Box Rocket
SILVER Star
I've been researching this for a few months now and trying to get a good knowledge of how to approach this but I wanted to solicit ideas from the group here also. I've searched existing threads here, I've searched Pirate and read through just about all I could find there (some was helpful, a lot was just noise) and I've looked at lots of different race car and trophy truck setups to get ideas.
Here's some context. I've got an '85 minitruck with a flatbed that I've been building with my son. We're close to completing a 1UZ swap, which is the main reason for the radiator relocation. Most people that have done this motor swap in one of these trucks either do some firewall clearancing and/or a bodylift to get the motor positioned back far enough to fit a radiator in the standard location in front of the motor. I didn't want to do a body lift, and also didn't want to mangle the firewall. Additionally, even if I had done either of those options the room in front of the motor was still very tight to fit a good radiator and fan, but more importantly was so tight that replacing the belts would have been nearly impossible without dropping the radiator. So...here I am with the obvious (although a bit inconvenient) solution of moving the radiator to the bed. I'm not opposed to it being behind the cab on this truck but have a few questions/concerns.
First off, I could use any suggestions from anyone reading this about things to do or things to avoid, materials to use for plumbing, parts suggestions etc.
I currently have 3 radiators I can use. I have a factory radiator from a '96 Tacoma (used) I could use but I also have a generic 3-core radiator from Summit (new) and a aftermarket radiator for a 1KZ hilux (new, and recommended by a number of individuals that have done 1UZ swaps in Australia and NZ). I'm leaning toward using the 1KZ radiator since it's the largest and building a shroud to house twin Taurus electric fans. I think that should move enough air to compensate for the radiator not being up front and getting the benefit of airflow from the moving truck. I think I'm going to use stainless tubing for the plumbing to the rear of the truck, but I've heard of many people using galvanized fence posts without issue. The fence posts will obviously be cheaper. Does this approach sound like a bad idea to anyone? What would you change?
Couple of questions:
1: This will likely by my son's daily driver for a while. Are there any concerns with the radiator and electric fans being more exposed to the elements that they would be in a traditional front mount setup? For example, if the fans get covered in snow is it going to hurt anything? Don't think so, but wanted to check.
2: Those with experience using Taurus fans, do you think dual Taurus fans will move enough air to cool the V8 in a location that would have the same airflow as a front mounted setup?
Any other thoughts or ideas would be appreciated!
Here's the truck. The motor is in and mated to a A340F automatic from a 4Runner and a single 4.7 geared tcase. I just need to get the cooling system and fuel system sorted to finish it up. Some fuel system questions might get asked later on.
Don't judge too much here, this is just after getting the motor placed. It's much cleaner in there now.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Here's some context. I've got an '85 minitruck with a flatbed that I've been building with my son. We're close to completing a 1UZ swap, which is the main reason for the radiator relocation. Most people that have done this motor swap in one of these trucks either do some firewall clearancing and/or a bodylift to get the motor positioned back far enough to fit a radiator in the standard location in front of the motor. I didn't want to do a body lift, and also didn't want to mangle the firewall. Additionally, even if I had done either of those options the room in front of the motor was still very tight to fit a good radiator and fan, but more importantly was so tight that replacing the belts would have been nearly impossible without dropping the radiator. So...here I am with the obvious (although a bit inconvenient) solution of moving the radiator to the bed. I'm not opposed to it being behind the cab on this truck but have a few questions/concerns.
First off, I could use any suggestions from anyone reading this about things to do or things to avoid, materials to use for plumbing, parts suggestions etc.
I currently have 3 radiators I can use. I have a factory radiator from a '96 Tacoma (used) I could use but I also have a generic 3-core radiator from Summit (new) and a aftermarket radiator for a 1KZ hilux (new, and recommended by a number of individuals that have done 1UZ swaps in Australia and NZ). I'm leaning toward using the 1KZ radiator since it's the largest and building a shroud to house twin Taurus electric fans. I think that should move enough air to compensate for the radiator not being up front and getting the benefit of airflow from the moving truck. I think I'm going to use stainless tubing for the plumbing to the rear of the truck, but I've heard of many people using galvanized fence posts without issue. The fence posts will obviously be cheaper. Does this approach sound like a bad idea to anyone? What would you change?
Couple of questions:
1: This will likely by my son's daily driver for a while. Are there any concerns with the radiator and electric fans being more exposed to the elements that they would be in a traditional front mount setup? For example, if the fans get covered in snow is it going to hurt anything? Don't think so, but wanted to check.
2: Those with experience using Taurus fans, do you think dual Taurus fans will move enough air to cool the V8 in a location that would have the same airflow as a front mounted setup?
Any other thoughts or ideas would be appreciated!
Here's the truck. The motor is in and mated to a A340F automatic from a 4Runner and a single 4.7 geared tcase. I just need to get the cooling system and fuel system sorted to finish it up. Some fuel system questions might get asked later on.
Don't judge too much here, this is just after getting the motor placed. It's much cleaner in there now.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr
