1979 Toyota Pickup - millennial edition - older than I am. Tell me all about it. (2 Viewers)

[math]

Should have the kinks knocked out of that body mount shortly. Will post pics when it's all welded up. Once it's straight, I may leave the fenders on it for now - no real reason for me to get nice ones, just to hack them up for clearance.

I'm looking at a couple of options for an engine swap - my options are possibly a 22re with an auto transmission, a V6 3.0 (which I have not heard stellar things about), and some Nissan diesel I've never seen before. I believe it's an RD28? It looks a little like a 4BT and it's got a blue hue to it.

Would love some input from you guys on my selection. Otherwise I'll hold out for a Toyota diesel if none of these are ideal.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Ah man, those fender lines are so beautiful in stock form. Almost as nice as a 40 or 60 series Cruiser.

I'd hold out for a newer 4 or 6 cylinder Toyota gas engine, either 2.7 or 3.4 from 3rd generation 4Runner/ 1st generation Tacoma.

 

[PAToyota]

I'd hold out for a newer 4 or 6 cylinder Toyota gas engine, either 2.7 or 3.4 from 3rd generation 4Runner/ 1st generation Tacoma.

These - at the very least. If you’re set on 46s, the 22RE isn’t going to do much for you, the 3.slow is a step backwards, and the Nissan diesel sounds like it would be hard to find parts for.

 

[G-Cat]

Cummins is coming out with their 2.9L Turbo Diesel (4 cyl) as a crate motor. Premiered at SEMA 2016, but pricing and availability not out yet. Totally marketed to the off-road community.

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Cummins is coming out with their 2.9L Turbo Diesel (4 cyl) as a crate motor. Premiered at SEMA 2016, but pricing and availability not out yet. Totally marketed to the off-road community.

No doubt that thing will be awesome but I think there is going to be some serious sticker shock when they announce pricing. Certainly guys with deep pockets will buy it but I think that will be a pretty small audience.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I'm looking at a couple of options for an engine swap - my options are possibly a 22re with an auto transmission, a V6 3.0 (which I have not heard stellar things about), and some Nissan diesel I've never seen before. I believe it's an RD28? It looks a little like a 4BT and it's got a blue hue to it.

I vote for a 1UZ swap... That being said, I would probably put a 3RZ in it and call it a day.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

The Toyota diesel used in the old pickups has a fairly poor reputation and no power.

If you're on a budget and otherwise just considering those three engines above, I would go with the 3.0 if it comes with a manual transmission. Only if it's in good shape though, with head gasket replaced. 22RE with auto would be a real dog.

 

[PAToyota]

The RD28 really doesn’t look like you’re gaining anything over the 22R - other than perhaps a cool factor.

Nissan RD engine - Wikipedia

There are enough people that have done the 2.7L or 3.4L swaps that you shouldn’t have much trouble doing either of those and they’d gain you a lot more than the three you mentioned.