Engine Swap?

[TOYOTAHEAVEN]

I'm very interested in aquiring a 55. What is the most common engine swap incase I find one that needs a motor? I'm building a 68 fj40 and replaced the Ford motor that was in it with a 350 and swapped the stock 3 speed with a T-18 4 speed. I'm wondering what folks are doing with the 55's? I've never seen one on the road here in Jersey.

Thanks!

 

[Downey]

You might already realize that once you've had a V8, there's no going back. I think the problem Lil John had with shallow engine compartment (and same problem exist with FJ60) is that the front spring shackle hangers are not a foot out in front of the grille (as they are on an FJ40). This means that springs and front axle housing are up under the oil pan on FJ55/60's. This also means that Transfer-case is closer to front differential, consequently a really steep/troublesome front drive shaft angle.
Normally there is not a serious clearance problem between axle housing and oil pan because engine sits 1" towards drivers side, somewhat away from top of banjo housing. The really neat thing to do on stationwagon conversions is use a longer automatic tranny with long adapter to Transfer-case to get some length into the front drive shaft, rear shaft length still not a problem in this scenario.

 

[srgould41]

What about a 4.3L Vortec V6 and 700R4? Would the shorter engine be easier to fit? Plus the benefit of the longer tranny as mentioned above...

Just a thought.

 

[srgould41]

He is talking an FJ55... I think a 4.3L would be absolutely killed trying to haul the weight of an FJ55 around. He'd get worse gas mileage than a V8 with half the power

You may be right. I dunno. But I do know that the 4.3 is in the 200 HP range, better than the 1F or 2F.

As for fuel economy, I agree. I have a 2001 S-10 crew cab with the 4.3 and it gets about 14mpg. Really suckie.

Personally I like the SBC's better, but since you guys are talking about the smaller engine bay and axle issue I figured the 4.3 (or similar) could be an option...

Anyway, good luck with your build!

Steve

 

[TOYOTAHEAVEN]

350 to Automatic

The 350 to Automatic sounds sweet. I haven't looked into adaptors, but what is the recommended Automatic Transmission? This is going to make me want a 55 even more now!

 

[srgould41]

The 350 to Automatic sounds sweet. I haven't looked into adaptors, but what is the recommended Automatic Transmission? This is going to make me want a 55 even more now!

That is one of those questions that if you ask a dozen people you will get a dozen different answers.

My personal choice for my 40 is the 700R4. Have one in my garage waiting until I get everything together for the swap. It has a low first gear, a cruise gear, a lockup converter, and will handle the power of stock V8's just fine.

 

[txjake]

Has anybody done a Tundra V8 swap into a 40 or 55?

 

[joeyg1973]

He is talking an FJ55... I think a 4.3L would be absolutely killed trying to haul the weight of an FJ55 around.

About 10 years ago UPS in Florida went and replaced diesel motors in their panel trucks with the 4.3L. That motor is plenty strong it just depends on how the motor is built.

 

[TOYOTAHEAVEN]

That setup looks great! I'd love to have a 55 as a daily driver with that motor. Maybe something I can plan as a future project.

 

[shaka 55]

I'd go with a 7.3 powerstroke

 

[dgangle]

Has anybody done a Tundra V8 swap into a 40 or 55?

Just hashed to death and back again 2 weeks ago:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/279019-tundra-v-8-40-a.html

 

[3jvj]

I love the 700r4. Drove from WY to Moab, wheeled the crap out of it and drove home. Having overdrive and never shifting makes for a comfy .

That being said the colorado k5 club is probably the best place to enter into a t400/700r4 350/vortec 465/auto discussion.
My 73/350 has the shallow pan, 2f hood, and shackles to keep it sua. It'll fit.

 

[joeyg1973]

Dry sump it and be done with it.