FadedIdentity

I have a 1975 Toyota Hilux and I am in the process of gutting the entire engine bay and transmission tunnel. Has anyone here done a Chevrolet 350 swap to a '75? Also, where are the best places to look for mounts, wiring, modifications, etc? Thanks in advance.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure there are many out there but just doesn't seem to be much documentation on engine swaps for these older generation Hilux trucks. I've been looking, I have a 75 too.

Personally I'd likely go 1uz from a donor $1k Lexus (so I can keep it Toyota), but the Chevy platform is cheaper with more aftermarket support and much more common as an engine swap for a variety of vehicles. Pretty much everything is custom, so choosing engine mounts would be a minimal concern of mine for a swap like this. Wiring kits are available for Chevy engines, I'd imagine a carb'd 350 would be ridiculously easy to wire up.

If keeping front suspension cradle and frame rails stock I'd personally be more concerned with shoe-horning a wide v8 block in there and clearing the steering box with ehaust headers since the steering box is located so far back toward the cab.

The solution I've dreamed up for my own truck is to swap out the entire engine/suspension cradle assembly off an SC400 - basically figure out how to weld/bolt that sucker onto a modified frame with some mounts for the struts and I'd take care of engine mounting but the main benefit I see is I'd get upgraded suspension parts, brakes and R&P steering. Only issue I've seen with this is that for a small pickup like this I'd really like to push the engine back as far as possible into the firewall so I can help with weight distribution and keep the rear end planted better.

Best of luck, hope you follow through with it!