5lugfury's v8 swap and sas

You going to do lower control arms too or just stick with the new uppers?

 

For now just uppers. I want to finally get rid of my spacer lift. I'll probably do sas in like 2 years anyways.

 

Took a little break on the suspension stuff and got the front frame plated.







The next step is to make up some motor mounts and test fit with my spare engine block

 

Took a side step since I'm waiting for my engine plates to come in. I cut out one of my shock towers and started to install a hoop for my 8" kings. It's not done and it's not the prettiest but I know it'll work out just fine. I still got to add more gussets as well as I plan to do a crossbar once the engine is in.













Now when I build my new arms I know they'll be clearanced properly.


I also started to get my throttle cable and pedal installed.






Annnnnd finally I switched my header flanges from the 3 bolt to marmons so I won't have any leaks or alignment issues.

 

It's currently just sitting in there but I'll be making motor mounts Friday and then I just gotta redo my suspension.

 

So today I got the motor mounts installed. Just gotta redo my suspension mounts and then finallllllllllllllly I can drop the actual engine in.

 

Got my foot pedal installed. I used a floor mounted pedal out of an LS400






Annnnnnnd now onto my first decent hurdle. With the bare block in I'm able to place the bare head on and see how my exhaust sits. I only have one extra head but luckily they can go either way. On the passenger side everything clear with a good amount of room.




Now the driver side does not clear and touches the steering shaft.



I can't even seat the head properly





It seems to be only one runner so I'm thinking of trying to make it run lower instead of sticking out. It's the top runner in this picture and it hits around there that bend is. I'll probably cut it out first and see how much room it gives me.

 

How about some additional u joints to bring the shaft down? Lots of old hot rodders have done similar things. If you aren't familiar with it.....give it a Google

 

I've seen it before but for me I'd rather modify the cheap headers than my steering. My plan now is to modify the first 2 runners and tuck them under as I have plenty of room. I'm also going to rotate the collector and it looks like it'll give me the room I want.

Collector before


After the cut and rotate

 

The heat won't be kind to the boot, maybe a wrap of sorts

 

I agree. I plan to add some heat shielding to that and the brakelines nearby, seems to be the norm with these swaps.

 

So the more I looked at it the more I decided I wanted a different style of shock mounting. I used hoops but mounted them on top of the frame since im retaining my upper control arms. I found the ruff stuff shock towers and oddly enough they fit in between the upper control arms mounting points. So I cut the hoop out (only hooped one side so far) and switched it for the tower.







I still have to do the other side this weekend. When everything is installed I plan to make a crossbar as well. Once I get the other side done then I can proceed with installing the full motor.

 

Guess who's back on the ground now!!! I just need to finish modifying the driver side header and then I can work on dropping the new engine in.

 

Final engine bay prepping, I sanded and painted it with steel-it black.









Also decided to strip down these horrible headlight harnesses, just waiting for some heat shrink to finish them off.



And finally moved the truck over a space to make the install easier.





Next weekend should be a fun one dropping the motor in. Then it's just plumping and mounting cooling.

 

just read all of this today man, idk how i got here since i was looking on turbocharging the single cab taco now that i see this its like damn man i need to get a 1uz....... for a little bit i thought it was going to be an ls build like everyone but its the 1uz so awesome man and so glad and amazed of the dedication i have a buddy that stopped talking to me since then i havent worked on his k10 6.0 ls build but damn man....... makes me want to sell my dakota 98 5.9 srt 4x4 just so i can start a build like this on the taco........ i love the build and will be patiently waiting on the update

 

It's alot of work but I think it's worth it.

 

I did a thing today. Now I gotta do all the little things lol.

 

Looks damn good! Especially with the yellow. Fits about as good as the v6 too, wish they could have come like this from the factory

 

Yeah I'm surprised how well it fits. All sides have a good amount of room including by the firewall. I am using 4 into 1 headers so I does get tight by the steering shaft.