Considering buying a Tundra that overheated and wont start.

Hello, I found a smoking deal on a 2005 tundra , said he was in the mountains and had to get out and overheated to get out. Said its locked up now?

Is this something that can be fixed or a replacement motor would have to be installed.

not much to go on but trying to figure out if its worth the gamble for 1100$ with 227k miles.

 

If it overheated until seizure - I’d say it’s done. Probably bent valves and rods.

That said - you could probably make a little money parting it out if you have the time and energy for that.

 

If its in decent shape, yeah, either part out or find a new engine and continue using it, for $1000, you can't lose. Is it in decent shape?!!?

 

If the engine seized due to overheating, that's a 99% guarantee there's serious damage and a full teardown/inspection is in order. Broken pistons, bent or broken rods, valves etc. Depending on the extent of damage the only option might be to replace the engine, but only a full teardown would determine that, and at that rate, rebuilding might cost the same or more as a used engine. I'd probably steer clear unless you're got the cash for a replacement engine, and even then, I'd be leery of a vehicle that someone drove to the point of seizing barring some kind of accident like an oil pan getting punctured etc., as driving an engine til seizing makes me wonder what else the person didn't take care of on the truck. Just my two cents

 

If it's good and clean per the community megathread, and you're confident in either diagnosing or swapping out the engine, go for it. You're looking at $800-1,500 to find an engine, it'll need to be a 2005-2006 2UZ-FE, but I think there's plenty out there.

Should be easy enough to tell if the engine is toast or not.

 

Thanks for the reply, yea he said it wont even turn over. i never replaced a whole engine, sounds like that is what it probably needs, body is pretty good shape, inside is good cept he had dogs so its dirty,

 

Could be a nice lil project vehicle for you to do if your not looking for something immediate. You can take a gamble at buying a JDM motor for fairly cheap. There's also Toyota engine rebuild specialist like Yota 1 who I'm planning to use for my 5VZ

 

Anyone mention frame rust?

 

It's definitely in the thread I linked

 

Hmmmm…. Unless you’re the “The car care nut” guy. Why buy the other man problem??

 

On the 05 and 06, pulling the engine involves first pulling the intake, then the SAIS check valves on both engines, lots more work. I'd rather do an engine swap on a pre-2005 model.
But it can be done. I would look real hard at the rest of the truck to decide if installing a junkyard engine is worth it.....and the junkyard engine might be bad too, so doing it twice is twice as much fun.

 

Just drop a LS in it?

 

This is always the best answer.

I mean, honestly, you can get a GenIII engine for cheaper than a 2UZ just because it's not as reliable.

I'm sure it'd be easy to adapt motor mount plates, but surely someone sells a kit already? I know others have already LS swapped a 1GT.

Hardest part will be dealing with harness adaptation.

 

I see what you did there

 

Maybe if you want creature comforts. But if you just want a running LS powered tundy. Fucking Haltech, HOLLEY, AEM(?) or any other stand alone ecu and call it a day.

the bonus. OEM parts at LAPS. Like fuckkkkkkkk lol

 

My 2005 LS 5.3 in my suburban has been as reliable as my Toyotas. It has 315K miles without any issues.

 

I think the shifter was comparing 2uz vs LS? I don't know.

but either way, I have 100% belief a LS or LT is damn reliable. But you gotta be a little more on top of maintenance. Not really an issue for most of you nerds but for the average Joe, I still think a 2uz would last a bit longer with neglect and abuse compared to a LS/T.

both are good, and I would still love to have a LS/T powered anything cause *chop*chop* at idle makes me wet (this included ported rotaries fuckkkkkk)

 

Hwat did'ju say

 

GM got way too cute with the ignition system on the LT. I shouldn’t have to tear the engine apart to change plug wires. Like the oil pump belt on the new baby diesels.

 

I don't want to clutter up this thread, but do you know of any specific threads here that discuss the ins and outs of LS swaps?

 

www.ls1tech.com

I’ve got the same username over there, one of my swaps are over there (Jon-Tundra), and several others I’ve helped friends on. I’ve no doubt there’s a 1GT thread or two over there.

 

I had 2 Denalis, both with the 6.0 and both were over 400K before I sold them and neither one ever gave me a single problem. They were also built before 2008 when GM went to the AFM which has been a major problem for them

 

Those late-90's early 2000 Chevys seem really good. Except the auto tranny. Seen multiple work trucks and personal vehicles with the narrative "yeah it's been great. 250,000 and the engine never had a single problem. On the third transmission though"...

My work truck is an '01 5.3 Silverado. 130,000 miles. I don't put many miles on it, but I'm most concerned about the transmission when I think of major problems that could come up.

 

Yea, I decided to pass, good deal but between a baby and getting work done and the "extra" time to work on my tundra i already have and sequoia I just added, Probably best to keep projects to a minimum lol.
was hoping maybe if it didn't need an engine swap I was more interested. Thanks for the input fellas, I appreciate it.

 

I say for $1000, you have plenty of room to repair it without getting upside down on its value versus your investment.

well, too late on the reply!

 

it’s a wise decision.

 

Smart man.

I seriously underestimated the amount of time I'd loose when my kid was born last year. As such, 1 year later, I still have a H151F sitting in the shop that needs to go into my Land Cruiser.

And congrats.