My LS swapped 3rd Gen Tacoma build thread

I figured id go ahead and start a build thread on my LS swapped 3rd Gen

I originally bought the truck and completed a cadiallac LF3 engine swap in it. The truck performed great, i had close to 500hp with it with the boost turned up a little.

the problem was it was only 2wd. I started to figure out how to make it 4wd but it started to get pretty complicated. i mechanically got it all done with a 8L45 out of a 2018 Chevy Colorado and a matching transfer case. I had it all bolted in and running but it shifted weird. After tons of researching and trying different things i came to the conclusion there wasnt a way to electrically get it to work right, programming and hardware.

So i pulled everything out and started my LS journey.

Here is a link to my LF3 swap thread, if you want the history of the truck https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-engine-swapped-3rd-gen-build-thread.790151/




here we start with the LF3 all pulled out and stating with a empty engine bay


the easy part of this is i already have most of the needed swap components done. Electric power steering, fuel system is already done using the 2nd gen bucket fuel bucket and aeromotive pump

So i picked up a 2014 L77 with a 6L80E transmission out of a low mileage Caprice PPV car, ive always loved using these motors in LS swaps ive done, they are all aluminum 6.0s with a cam they make good power. Any buy using the 6l80 i can easily put a transfer case on it with no issues

so i took the oil pan off and sat the motor and trans in the truck to see what i was working with

oil pan clearance will be no easy task, the front diff is in all the wrong places, trans tunnel has plenty of room.




for exhaust manifold the factory caprice manifolds fit but the flange is pointing straight down which is pointing close to the front crossmember so i had to figure something else out

picked up a set of trick flow mid length headers



clearance was perfect of the passenger side




drivers side it hit the steering shaft just a little so ill have to heat it up and put a little dent in it but nothing major

Motor mounts are done but i forgot to get any pictures of them, they were really simple to make and im using the stock tacoma rubber mounts, i didnt have to cut anything off the truck, very easy to mount the motor and trans in the truck.

The oil pan i pretty much have done too. i basically bought a steel pan off of speed way motors and cut to fit and rewelded.

thats what i have done now, my plan is to have this on the road in a week or so

ill first have it going 2wd since i already have a driveshaft that will work so thats easy

 

Nice! Do love the 6.0s!

 

I remember your first post, was wicked for sure. I have a CTS-V (obviously) with the 6.0 and it’s a beast. Excellent choice!

 

just wondering how do you connect all this to the gauage cluster of the car? the speedometer, mileage gauge etc etc..do you use the stock tacoma dash or the dash that came with the LS?

 

Nice. Most here are terribly confused and stopped in their tracks on the proper windshield wipers that are approved to use by Toyota engineering.

The rest are salivating at what your doing to your truck.

 

How big of an engine can you throw in without it rubbing?

 

Guilty as charged here. I just recently posted asking about the best way to repair a plastic tube on my TRD air intake. Then you have guys like the OP who pull off custom engine swaps. You have my utmost respect for your skills. Please post a vid with engine startup when its all done. Would love to hear that badboy

 

Well done OP!

 

The speedometer and fuel gauge works no matter what engine you use since it uses the BCM, but I’ll probably use a Dakota digital universal cluster to see everything else, I’ve been just using a Edge CTS monitor for engine readings

 

Ahahaaaaa! The truth was too much to bear and you JUMPED right out of the closet!!!!

 

Nice. I'm currently swapping a 6.2l into my Tacoma, among other mods. But mine definitely won't be done in a week!

I have a 6l80e that I'm selling, and a 4l80e that I'm installing. For what I'm doing the 6l80e is not reliable enough even though I really wanted to use it.

Will follow along cuz I still have a tonne to learn!

 

You ok buddy?

 

A couple buddies and I were talking about your LF3 swap last night and how bad ass it was. And now this lol
Please make a vid when done
Subs

 

Well I’ve pretty much got the swap all done, couple small things to finish like radiator hoses, and loom up all the wiring



It’s crazy how small a LS looks in the Tacomas engine bay compared to the stock engine

so after I finally got everything done I loaded up a base map and started to crank the engine over. About 5 seconds of cranking a piston decided to exit the building. Only explanation I can think of was something was wrong with the engine from the get go, I bought it from a salvage yard with a warranty so hopefully I’ll have no issues getting another

 

That’s a rough bump in the road! Hope you get that warranty figured out asap.

 

wow that must be frustrating!

 

Man, that sucks after all that work. It seems you are very adept with pulling engines so hopefully, this is resolved quickly for you.

 

Damn, you hate to see something like that. Hopefully, you are able to sort this out without any hiccups. This swap is definitely a dream of mine.

 

Ooo I like this