Allenfab’s 2008 5-lug SAS and LS swap

I'm finally gettin somewhere on this radiator. I got the base mounts done and the ends of where I cut off up top capped off. I'm going to connect the upper radiator support first so I can get the hood latch mounted back, then tie in the bottom support and then a vertical support similar to what is there in stock form. Room will be made to accommodate the condenser, and trans cooler, and a power steering cooler.





As you can see, the driver side radiator mount was a bitch. The steering box location fucked me on this one big time, and in hindsight, I should not have pushed it as far forward as I did. Oh well, the damage is done

 

Tom Woods SYE in the np241c. Had to pull the planetary so I could tap the vent hole out to 1/8” npt for a new fitting since the factory breather was broken off. Simple install and good quality parts.

 

Todd,
May I ask what you are going to do for a center hood latch?
And what I really like to know is what fans are those?
We are trying to use two 12” SPAL fans and they are pretty thick! Any advice? Because with the engine within a 1/2” of the firewall on the passenger side and the Vette accessories that hug the block by a extra 1.5” we are still going to have clearance issues with the radiator hose entering the Vette water pump.

Thank You so much in advance, I really do appreciate all your advice!!

 

Why not use the original?

 

Sir,
From the pictures he has posted he has cut and removed the upper radiator support.
As for me I can’t use the original fan because there’s no place to attach a fan to the GM LS Vette water pump.
We may have to run the water / coolant backwards through the OE Mishimoto drop in radiator.
Coolant runs the opposite direction in LS engines. The thermostat on an LS is a Inlet not an Outlet as it is in my Tacoma.

 

I’m referring to the hood latch. It’ll have to be in the original spot unless you plan on hood pins.

 

Sir, that was my first question…

 

The factory hood latch will be remounted on the new core support.

I am running these fans

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4902s

 

Tcase is back in. I pulled the transmission crossmember and trans mount to finish welding those up. A transmission pan skid will be added at a later date but this will be more than sufficient for now. This allowed me to measure for a rear shaft, set pinion angle, build the traction bar mounts, and get ready to order stuff for the rear regear.

 

God I can’t believe a human welded this!!
Looks like a machine welded, did you start welding when you were 4 years old?

 

If anyone needs a Cravenspeed gauge pod, selling mine because it won’t work for my application

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cravenspeed-gauge-pod-new.809978/


Added the oil pressure and water temp gauges to the new cluster. I’ll get the tach and speedo info from an ultragauge mounted over the two rivets on the cluster. Should look pretty slick once it’s done and painted/powder coated

 

Sir,
With your incredible welding skills would you be interested in a side job of modifying an aluminum Mishimoto radiator? Don’t know yet but we are suspecting it may need modification.

Thanks for your consideration!

 

What are you needing to do to it?

 

I will DM you, Thanks!!

 

Finally had time to pick up some metal for the core support. I only got about a half day to work on it but pretty happy with how it's turning out. The protruding pieces in the second pic are for the condenser....

 

Core support about 85% done, but I'm counting that as a victory. It still needs at least two vertical tie-ins, one directly under the latch and then another (or even three total) that the transmission cooler and power steering cooler will mount to. I am going to wait to do that when I get the coolers so I can mount them and the vertical supports exactly where I want them.


I ended up moving the radiator about 5/8" further back toward the motor and about 1/2" higher than where I originally had the mounts at. The final condenser location required the move.... which also required me to notch some of the ribbing on the underneath of the hood so the radiator cap would clear. No biggie though....

 

I went back and forth on what I was going to do with the center console, from building a whole new one from the dash to the back wall, or trying to find something factory that would fit.

Settling on this.... t-case shifter will be mounted where the factory cup holders were, and then I am building a locking console with spots for cupholders. I have some .090 aluminum left over from some other jobs so that's what I am using. The console will have a latching lid, and two stainless cupholder inserts from Amazon, big enough to fit those big dumb yeti cups....



The console, instrument cluster, and probably the airbox will be powder coated

 

Might steel this idea. I've considered using an ammo can before. Kinda want to find center console from a range rover with the built in cooler

 

IDK what to do for my center console lol.

 

Boujee lol