84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

v8 in to an 85

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Old 10-24-2006, 07:52 PM
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Question v8 in to an 85

does anyone have any experience with putting a v8 in to a 85 toyota pickup? I just picked my truck up for 850 with a 4 inch an 32 11.50 bfg a/t. its a reg cab, short bed. i thought it was just the timing that was bad because the plastic timing guard had broke on both sides but turns out the head is cracked and the crank has stress cracks too. i think the previous owner jumped it due to the crushed in oil pan, lol. so now i have 2 choices, either put a v8 in (thinking a 283 cause its lighter weight and smaller) or get high performance heads and a new crank from engnbldr.com and maybe a .040 over bore too. either way im jus lookin for some more power to be pushin bigger tires. gears are in the future too but obviously the engine comes first when it doesnt run... so what are your suggestions? stick with the 4 cyl cause of ease or do the work for the v8? how hard is it to put a v8 in? after the fact of findin it and rebuildin it that is..
thanks
marshall
Old 10-24-2006, 08:20 PM
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do a search there are many threads on here about this
Old 10-24-2006, 08:28 PM
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First off, a 283 is not lighter and smaller. It's smaller on the inside but on the outside it is exactly the same size as all small-blocks built before the Gen 2's came out in the 90's. Depending on the year, it actually may be a bit heavier due to a thicker casting. As such, if you decide on a V8 swap, I'd look for something a little newer (I wish I had on more than a few occations).

Things to consider:

Rebuilding a 22R/RE with Engnbldr parts will be quite a bit cheaper than a swap, saving money for gears.

A V8 swap will negate the need for gear change (I run 4.11/4.10 gears just fine with 38" rubber).

A V8 swap will require a different tranny.

A V8 swap will probably require a different rear (and perhaps front) axle.

No matter how much you invest in a 22R/RE, torque output will never match a V8 with even minimal investment. This can be either good or bad.

Unless you have above-average mechanic abilities (or have such a friend), an engine swap can be a mighty deep pool to jump into.

Engine swaps always run over budget. Engine rebuilds are financially easier to plan.

Nothing beats the power (phsically and emotionally) of having V8 power under your right foot.

Nothing beats Toyota engines (even hopped-up ones) for reliability & longevity.

Gearing is your friend. Gearing is the friend of a low-power engine. Gearing + power = broken parts.

Chevrolet engines have massive aftermarket parts support and are the cheapest rebuilds out there as a result.

Toyota aftermarket parts support is rapidly increasing.

Suppliers like Engnbldr provide excellent support and advice, larger suppliers for Chevs are quite often impersonal and unhelpful if you have problems.

'84-'88 trucks (& '89 4Runners) have one of the easiest body styles for a swap, especially the solid axle '84 & '85 models.

Emissions (and other legalities) for engine swaps can be a nightmare.

A 22R/RE is lots lighter resulting in better weight distribution.

Depending on vintage and fuel delivery, a V8 swap can be a wiring headache. Another 22R/RE is plug-n-play.

Welding ability is amost essential for a swap.

Having said all of that, I have never regretted my engine swap. I've been V8 powered for more than fifteen years now. It has been a constant drain on the pocketbook (and sometimes my sanity) though. The actual swap isn't really that difficult but can be time-consuming - don't expect to do it in a weekend no matter how much preparation you do. Mine took five weeks with plenty of helpers.

Last edited by toy283; 10-24-2006 at 09:33 PM.
Old 10-24-2006, 08:42 PM
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Join the movement...

www.UZswap.com
Old 10-25-2006, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Cebby
Join the movement...

www.UZswap.com
takes more than 8 members to be considered a movement.


but seriously. its flippin sweet
Old 10-25-2006, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by phorunninduke
takes more than 8 members to be considered a movement.


but seriously. its flippin sweet
Give it time... Note the launch date of 10/20/06. It's brand spankin' new...
Old 10-25-2006, 03:26 PM
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Mr Phorunninduke,Do you use a cressent wrench to tighten your rod bolts?JK
Old 10-25-2006, 03:49 PM
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Rebuilding a 22R/RE with Engnbldr parts will be quite a bit cheaper than a swap, saving money for gears.

A V8 swap will negate the need for gear change (I run 4.11/4.10 gears just fine with 38" rubber).

A V8 swap will require a different tranny.not always they make kits

A V8 swap will probably require a different rear (and perhaps front) axle.COLOR="Red"]not always they make kits[/COLOR]

Nothing beats Toyota engines (even hopped-up ones) for reliability & longevity.
COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Gearing is your friend. Gearing is the friend of a low-power engine. Gearing + power = broken parts.COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Chevrolet engines have massive aftermarket parts support and are the cheapest rebuilds out there as a result.COLOR="Red"]so is a 302 and dist is in the front[/COLOR]

'84-'88 trucks (& '89 4Runners) have one of the easiest body styles for a swap, especially the solid axle '84 & '85 models. COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Emissions (and other legalities) for engine swaps can be a nightmare.COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

A 22R/RE is lots lighter resulting in better weight distribution.COLOR="Red"]302 weighs 260lbs 350 weighs 550 i have a new 4x4garage mag with a chart lol[/COLOR]

The actual swap isn't really that difficult but can be time-consuming - don't expect to do it in a weekend no matter how much preparation you do. Mine took five weeks with plenty of helpers.[/QUOTE] COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]





this is all just my in put so.................
Old 10-25-2006, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by FOCUSHERE
Rebuilding a 22R/RE with Engnbldr parts will be quite a bit cheaper than a swap, saving money for gears.

A V8 swap will negate the need for gear change (I run 4.11/4.10 gears just fine with 38" rubber).

A V8 swap will require a different tranny.not always they make kits[B][I][FONT="Arial Black"]

A V8 swap will probably require a different rear (and perhaps front) axle.COLOR="Red"]not always they make kits[/COLOR]what kits???

Nothing beats Toyota engines (even hopped-up ones) for reliability & longevity.
COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Gearing is your friend. Gearing is the friend of a low-power engine. Gearing + power = broken parts.COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Chevrolet engines have massive aftermarket parts support and are the cheapest rebuilds out there as a result.COLOR="Red"]so is a 302 and dist is in the front[/COLOR]

'84-'88 trucks (& '89 4Runners) have one of the easiest body styles for a swap, especially the solid axle '84 & '85 models. COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

Emissions (and other legalities) for engine swaps can be a nightmare.COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]

A 22R/RE is lots lighter resulting in better weight distribution.COLOR="Red"]302 weighs 260lbs 350 weighs 550 i have a new 4x4garage mag with a chart lol[/COLOR]ha a 302 weighs more than 260lbs

The actual swap isn't really that difficult but can be time-consuming - don't expect to do it in a weekend no matter how much preparation you do. Mine took five weeks with plenty of helpers.
COLOR="Red"]TRUE[/COLOR]





this is all just my in put so.................[/QUOTE]
Old 10-25-2006, 05:10 PM
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i was gonna say maybe if its aluminum.
Old 10-25-2006, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by titicaca
i was gonna say maybe if its aluminum.
still though!!!!!
Old 10-25-2006, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by FOCUSHERE
not always they make kits
True. There are several adapters out there to adapt a Toyota tranny to a small-block Chev or Ford. Most usually result in a tranny housing full of broken pieces in short order.
Old 10-25-2006, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by toy283

Chevrolet engines have massive aftermarket parts support and are the cheapest rebuilds out there as a result.
Originally Posted by FOCUSHERE
so is a 302 and dist is in the front
While small-block Fords are inexpensive to rebuild, Chevs are a slight bit cheaper. And for some reason, Mopar engines can be downright expensive to rebuild. A front mounted distributor is definately a plus for (almost) any engine swap.

Last edited by toy283; 10-25-2006 at 08:40 PM.
Old 10-25-2006, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by toy283
True. There are several adapters out there to adapt a Toyota tranny to a small-block Chev or Ford. Most usually result in a tranny housing full of broken pieces in short order.
very true even an r151 would go boom
Old 10-26-2006, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 3yotys
Mr Phorunninduke,Do you use a cressent wrench to tighten your rod bolts?JK

So what if I do ?

and thats Dr. Phorunninduke to you

... jk I am not that egomaniacal and my cressent wrench is too rusty
Old 10-26-2006, 10:48 AM
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soak it in cola, the mythbusters say it remves rust...
Old 10-26-2006, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by DudeBud
very true even an r151 would go boom

I disagree. the R series is a very stout series. The 154, which is in the Supra's, holds up fine to over 800HP applications, so I think it will live just fine behind a mild v8.
Old 10-26-2006, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rockota
I disagree. the R series is a very stout series. The 154, which is in the Supra's, holds up fine to over 800HP applications, so I think it will live just fine behind a mild v8.
really.. how do they compare to a r150
Old 10-27-2006, 04:01 AM
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Engine weights
22r..........................318
4.3..........................425
5.7..........................575
ford 2.3....................418
5.0..........................460
Of the V8's the ford is the best choice due to the dist being up front and lighter. Could be made light still with after market heads, exhaust manifold, and intake also. I considered doing it but i under stand that the reason the Toyota is so good off road is because it is so light. Also if you need a head or crank for 22r i have both cheap.
Old 10-27-2006, 04:11 AM
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Toyota 3.0 V6.........469
Toyota 4.0 V8 ........470




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