Engine swap vs timing belt service

I have a 2001 SR5 4 x 4 w 320,000mi on it as my daily driver running fine. i also have a 2002 V8 2wd parts truck w 190,000 runs and drives. They have the same engine but not the same transmission apparently.

So the parts truck doesn't have any stickers indicating when the timing belt was done. However, 4 x 4 daily has a sticker indicating timing belt was done about 100,000 miles ago. now I figure it's time for the timing belt and water pump on the 4 x 4, but I also planned to eventually swap spare engine with less miles into it. I had the idea to pull the parts truck engine and do the timing belt water pump service on the bench and then put it in my daily driver.

The front end suspension needs to be redone and who knows if the transmission will hold up another 100,000 miles. I did get the driveshaft rebuilt. I mostly want to get things sorted so I feel comfortable taking it on some longer trips out to the woods for camping without risking a deadend breakdown. I also have plans using it for a farm truck with the next four years or so when i move to the land.

I come to u oh wise forum with some questions and seeking advice:

Is this overkill? How much can I justify putting tons of work into 300,000+ miles first gen tundra? Is it worth keeping the original motor in there and doing the timing belt while it's in the chassis? Is it a reach to keep this thing going another 6 years?

 

What's the point, what goal are you looking to achieve here?

The 2UZ-FE is a million-mile engine. Regarded as one of Toyota's best engines. We have guys on here, some with over 700k miles and plenty north of 400k: https://www.tundras.com/threads/highest-mileage-1st-gen-thread.11039/

Just change the timing belt as it sits and move on.

 

Welcome. The 4WD will have a different tailshaft on the trans than the 2WD. There are posts on here about that (I'm sure you've seen). If the 2WD runs and drives, what makes it a parts truck? As for your question, if the 4WD 2UZ is not acting up, do the TB job and call it real. With proper maintenance, these things go for a long time. As for the trans, it's a roll of the dice if it will last another 6 years. You're lucky to have options like you do.

 

I might do a compression test on the 4WD engine to make sure it is in as good condition as it seems. Other than that, if it ain't broke.........

 

long story but shady bondsman dealership sold it to me. come to find out they title jumped and it had a lien on it. ive been involved w the state and courts ever since w no solution or way to get title or get it out of my life. thanks for the replies everyone. seems like just doing the TB job is the best bet and keeping up w regular maintenance rather than buying time w a lower mileage motor.

 

Swap in a carbbed ford windsor. Pretty sure i've seen adapters & it would be cooler than an LS swap.

 

I’d be tempted to swap in the lower mileage engine. There is LOTS of room in the engine bay to turn wrenches. So just to be clear, removing and installing the actual engine is really easy...like a 10~15 minute job. What the difficult part of the project is, is to remove the exhaust. Even with zero rust or corrosion on my truck, AND being super careful, i still snapped off 3 exhaust studs (where the down pipes bolt to the manifold). Fixing that took a few + + hours. You might have to buy new exhaust joint sealing doughnuts if you disassemble your exhaust. I bought all new ones just in case. The transmission is heavy enough that you probably won’t be able to bench press it up to the bellhousing if the truck is only on jack stands since there’s not going to be any room to lift it up with your bare hands. Maybe if you have the truck 5~6’ in the air you can throw the tranny over your shoulder and mate it to the bell? My point is if you’re not a silverback gorilla, plan on using a tranny jack. The T case is fairly light (when compared to the tranny), so that installs fairly easily. Hmmm...i think i about halfway talked myself out of recommending you to swap the engines...

 

This is not true

 

lol!