To swap or not to swap

[05Tacorunner]

6bt

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

Thought about that to but need more research. Was under the impression it wasn't as beneficial out here due to lack of or small intercooler and our hot summers

 

[OllieinAZ]

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.

You are certainly not the only one!!!
I realized a long time ago I am better off paying a pro to do it as long as I can afford it.
If I cannot afford professional help, that's my clue that I did not really need it in the first place.......

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Thought about that to but need more research. Was under the impression it wasn't as beneficial out here due to lack of or small intercooler and our hot summers

First time I've heard that....The 6BT isn't known for overheating. Plenty of built 6BT trucks rolling around the desert making crazy numbers. With our heavy rigs I am always surprised folks don't go the diesel route more often.... you get the torque you need + great mileage. It's louder, but that's not something that bothers me. If you've never driven a full size diesel up i17, you seriously don't know what you are missing. Loaded F350 headed up at 80 mph the whole way while getting decent mileage.

The 6BT platform has incredible power potential if you ever want more... the block can handle something crazy like 1.4k HP and the internals can take around 700 HP.

That said, I am a diesel fan, and I seem to be one of the few that doesn't like the LS option

 

[Cruiserhiggs]

We are doing a couple LS swaps t the shop right now on some 60's and a 40. We could help you out if you are still looking for a shop.

 

[05Tacorunner]

First time I've heard that....The 6BT isn't known for overheating. Plenty of built 6BT trucks rolling around the desert making crazy numbers. With our heavy rigs I am always surprised folks don't go the diesel route more often.... you get the torque you need + great mileage. It's louder, but that's not something that bothers me. If you've never driven a full size diesel up i17, you seriously don't know what you are missing. Loaded F350 headed up at 80 mph the whole way while getting decent mileage.

The 6BT platform has incredible power potential if you ever want more... the block can handle something crazy like 1.4k HP and the internals can take around 700 HP.

That said, I am a diesel fan, and I seem to be one of the few that doesn't like the LS option

I like the diesel option as well. I'll need to research more. It wasn't a overheating thing. I thought I read about how the engine and turbo aren't as efficient here because of the harder time chilling the intake charge. I could be completely wrong (been known to be once or twice)

 

[peacesells63]

I like the diesel option as well. I'll need to research more. It wasn't a overheating thing. I thought I read about how the engine and turbo aren't as efficient here because of the harder time chilling the intake charge. I could be completely wrong (been known to be once or twice)

I believe diesels are actually more efficient with higher heat, the battle is keeping egt’s down when towing 15000lbs in 110f at 1200+ ft lbs of torque. Intercoolers make for a cooler and more dense charge and will help keep egt’s lower. Not an issue unless are planning on towing or doing burnouts everywhere you go.

6bt’s are great motors, but I think they are a bit overkill for an 80. The swap isn’t cheap, it adds another 500+ lbs over the front axle, and a stock motor makes enough torque to shear hub studs on demand in 4 low. But if you want a diesel there aren’t many choices in the us, the 6bt fits and will get 20+mpg.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I believe diesels are actually more efficient with higher heat, the battle is keeping egt’s down when towing 15000lbs in 110f at 1200+ ft lbs of torque. Intercoolers make for a cooler and more dense charge and will help keep egt’s lower. Not an issue unless are planning on towing or doing burnouts everywhere you go.

6bt’s are great motors, but I think they are a bit overkill for an 80. The swap isn’t cheap, it adds another 500+ lbs over the front axle, and a stock motor makes enough torque to shear hub studs on demand in 4 low. But if you want a diesel there aren’t many choices in the us, the 6bt fits and will get 20+mpg.

Nailed it, as long as you aren't getting crazy (no performance mods) you'll be safe. Always good to have a pyrometer to watch EGT's on a diesel, 1350F and your heads turn into clay.

I prefer "overkill" in all aspects I would argue that 500lbs of extra weight, don't forget that you'll be losing weight swapping to the manual NV4500 trans. Run factory (or lightweight) front bumper, no winch, and you are in the same ballpark as a built rig with a blueberry and a winch.

 

[tlin]

Just for kicks, I was in your shoes several years ago (my '92/3FE is still linked in my signature).

• I contemplated the turbo - ultimately, I was way out of my comfort zone, had concerns over long-term reliability and definitely didn't ever want to find myself stranded and troubleshooting something I did that Toyota never intended.....
• An engine swap never seemed right to me (my $.02) - my 3FE ran great (yes underpowered on any long freeway hill climb), didn't have many miles, etc.
• I eventually moved over to an '08 GX470

With the GX, it just became a build and was Toyota-reliable right out of the box. That said, re-gearing is definitely on my "to do" list but I can promise you, this is significantly better at "getting to the trail" than any long trips I ever took in my FJ80.

I'm not into hardcore rock-climbing and definitely am not one to go for an aftermarket exhaust just to hear that V8 - I hunt/camp and want to always be able to get wherever I want and don't give a damn if I have to manually move some rocks around in the process (as opposed to gunning it and climbing over anything that stands in the way that I've seen a lot of folks do). I share that only for context......not to poke fun at anyone else.

I loved my '92 and did a ton of maintenance and small updates to make improvements to the 3FE's performance (re-gearing included). Ultimately, it was always going to be a rig that had me screaming in 3rd gear and holding up traffic in the right-hand lane when going up I17 or getting up on the Rim. So.......off she went.
But I do miss that FJ80!!!! That thing had charm that the GX can't ever touch.....cheers!

 

[D1EZEL]

To parrot tlin, my 92 3FE has almost 300K on it, runs fine. I have chosen to limit my self to the lower elevations in the state and enjoy what's here. Sure I would like a 5.3 L33 (all aluminum) at 6.0 or 5.9 Cummins but for as much as I am going use this (not that much) its not worth it.

I figure its made 300K as is then it can do another 10 to 20K under my ownership just fine.

PS, this is my second 3FE so I knew what I was getting into.

 

[05Tacorunner]

Just for kicks, I was in your shoes several years ago (my '92/3FE is still linked in my signature).

• I contemplated the turbo - ultimately, I was way out of my comfort zone, had concerns over long-term reliability and definitely didn't ever want to find myself stranded and troubleshooting something I did that Toyota never intended.....
• An engine swap never seemed right to me (my $.02) - my 3FE ran great (yes underpowered on any long freeway hill climb), didn't have many miles, etc.
• I eventually moved over to an '08 GX470

With the GX, it just became a build and was Toyota-reliable right out of the box. That said, re-gearing is definitely on my "to do" list but I can promise you, this is significantly better at "getting to the trail" than any long trips I ever took in my FJ80.

I'm not into hardcore rock-climbing and definitely am not one to go for an aftermarket exhaust just to hear that V8 - I hunt/camp and want to always be able to get wherever I want and don't give a damn if I have to manually move some rocks around in the process (as opposed to gunning it and climbing over anything that stands in the way that I've seen a lot of folks do). I share that only for context......not to poke fun at anyone else.

I loved my '92 and did a ton of maintenance and small updates to make improvements to the 3FE's performance (re-gearing included). Ultimately, it was always going to be a rig that had me screaming in 3rd gear and holding up traffic in the right-hand lane when going up I17 or getting up on the Rim. So.......off she went.
But I do miss that FJ80!!!! That thing had charm that the GX can't ever touch.....cheers!

To parrot tlin, my 92 3FE has almost 300K on it, runs fine. I have chosen to limit my self to the lower elevations in the state and enjoy what's here. Sure I would like a 5.3 L33 (all aluminum) at 6.0 or 5.9 Cummins but for as much as I am going use this (not that much) its not worth it.

I figure its made 300K as is then it can do another 10 to 20K under my ownership just fine.

PS, this is my second 3FE so I knew what I was getting into.

I also feel that my engine may be hurt or in the least not running right. I haven't been able to pinpoint it or really dive into it but I feel like it is severely under powered even for the 3fe. Now I really don't have a good base for mine since the moment I bought it I went to 35s. I have since messed with the engine maintenance wise and regeard both high and low gears in the tcase with underdrive gears. It seams to run worse the hotter it gets. Just weighing options. If the motor needs pulled and gone through maybe next to upgrade. I will stick with an 80 regardless of what I do. I have a thing for solid axles and simple interiors.

 

[D1EZEL]

I also feel that my engine may be hurt or in the least not running right. I haven't been able to pinpoint it or really dive into it but I feel like it is severely under powered even for the 3fe. Now I really don't have a good base for mine since the moment I bought it I went to 35s. I have since messed with the engine maintenance wise and regeard both high and low gears in the tcase with underdrive gears. It seams to run worse the hotter it gets. Just weighing options. If the motor needs pulled and gone through maybe next to upgrade. I will stick with an 80 regardless of what I do. I have a thing for solid axles and simple interiors.

Your welcome to come by and drive mine anytime as a comparison, I have 4" lift and 33" other than that stock.

 

[05Tacorunner]

Your welcome to come by and drive mine anytime as a comparison, I have 4" lift and 33" other than that stock.

Thank you sir. May take you up on that offer. Plus you could compare as well since you are familiar with the 3fe "power"