BT4 Swap in 87 4Runner

Caleb Reynolds

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Location
Rock Hill, SC
Hey guys I'm new to the site but wanted to pick your brains on this. I have an 87 SR5 Turbo 4runner and was thinking about doing a swap to a BT4 when the 22re finally decides to die (only at 209k now). Does anyone have opinions or experience with this? Also what other mods would need to be done to swap it besides the obvious fuel system swap to diesel? Thanks for the help.
 
I'm assuming you're talking about a 4BT Cummins....I have no idea what a BT4 is...

Motor mounts are usually the biggest thing to work around since they're a pretty short motor and the power steering pump likes to occupy the same area as the driver's side motor mount. They also rattle like hell. The harmonics of a 4BT are way worse than a 6BT.

It's also going to be quite a bit heavier than a 22RE. I believe a 4BT is in the neighborhood of 800 lbs when fully dressed. So, you might need to address that front suspension.

You'll also have to decide what transmission and transfer case you want to run. They may have adapters to make your current transmission work, but whatever it is needs to be able to hold up to the torque a diesel can make, especially if you're going to turn up the wick on the motor.
 
Does the vehicle have the original 22RE-T engine in it or does it just have a regular 22RE?

If so, your vehicle and all, but I'd be hard pressed to remove a 22RE-T. Just get it refreshed by a quality engine builder and keep rolling. They are good little engines.

By the time you swap engines, transmissions, harnesses, gauge work etc you'll be way down a rabbit hole on a fairly underpowered, wheezy and heavy diesel.
 
You considered a 3rz or 5vz at all? Both gassers but both Toyota motors. I don't have experience w/ 22RE-T's but from all I've heard they're good little motors and very coveted. I'm inclined to go w/ @StretchASU on this one...have somebody rebuild it and keep on gettin' it!

Check out the top table here: Toyota Pickup and 4Runner Drivetrain Specifications

It will show you how that motor shakes out w/ the other Toyota motors I mentioned (keep in mind power/weight and you'll prob see what you've got is hard to beat).
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the advice guys. As far as I know it is the original 22RE-T motor I was the 2nd and now the 4th owner and that's how it came to me from the first owner who restored it. I don't have a problem with the 22RE especially with the turbo it'll scoot around I just like the idea of having a sleeper little diesel. I've also thought about buying another cheap runner or taco and making it into a trail rig so maybe I'll save the swap for that one.
 
I'm with @StretchASU also. That motor is excellent for the vehicle and very cool to keep it original. If you just want to swap a motor out I'd use the 5vz. It should bolt up to your transmission and be a great excuse for a hood scoop.
 
Don't want to hi-jack this thread, but curious @frankenyoter why the 5vz over the 3rz? I didn't think the 5vz mated up to a W tranny and heard the 3rz's are tough to beat from a weight/power perspective.
 
If you have a factory 5 spd from behind a turbo it's the same trans they put in the 3.0 trucks and a few companies make an adapter to the motor. I just went through this on my 94 mini truck.

I don't know much about the 3vz swap from a mechanical aspect, just interweb wrenching. They are great motors and make more power than the 22re (t) platform. I just assumed the op wanted more power so why not step up to a 6 cylinder, plus if you can find one the trd supercharger would really wake it up.
 
Toyota motors.jpg
 
I think yall have convinced me to keep her the way she sits. I guess I'll look into the diesel swap more whenever I finally get the funds to build a trail rig. I just think it'd be a fun project thanks for all the advice though.
 
Caleb Reynolds said:
I think yall have convinced me to keep her the way she sits. I guess I'll look into the diesel swap more whenever I finally get the funds to build a trail rig. I just think it'd be a fun project thanks for all the advice though.
Click to expand...

TDI first gen 4Runner
 
If you want more power out of the stock turbo engine:

Fuel management (see: Megasquirt)
Intercooler
Supra CT26 turbo

The stock engine management leaves a lot to be desired this day in age. Lowering your charge temps will allow for more boost. The Supra turbo isnt as limited as the stock turbo.
 
Thanks for the tip @StretchASU one thing I'd be worried about with the CT26 would it not be too much for an old motor to handle? My motor has 209k on it and it's my daily driver so I don't want to run too much boost to it and blow it up.
 
If I remember right @ObeseFieldMouse has a Toyota powered turbo something another. He tweaked it a bunch to get it right but may have some valuable input on freshinging up and waking up potential power in what you already have.
 
77GreenMachine said:
If I remember right @ObeseFieldMouse has a Toyota powered turbo something another. He tweaked it a bunch to get it right but may have some valuable input on freshinging up and waking up potential power in what you already have.
Click to expand...

His is a fuel injected turbo sidekick motor.

Lost the pistons the last trip out and rebuilding with new pistons, intercooler and now mega squirt. Smart dude.

I would just rebuild the stock motor and freshen it up.

For more power, better cam and pistons, more boost, more fuel, better Tuning
 
Mac5005 said:
His is a fuel injected turbo sidekick motor.

Lost the pistons the last trip out and rebuilding with new pistons, intercooler and now mega squirt. Smart dude.

I would just rebuild the stock motor and freshen it up.

For more power, better cam and pistons, more boost, more fuel, better Tuning
Click to expand...

Send it!
 
Back
Top