After all the setbacks this year, mining and financial, that is, my truck decided 354,000 miles was enough. I'm retired and working a seasonal gig with my mining partner doing snow removal on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Two weeks ago, after plowing driveways, I made the usual 70 mile trek home when the truck said "I'm done". Seven miles from home, with beer for the week, and I'm going nowhere fast. I made a few calls to neighbors and friends to get me pulled safely off the highway. Once home and many conversations with Rockguy, I started the search for a new heart. For the truck that is, though mine is rapidly getting worn out as well.
I guess if it weren't for the bad luck, I'd never have found this smokin' deal. A 15 day old ad on Craigslist had a same year 2WD Toyota pick up, with front end damage, the motor had 500 miles on it, and it's only 100 miles away. The listed price was $2000 OBO. Now a new crate motor without core was $1995. So on the off chance it might be available, I called the guy up. Yup, it's still available, and he was getting low ball offers, and asks for trades, so he said $1500 and it's yours.
I'm on the phone with Rockguy, and he's saying "The Whole Truck? For less than a motor? I'll get the trailer tomorrow." Well, I do need a driver door and a tailgate for my 4WD anyway. Now the fun begins. Monday is travel and trailer day. Rockguy drives the 80 miles to pick me up, we go back to West Shore, hook up the trailer (after I dig it out of 16" of snow), hit the bank then head to Sacramento. The truck owner was waiting when we arrived, started the truck, it sounds pretty good considering the fan and radiator are shoved up to the water pump. After signing the title, handing over the cash, we load it on the trailer and head back to Tahoe. Once back, I drive the truck off the trailer and back it into the shop.
The next day I sawzall the front off, trace the wiring harness to all points underneath, pull the computer, drop the driveshaft, unbolt the transmission, get everything ready to pull the motor. Now this rear drive version has working A/C, but no power steering. I'm not interested so much with the A/C so it goes away. Out comes the motor, on blocks and out of the way for now. This is day two.
Day three is trailering day. We use a come along to load the dead soldier on the trailer, drive the 80 miles to my house, drop it off, drive 5 miles to where my truck is, load it up and make the drive back to the Lake. I was able to get some prep work in once we got back, then motor out on day four. This is where it gets fun.
Being a 22RE in my 4WD and a new 22REC in the 2WD, the discussion was what's the difference? Web search says the "C" is for California emissions. The question becomes "Will we have to use the 2WD wiring harness, or the 4WD?" They are not the same, and the computer isn't either. I made the call against Rockguy's argument to use the 2WD harness. In order to change the harness, we had to pull the EFI unit off both motors, route the harness, then re-install the EFI on the new motor. This was a real pain in the ass, but it got done. Time to in with new....
Well, after getting it in the ruck, things don't line up right. Our outside help forgot to say the oil pans were different. So back out with the motor, a run to NAPA for a gasket, then me getting them switched. OK, lets try this again.... Stuff lined up right. Everything gets bolted in, harness threaded to all points, and as Rockguy is installing the fan clutch, it ain't working. We found that the front end impact had pressed the fan mount into the water pump. Now we have to pull the water pump off my old motor and install it on the new one. I should have pulled the alternator bracket at the same time as I pulled the power steering brackets. Yes, my 4WD had power steering and the 2WD didn't. More fun. A little extra red necking, and this baby is ready. We had to learn more about setting the idle in the EFI, and found the new motor didn't have and the bolts in the timing cover (small leak). Fixed, tightened up some other hose clamps, and my truck now breathes new life for the next mining season.
Day six, I was able to drive my truck. Snow rolled in on day seven so after plowing driveways, I was able to go home.
Moral of the story: If you want it purr like a kitten, buy a cat. It's a lot cheaper....
