95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

My 4Runner Threw a ROD! *pics*

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Old 06-25-2009 | 06:36 PM
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Rock Slide's Avatar
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Exclamation My 4Runner Threw a ROD! *pics*

Technically, it’s my wife’s 4Runner, but nonetheless…

We bought this 4Runner used 3yrs ago used at a dealership in Texas w/ only 40K miles on it. Have not had a single problem out of it until now. And to think, we only owe $2,300.00 on it! Would have been paid off by the end of the year.

Specs:
2000 4Runner SR5
3.4L, Auto, 2wd
109K miles
All original


Came over to my Brother-in-law’s house to find my wife’s 4Runner parked in the street w/ a puddle of oil underneath. Popped the hood and found a hole, about the size of a silver dollar, on the passenger side of the block with internals protruding!



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Dropped the skid plate and found these 4 pieces of the carnage:




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Thoughts??



**

Last edited by Rock Slide; 06-26-2009 at 03:16 PM.
Old 06-25-2009 | 06:48 PM
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Well I have no clue on how much that will be parts wise, let alone your time to fix...

Maybe look into a crate motor? Ugh thats a nightmare. Never seen anything like that happen on a 3.4l before!
Old 06-25-2009 | 06:48 PM
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wow that bloooooowwwssss. especially since you only owe that much on it!!!
Old 06-25-2009 | 06:59 PM
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Ok a 3.0 blowing up? Sure. A 96 3.4? Yeah Maybe. a 2000 3.4. WTF?!?!? :angry:
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:01 PM
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i am so sad for your loss...
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:03 PM
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Part it out.

Just joking, although you probably don't find that funny right now.

Your best bet, it to shop around for an engine at a junk yard. A crate engine will be expensive and you may not get your core charge back because you engine isn't rebuildable.

From the looks of your truck, it appears definitely worth repairing since it is a very clean truck.

You can find used junkyard engines on car-parts.com. If you are any good with a wrench or have a few buddies that are, you can swap the motor with a good used one. Just make sure you change the timing belt, main seals and stuff like that while you have the engine out.

Jasper engines, orientengines.com and few other make very good remanufactured engines. My 22RE is a reman engine from Advance Auto, and I have been very pleased with it's performance.

Just a few options you can explore.
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:05 PM
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Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe drove it in 1st or 2nd gear redlining it without noticing?
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:16 PM
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"what gear are you in?"
"gear?"

Jay and Silent Bob strike back.

Those pictures are actually a graphic and morbid reminder of why some people slow down at accident scenes. Horrible to look at and unable to turn away.

Last edited by jackwolf; 06-25-2009 at 07:22 PM.
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:19 PM
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that sucks man. like everyone said find a new engine.. what the heck would cause that
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:24 PM
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Bill called me tonight and was laughing. "Never guess what happened?" I thought it was something good. "My 4Runner threw a ROD!?"



Never ever heard of that happening on a 3.4L before.

Old 06-25-2009 | 07:41 PM
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3uz-fe

go v8!!!!
Old 06-25-2009 | 07:57 PM
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I'd looking to a local low mileage motor to swap it out with OR you can go with a japanese motor for about 6-700. Atleast that's what they run down here.
Old 06-25-2009 | 08:15 PM
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JB Weld that little hole and you'll be fine!

Old 06-25-2009 | 08:22 PM
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Maybe it wasn't broke in all the way since it did only have 40,000 miles on a Toyota that's almost 10 years old and that ain't much.
Old 06-25-2009 | 08:36 PM
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Crazy I know! I can't help but laugh, b/c I've never seen this happen before! Sucks nonetheless.

My Brother-in-law just drove it up the road a 1/2 mile to pick up his 2yr old son from daycare. Said he heard a loud pop on the way back and just barely made it back to the house b/c the vehicle was shaking so bad. And BTW, he's not the "hot dog" type either, so I know he didn't do anything stupid. Just drove it normal.

Me and the wife are still not sure what route we'll go...
Old 06-25-2009 | 08:38 PM
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dude! that same thing happen to my friend in his 96 4runner
but just take some duct tape and cover the hole and it should be ok...lol
Old 06-25-2009 | 10:29 PM
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At first I got scared thinking it was your 4runner Rockslide....that still sucks to hear (and see). It looks like the connecting rod bolt held together though....

So lets recap what happened today: Farrah Fawcett Died, Michael Jackson died and a 5VZ-FE died.

Last edited by okie81; 06-25-2009 at 10:34 PM.
Old 06-25-2009 | 10:29 PM
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Crazy!

Keep us posted though...
Old 06-25-2009 | 10:55 PM
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I picked up the 3.4L that I swapped into my yota at a local junk yard for $1000 from a rolled 03 Tundra (this was in early 06), still in the vehicle, only had 27k on it. Only thing you would have to watch out for is wiring differences between the years (03 they started drive by wire). I ended up using the throttlebody from an 02 to avoid dealing with the drive by wire stuff. You would probably be able to get it cheaper too since you only need a longblock (block, heads, all internals, no accessories or wiring). Mine was $1000 with all accessories, MAF, o2 sensors, ECU, engine harness, EVAP box, etc.
Old 06-25-2009 | 11:35 PM
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Wow. Was your wife driving it like a race car or what?

Id just get a remand 3.4 and throw it in there.



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