What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

it was really relaxing not being in a rush. Just being persistent and do some each day. Not needing the truck as a driver is nice. Thanks Rucas !


Mike

 

Im currently trying to figure out which would be better a Ls1 swap or a built 350 small block Chevy

 

LS based engine all the way, more HP per cube on average and way better parts availability. I'm not sure I'd pay the premium for an actual LS1 but a 5.3 or a 6.0 out of a truck or suv is popular and plentiful.

 

I went down this route myself and life took a turn before I could drop it in... however I can help with some of the basics. You can do an LS based motor and don't need a true "LS". The iron block motors are stout and can make great power without a weight penalty over the stock 5vz. The basic one is a 5.3 LM7 found in Tahoe's, suburbans, and Silverados. Preferably one before cylinder deactivation and prior to an throttle-by-wire setup. 2001 is the ideal for the motor.

Procuring the motor should be easy enough, the ideal way would be to buy a running and driving Tahoe as they are cheap and it will have all the parts you need, including the transmission if you plan to run an automatic. I bought a complete motor with the ECM/harness myself which isn't terrible if you can find that too.

A couple of the big issues you'll run into with this swap are:
1. Oil pan clearance for the front diff. I never could find a direct drop in part for this, some fabrication is likely required to a front-sump pan setup.
2. Transmission. If you want to stick to a Toyota 5spd you'll need to find a R150 from a pre-tacoma. The output shaft on the Tacoma R150 is incompatible. Advance adapter makes an adapter plate for the R150.
3. Header clearance is extremely limited on the drivers side. You'll need to either modify the steering shaft to make room or you can modify the header on that side although at the cost of airflow through the exhaust.

A great resource for this swap is a 16 party series on YouTube below. His is a bit more simple being a 2wd but a lot of the same challenges you'll face. Good luck!
https://youtu.be/ZRewZb8naGg?si=kt9e2iFMKeFFJ7YM

 

First post and is about a LS swap.. Can I play the guess your age game? I wanna say somewhere between 16-19.

 

Not everyone is 50+ like you, you old bag of ash

 

Ya if you have to ask those kinda of questions its probably over their heads as will be your answers, I read the post and move on.

 

It would be better to just replace the whole damn truck

 

Found this absolute beauty of an issue while installing axle shims. Looks like that tundra axle / SUA swap is going to happen a little sooner than I thought.

 

I recently bought a T100 with a very similar issue.

 

Im trying to build a truck with my grand father and this is the truck he wanted to do. the 3.4 v6 doesn't have enough power for his liking so I was asking which would be better

 

I was figuring the 383 LS1 make up to 850 hp for a truck that weighs maybe 2000 pounds without an engine.

 

oh wow. this has been very helpful thank you so very much

 

yes I'm 16 but I have worked in a mechanic shop since I was 10 doing things like oil change and quick maintenance. I've done several engine swaps as like a 2JZ swapped Plymouth Sundance and a 12v Cummins swapped Silverado. this is my first Tacoma and I don't like the 190-230hp 3.4 v6 I'd rather have the hp and torque off a Silverado or a GMC in this small light compact truck for a quick off road mud toy.

 

Other than just the crack, the axle tube appears to be crushed. I would also have to remove the spring perch to completely weld up the crack. Not real sure how or when it happened, but here we are.

LT is in the near future so I might as well go to a full width rear end and the tundra swap seems like the way to go. ‍♂️

 

I like building out of the ordinary things. yes I'm young but I'm trying to learn everything I can so I can open my own shop after I become a world tech and get a masters in automotive. I want to build custom vehicles. I'm young and have a dream and a plan. quit hating on me for no reason

 

Don't forget the rear axle, the Toyota one won't hold that much power for long. Ford 8.8" is the best fit if I remember correctly. Can hold up to a lot of power, is the right width and I think the spring perches are in the right spot.

Once you get this going create a build thread here and document the process. Would be great to see and shut up the old cronies here good luck!