Hi, I just aquired a '84 regular cab 4x4. It's pretty much a basket case that I'm ressurecting. I hauled the bed off to the scrap pile, but the body and running gear are in fine shape. The transfer case appears to be good, the tranny is bad, and there are two 22r engines, one installed, and one spare, that are both of questionable condition.
I was originally thinking a diesel repower with a 2LT, but it seems there are reliability issues with the diesel, and not much power or better fuel economy that a 22r.
I can get my hands on a good running Mercedes Benz 4 cylinder diesel with flywheel and clutch for $1000, maby less. There are issues with mating the tranny up to the engine, but it can be done with a adapter plate.
Or should I just look for a 22rwith 5 speed?

My friend is trying to talk me into a 350 chev, but this truck is going to be a daily driver/runabout for me. I'm putting a flatdeck and ladder rack on the back. I will use it to commute over a mountian pass (180 mi round trip) at least once a week.
I usally drive a '94 4 runner with 22re/5speed, and am happy with it, although the power is marginal when loaded w 3 people and gear.

Thoughts and ideas please.

BTW I am located in Central Washington State.

 

id tare both 22re down and take a look at them. determine which of the blocks is in better shape then do the same for the heads.

rebuild it find another W56 or whatever the 5speed is thats behind the 22re. (im not a 4cylinder expert) put some tall gears in the rear for more torque for the mountian driveing.

pass on all the weird swaps/conversions. just more $$ and more complicated.

 

wut snap-on said sounds good too, but the MB engines are pretty good. They are pretty quick too (at least in my moms car and heres is V6). Im sure that the MB 4cyl is still decent, but it would be easier to jsut rebuild the 22r's and throw that in there. Plus you cant go wrong with a toyota 4cyl. so...

 

first of all...snap-on, if you are doing gears it has to be front and rear...unless you never plan on using 4wd. If you want more power with Toyota reliability www.offroadsolutions.com has a 3.4L complete engine swap. You can go either manual or auto depending on your desires. If you don't want the v6 then I would swap a 22RE into the truck because they are almost bulletproof.

JMHO though,
Brandon