LC280 - 3UR / AB60F in an 80

[MetalcoreMoyer]

Well guys, my first post will be an insane one. I've been lurking in preparation for this project and it's finally kicked off.

My 97' LX450 went down nearly a year ago, radiator exploded going down the highway and ended up sitting for a bit. Compression tested okay, but that 1FZ was tired.

While replacing the radiator, I found a 5.7 4x4 Tundra to be a donor to bring the 80 back to life. The price was right and I'm moderately familiar with mid 2000's Toyota engines going into 90's Toyota chassis (2GR MR2 is another car in the fleet).

So I found a way to cram my 80 in my little garage spot and brought the donor truck home.

Currently in the process of tearing down the truck and cataloging all of the parts I'll need to swap over and adapt.

The plan is to run off of the factory ECU, 4WD controller, and adapt enough components of ABS and VSC to keep the computer happy.

Front axle will need to be flipped to accommodate the driver drop of the Tundra transfer case. Short-term goal is to get it running and driving in 2WD and take on the front axle / 4WD as a 'phase 2'.

It's going to be a tight fit, but with enough ignorance, anything is possible.

 

[AgentOrange]

I like where this is headed. I'm going to try to put bad ideas in your head now. You have a Tundra rear axle. Why not get a fabbed housing and build a Tundra front with 80 balls and knuckles. Strength plus width. Keeps the same diff front and rear. Or take this opportunity to go one ton. Ford SD is driver drop front so no extra work there. I have more bad ideas if you prefer. Keep us posted on this build for sure!

 

[Skitz]

I am also doing a 3UR swap but I am going the Ford SD axles route. Sterling in the back and Super 60 up front. So many options gears/lockers/parts/etc....

I haven't started my swap... just collecting parts right now tho....

I'll be watching here... Good luck!!

 

[MetalcoreMoyer]

I like where this is headed. I'm going to try to put bad ideas in your head now. You have a Tundra rear axle. Why not get a fabbed housing and build a Tundra front with 80 balls and knuckles. Strength plus width. Keeps the same diff front and rear. Or take this opportunity to go one ton. Ford SD is driver drop front so no extra work there. I have more bad ideas if you prefer. Keep us posted on this build for sure!

It's not out of the question. I'm approaching for simplicity and success probability.

Running and driving in 2WD with the factory 80 axles is the first step. If I start shredding the rear end and need to beef it up, phase 2 will be keeping disco parties away from the axles.

The goal is an 'OEM+ retrofit', not so much an extreme offroad machine. I want this thing reliable to travel across the country, highly serviceable with as much OEM / off the shelf parts as possible, and not destroy the 90's legend vibe.

 

[AgentOrange]

It's not out of the question. I'm approaching for simplicity and success probability.

Running and driving in 2WD with the factory 80 axles is the first step. If I start shredding the rear end and need to beef it up, phase 2 will be keeping disco parties away from the axles.

The goal is an 'OEM+ retrofit', not so much an extreme offroad machine. I want this thing reliable to travel across the country, highly serviceable with as much OEM / off the shelf parts as possible, and not destroy the 90's legend vibe.

A cut and sleeve of the front is in your future then. I like that idea. Work with what you got!

 

[Ditcherman]

I just want you to know I’m definitely stealing “with enough ignorance anything is possible.”

I’m wanting to swap an 07 Tundra engine/trans/tcase into a 40 that’s waiting on it, and always thought since I regeared and locked the rear I would use it and get a solid axle up front. Just trying to decide if I try to stick with all Toyota on this one or if I just go d60’s.
Will be watching!!

 

[peesalot]

Whats with the hanging jelly jars ?

 

[peesalot]

My aunt used to do that with water in em to keep fly's away.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I put this drivetrain in a 60 and it was a tight squeeze. The 80 chassis is 1.5" narrower and has 1.25" less top of frame to hood clearance than a 60.

I've turned down this swap many times in an 80 chassis.

Regardless; good luck with the build and ambitious for sure.

 

[MetalcoreMoyer]

I put this drivetrain in a 60 and it was a tight squeeze. The 80 chassis is 1.5" narrower and has 1.25" less top of frame to hood clearance than a 60.

I've turned down this swap many times in an 80 chassis.

Regardless; good luck with the build and ambitious for sure.

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Thank you! Your 60 build was one of the few that inspired this nonsense.

I'm aware it's going to be a tight fit, already lining up solutions to make sure it can be squeezed in there.

Next steps are for me to pull the cab off the donor, get measurements, and begin cutting down the frame into a test bench to run the 3UR 'standalone'. Looking to have everything sorted and ready to go before tackling fitment.

I'd love to pick your brain on how you got the whole system to run well and what you retained / lost.

 

[Skitz]

I put this drivetrain in a 60 and it was a tight squeeze. The 80 chassis is 1.5" narrower and has 1.25" less top of frame to hood clearance than a 60.

I've turned down this swap many times in an 80 chassis.

Regardless; good luck with the build and ambitious for sure.

Why would you pass on this swap? The 3UR has been swapped into an 80 chassis, reference UZJ40 builds....

 

[MetalcoreMoyer]

Why would you pass on this swap? The 3UR has been swapped into an 80 chassis, reference UZJ40 builds....

I am also curious on why passing... I have read through that build thread several times over and while it will be a tight fit, I didn't see any show stoppers in there.