I have an 80 4x4 with the 20r and 5sp. What can i do 4 more power? Thinkin a turbo or go all out with a chevy small block 700r4 and a 205 or 208 t-case. Im used 2 big fords with big blocks and big axles but cant afford the fuel anymore so the big trucks got parked. What should i do?

 

I say deal with it. Open up the exhaust.

 

If you parked some fords because of gas mileage/fuel costs an engine conversion pretty much defeats that route. Tune up, free flowing exhaust, and a light foot will net you some decent mileage out of the 2.2L/20R...but if you still feel the need check out DOA racing or LC engineering....

 

Considering it's a SOHC four cylinder, you won't get much from intake or exhaust. They do help, but are pretty costly. One thing I did that helped with power and gas mileage and didn't cost too much was filling the rear diff, transmission and transfer case with synthetic fluids. Plus it's less wear on gears and bearings. I believe I payed $46 for 8 quarts of synthetic gear oil and it was worth every penny.

 

Been there, done that. You say you parked the bigger rigs due to poor fuel economy---putting the V8 engine into your toyota will burn more fuel anyway, so you won't gain anything. The 20r is a good engine, and with factory gearing, and factory size tires, will get decent mileage. If you are running bigger tires, even only 2-3 inches taller, the 4cyl will be working much harder to turn them. Fuel econ of the 4cyl will suffer, and power will suck. A turbo will increase your base HP, but the expense could be high. I am currently running 33" tires, have regeared to 4.88, and get 20+(U.S.)mpg out of my '82 with a carbed 22r, 4spd trans, a header and 2" exhaust(3200 rpm at 65mph). For perspective, before re-gearing- fuel econ was 14mpg(U.S.). Power before regearing SUCKED. Power after-WAY BETTER. Looked back at my own V8 conversion on the truck and regretted not doing the gears much sooner. You might get the same performance out of a turbo, but my experience has been gearing and high rpm is what these engines like. It has been recommended to me by Toy specialists that I should put in an EFI engine, or modify mine to take the factory EFI system for better performance/fuel economy. These fit the carbed 22R, but maybe if you get a used 22RE (Fuely) somewhere, it would probably be cheaper than a turbo, less headache than gears and engine swaps, and better on fuel than all of the above while getting you more power. m2cw.

 

Thanks! What gears r orig.in this lil truck? I don't see any axle tags. The truck was a 4 speed b4. The guy i got it from put a clutch and 5 speed in it. I kinda need her to go about 70 to 75 miles per hour or ill get run over by the big rigs on i35 here in iowa. By the way my big fords had 514 big blocks in em. the got about 4 to 6 mpg so a tbi small block that gets 16 to 18 mpg in my 87 3/4 ton chevy should get at least that or better. I HOPE!

 

Factory gearing would likely have been 4.37's. That was the only year they were available, they went to 4.10 for just about every model year after that. For better highway speeds, try just using the 4th gear, let er rev, see if that works better for you as it was meant to run that way from factory. By using the VIN codes, look up 4x4wire.com, they have the code thread that will tell you what ratio you have for sure.

 

I used to have a 77 250 hiboy. Bulit it up and forced to sell because it cost to much to run. Was about $80 an hour if I was having fun in it.

Thats against my old stock 83 SR5.

 

Thanks fellas!!! By the way, I love the ole hiboy. Thats the best year 4 em.

 

my dad has a 77 hiboy hopefully i will inherit it someday or buy it from him

 

this little 4 popper surprised me after i opened the exhaust and went to a weber!