gte718p

So I have a dilema. I have an 87 4runner. It has about 6 inches of lift and is running 35's on stock gears. I'm currently getting about 10 mpg. I'm also maxing out at 65 mph and slowing on hills. I've got 250k on the motor, but it has an aftermarket head and header. Its a stout little engine but it cann't keep up.

My current debate. Should I change the gear ratio, and put a locker in it. I'm figuring with an ARB, thats looking like 3 grand. Or should I drop a little more money and put a 350 in front. I used this one in my corvette and loved it. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...8&autoview=sku I've seen a couple of adapters floating around for it and it looks like there is plenty of room. On the more randomn side I have a NOS system laying around, I was thinking about fitting it up for a 100 hp shot. I'm really afraid it would cook the motor though. Any Ideas or other recommendations?

Jarrett

rowdy235

well what do you use it for? If its your DD, then regearing would give you a bit better mileage, plus you get the added traction of the locker.

350 would be good but you don't get the locker, and it may end up being more expensive, plus worse mileage I would assume.

My opinion, regear and lock front and rear.

GoFish

Crate motors are nice. I want one for my 72 Bronco but I would go with gears and a locker.

If you take your 4runner off road you will appreciate the locker more than the raw hp of a chevy V8. If you like to street race then go with the Chevy. Plus the V8 isn't going to improve your mileage and when gas costs $4.15 a gallon you'll want to hang yourself for dropping in a big thirsty motor.

Also consider your transmission and therefore t-case will need to be replaced. I'm sure there are a few people who swear they can use their stock 5 spd with a V8 but it'll fry out at some point when your spinning your tires for traction on the trail or trying to impress the chicklettes by doing burnouts at the 7-11 parking lot. Also you will need to replace your radiator for certain as it will not provide adequate cooling for the crate engine.

Also you might need to upgrade your torsion bars as the V8 outweighs the 4 cyl.

You will be looking at $5000, maybe and at that point you may as well go for the fuel injection option at another $2700.

Thats $7500.

For a third of that you can can regear both both axles and get an ARB in the back and still have some $$ left over for a tank of gas.

Diff gears and lockers are not very sexy but for performance and reliability they can't be beat.

Thats my less than humble opinion.

gte718p

I'm fairly sure I will not fry the tranny. I've read a couple of reviews of it. I'm fairly nice to my truck. If I want to smoke the tires I'll take out the Z4.
What gear ratio whould you suggest for the regear?

I've got two. I alternate on what is the DD. What I want is a truck I can take up to the mountains. And will actually make it over the mountains. I'm about 4 hours from Lake Tahoo and I would like to be able to make it up there. I want something reliable to drive cross country, and I would really like to be able to tow my other car cc. I'm military so I move fairly often. Thats one of the reasons I'm leaning towards more HP.
I'll also say within reason, money is not an object. I could have bought a newer truck that would fill my requirements. But, I've loved the old 4runners for years and wanted one. Now I'm just looking for the best Idea on tweeking it.

And if you pay 2700 dollars for fuel injection you've been robbed. The Holley commander system is like starts at $950-$1200 depending on bells and whistles. It does get epensive if you want to replace the manifold and get the full benifits. Mega-Squirt systems generally runs about $600 but you have to know a little and be willing to hunt parts and play with it a little.

mr_schuster

If your getting 10+ MPG now don't expect alot more from a Chevy 350. Go with the 350 if you you plan on towing or just want raw power and attention. If you like to go 4wheeling then put a locker in the rear and a limited slip in the front. Personally I have a locker in the front axle and a limited slip in the rear with 4.56's, I do not care much for the front locker. Why? I don't like the way it drives or steers in 4WD. Thats my opinion of it and no I don't climb over rocks. The 350 swaps can be pretty expensive, so if your motor is still purring go for the gears.

sloppy85toy

ide go 5.29 gears and lockers arb the front and detroit in the rear.a 350 swap is for the strictly mudding guys.good luck and to each his own

GoFish

With 35's I'd go with the 5.29s but even 4.88s would better. And your mileage and power will improve. But it won't be really be a tow vehicle. Have you thought about the 3.4 V6 from a Taco? They are fairly common nowadays. Search pirate4x4.com for engine swap tips.

I don't know anything about after market efi systems. But that was the price of the fuel injection option for that engine.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...w=64&N=700+115

If you swap out the 4 banger for a V8 then please post up some pix! Good luck.

notanymore

gears and lockers are much more useful than mass horsepower, after you regear your mileage should go up too, the 350 wont help your gas dilema any. although i thing v8 toys are cool the gears/lockers will be a better(and much cheaper) option.

Kiwipushrod

Hey Guys,

Purchase a 96' an up, Vortec 350 w/ecu and harness, $500-$800, buy Advance adapters and mounts, 1 R series 5 sp. trans, 2 Truck wiring schematics, 2 cases of beer, and rent 1 stripper for local mech. to help.

Weld rear, open diff,...... Enjoy!

I say at least 15mpg.

Thanks Kiwi

gte718p

Its a good system, but its over kill for a regular motor. If I you are going to race it and every HP counts maybe multiport injection would be worth it. I like this one. http://www.jegs.com/p/Holley/745169/10002/-1/10299 The price has gone up since I bought it. Its nice offroad b/c you don't have to worry about being off angle.

gte718p

Accept for welding the rear that sounds like a great Idea. I really don't need the mechanic. And I think two cases is probably concervative. That would barely cover the first day and this is definately a multiple day evolution.

Kiwipushrod

The stripper would move things right along!

Thanks Kiwi

edit: If Your talking about buying a locker, who cares about the stock diff?
It will sit in the shed forever anyway.

scuba

you cant beat the reliability of that 22re or R im guessing thats what you have

i would never think of putting a chevy product into a toyota
regear
lock the rear
maybe a cold air intake and an exhaust system
youll be fine

crolison

My opinion is watching your superiors drunk and dancing at a bar is hilarious, i saw that tonight. And boy....... wow

Officially, locker and regear

scuba

superiors ??
military or what ??

crolison

Nah, not military. They are above me (superintendents) and can tell me what to do, but they are not my boss. I am a superintendent assistant, and my direct person i report to is the site manager, but the person in charge of me is the vp of the company.

infiltrator

I think you should ask yourself if you really need 35'' tires. Re-gearing can get pricey, and lockers too! If this is your daily driver, why not go down like 4 inches on those tires lol. 31''s do well on the trails too!
I wouldn't do NOS. Not unless you just wanna have fun with it. If you need it for transportation, don't.

gte718p

Anyone konw these people.
http://www.allprooffroad.com/index.p...ask=view&id=20
Looks like 3 grand I can do the gear change, arb, and have completely new third members. I do have 250k on the truck its porbably time to change the bearings anyway.

Justinvd

Yeah Regear and lockage sounds the best

Kiwipushrod

Hey Guys,

What is the locker, regear, going to do for this truck? I would be interested in some performance, estimations Myself, from people that have done it, or know of it.

What can this Guy expect, peformance wise from these mods. Remember He is topping out @ 65 miles per hour. w/35's.

Hey gte, what motor are You running?

Thinks Kiwi