If this was even a remote "easy" possibility in the people's republic of Kalifornia, I'd consider it aside from extended downtime :/
Leadfoot21 I can spend ~$5k to $6k to swap in a "better" engine than what is in it. I'm not sure I can find anything any better for that same price range. This has zero to do with "financially sensible adult" as you put it. A sensible adult isn't going to spend $10k++++ to replace a truck that can be repaired for $6k and will last 100k++++. I'm of the mindset that until the interior turns to complete trash or the body/frame rusts out from under it, it will always be cheaper to repair than replace in the long run.
As someone else mentioned, there is the whole 'devil that you know' issue to it. To find an equivalent 'non-overly teched-up pile', I'm probably looking at $10k++++++ I have ZERO desire for any modern car with all the extra nav, touch screen, etc bull crap. Nevermind that to me, all new cars look the same(ugly as hell) There is a reason that my newest car is a 2002 with the next newest being 2000 and then straight to 1971
Back to general comments:
I recently(under 1k miles) had the whole front end rebuilt(ball joints, a-arms, bushings, etc) Struts are good with new bushings. The rear could probably use new shocks but not critical. I haven't checked spring bushings.
It sounds like the belief that JDM really means anything is a bit over rated aside from lower mileage.
I have zero attachment to the Tacoma... my wife might disagree with that
I am just looking at it from a dollars and down time stand point. What can I buy that is better to MUCH better than replacing the engine. My belief is nothing.