I had Ron at "A Breath of Fresh Air" automotive do the install (Concord, Ca.). A lack of time on my part was the reason for having someone else do the job. All things considered, he did a nicer job than I would have. Ron is an ace mechanic who has been specializing in Cruisers for 20-30 years. Lots of 40 and 60 V-8 swaps. This was his first 80 series and he wanted to do a 700R4 with selectable hubs, but I wanted to keep the full time 4wd with the A440F, so we went that route with an adapter. I also had the ARB's installed f&r, dual batteries, and a killer exhaust system with a magnaflow muffler. I can now install the sliders with no exhaust/cat problems. All of this with the 350tbi with late 60's ram's horn exhaust manifolds installed for $10,500. Sure it's a chunk of change, but I'm running around 300 hp and a boat load of torque. Gas mileage has slightly improved as well. Man-a-Fre quoted me $12,000 plus for just the engine swap alone (350tbi) and said they weren't sure what to do with the smog. Very reassuring. Everyone else wanted $15k+ for the engine only. Vortecs started at $18k for the engine swap alone, and up to $25k. Getting the ARB's, 350tbi, custom exhaust from the high performance manifolds to the tail pipe, dual electric fans on the stock radiator (actually an all metal aftermarket), dual battery set up, frony and rear ARB lockers, and the works for $10.5k seemed like a killer deal. Sure you can get a used FZJ and performance will be similar and a little smoother, but the power is just not there. A s/c engine will wear quicker than a standard 350tbi. I already had the truck and the head was cracked with a $2700 Toyota quote to replace the head on a 250,000 mile block that would need rebuilding soon anyway. When this 350 dies, I'll pick up another for $800 at a parts yard and go another 100-150K. I figure that getting same day parts, increased gas mileage and power, cheap replacement engines, and pimp factor made the swap worthwhile. I considered a 6.5td but the fuel injector issues and lack of longevity made me go for the 350. More power, fairly similar gas mileage, and same life expectancy made the 350 the best choice. I was able to use the original fuel tank and engine vacuum for brake boost. If I get bored with the 350 in the future, the engine mounts are the same for a 454 or a 6.5td. Who knows, in another 100-200k miles, maybe I'll try something else. The engine is lighter than the 3FE and it isn't nearly as smooth or quiet, but with 35" swampers in the works, who cares. Not me.
