I want more power for certain places while offroading. I have 84 4runner(4.10gears) on 33x12.5x15 BFG muds and have a little hard time pulling them up steep hills while offroading. I can replace the gears in the transfer case and have a better crawl ratio and that will help OR i can slap a 350 in and be done with the power issue once and for all. My 22r runs great no problems other than lacking in power. I already have the tbi engine, computer and harness. What are the draw backs to each? Not counting the cost of engine which would be more cost effective? I would be using a turbo 350 so the transfer case would stay in the stock location.

 

A bit of a squeeze and harder to work on....I don't see much reason in doing all the work to put the other engine in if the one you have runs fine now. Hopefully you've already regeared your axles since you went to larger tires. I can imagine how little power it seems to have if you don't have enough axle gear to turn those tires.

 

Regear is my vote.

 

Definitely regear the diff's to 4.88, your power will come back just fine. I ran worn 34's (measured about 33") on 4.10's w/ a 22re and it sucked off road, regear. If you really want a slower crawl after that, then go 4.7's, but in doing so, you completely give up your stock low gear. The 350 will be a PITA and will probably have a bad habit of breaking stuff.

 

Do the gears, if they arent up to par for you then think about swaps- a chevy 4.3L would be a better choice imho too, more than enough power to move that size vehicle.

 

I am not messing with the diff gears. Dont have the correct tools or really the know how. I do however know how to pull the engine and replace. I also have the confidence to pull the transfercase and regear it. I can wheel it just fine and it does real well as is. But when the family is with me and i have all the EXTRA crap they like to bring it gets tough for the 4banger. I use 4 low 90% of time while offroad due to not changing the diff gears. I am real easy on the gas so unless i am in a bind i believe the 350 will be ok.

 

I already have a sweet running 5.7 so i will not even consider a 4.3.

 

Sounds like you've made up your mind...

 

Did anyone mention regearing?

 

If you want power, you have no choice but the engine.

If you want to increase torque, then you can replace gears. Gears multiply torque, not horsepower.

In either event, if you don't want to regear diffs, i'd throw the engine in. I have a 4.7 case, and it is awesome, but slow. So, while you'd be able to move just fine up hill, you'd be doing it at walking speed. 2nd gear 4.7 low is almost the same as first gear 2.28 low, so you'd only be gaining one gear, however, even in 5th gear, i fall behind others wheeling, i have to go to high range.

Swap in the motor, more power on and offroad, and much more fun!

 

Last trail ride it took 3 hours to go less than 1/2 mile. So keeping up is no problem. I guess i will be getting the adapter for the transfercase to Turbo 350. Anyone have a good source for a Kit? Motor mounts, trans adapter?

What will be the 1st thing to snap if i get in a bind?????????
I know not the engine and trans...

 

Probably the birfs or maybe a u-joint.

 

The diff gears you didn't want to mess with in the first place.

 

 

I'm running 4.88 rear and front diff. I can say that you'll have more then enough power to push your 33's. If you put in the engine with-out beefing up everything else, you'll start snapping things. I've seen more then enough rigs off-road that went for more horse power (bigger engine) start breaking things when they get on the trail. It's really (from what I've seen) not an issue of getting in a bind as much as it is going through a normal decent trail and all of a sudden your engine has the push, your wheel's have the traction, but your drive shaft/diff doesn't have the strength and blam, you're being towed back to the LZ for some garage work.

I know, I have an '84 that I'm planning a 4.3 swap for, but everybody in the group I wheel with agrees that unless you beef up the diff's first (which I've done) I'll be breaking things on the trail. Even with the diffs, I'm still looking at a better drive shaft. I've heard the axil's (especially if you have a solid front) should be strong enough to handle a bigger engine...it's the diffs that become a weak link...

 

Good advice. I just didnt want to change the gears in the diff and later change the engine. 5.29 gear and v8 = instant broken parts. I may have another use for the engine so I may give the diffs a stab. Its 100% trail rig and I have set up the gears in a 7.5 and 8.8 Ford rear. Just never messed with Yota's. Plus i just found a complete R+P kit 5.29 for 300.

 

I have a friend that has an REO Speedwagon with yota axles and a Corvette motor and he jackass's all over town with the thing. The 4.10 gears are the strongest normal gears you will have and the best for mileage with the V8. Solid front?

Bdog

 

Another vote for gears.

Sell the motor and use the money to have them set up.