Hello all ... new member here, enjoying your digs ... anyway on to the question.

After having searched and read over the archives here and on similar sites, I am still unsure about one thing regarding the swap.

Here's my situation - I have a '93 P/U w/ 5speed and 4x4 of course. I have located a '99 4Runner with the motor package that I need, however it has an automatic tranny. Will I be able to use the ECU from the '99 in my truck, or will I have problems with it? Will the computer be looking for the auto tranny, not find it, and have a fit? And, what about the tach, I am unsure about how that receives its signal as well.

Below is a quote that I pulled from another member's archived post ...

"Toyota changed the 3.4 setup somewhat in the 99 model year. They ran larger injectors and ditched the cumbersome MAF used previously along with the EGR system. The 96 4Runner was capable of supporting the supercharger, but in order to take advantage of all the cool upgrades they made, you would ideally find a 2000 - 2001 Tacoma or 1999 to 2000 4Runner. To my knowledge, these are the ones that ran the larger injectors, no EGR and no drive by wire throttle system. I would avoid the drive by wire system as it would represent an additional pain in the as$ to wire."

So it would seem from that bit of info that it would be possible to use an ECU from a standard tranny vehicle if I had too. I would prefer to use the ECU that came from the 4Runner that the motor is coming from, but if it won't work, it won't work.

The ECU is included in the package deal that I am getting, and introducing a part (ECU) from a different vehicle and possibly a different year model could increase the difficulty of the swap by adding variables. I would like to limit the chances of pesky problems caused by mismatched parts and minor differences between models as much as possible, hence my desire to use the ECU and motor from the same donor if at all possible.

[color:"blue"]So, will an ECU and motor from a '99 4Runner(3.4L) w/ auto tranny work in a '93 P/U w/ 5 speed tranny and 4x4? [/color]

TIA for all info and replies.

(bump)

I would like to know too.

id say you will be alright/ you will have some wires that dont go nowhere but... i just recenty swaped in a 5 speed for my auto and everything is great. only thing is you will need to bypass the nuetral safety wiring to your clutch pedal switch. this is to trick the ecu to think its in nuetral. if i think of anything else ill post it

I think, it will work, not but well and your check engine light will be on.

The ECU for the automatic will be looking for input from an auto tranny that isn't there. And, the ECU will be looking to give signals to an auto tranny that isn't there.

Someone correct me, if I'm wrong. But isn't the Toyota automatic tranny computer controlled?....like for shift points? That's why I think it's a problem. And, if you leave any of the "extra" wires just hanging there, your "Check Engine" light will almost definitely be on. And I'd think that your ECU will not be doing it's job of controlling the engine controls (mixture and timing) if it is not getting all the inputs it's suposed to.

If I were you I'd go to, or call up a wrecking yard, and see if you can swap that 99 "auto" ECU for a 99 "manual" ECU. They'll probably charge you something, but I doubt they'll charge the full price. All you have to do is match the year (I'm pretty sure a tacoma, or T100 ECU of the same year and engine will work). Mine has the year stamped on a sticker, on the ECU. And, then you can sleep well at night.

For a complete write-up and very good reasons as to why you should get a manual engine and ecu can be found at ORS's website- specifically by clicking HERE .
For the extremely lazy here's the excerpt you're looking for taken directly from the aforementioned page <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
"If you are using a manual transmission, the 3.4L engine needs to come from a manual transmission vehicle. In SELECT year models we have found a difference in crankshaft machining from the factory. In these instances an engine from an automatic transmission application will not accept a pilot bearing. Another reason to purchase a manual transmission "package" is the difference in electronics. The engine ECU and the engine wiring harness are completely different manual to auto. Based off experience, we recommend purchasing all the used parts from the same manual transmission vehicle. Once again, purchasing all used parts from the same donor vehicle has been proven to prevent grouchy mood swings." ~ORS
HTH,

~R

Thanks for the replies everyone ... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I posted this on another forum as well, and got a good reply there as well. Here is the link - Thread over on YotaTech
And as Rusty said, for the lazy ...

"Hello,

I believe I made that post. you're going to have a few issues with using an automatic ECU and a manual tranny. First and foremost, the ECU is designed to communicate with the transmission- it takes inputs from the transmission and adjusts the ignition timing, and idle speed based on automatic specific inputs. It also controls the torque converter lockup, overdrive engagement, shift points, etc.. by analyzing throttle angle, speed sensor, and relative comparisons to an ASIC derived learning pattern. If you were to simply bolt in the motor and not attach an automatic transmission, you would end up with a CEL right off the bat, followed by strange idle conditions, and inherently poor overall performance. Your best bet would be to find a manual transmission ECU and engine wiring harness from the same year as your engine and get the sensors (MAF, A/F ratio, etc..) along with it. If this isn't possible, you need to find an ECU of a similar generation- meaning, if your injectors are the 99-02 style, get an ecu from that generation. If you're talking 95.5 to 98, get the electronics and sensors from that generation. There are different part numbers on the MAF and O2 / A/F sensors for almost every year but they will work within the same generation. 95.5 to 98 being one and 99-02 being the other. Another note, the engine harness from an auto can be used but the ECU connectors will be different between auto and manual. You will need to change some of the the plugs and the pinouts on some of the plugs, resulting in a large pain it the ass factor."

Look near the bottom of page one and into page two in the linked thread.

My reply to that was ...

"Unfortunatley, I kinda figured that my search for donor parts was far from over, I just wanted some confirmation. [email]D@mned[/email] integrated computers! (he,he,he)

Yes, the package that I located was from a '99 Runner, so we're talking about the more recent generation. I am not planning on adding the TRD S/C package, but having the upgraded electronics just in case would be nice.

This blows bigs chunks because I was offered a good deal on the package, $1500 for the package complete (including all accessories from a wrecked, but still intact Runner) pending exchange of my old 3.slo and corresponding parts. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Now it would appear that I will have to hit the pavement again, looking for components from a manual tranny vehicle. I will no doubt spend more money pulling the parts from multiple sources.

Switching gears slightly ... this '99 that I mentioned has an LCD odometer, hence I don't know the exact mileage on the Runner. The best guess of the yard owner was a range of 50-70,000 miles. I would like to know for sure before I drop the cash on it. I have no experience with LCD odometers. Would connecting a battery to the truck get that LCD working (along with the key of course)? I am not dead set on this particular donor, but it is mostly intact and a relatively recent wreck - I am not so sure about using a motor that's been sitting in his warehouse for years (not to mention the fact that those are bare naked engines).

Paul"

I hope this info helps you guys as well, and if anyone has info on that LCD odometer - thanks in advance.

And to reply more specifically ...

[color:"red"]Willztoypickup91 [/color] - Yeah, my brother and I recently swapped a 5 Spd into his '76 Corona with no problems. I think however, that these really new Yotas are a WHOLE lot more integrated (electronically that is) than the older vehicles were. You and he got it done cleanly with no snafus, but I don't think that I would be that fortunate, given that the ECU in question is such a late model. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[color:"red"] CORunner93 [/color] - Yeps, I was figurin on having CEL's thrown. And that is good advice and probably what I will do - as far as trading out that ECU is concerned.

[color:"red"] Rusty Davis[/color] - Ah, the ORS site, un hun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, been there read that and will no doubt read it again (and again) before its all over. Supposedly some of the '99's were machined for service in trucks with either auto or 5spd trannys. I am hoping that this one I located is properly machined (no way to tell just yet, it's still in the Runner).

I plan on compiling a master list of all the info I have found while researching the swap and posting it on the respective forums to aid the swappers that follow.

if you jump the wires for the nuetral safety switch the ecu will think its in N so the speed sensor wont have any out put to ecu...however you speedo may be electronic so you will need output. id try to find the right combo but make sure that crankshaft in machined correctyl to accept a pilot bushing!!

If you want to do more research, try lextreme.com. There's some info on there about this subject (although it refers to lexus V8's).

As mentioned, the newer trucks are a whole new ball game. Older trucks can be swapped back and forth. Not so the newer ones. Do the whole swap (entire harness/ECU/tranny arrangement) or nuttin', else you will be in for Hard Knocks University and either learn more about Toyota control logic design than you EVER cared to know, or fail.

Mike Caskey's advice is hard won by the way. I figger I'll learn from others' mistakes and invent my own, new mistakes instead.

I would pass on the deal personally. Think of the money you'll save on psychiatric meds!!!