Long Travel BS Thread

So my next project I'm gathering parts for is a lil 87 2wd single cab pickup.
It's going to be linked with a vertical uniball kit up front and dual 2.5's all the way around. Kinda half gnar half budget sort of a build...

For drivetrain I found:
1. low mile 2nd GEN 4.0 out of a 4x4 with a manual transmission. Still has the transfer case. Wiring harness + computers. No key.

2. low mile 1st gen 3.4 with an auto trans, + wiring harness and computers.

I think the 3.4 would be a more simple swap as it's been done many times and they aren't so computery and involved with ABS sensors, but I don't know about the longevity of a stock auto trans
I like the 4.0's and since it's a manual, ABS delete shouldn't be such a big deal. I'm not sure about transfer case removal and bell housing/computer issues?

I don't like to mod drivetrains much and I'm not looking to build some super fast competitive truck. Want to try have it ok'd by a dmv ref... smoggable/plated
Any suggestions on drivetrain from people that have done swaps?

 

The 3.4 will fit in there nicely without issue and will be an overall easy conversion to complete. The 4.0 will not fit as easy since its a tad longer and wider then the 3.4. And then to deal with the 4.0electronics and sensors will be a fun and its own special way lol.

 

Couldn't help myself had to post a progress pic of the new front bumper just need to mount facy pantsy skids and paint

 

3.4 for sure, save the headaches and be in the dirt and having fun sooner! Single cab yota, 3.4 will be more then enough hp to have fun in it. Swapping from a 250K mile 3.0 to the 3.4L in my extended cab was like night and day better in seat of the pants power.

As for the auto... Time will tell but we're racing on a 100% stock '04 tacoma auto trans behind a 3.4L. I'm betting we've got about 400-500 miles of hard dirt use on it, oil stays nice and clean and the only time I've had the temps come up was doing short back and forth wash passes for photos. We're running just a cheap aux trans cooler off a fullsize truck with a tow package that I pulled out of the junkyard along with the factory toyota radiator cooler.

So far, it seems to be holding up great!

 

Thanks for the pics jason !!!

 

if that's true then that's a crying shame...

 

saw you out doing work saturday night on my way back from LAX... i would have swung by but i was too damn tired

 

HA!
I like your DTF emblem on your grill, nice touch. And the rest of the truck of course.

Cool, thanks guys, I was thinking the 3.4 would be the more sensible swap. Thanks for the info on the stock auto!

 

Very nice!

 

So what's the point of the flat fairing on the front bumper. you see it on tons of trucks, but i've never been able to figure out on my own what it's function is.......

 

Because Trophy Tacoma

 

Trophy trucks started using it for better aerodynamics at over 100mph, and since everyone on TW does that speed in the desert they need it too

 

that's what i've been defaulting too

 

LOL, make fun of me all you want but I still say Ford was ahead of the game as they offered that TT aero package as standard equipment in '91!!! And so therefore, that's obviously why I kept the old school front clip and bumper rather then going to the conversion and some big prerunner type bumper! LOL

Now if only they'd put a Toyota 3.4L rather then the gutless ford 4.0L in this thing back in '91 I'd be stoked!

 

take it down the street to Macco they'll hook you up on paint lol mines actually holding up great

 

For me its just to clean up the front end and hopefull cut down a little on my the amount of air my parachute size one piece catches. I'm still going to drill the mini fenders

nailed it

My truck couldn't do that on the freeway going downhill

My 90' ranger has the same "race parts" lol

except I'm rocking the gutless 2.3

 

Oh god, and I thought mine was bad with the 4.0... LOL

 

You have no idea, I have to down shift on regular ass hills on the freeway