Swaps that work with 4x4 IFS and stock height
 

I've got a stock 91 4x4 shortcab with the 22RE that is wearing out.

Although I like the 22RE I'm not a big fan of the powerband and the lack of power at cruising speed is a problem for me as most of the driving it sees is on long highway trips across the state of Utah.

I've been reading for over a year now about swaps, everything from the 7M/5M, 2RZ, 3RZ, 5VZ, and everything in between.

I can't seem to find any concrete information on these swaps when used with 4x4 IFS. Most of them are on SAS rigs.

I've seen a few threads that show people modifying oil pans to fit and other things like that, but I was just wondering if there are any direct fit swaps out there that will work with my stock 5spd and not require a lift or SAS. I can reweld up some mounting brackets on the frame, I just don't want to mess with my suspension or driveline in any way.

If there isn't anything, what is required to swap my transmission for the 3VZ unit so that I can attach a V6 to it?

Lc engineering has a sweet second gen with a 3rz in it. I wonder how hard that would be since its a 4cyl also...

i heard the supra straight 6 turbo bolts directly onto the 22re motor mounts... i dont know for sure, but... yeah.

Yea the supra motor bolts on when using the 5m mounts, but there is no concrete info on whether or not it works with the oil pan. I've heard about using the cressida oil pan and that it's center sump or something instead of front but I was just wondering if anyone has swapped in a motor and kept it IFS.

Don't know how much this helps, but I just met this guy with an '84 Xtracab:

http://blazeland.us/Home_Page.php

that has a 5.0 he said he swapped in about 10 years ago. It has a body lift and the long travel kit mentioned in the website, but it is still IFS and a 5 speed.

There are a few on here with the supra swap and many others with the 3.4. They seem to be the most frequently used. Dont even consider the 3.0 (not much gain over the the 22RE). Search and you will find many good threads with the info you need.

If you want an IFS with Supra 5m or 7m, I'll hook you up. Its not easy, but workable.

I am the guy (or mabey just another guy) with the 5.0 swap from a Mustang. My truck is a 1986 xtracab DX 4x4. I do have the IFS and it is "long travel" of my own design; the Blazeland LT. Advanced Adaptors made the motor swap kit. I dropped the front diff 1.5" to clear oil the pan. But, oil pan could be modified fairly easily; rather than dropping the diff. I am using the T-5 five speed manual transmission from the Mustang. Where did we meet?

I met you at Pep Boys in Lake Forest. I have the grey XtraCab with the 3.4 swap. That was a typo in the post, I meant '86.

I too have 5.0L, IFS, and no body lift. It's tight but can be done. I modified my oil pan because I wanted the engine to site as low as possible, keeping the cog low, since I also have long travel and do a lot of high speed stuff in the dez. I spaced the front diff down a little so that it was flush with the crossmember in front of it. I mated a Ford AOD tranny to a w56 TC, with an Advance Adapter kit

Posey

Well I finally got around to doing the oil pan modification. The front diff was dragging all over the place. When the suspension compressed it was only about 3" off the ground and would high center fairly easily. With oil pan modification I am back to the stock mounting points and front crossmember. I probably only added around 2" of additional clearance but every little bit helps. Here are a few photos.

Looks real similar to mine. Looks good!

Posey

Yeah, its not rocket science but thought I'd post pictures in case others out there were interested in a visual. I did have to bend the oil pickup tube slightly so it didn't hit the patch.

Hey what spring rate are you using on the front coils? I had a 700 lb spring but it was too stiff. I tried a 550 and it was too light. I am now using SAW 25mm T-bars with very little preload and it works great. I am running the wwwblazeland.us long travel kit now so I have T-bar as well as coil conversion options, have you checked blazeland out?

FYI the 550 lb coil springs are about right for my 4 Runner but it still has a 22RE. Although its a little bit heavier the Ford 5.0 power is awsome isn't it? The AOD must be nice for crawling.

I think I took a little more out of my pan. I lowered the front diff until it was flush with the crossmember and then worked to set the V8 engine in there as low as possible. I actually made a divorced pickup for my oilpan. The pickup is welded to the pan and a hose is used between the pump and pickup.

Not 100% sure about the spring rate. I just talked to the guys at King, explaining my setup, and they picked the spring rate and shock dampening. I can check them the next time I'm at the shop. The V8 was not much heavier, if any, than my original 3.0 V6.

The AOD is great and is the real reason for the V8. I wanted to run an automatic, but the V6 with an Auto was a dog, so the V6 had to go.

I see you are in SoCal. You familiar with Locosmocos? A lot of those guys are located around Lakeside. That's my gang!

Posey

Wow, the oil pan you came up with sounds interesting. I didn't locate my engine, I just bought motor mounts for the swap from Northwest Offroad. I did have to install a 2" body lift to clear the tranny. Sounds like you C.G. is much nicer.

I ran into the Locosmocos guys a few years ago in San Felipe pre-running the Baja 250. I was in my 4 Runner and stopped and talked a bit. I had the Blazeland LT on the 4 Runner and they looked at it but didn't seem to interested.

I am going to San Felipe again this year and would love to meet up. Do you go?