97 F2UZJ80 (1 Viewer)

[thepinktaco]

Starting a build thread for my 97 that I'm in the middle of a 2UZ swap. Seeing all the old build threads from the good Pirate4x4 days and all the good info I've found on this site got me wanting to do the same for this build. Good way to keep all progression and notes in one area while sharing information between the community.


Going back to 2007, 95 Tacoma I built on FZJ80 axles. Took the truck apart about 10 years ago to fix some things and its still sitting on jack stands.

Then had 2 kids and needed to build something to haul the family around. Found this in 2018, was looking for an 80 then but couldn't find anything reasonable locally. Tubbed the body to fit 35s with 1.5" lift and still have full travel. Locked it front and rear. Its taken us on so many adventures I cant keep track. Almost about to roll 300k miles.

2020 during the beginning of COVID I spotted this 80 sitting behind a shop nearby.

2 years later I finally stopped in to ask about it. It was a total mouse house but underneath was pretty clean especially for a New England vehicle. It had been sitting for 13 years and the owner of the shop didn't even remember why it was parked. They called me back later in the day and told me the owner didn't have the title and it was just going to be sold to a scrapper.

Told them I'd buy it as parts and picked it up a few days later for $600.

 

[thepinktaco]

First order of business was evicting all the mice and cleaning up thier mess. I ended up somewhere around 20.

Before getting too far I wanted to make sure it ran. Drained the tank and replaced the fuel pump. Used vinegar to clean the inside of the tank before putting it back in. Fired right up and didnt miss a beat. Not too bad after sitting for 13 years.

Disassembled the HVAC box to clean the mess made from the mice. Refoamed and painted all the doors while it was apart.

After a bath it didnt look too bad.

Was looking through junkyards so I could replace some of the destroyed interior pieces. Found a U-pull it yard 5.5 hours away that just recieved a locked cruiser. Got both locked axles, carpet, headliner, spare steering box, and some other pieces for around $400.

 

[thepinktaco]

Pulled the front axle to swap in the e-locker and rebuild. Still had the other half of a pipe cap from my Tacoma diff armor, glad I hung onto it all those years.

Repurposed the front J-springs from my Tacoma since I went to coilovers.

Icon shocks and rear springs. Repurposed an old set of 35s from the 4runner and some cheap Tacoma wheels. Drove it around for awhile like that. Was surprised after sitting for 13 years the only work I had to do was a fuel pump, rear calipers, and a muffler. Put 5000 miles on it without issue.

Swapped in the rear elocker diff. Had a couple of elocker motors from Tacoma diffs laying around. Built a housing to convert the rear elocker motor to that style.

 

[thepinktaco]

Bought 5 35" Ironmans off Walmart closeout for $800 and swapped the OEM wheels back on and enjoyed it for the summer.

The ultimate plan for this 80 was to 2UZ swap it down the road. Ended up finding a 06 Sequoia locally for $1200. That made the project progress a little quicker.

 

[thepinktaco]

Posted my drivetrain for sale figuring it may take a while to sell while I worked on getting the Sequoia stripped. Ended up with a buyer right way. January in New England isnt the best time to be stipping 2 vehicles but I got it done before heavy snow.

Tore the 2UZ down to clean it up and reseal. Drove up to Cruiserparts to get an A750 transmission and 2UZ Land Cruiser oil pan. Tapped the air injection ports for plugs and installed pre VVT Doug Thorley headers for 4runner/GX

Built motor mounts to fit the factory frame mounts. The way the 4runner manifold tubes are made placement a little more difficult. OEM manifolds are narrower and would have fit better.

 

[thepinktaco]

3FE power steering line mates up to the power steering pump, although it does eliminate the idle up valve.

Cut the brackets off the air box lid to fit the intake tube.

Removed the ABS pump and hopefully made enough room for the charcoal canister.

Started on a transmission mount crossmember.

 

[thepinktaco]

Pretty much where its at now. Wiring has been mapped out and started. Bunch of parts on order. Hoping to remember to take more pictures and document everything as I go along so when I look back on it in a few years Ill have the info.

 

[banjo1981]

This is a cool recovery and build. Good on ya for building that beauty.

 

[Skitz]

Very cool... good luck with the wiring.. yeah take the time to write down your wiring, I still go back to my old notes...

 

[Broski]

Subed