2003 toyota tacoma double cab 2uz-fe v8 swap

I got to change the oil in the monster today. It was cool to see it once again. I think It would be cool If I had made the skid plates line up with the drain plug on the 4.7 oil pan. I still took them off to keep oil off of them. Here is the first trd decal I had made for the 03. The short box had been extended ten inches to the rear. So I had the decal made 3 inches longer and a half inch taller.

 

This has inspired me...I just bought an 03 Seqouia for a grand...pulling the dash tonight for the harness/ecm and hopefully the motor (4.7) this week...it will be going in my single cab 99 tacoma...I'm calling it the SeComa lol

 

what radiator did you use?

 

Great job, turned out really nice.

The wiring seems like it would be a mess.

You had a plan and executed it with
excellent results. Seems Toyota could offer
a V8 as an option in the Tacoma.
Goes to show you, if you want it done right,
you gotta do it yourself.

Awesome.

 

Aluminum radiator for TOYOTA Hilux Surf KZN185 3.0L Diesel 1996-2002 Manual.
I miss the torque of this truck and the ability to show my work. Now it seems it's just a bull-shit story, LOL. I do not regret moving on, but maybe the thrill of the build. A few more builds and I will find another v8.

 

Use a masking tape around that wipe a bead of blk caulk with finger pull tape nicely while caulk is wet. Should clean that up and give u a cleaner line around that dial

 

I used a plastic weld. It was the first time using it. Too bad I didn't have a 3d printer, I could have really cleaned it up then.

 

If I could only print out that good woman and obedient children.

 

That's funny! Even if I could, I would make a couple of throw-aways. I usually learn by mistake, LOL

 

I finished my swap and it is a beast!!! but now I'm having a flashing CEL which I think means a bad coil..anybody know about this?

 

Coming soon to the first gen toyota 4runner forum!!!

 

@36tacundra

Nice built. Ready to sell me your toy

 

If you want to be side tracked for some more 4.7 v8 fun, here is the build,"https://www.4runners.com/threads/3-first-gens.11438/"

 

With due apologies for reviving this old thread as my very first post, I would like to offer the hasty excuse that a search for first-generation Tacoma V8 conversions brought me here to this highly educational series of posts by master mechanic 36tacundra.

Cutting to the chase, I'm an old geezer whose all-time favorite pickup truck shape just happens to be a first-generation Toyota Tacoma with the extra cab option, as opposed to the far more common double cab variant. Found one for sale on Copart, and have posted a couple of pictures showing the specific Tacoma model and body style that ticks all the boxes for me. Buying this vehicle online and sight unseen is indeed risky, due to the well-known chassis rust issue that can only be checked visually and up close, but I am prepared to roll the dice on such a buy.

Cutting to the chase, I dream of converting this stock V6 powered chariot into a fire-breathing, offroad trail-scorching V8 wolf-in-sheep's-clothing, by dropping in a drive-train based on the 4.7 V8 transplant that has been kindly detailed by 36tacundra over the preceding pages. The procedure for this conversion does appear to be a daunting challenge for a person like me with very limited mechanical skills, however, I do happen to reside way out in the sticks where mechanics and welding service labor charges are affordable.

Cap in hand and with the utmost respect, I would therefore like to ask whether 36tacundra might be kind enough to publish a master list of all drive-train components used to complete the V8 Tacoma conversion described here so that a novice like myself could save lots of trial and error by following the path already blazed, as it were. Similarly, if there is a means of identifying the new locations required for engine and transmission mounts in terms of measured distance from the inner surface of the vehicle frame's longitudinal beams, I would gladly pay for such a template.

I am very much aware that the easier and quicker option would of course be to buy a Tundra with a V8 powerplant, but I am really drawn to the idea of achieving a higher thrust to weight ratio, by transplanting a Tundra V8 into the far lighter Gen 1Tacoma Etra Cab body. I have taken copious notes while reading the details of this conversion described here, but a conversion parts shopping list made out by the wrench-meister himself would be enormously appreciated by this soon-to-be Tacoma First Gen owner.

Much thanks in advance for any pointers that can be offered. Finally, I must ask how this converted Tacoma runs currently, a few years after this V8 engine swap was made, assuming of course that the truck hasn't been sold off to a lucky buyer out there.

 

I played with it for a min. then traded it off. It was going to get me in trouble. I did not have the ability to let people pass on a two lane road. The throttle response was nice.

Similarly, if there is a means of identifying the new locations required for engine and transmission mounts in terms of measured distance from the inner surface of the vehicle frame's longitudinal beams, I would gladly pay for such a template.
I made a jig that bolts into the space of the front diff mounts. It has a transmission mount installed on it. When installed into the first gen tacoma, it makes perfect placement of the transmission mount. Then all that is needed is the engine mounts. A 4cyinder frame is better for engine mount placement, but not essential. I used this jig twice now. 1st on the 06 tundra then on the 01 sequoia. If you are doing the swap, having a whole donner is a benefit.

 

I appreciate this informative reply sir, and I also offer my apologies for not reading every post written on the original topic, because if I did, I'd have seen that the V8-powered Tacoma truck was sold off a while back. Ditto for the mention you made about the jig you fabricated using an old bed frame, which was illustrated with some informative pictures showing the layout. The mention you made about the cramped space in the Tacoma's engine compartment when the V8 was installed, necessitating the removal of multiple engine components just to perform routine engine repairs, was what ultimately dampened my enthusiasm about this swap.

So, after much thought, I circled back to the idea of simply buying a regular cab Tundra that comes stock with a V8 motor. I've always liked the sleek lines and flared fenders of the Tacoma, as compared to the boxy-looking first-generation Tundra, which is why this V8 transplant was initially so attractive to me, but from a purely practical standpoint, a 2003 V8 Tundra is most likely what I'll wind up buying, just to keep things simple.

That said, the V8 Tacoma conversion you engineered is one of the most polished and professional truck powerplant transformations I've seen anywhere online, and I am certain that quite a few Tacoma owners would beat a path to your door if you ever decided to offer Tacoma V8 conversions for a fee. Once again I thank you kindly for taking a moment to reply to my noob questions, and I hope to join forum discussions in the near future, as soon as I earn my wings as a new Tundra owner.

 

The frustrating part of any repair is not having a so called road map. I would not hesitate to change the alternator again knowing the procedure I would need to take. The worst part was being able to unbolt the alt. and have it loose, but not able to be removed.(Square peg round hole!) If I had the original head lights instead of one piece with the side marker lights, the job would again be a bit more easy. To give example it is known that the intake needs to be removed on the 4.7 to change the starter. And on a first gen with a 4.7 the brake booster needs to be removed to change the rear spark plug. Good thing they are Iridium.

That said, the V8 Tacoma conversion you engineered is one of the most polished and professional truck powerplant transformations I've seen anywhere online, and I am certain that quite a few Tacoma owners would beat a path to your door if you ever decided to offer Tacoma V8 conversions for a fee. Once again I thank you kindly for taking a moment to reply to my noob questions, and I hope to join forum discussions in the near future, as soon as I earn my wings as a new Tundra owner.

Thank you for your thoughts, means a lot to me.

 

Did you use the tundra trans and adapted it to be top shift?

 

No, I used the 06 tundra transmission and transfer case. The 4x4 had a 06 4runner switch and Hi and low were reversed, LOL
I used the original 03 tacoma pre runner shift trim that had two cup holders.

 

now this is what you call a project. Looking good