85 4runner Piglett (1 Viewer)

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we just used a separate mechanical pbrake caliper on the Atom. that is the route i would personally go.
 
It is really hard to design a mechanical caliper that generates enough clamping power while also keeping the pull (or push) stroke reasonably short. If you can move the handle 2 feet then it gets easier, but when it needs to be something less that a foot it's not so easy to do. There are few caliper designs out there that can do this, but I've been out of that industry long enough that I'm not up on which is what.

The self-energizing effect of a drum brake makes them the better p-brake choice. No matter where I park the truck I want it to stay there on just the p-brake, no needing to put it park or in gear to keep it there.
 
I've thought about 5vz as well, but I feel like they give barely over 4cyl power at the expense of barely better than v8 fuel economy which is the main reason I've been a UZ swap. My main concern is being able to go up grades on the freeway while fully loaded or even towing a small trailer.
Throwing in another opinion on possible engine choices. Praise for the 3.4 is legit. Threw it in my 4runner, manual swapped it, and the rumors are true... mo powah. I currently average 17-19 mpg on an OME IFS lift and 285/75r16 (32.8"x11.2") mickey thompson baja boss a/t tires (which are friggin heavy). No armor, though, and don't carry heavy loads too often.

Tbh, if I did a lot of heavy towing/load carrying, I would have either gone with a 1uz or LS.
 
How is access to the usual maint. items with the 3.4 in an early engine bay? The 3.0 seemed like 10 lbs. in a 5 lbs bag, but it also looked like that was mostly the result of poor or hasty planning.
 
How is access to the usual maint. items with the 3.4 in an early engine bay? The 3.0 seemed like 10 lbs. in a 5 lbs bag, but it also looked like that was mostly the result of poor or hasty planning.
much better than the 3.0 and better than a stock 3.4 compartment. especially without the oe airbox nonsense.
 
On my 88 with the SAS and cut out fender wells it was super easy to work on just about anything. Also, I could open the hood and not get blasted with heat. The fan kicked it all out the wheel wells. IDK how it would have been with the IFS still in place.
 
As far as I'm concerned, the 3.4 is the best all around swap motor for Toyota "mini" trucks and 4Runners. A V8 would be fun, but is overkill for the chassis and drivetrain. The 2TR-FE (dual vvt-i) is also becoming a good 4cyl swap alternative
 
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My 5 speed 22re 1985 with 5.29's on 35's felt like an absolute dog up any sort of incline. And in comparison, both auto 3.4L 3rd gens I've owned drove way better. And the three 4.7L V8's I've owned now (4runner, GX, tundra) were all a huge improvement over the 3.4L v6's. The 1UZ LS400 I had was probably the smoothest out of them all, and at 20mpg highway had the best fuel economy out of them all. Everything else has been ~14mpg to ~17mpg depending on lift/tires. I've never driven a 3.4 swapped 1st Gen, but I can only imagine it's a big improvement and I'd probably start there. If not enough put a SC on it. My dream setup would be a 1uz with an auto and dual transfer case. Though the 5.7L's I've owned and driven have been the most fun for sure...
 
Even if it does have enough power to pull a trailer, and even if you have done the vented rotor upgrade I don't think that it has enough brakes for a big trailer. Something on the order of a 1/4t M416/101, sure. An Airstream 13' Bambi? No effing way!
To do that you need the Taco brakes (front & rear) upgrades.

I pulled this little trailer with the 22R in Patch, I did NOT go up any freeway grades, I took the back-roads! The 60 did OK with it on grades, but it too barely had enough brakes.
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M101 is exactly what I had in mind.
 
It's a sweet and stout engine. Just more mods needed if you go that route. Decisions, decisions...🤔
 

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