LS Swap

I put a Dodge 318 in a 1988 Toyota truck. Never could keep it cool. Eventually sold it.

 

LS swaps are the most popular engine swaps in recent years, into just about everything.
For the OP- Don't just think your going to drop kick an LS into your Taco and done- wash hands!
It is a far more complex swap then what appears. And money fly's away quickly.
By far the best money is spent on a junk yard rig you can get a full complement of parts from
as mentioned earlier. Engine/transmission, computer , harness, Rear end, Exhaust manifolds, etc.

You said it was a 4cyl. That means the rear end will not like the new swing upward in power.
Many things have to be changed or upgraded to do this correctly. You also must know
what your doing and why ! There are books on LS swaps and explain allot about the process.
But the LS3 and the 4L60E is bulletproof. And the most plentiful in yards.
Be careful on selection though as the 4.8 liter and the 5.3 look almost identical.
This is where the vin from the donor or info on the door pillar can help greatly.
Versus an engine sitting on a pallet.
There would also most likely be some money and labor spent on prep work.
LS motors love better Cams and upgraded valve springs. So you would want to upgrade this part of the motor
bar none. And a completely reworked exhaust system will be in order.
But all hurdles cleared and running well. You will have a beast of a truck thats fun as hell
to drive and can brag a little or allot depending on how much you do yourself.
Lots of data on Carcraft.com and Hotrod.com for the LS swaps.

 

My dad, RIP, had one and loved the roadmaster back in his Hay Day. He would reminisce about it on occasion. I can't tell you what year it was but I have to think it was somewhere maybe in the 40s. Yeah, 1940s. Lol

 

Buicks original Road master Was a huge car with most likely a straight eight.
About 3 tons of solid iron. The 96 model was basically a Caprice wagon.
The same year of SS Impala had the Corvette running gear.
My father in law had one and it was black on black with leather ,sunroof.
Stunning car. And pretty fast for a sedan. Big on value now as well.

 

What other rear axles fit? Locally I can get an Ls with trans but no wiring or axle. I have been looking for a Tacoma body for some time with no luck but I have a good lead on a mint 92 auto 4runner.

 

There are company's that sell replacement harnesses. Painless is one.
The retro fit harnesses are mostly for LS swaps into older Chevy Cars.
But one for a chevy pickup that the motor and transmission may have come from
can be purchased. This is the reason the donor vehicle info is of great concern.
Most full size say Chevy Rear ends like the 12 bolt are going to be for a much wider truck.
So using one of these on a Tacoma would require cutting the width down as well as the axles.
This can be done by a shop but it's not a very cheap option. A Ford 9" rear would be nice
but are hard to find now. Strange sells complete ford 9" rears brand new but will send
your wallet into flames.

 

I had two. Sold the white rust bucket to a friend for a LS swap project and kept the green one. Sold it and picked up my Tacoma since we wanted to do more dispersed camping than building a teardrop

I loved ripping away from lights. So much torque in those old LT1s

 

This is what I ripped away from the lights in :