1998 Tacoma V8 engine swap

I know a lot of people have thought of it. A lot of people want to do it. But, I’m here to figure out what it’s going to take and then do it. Here’s my thought process going into this project… Truck is a 98 Tacoma xtra cab with the 3.4L V6 and manual transmission. Mostly stock with the exception of tires, lift, and interior stuff. My goal engine would be to slap an early model 5.7 350 in it that has the pre-drilled / tapped holes to mount a carburetor. I’ve been hearing of the advance bell housing adapters that will make my manual Toyota transmission bolt right up to the 350. Theoretically speaking other than fabbing up some motor mounts and maybe modifying the cross member and driveshafts (depending on if the bell housing adapter adds or shortens complete transmission length) and obviously doing some custom exhaust work which will probably end up with straight headers out of the hood being this is a mud truck build… I feel like other than financially.. it shouldn’t be that hard to make this swap happen. Going with the bell housing adapter I would assume I can keep the stock transfer case and therefore keep 4wd the way it is. The electrical work should be easy as I’m going to run fuel pump, starter, etc. to toggle switch and push button. Install aftermarket electric fans for radiator. Still in-between on if I want to go ahead and do a front straight axle swap or leave it with the front diff and CV axles. Lots of other plans for this project but figured if I couldn’t get a v8 crammed in there for the heart of it. Then I will have to change the plans of everything around it.

-now the reason I’m posting this here is to see if my thought process is correct on this. To see if anyone in here has tried or hopefully succeeded in a swap like this. I’ve used the search bar and have only found the tundra V8 swap that I am not to fond of due to the electrical nightmare and the ECU problems I have read about. I want to keep it as straightforward and simple as possible. So Does anyone have any tips, advice, or see anything that might hinder this coming to life? I figured if it was as simple as I’m making it out to be, then a lot of others would’ve had the same idea and done it… I appreciate y’all’s time for reading this and any advice y’all are willing to share. Thanks!

 

Buy early model I am guessing no later then mid- seventies ??

Once you start getting any electronics the wiring gets interesting.

Why not start off and just put a Tacoma cab and Bed on a chevy drive train. Speaking from experience the Toyota drive train will not handle the chevy horse power or torque . You can then spend time getting real good at changing differentials and drive shafts the weakest link is always going to fail.

Far more Chevy parts to scarf up and easier to find.

Sell the Tacoma and build a chevy instead if your looking for High Horse Power mud adventures.

Best of Luck what ever you decide .

 

To start off you have to figure out if your going to run a Chevy, Olds, Pontiac or Buick. They all made carburetor 350's.