Is it worth it?
03-13-2009, 02:38 PM
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Is it worth it?
okay guys bein reading around lately and alot of great info on here.
im currently 17 and have a 93 toyota pickup that i grew up driving around the farm and actually its the vehicle i learned to drive in. its bein purly a farm truck for the past 6 years and ab used pretty heavily. the 22re engine thats in her is getting pretty tired and seems like it on its last leg as running in 2wd is almost a pipe dream.
im contomplating doing an engine swap and dropping a 350 chevy in there for more power along with a rear locker. also taking the body off and fixing the rust on the frame so it can be road legal again. also thinkin about getting bucket seats for the cab and doing some custom interior for more comfort. all together ive figured it will cost roughly between $1000 and $2000 to do it.
what do you guys think? is it worth it to put that much money into my rig and drive it back and forth to college next year and wheel on the weekends or shld i just puy a crappy car to drive back and forth and keep beatin on this like i have bein
i want to do this to my current rig just trying to justify it and convince myself its the right thing to do with my cash. help please!!!
im currently 17 and have a 93 toyota pickup that i grew up driving around the farm and actually its the vehicle i learned to drive in. its bein purly a farm truck for the past 6 years and ab used pretty heavily. the 22re engine thats in her is getting pretty tired and seems like it on its last leg as running in 2wd is almost a pipe dream.
im contomplating doing an engine swap and dropping a 350 chevy in there for more power along with a rear locker. also taking the body off and fixing the rust on the frame so it can be road legal again. also thinkin about getting bucket seats for the cab and doing some custom interior for more comfort. all together ive figured it will cost roughly between $1000 and $2000 to do it.
what do you guys think? is it worth it to put that much money into my rig and drive it back and forth to college next year and wheel on the weekends or shld i just puy a crappy car to drive back and forth and keep beatin on this like i have bein
i want to do this to my current rig just trying to justify it and convince myself its the right thing to do with my cash. help please!!!
03-13-2009, 03:03 PM
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$1000-2000 for a 350 chevy swap, rear locker, bucket seats, and custom interior? Who're you stealing this stuff from?
The chevy swap alone will probably run up to $2000 on its own once you factor in the bell housing, wiring, fittings, and accessory parts.
You can do it with $2000, but have a couple grand on the side because most likely you'll end up using it.
The chevy swap alone will probably run up to $2000 on its own once you factor in the bell housing, wiring, fittings, and accessory parts.
You can do it with $2000, but have a couple grand on the side because most likely you'll end up using it.
03-13-2009, 03:10 PM
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If you only have $2000, and you're dead set on a 350 chevy, that's probably the best way to go. Get a Chevy.
Swapping a sbc into a toyota is more than just dropping the engine in. You need to mate it to the tranny (bell housing is a few hundred last I checked), it has too much power for the high gearing in the rear end so you're either going with larger tires or higher gears. If you go larger tires you need a lift, which is probably necessary anyway in the front because of the added weight of the engine.
I'm not trying to deter you from this, but if you're stuck on spending $2k, this isn't going to happen unless you're owed a lot of favors.
Swapping a sbc into a toyota is more than just dropping the engine in. You need to mate it to the tranny (bell housing is a few hundred last I checked), it has too much power for the high gearing in the rear end so you're either going with larger tires or higher gears. If you go larger tires you need a lift, which is probably necessary anyway in the front because of the added weight of the engine.
I'm not trying to deter you from this, but if you're stuck on spending $2k, this isn't going to happen unless you're owed a lot of favors.
03-13-2009, 03:19 PM
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my friend has a 350 chevy with alternator and steering pump and everything for 400 and i was just gonna us a transmission and transfer case out of a 88 or newer chevy for acouple hundred. i wld be building all mounts necessary which prbly wldnt cost me anything.
i already have 31 inch tires and was gonna go to 32 or 33. would that be enough with my stock gears? also thought about going with the front end ifs ball joint spacers to raise the front end for the added weight.
opionions please
i already have 31 inch tires and was gonna go to 32 or 33. would that be enough with my stock gears? also thought about going with the front end ifs ball joint spacers to raise the front end for the added weight.
opionions please
03-13-2009, 03:48 PM
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22re on its last leg....lol tune up or rebuild trh 22re for a lot less and get a lot better gas milage to go back and forth to school, then with the money left over work on the cosmetics......
03-13-2009, 05:16 PM
#7
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Put a little money into a good tune up on the 22re (you could probably get back into great shape for 1000$) and drive it for a few years to school.
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03-13-2009, 06:04 PM
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i like the 22re but the thing is i want more power. im used to driving a 500 hp diesel truck most days now and cnt stand not being able to accelerate up hills.
what would it cost me to get the 22re to perform real strong?
what would it cost me to get the 22re to perform real strong?
03-13-2009, 06:11 PM
#9
Rebuild the 22RE for under a grand and you will have a solid mechanical truck that is dependable transportation with good gas mileage. It will also probably save you some tickets because it won't be a speed demon either. 
03-13-2009, 06:28 PM
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personally if i were putting this all in perspective its all about how the body and frame are because droppin an engine and tranny in aint nothing compared to welding frames together i would deffinetly consider that
03-13-2009, 06:57 PM
#11
You're 22RE probably needs a tune up thats all. Plugs, cap, oil change, air filter,etc and you're set...
Its going to suck driving to college with with a 350, your gas milage is going to suck, hard.
Its going to suck driving to college with with a 350, your gas milage is going to suck, hard.
Last edited by Matt16; 03-13-2009 at 06:58 PM.
03-13-2009, 08:11 PM
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ask wabbit I know he will have some good ideas for dependability and power options. if you want this truck stick with it if you want power find something cheap with a big engine 350s are a dime a dozen booth for the vehicles and parts when they brake down. Me I am a toyota man for life
good luck man.
good luck man.
03-13-2009, 08:21 PM
#14
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never got a speeding ticket in my yotas
when i was DD a Heep Grand Cherokee....45 in a 25, and to this day cannot make any of my toyotas do that in the spot i got nailed
03-13-2009, 11:12 PM
#15
keep in mind that if you are swapping out trannies too, then you will need new custom driveshafts and those arent cheap...
the Ball joint spacers arent meant to provide lift on the front end, they are supposed to be to give better flex... with that said, if you want the front end to "handle the weight" you want thicker torsion bars...
IMHO, dont put a chevy in it... with all that you want to do, and the budget that you have, it WONT happen... no matter what kind of deals you get on parts...
ive spent 2 grand on my truck already and thats just with tires, springs, and assorted miscellanious crap...
rebuild the 22re... its no powerhouse, but it wont leave you stranded, empty walleted at the gas pump... (and, yes, i was born and raised a Chevrolet/GMC guy)
the Ball joint spacers arent meant to provide lift on the front end, they are supposed to be to give better flex... with that said, if you want the front end to "handle the weight" you want thicker torsion bars...
IMHO, dont put a chevy in it... with all that you want to do, and the budget that you have, it WONT happen... no matter what kind of deals you get on parts...
ive spent 2 grand on my truck already and thats just with tires, springs, and assorted miscellanious crap...
rebuild the 22re... its no powerhouse, but it wont leave you stranded, empty walleted at the gas pump... (and, yes, i was born and raised a Chevrolet/GMC guy)
03-15-2009, 07:29 PM
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NO... its not worth the money, buy a chevy instead. maybe you could put a turbo on the engine after it gets rebuilt, it would be alot cheaper and much less work. you would hve to cut drive shafts and you really need to replace the tranny that can handle the power with different gearing, unless you have alot more money on the side you arent going to be able to do it very cheaply.
03-15-2009, 07:45 PM
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rebuild the 22re, or if you want more power, you could swap in a 22rte (i think) or add a aftermarket turbo to the 22re (wouldn't recommend).
If you want to be able to climb hills fast, just make sure your going fast enough at the bottom
.
Secondly, as your first truck, I really wouldn't worry about cosmetics. Its your first car. Its supposed to be beat up, banged up, and abused. Don't worry about cosmetics till you are a more experienced driver.
If you want to be able to climb hills fast, just make sure your going fast enough at the bottom
.Secondly, as your first truck, I really wouldn't worry about cosmetics. Its your first car. Its supposed to be beat up, banged up, and abused. Don't worry about cosmetics till you are a more experienced driver.
okay.
