Blew ‘er up on the trail last night.

Everything the OP is talking about, wiring, stand alone gauge cluster, etc. is readily available and easy to do. Even the fuel system for an LS swap is dead simple. Exhaust, meh you can make that no problem. But I can say it will cost a LOT more than you think once you add in things like a cooling system, fans that actually work... We do these swaps all the time at work. But never into anything "new" it's always into a classic. I would be more concerned about how the body control module ties into the ECU. Anyone with a bit of knowledge can get an LS into just about anything and make it run and drive. But making all the lights work, HVAC work, etc. is the hard part. Hope the OP has a DD because that stuff will take a while to figure out when you're breaking new ground. I wouldn't want to do it. Junkyard motor you're back to normal in a weekend. And even if you can get everything working I hope you're in a state with no inspection requirements and never plan to sell it. It certainly won't pass emissions with a stand alone engine management system. Those systems are made to retrofit modern engines into old vehicles. Sure they are a LOT cleaner than what came out of those. But an LS using one of these systems is going to be a LOT dirtier than the original motor with all the original smog equipment and engine management.

 

Out with the old!

 

You decide what you're replacing it with?

 

Wow, this is turning into a very interesting thread. Thanks for sharing the photos of the removal. Looking forward to what you are going to do next. Just curious, is the truck paid off? also, do you have a budget for whatever you are planning to replace the HL engine with?

 

OP has achieved beast mode here! I am a pretty experienced wrench turner, but have never gotten to the experience level where I could swap out a motor. Mazel Tov OP!

 

It’s gonna be a few weeks before another update but to close out this chapter, this was the fatal blow. Not discovered till I had the motor out and starter off today. The crankshaft counter weights and bottom of the cylinder bore is chewed up pretty badly as well, even without the hole the bottom end would still be unsalvageable.

 

@Canadian Caber yes the truck is paid for and while I don’t have a set dollar amount budget I intend to stay as low as possible. This will be a “low budget” toy build, not some high dollar show piece. Relatively of course, it’s still a 3rd gen Tacoma and I have high aspirations lol.

I do all my own labor and fabrication and electronics and tuning BTW. If that wasn’t obvious by now.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the details. Appreciated. I can’t help wonder how I would prioritize a major repair like this if I was so inclined to take something like that on. I don’t have the time, skills and or resources. I always find these major repairs educational and interesting. Good luck with your project and keep us updated.

 

Damm... you blew er up real good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHkvD7-u7y8

 

Subscribed!

 

Got the engine further apart today. Bearings all look fine which means it was probably never even oil starved.



p.s. follow my build thread for further updates. Gonna run out of material for this topic very soon.

 

I didn’t read everything, did you place a warranty claim yet?

 

It’s not under warranty. I’m not the first owner, bought it at 32k as a lease turn in.

 

How many miles, still would try. Can’t hurt. Ownership transfer doesn’t void warranty

 

Souvenirs! Time to open an online shop.

 

Nice to hear a personal testimony to these trucks holding up to wear and tear, relatively high mileage and some years on the vehicle as well.

 

Think its a good choice of sticking with a stock replacement. So much easier. Maybe in the future just run breathers when you're going to be offroad? This way you can't drink the oil and hyrdolock the engine again?

Maybe one like this? You can still run the catch can and operate like normal on the road. When offroad run a breather in the passenger side valve cover and cap the catch can off so it's venting to the atmosphere and not back into the engine?

No idea of this is a good can or not just an example.

EVIL ENERGY Polish Baffled Oil Catch Can Reservoir Tank Breather Filter Aluminum

https://www.amazon.com/EVIL-ENERGY-Universal-Reservoir-Breather/dp/B07RGNTF5Z?th=1

Edit - The pistons make great ashtrays! I don't smoke but when I have people over that do I have some old snowmobile pistons I give them. Work great and cool at the same time.

 

Ouchy

 

@TacomaDad18

 

Gooood times. Did mine in last September. Still working on my swap, but I also haven’t been busy with it for a while. My garage looks like my truck threw up, everywhere.


Making good progress. Looking forward to seeing it back together.