a 1996-1999 SC400 to be OBDII compliant.  If you don't test for emissions then you should be fine.  However, it may make it tough to sell if you ever decide to. 

As far as the tranny, I'm not sure about the electronic's issues but I know they are different.   I just used the lexus tranny with my swap but your situation is a little different since you need a left side drop transfer case.   If it was mine I would install the output shaft and 4wd adapter from the 4Runner transmission into the lexus tranny.  This will however require you to disassemble the transmissions - messy job.

[vtbooth]

as much as i would like to learn everything about my 4runner first hand i think im going to look for a reputable transmission shop to handle that aspect of the job. ive seen pictures of the guts of an auto tranny, not my idea of a good time.