2nd Gen Tacoma 4.6 V8 1UR-FE and GX powertrain Swap

I am going to try this fitting. I am not going to delete anything. I am concerned about gas mileage. And also theres probably a reason it's there, possibly because the WS ATF is likely formulated to run at these conditions for 60,000 miles. Additionally in freezing temperatures, which we have in PNW, I'd want my coolant heating up the ATF to operating temperature.

 

it may be a gamble, but for $3 you cant go wrong. im not sure why but my phone kept giving me .AU links from ebay. maybe because the browser i use has a built in vpn, but i've never had that problem before.

 

I too appreciate the fact that this thread has brought this interesting but unusual "gizmo to our attention. I have a lot of respect for Toyota engineering until engineers are directed to but put Band-Aids in place to address issues presented as a problem. Especially when the purpose is really to satisfy what I would call "a leadership compromise" driven by a "beancounter" mentality that is counter to good engineering. If that is the case, I call that BS.

I've never designed a transmission but if running cool before it reaches operating temperature, I would think it may shift harder and possibly creates unnecessary friction if the driver pushes a complex device with a shit-ton of moving parts that has not reach operating temperatures as if it was on a race track. If the only purpose of the "gizmo" is to increase MPG to met a quota before the vehicle is at operating temperature at the expense of long-term reliability - I'd call more BS.

@iwashmycar, I certainly agree with your comment about the lessor of two evils. Did you disable the "gismo" when you added the trans cooler? Anyone ever ask a knowledgeable and trusted Toyota technician or anyone who has disabled the "cold transmission heat Band-Aid" if a mechanical schematic indicates any unintended consequences?

Having talked with @gearcruncher before about my Tacoma transmission maintenance, I'd say he qualifies as a step above a knowledgeable and trusted transmission technician

 

I dont have a GX (yet) - I said I probably would delete it (or pin it open) to see how it does. My FJ Cruiser doesnt have this gizmo on it, but I did add the huge Hayden trans cooler and those lower trans temps I get even in winter dont seem to have the trans shifting harder or anything negative that I can 'feel'. Fluid is still nice and cherry red so thats a good sign. I do still have my stock trans cooler that shares the OEM radiator hooked up, so in theory its still doing some of that heat exchange between the fluids.

 

Appreciate the info... so did you put this on your 2nd Gen Tacoma? I ask because I think not having a freakin dip-stick on any automatic transmission is BS. Again, I don't blame the engineers. I'd call that more "beancounter" mentality.

For what it's worth, I mean no disrespect to "engineers of economics, accounting, and finance". The term beancounter to me is a pejorative term I use when necessary attention, analysis, and analytics is taken to an extreme at the compromise of reliability.

 

Almost ready to burn this crossmember in!

 

How close are you to completion?

 

Completion and running are two very different timelines.

I will probably have it running in 2 weeks. Completion probably another 6 months to a year.

 

I would be concerned to daily this thing. Put so much effort into perfecting it.

 

I have a 09 STI that will probably be the primary daily once I fix it. Currently needs an engine because previous owner launched a rod lol.

 

It’s awesome to have a secondary vehicle to get around as we mess with the trucks. *table full of parts for me to service the bike staring at me silently*

 

Yup, 06 scion tc is the current daily, I bought it for 1k and swapped in a 2015 XB engine into it. It is liberating having a car that you don't care how much mileage is on it.

 

Absolutely. Bike’s the beater(crf450x) got the able to off road at any moment

 

Felt this. My truck is "driving" now but my laundry list of items is still miles long.

 

Gotta stay strong, finish all the little things and be done with it.

 

So stoked for this project. Probably a dream of a lot of taco owners.

 

Awesome build and idea. Doing the 4.7 from a GX or 4runner would have been alot easier I'm sure since it's pretty much the same frame and all but cool to see the effort and ingenuity

 

But is there tape holding the trunk latch button assembly on, or is it still holding on by its own means?

 

Haha yep, barely hanging on. I have a replacement in my garage just to lazy to change it.

 

Our good friend Denis has been unusually quiet. He may have taken a well-deserved "physical" week away from his epic workout of physically redefining what a Tacoma can become.

Keep in mind, 14 months ago his plan was to "swap the whole GX powertrain" over to an older but new to him Tacoma. This included switching out "differentials with a regear to 4.56, gearbox (a760f 6 speed), Engine, power steering rack, electronic brake booster with traction control, secondary air injection system and all electricals to make this look as factory as possible". I also remember hearing, "I like when systems integrate reliably and a clean build". Sure looks like he has delivered all of this and quite a bit more in solutions and features added along the way.

When I started reading about his objectives I thought about the V8, the weight differential between the Tacoma and the donor car the V8 came from, the Tacoma version of "big brakes", and AWD from the Lexus to the Tacoma. These were huge benefits to the Tacoma that I am familiar with. Far more, in my opinion, than the difference between the Tacoma I drive and a Tacoma Pro. One of the more amazing things he has done when you look at the accomplishments to date is how quickly and how well things seem to be coming together.

A week ago tomorrow, he suggested that he is thinking of "probably having it running" next week. So my guess is also, if he took any time off physically, mentally he has been working hard in "deep think mode" preparing for what it will take to start his one-off Tacoma. Hopefully he may even have taken some time away from his "regular job".

Whether the truck is running or not next week, the progress has been nothing but steady, tremendously impressive, and with everything well done. If you ever ran a 26.4 mile marathon, you are familiar with the 20 mile marker being the half-way point of finishing, much less winning, a race not cut out for everyone. If you've gotten any enjoyment out of the story Denis has shared with us, think about the analogy of him being at the marathon-like halfway point to completion. If you were him, don't you think you would benefit hearing the roar of the crowd indicating our enjoyment, respect, and appreciation of his accomplishments? He has come a long way. A running vehicle is a huge accomplishment. A bit of encouragement for a strong finish would have to be appreciated.