01 Sequoia 4.7L hot motor - swap or dump?

I've got an 01 Sequoia w/165k miles - blew a gasket or maybe cracked a head - but I don't definitively know. I'm in Chicago (in the city) so it's tough to find someone to do the work. Took it to a shop that charged me $300 to tell me what I already know: pulling in coolant into two cylinders. They didn't even do a leak-down or scope the cylinders and they don't want to work on it. Sucks when you don't have a mechanic you can trust. I'm worried if I take the heads off, I'll find something nasty will have to swap the motor anyway. so I'm at a dump it/engine swap decision. It's pretty crusty underneath (norther IL car exposed to salt) but I rebuilt all the suspension last year and did a 3" lift w/Old Man Emu springs and Bilsteins in the back. 33" BFG Destinations for $1400. Water pump failed on a long hot trip in the summer and it got pretty hot before I was able to get it to where it could be towed. Pretty sure it's only top-end damage but got hot enough that it was knocking and shut down. In these weird times, with supply chain issues it almost seems like saving. TONS of used 2UZ's out there. Thoughts? Anyone successfully revived a hot 4.7L?

 

The rust gives me pause, otherwise I'd say go with a used motor. At least around here in CO, used motors with 150k miles go for $800.

I personally wouldn't rebuild because I 'd hate to get deep into the motor and find our there's more damage and then have to get a used engine anyway.

On a side note, can you post up what suspension you went with and how you like it? I have eibach shocks up front with stock springs and stock height dobinson coils in the back with 0-1.5 lift Dobinson shocks. The eibach seem undervalved and a bit wallowy up front and the back are interesting because at low speed like a speed bump they seem to go trough half the travel, but at speed they seem fine. (2001 Sequoia)

 

If the frames still solid just toss a used motor in and enjoy it.

 

I went with new OEM shocks up front w/3" aluminum lift blocks. Freedom Off Road UCA's and a diff drop. Rear are long travel Bilsteins and ARB Old Man Emu 3" lifted coils. Trying to do an economy overland build. Have taken it off road a number of times and gone on a few 8-10 hour road trips. Handles great compared to the wornout shape it was in. I've hauled firewood in it and prior to the rear lift, it was sitting really low with a full load. After the OME's on a full load it sat at the exact same height as unloaded. Super happy with the suspension, hence not wanting to let it go. Sourced an engine with 85k for $1500 shipped. Anyone know what to expect for the labor swap (new hoses, motor mounts, etc)?

 

Labor is around 20 hrs according to all data. So 20 times what usually is 150 an hour

 

Any chance you have part numbers for the ARB coils and Bilstein shocks?

 

Bilstein 4600 $186/pair
ARB Old Man Emu 2860 rear 3" lift heavy load spring $207/pair
Got everything here: https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/c17/2001-2007ToyotaSequoiaSuspension#/