Sneak Peek at the 2JZ (Lexus Inline 6 Motor) I am Cramming into my Ex-Girlfriend's Engine Bay

There is definitely more room since the first version of the swap, but still nowhere near enough for an off the shelf shroud. BUT... I never had any issues before with overheating and that's with a pusher fan setup too. My understanding is that shrouds (especially on a typical puller setup) makes a big difference.

Remember how I was using that fan controller with the probe you stick in the radiator and you can adjust when it turns on automatically? The Lexus has a factory built in fan controller. The sending probe is on the bottom of the radiator for the factory electric fans. I'm dying to know how this setup works with the aftermarket fans I'm using, which will be wired in place of the original Lexus fans.

 

I didn't go through the entire post. This is a project going on 2 years?

 

He had a JDM engine in there the first time. This is the second swap with a USDM engine.

 

It was running solid for about a year on its first Japanese 2jz swap. Now it's on its second 2jz swap, but this time out of a US car. So 4jz's worth of swaps if you want to think of it that way haha!

 

One of those little things right now... Not sure what size the hardline the transmission cooler is, but 3/8" compression hardline to -6 was too small.

Drilled out the 3/8" compression side of the fitting, picked out a 10mm compression ring, heated that up with the torch, gave it a little tappy tap tap and bingo!

 

I like it. I bet you can make your own harness now. LOL I put the tundra v8 in my 03 prerunner. I used the tundra wiring in the tacoma dash and integrated the taco systems into the tundra harness. Pain but it was fun. looked like this if you had not seen it.

 

You have a writeup or any more picts? I'll take a look at your profile in a bit. That's pretty darn sick! Were there any challenges for you such as fitment and making it compatible with the taco system such as steering wheel controls?

 

Switchback from superbrightleds. Because the white and amber are right next to each other instead of opposing sides, I had to do a little switching around.... Drilling the clear corner lights out from my truck and putting those in there on this truck.

 

Just spoke with Carlos from theretrofitsource and it sounds like Morimoto D2S projector retrofit is the way to go for this build. Will most likely place an order there in a couple weeks. Pretty stoked about this, guys!

 

Happy holidays, everyone! Sharing some progress... All four windows and door locks are functional on all panels. But sheesh, it was such a tight fit to get that door ecu to fit I had to trim the plastic molding marks in that area. Wasn't really sure how to make everything work without the multiplex box, and would have much rather done without it. But it is what it is. All done now with rear doors.

But to describe to anyone not too sure about this- most window switches are 5 wires. You have a constant hot (in run/acc position). Two grounds. Then you have the two wires going to the window motor and by rocking the switch it channels power to whichever wire for up and down. The Lexus is the same way, but it simply has little signal wires, which go back to the ecu rather than passing real power through the switch like the Tacoma does.

The Tacoma window motor has two wires. The Lexus one has five, I think. Not too sure what the other wires do, but if I could guess it has to do with the one touch auto up or down and sensing where the window is at. Unfortunately that feature didn't carry over to the truck...

As I'm writing this about how switches work, I'm having seconds thoughts. I'm using the Tacoma switches. The thick gauge wire leads into the tiny Lexus wire which simply just sends a signal now to the brain box. However, I'm going to see if I can bypass them tomorrow, possibly. Don't want to use them if I don't have to. One less thing to break. Only thing I worry about is if I'll still have control of all windows from the driver side...

 

Haven't got to the headlight retrofit yet... But-

Drive shaft. You guys know the current issue now, unlike the previous jdm a650 transmission where the Tacoma 4 bolt flange slid right on magically.

Problem. GS300 transmission output 3 bolt non u-joint flange and Tacoma 4 bolt u-joint flange. Obviously they don't fit. Drift Motion in Montclair by me (I've been there before, really cool people there) somehow magically have an adapter that I think will fit the Tacoma 4 bolt driveshaft and will definitely fit the Lexus 3 bolt flange. Will head to pick it up next week. Unfortunately the drive shaft will need to be shortened a little bit, again.

I've looked at everything from Lexus LX, Land Cruiser, 4runner, everything transmission output shaft related other than Dana 44 axle which I think has a 26 spline 1.146" shaft, which is close to the 1.35" 26 spline Lexus a650 output shaft. Seen a couple things where someone machinined the 3 arm off and welded the 4 bolt pattern on. I'd rather avoid that the more I think about it.

So yeah.... getting close.

 

Found a spot where the battery fits perfectly while safely clearing the terminals between the hood brace and still giving ample room for the intake. Going to do a basic angle iron frame around the base of the battery and then make a (hopefully) nice looking top bracket to secure it to the base.

Only thing left after that which I really need to figure out is how to fit a CA legal intake for a 2002 Lexus GS300 into a 2002 Toyota Tacoma.... Not too sure about that yet.

 

yo!

This thing is rad, I have the same motor in my wife's first gen Tacoma. (finally got it running, GE motor)

There is a similar lack of room in front of the engine bay...

 

I'm feeling like I've had this conversation with you before, but what radiator are you running? Any special mods to mount it in your Tacoma???

Edit:
We did, pages 1-3. Have you changed the radiator at all since then? The radiator you posted a link to doesn't have a transmission cooler, but I believe I see where the one you are running does?

 

Regarding your air intake - can't you use a CARB certified cold air intake for that engine? A lot more compact than a stock intake.


I noticed you're getting this ready for California SMOG. Are you using the Lexus' original emissions systems?

 

Good on ya for taking on this kind of project. I’ve done something similar when I did my swap and 4x4 conversion. Re wired the whole truck, new mounts for everything and the list goes on. I haven’t read thought the whole build yet but I will when I get some down time. Good luck

 

Thank you guys for the awesome feedback and it's awesome to hear about similar projects as well!! Sorry for the lack of updates. Was working on it so much and kind of got burned out. Got back in the game here and Driftmotion did the driveshaft for me to fit their adaptor. I'll attach some pictures of the adaptor and Chevy joint they welded on. Drove the truck for the first time on the USDM swap yesterday very slowly up the street with the battery in the passenger seat and jumper cables running from the engine bay into the window...
Speaking of Chevy... The GMC hydroboost brakes work too!!!

There was a whole lot of win yesterday and it was not only a huge relief but greatly motivated me to finish buttoning this bad boy up!

 

For my application I had the upper tube welded in at an angle to meet with the pipe coming from the top of the motor so the hose wouldn't kink. Also, two tabs on each side were welded to it and mounted to the front clip for now, but I will be further making a top and bottom bracket to help support it so it isn't solely relying on support from those four little tabs with grommets between.

Transmission cooler is separate and between the AC condenser and radiator. Have not put a gauge on it yet but will do so soon. No problems whatsoever with this radiator this far and it seems to have paired incredibly well with these fans and the factory fan controller/temp sender. Won't truly know till we start driving it officially.

 

Aaaand thought I'd share this with you guys as I haven't posted anything on my regular cab for a while..

Running extended travel SAW Racerunners (branded under Pro Comp) with Total Chaos UCAs. Tires are Cooper STT Pros 33x12.5x15 on Mickey Thompson Classic III with 3.675" backspacing or something like that. BARELY clears the front calipers...but it clears!

600lb coils up front I purposely got a little stiff. Should ride nice with the trail gear low profile bumper I have coming in the mail soon.

Really really want to do the All Pro standard leafs in the rear but don't have the $$$ for them. Still figuring out what I want to do with the rear. Thought about Chevy 63s but I hear they don't do well with speed.

Also undecided about ARB locker or Detroit auto locker in the rear as well... Torn as it's my daily driver but there isn't much snow or rain here in California so I'm leaning towards the Detroit in the rear but I already have on board air so ehh... I don't know. The price for ARB hurts. I definitely don't want a limited slip Trutrac in the rear though. But Autolocker sounds like it'll be temperamental in a short wheelbase light truck.

 

Not too bad with an Auto trans..If I went with a cheaper option in the rear I'd go with an Aussie, I've run one on the front for many years and its smooth.