Originally Posted By: BigJohn
To this debate of a rebuild or a long block....I wonder....
Maybe this isn't an option for Toyota. I have the 2007 and everyone knows that the current model is a new design and an engine that performs differently. It is still a 4.0L, but I wonder if the differences prevent a simple swap-out. A rebuild might be the only option.
Anyway....yeah, we aren't trading it in. We just paid it off and we don't want another car payment and we certainly don't want to be paying a high premium for insurance for a 18 year old. Liability only is barely tolerable.
What the boy does with the 4Runner in years to come is completely his call. Vehicle decisions on his part in the future will come out of his wallet, not mine. I have already been the "more than generous father", by giving him a 4Runner.
We will pick it up and take it for a spin next week and will report back.
My concern is the ability of the tech who will do the rebuild 1st and foremost. Dealer tech's know a lot, they have to, but that doesn't mean they are qualified to rebuild an engine. Engine rebuilds while not hard do require you do it right.
You can put an engine together improperly that can make it 10-20K before it lets go. That is my concern for you. I am not ashamed to say I have done that myself. While learning I rebuilt a SB MOPAR that made it about 11K before it blew. I had not put it together 100% correct. I learned from my mistakes and have rebuilt many engines since that were fine( I know of 2 still going strong that I worked on 15+ years ago now ).
Clearances have to be checked to make sure everything is ok. Has the tech ever heard of plastigauge or does he just assemble and hope the bearing clearances are correct? Does he check the piston ring to bore clearnces? Will he follow the proper torque sequences on the rod caps, main caps, and heads? It goes on and on. A new or reman'd engine will be assembled by someone who does know what they are doing.
I worked in a dealer and saw some of the work done on engines and it was scary! I would fight tooth and nail for a reman'd from the factory or authorized reman shop myself. I get it if this is all they will do but I would be worried and would think about selling the vehicle right after getting it back.
Chances are on a 2007 you would not get a brand new engine in 2011. You would get a factory reman'd or a reman'd from a a company that is authorized to be used by the mfg. Most all car mfg's have outside brands they authorize for use in warranty situations calling for reman'd parts. That ranges from alternators and starters all the way up to tranny's and engines.
Best of luck with it and let's hope the tech actually knows what he is doing.
To this debate of a rebuild or a long block....I wonder....
Maybe this isn't an option for Toyota. I have the 2007 and everyone knows that the current model is a new design and an engine that performs differently. It is still a 4.0L, but I wonder if the differences prevent a simple swap-out. A rebuild might be the only option.
Anyway....yeah, we aren't trading it in. We just paid it off and we don't want another car payment and we certainly don't want to be paying a high premium for insurance for a 18 year old. Liability only is barely tolerable.
What the boy does with the 4Runner in years to come is completely his call. Vehicle decisions on his part in the future will come out of his wallet, not mine. I have already been the "more than generous father", by giving him a 4Runner.
We will pick it up and take it for a spin next week and will report back.
My concern is the ability of the tech who will do the rebuild 1st and foremost. Dealer tech's know a lot, they have to, but that doesn't mean they are qualified to rebuild an engine. Engine rebuilds while not hard do require you do it right.
You can put an engine together improperly that can make it 10-20K before it lets go. That is my concern for you. I am not ashamed to say I have done that myself. While learning I rebuilt a SB MOPAR that made it about 11K before it blew. I had not put it together 100% correct. I learned from my mistakes and have rebuilt many engines since that were fine( I know of 2 still going strong that I worked on 15+ years ago now ).
Clearances have to be checked to make sure everything is ok. Has the tech ever heard of plastigauge or does he just assemble and hope the bearing clearances are correct? Does he check the piston ring to bore clearnces? Will he follow the proper torque sequences on the rod caps, main caps, and heads? It goes on and on. A new or reman'd engine will be assembled by someone who does know what they are doing.
I worked in a dealer and saw some of the work done on engines and it was scary! I would fight tooth and nail for a reman'd from the factory or authorized reman shop myself. I get it if this is all they will do but I would be worried and would think about selling the vehicle right after getting it back.
Chances are on a 2007 you would not get a brand new engine in 2011. You would get a factory reman'd or a reman'd from a a company that is authorized to be used by the mfg. Most all car mfg's have outside brands they authorize for use in warranty situations calling for reman'd parts. That ranges from alternators and starters all the way up to tranny's and engines.
Best of luck with it and let's hope the tech actually knows what he is doing.
