Alabama thread!

A V8 swap would be sweet. I'm not sure what all the bell housing adapters, engine mounts, wiring harness, etc would cost on top of the engine though. I bet a Toyota 3.4 is a lot more cost competitive, and would use commercially available parts to install.

Now... the cool factor of a V8 swap... might be worth the extra bucks. The Vortec 5.3's are great engines and available for not a lot of bucks pulled with <50k miles or so.

Might start breaking things farther down the driveline though.

 

I am actually sitting on a Gen-3 v8 with near zero miles on it. Thinking about it pretty seriously. Just need to find what adapters are needed and cost, etc... I also have an older, carbed 383 stroker as another option. It is actually pretty hard to find the adapters. searches are not going well to actually find "part# 12345678; bell housing adapter for 97 Toyota Tacoma-to-Chevy V8; $374.95" lol.


Update: Have found the engine mount brackets that will set the 350 onto the original Toyota mount locations, as well as the power steering bracket for using the stock, Toyota power steering pump on the Chevy engine. Also the proper flywheel, clutch, and slave cylinder kits. Prices are not posted, so I will have to call them on Monday.

 

Oooooh... wonder if it's any easier to go with a GM transmission and t-case and then just have custom drive shafts done. Custom DS work may be cheaper than all the adapters and crap to get it to bolt up to a toyota driveline.

 

well i installed some ammo cans in the bed and got a fishing rod holder designed its my project for this next week! ill post pics of the ammo cans in a bit

 

well. I got the front end of the 3.0 apart and got to the timing belt and got stuck... need a pully to finish the job... going to borrow one tomorrow and finish her up. hopefully have her running before the night gets old... should so, seeing as how it took us 1.5 hours to tear it apart.

 

oh... gotta detail dave's taco in the morning. then going to finish the truck and then go to my part time job. busy busy busy day tomorrow

 

good luck

 

Finally got back home and washed the truck yesterday. I'm going to need a few hours with some ScratchX to get my girl looking good again.

 

At least y'all have Sunday's to finish projects!!! I'm still not completely done.. I also can't get the man power I need to help finish my bumper.. So Right now it's test fitted and I still have to add a leaf to my pack and fix my passenger side front out put shaft seal!! Then maybe this up coming weekend I'm going to be testing out my pitch clearance!! Any body local want to tag a long?

 

I do and will

 

Green mtn has a good spot to test approach/departure angles

 

Sounds good then!

Here is the test pics from yesterday...

 

Looking good! I am off of work tomorrow if you want to work on it a little bit.

Where on green mountain you talking about Paul? You going to be sporting the highlander? How is the search going? Still need to get you your lugs back.

 

Hey Kyle, how much did you sweat while sawing on your bedsides?

 

ARE YOU SERIOUS!! Yes I need some sort of help. I am wanting to get some of the stuff done by tomorrow at noon then pick up the rest of it Tuesday...

The problem is, I have to do that diff seal and I am afraid of spilling oil if I come over to your house tomorrow so if you don't mind a messy garage and a little tighter space we can do it at my house.. I have all the tools we "NEED" to do the job. I'm going to get up and run to Fastenal tomorrow morning to get a new nut and bolt for my leaf packs and run a couple of errands..

 

Call me in the morning. I have to carry Bianca to school by 8 and free after that until I need to pick her up at 3. I can come to your house.

 

Don't go to fastenal. Go to Huntsville fastener. They are super cheap, or they will just give you what you need. I went there last week and they just gave me a bunch of hardware free. Double check whether you need 1/4-20 or 5/16-18/24. I wanna say I used a 1/4-20 but it was a hair on the small side. I think a 5/16 will work. But also, why not just pick up the bolts at lowes or home Depot? They have g8 hardware there.

Brian, I am still hunting per say but there has been an aversion.

 

after the last right into a neighborhood, there is a trail head on the right side. Its the trail that runs the whole mountain long. None of the vehicles on the forum have enough clearance or articulation to run it. I just barely could make it through in my old cj5. Theres several creek crossings that have steep entrances and exits. I hung my chevy from front and rear bumper trying it, and I wasn't about to try it in the tacoma. I haven't tried it in about 2.5 years so it might be different (lots of high schoolers in south hsv that may have tried it). The only thing I ever encountered back there was a few nice wranglers and a zook on 35's. I think with kyles bumpers and 6 inch lift, he may have the clearance to get through the first half of the trail. Only problem will be wheelbase. IF he can't make it, theres a second entrance though. Shouldn't be a problem to run the whole mountain though.

Plus, if kyle gets stuck, I can pull him out haha....even in the highlander if I have to.

and kyle, what happened to your rear-driver side wheel cap.

 

Looks good Kyle!!!!

 

kyle, next mod, bob that bed.