To swap or not to swap (1 Viewer)

[05Tacorunner]

So after driving the 80 today after an extended period of sitting I realize how gutless my 91 3fe is. Been sitting here doing over ideas on swaps. By swaps I have considered selling my 80 and purchasing a newer cruiser with say the 1fz-fe or keeping my current cruiser and swapping the engine to something more modern. I am capable of performing the swap just lack the time. Is there anyone here in the valley that is recommended to perform the swap? Now what are everyone's pros and cons?

 

[OllieinAZ]

Go to Desert Toy Shop in Mesa, www.deserttoyshop.com, talk to Mike, the owner or Matt, the mechanic who will be doing the swap. Right now they are finishing a white 62 with a crate 6.2 and are re-gearing mine that has a L83 5.3 and 6L80 they did a year and a half ago.
they know what they are doing and how to do it right

 

[ARJMN]

No such thing as a cheap swap, but things worth doing are not cheap. No regrets on my swap from the 1FZ-FE to the 6 liter L96 and 6L80. If you love your 80 and want to keep it, it is fantastic. If you just want more power easy, look for a good 100 series or a GX.

 

[OllieinAZ]

Obviously, the cost is a Con.
Other than that, it’s all Pros, especially when you touch the Go pedal.....!

 

[medtro]

Con: No rear AC.

 

[TWILLY]

So, what is the ballpark cost of an LS swap--for a new crate motor, I assume transmission, and labor to do it?

 

[05Tacorunner]

Con: No rear AC.

My 91 does not have that luxury currently but the wife's sequoia does so no biggie.

 

[05Tacorunner]

No such thing as a cheap swap, but things worth doing are not cheap. No regrets on my swap from the 1FZ-FE to the 6 liter L96 and 6L80. If you love your 80 and want to keep it, it is fantastic. If you just want more power easy, look for a good 100 series or a GX.

I agree on the cost. Not looking for cheapest route. I my 80 and would only want another 80. I know the 1fz isn't a powerhouse but makes more than my 3fe

 

[LongDuck]

Not sure how much more power you're looking for, but the simplest (*not cheapest) swap to a 1FZ-FE, nets you something in this range, and built for the design. As comparison;

At least swapping to one of the engines Toyota designed for this vehicle, you'd closer to the ethos of the vehicle.

 

[peacesells63]

I spent a lot of time thinking about a V8 swap in my 80. It would be nice, but my 1fz isnt that bad and its not that hard to turbo. That's the route i'm going once I finish my other 32 projects...

If I had an 3fe, an LS or 2uz swap would be high on the list.

By the way, I wanted a V8 soild axle cruiser, thats why I decided to solid axle swap an LX470 a while back. Usually suspension is easier than a motor swap, in this case I was wrong... Lol.

 

[Just Diddly]

This doesn't really contribute to the post, but I've always been a big fan of Toyota'a 4.7L (2UZ) V8 in the 100 Series. My 03 Tundra had it and that was such a smooth driving vehicle even over a decade later when I got my hands on it. I'd love to have a solid axle swapped 100 Series with that engine (Similar to a 105 Series). Although I've heard making that engine work in the 80 Series is a nightmare compared to the Chevy V8 swaps which ultimately result in more power/mpg than the 2UZ. As much as I love the thought of a V8 swapped 80 series, something about having the original 1FZ does it for me (my opinion would probably be much different if I had the 3FE though, I can't imagine having less engine in these heavy pigs). Having said that however, one of my realistic goals is to buy a 40 or 60 Series that has already been swapped with an old V8 and do a modern V8/Transmission swap. That way I don't feel as dirty about "spoiling" an original.

 

[peacesells63]

This doesn't really contribute to the post, but I've always been a big fan of Toyota'a 4.7L (2UZ) V8 in the 100 Series. My 03 Tundra had it and that was such a smooth driving vehicle even over a decade later when I got my hands on it. I'd love to have a solid axle swapped 100 Series with that engine (Similar to a 105 Series). Although I've heard making that engine work in the 80 Series is a nightmare compared to the Chevy V8 swaps which ultimately result in more power/mpg than the 2UZ. As much as I love the thought of a V8 swapped 80 series, something about having the original 1FZ does it for me (my opinion would probably be much different if I had the 3FE though, I can't imagine having less engine in these heavy pigs). Having said that however, one of my realistic goals is to buy a 40 or 60 Series that has already been swapped with an old V8 and do a modern V8/Transmission swap. That way I don't feel as dirty about "spoiling" an original.

2uz swaps aren't quite as bad in an 80 when you get an engine/trans from a 100 series. They line up nearly perfect with the a750 trans, but VVTI motors are much harder to wire (especially one out of a 100 series) than the earlier motors. With the 4 speed, the front driveshaft gets even shorter. Definitely great motors, I have 4 non VVTI 2uz trucks right now.... lol.

 

[medtro]

Builds - Turbo 3FE FJ80 Build

Here starts the adventure. This has been done a few times, but the documentation has been sparse at best. So this build will have a full parts list and prices (and hopefully dyno info) included.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[ARJMN]

So, what is the ballpark cost of an LS swap--for a new crate motor, I assume transmission, and labor to do it?

To have a shop do it with crate motor and new xmsn you are looking in the 20s at least. I did mine for about 10k in parts plus a huge number of weekends. I really enjoy garage time so it was fun for me, but it was a massive undertaking.

 

[Just Diddly]

2uz swaps aren't quite as bad in an 80 when you get an engine/trans from a 100 series. They line up nearly perfect with the a750 trans, but VVTI motors are much harder to wire (especially one out of a 100 series) than the earlier motors. With the 4 speed, the front driveshaft gets even shorter. Definitely great motors, I have 4 non VVTI 2uz trucks right now.... lol.

That makes sense, I've always heard the wiring was the worst part and what ultimately was the deciding factor for using other engine & transmission combos.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

6bt

 

[ARJMN]

6bt

Funny you say that...........

 

[sdnative]

I'd love to have a solid axle swapped 100 Series with that engine (Similar to a 105 Series).

I thought the 105 series had the 1FZ-FE?

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I thought the 105 series had the 1FZ-FE?

It does, but gotta import. And for the effort, import a diesel. Compression ignition is da best

 

[05Tacorunner]

To have a shop do it with crate motor and new xmsn you are looking in the 20s at least. I did mine for about 10k in parts plus a huge number of weekends. I really enjoy garage time so it was fun for me, but it was a massive undertaking.

Going to go back through your build for pointers. I would love to do it just not sure if I would ever finish it. I'm great at starting things. It's the finishing things I need to work on.