Toyota-Blazer

[kmr8x]

Hey everyone!

This is my very first post on the forum, although I have been a fan for a while. It's been great learning from the tons of experience available on here. On to my project/concept:

I live in Cairo, Egypt and recently i bought a 1979 GMC Jimmy (aka Chevy Blazer) simply because it was such a sweet deal that I just couldn't pass up. It has a 350ci V8 engine and the sm465 manual transmission. My original plan was to do a complete overhaul of the entire car (mechanical, electrical, body work, interiors, etc.), however, I'm now considering a more radical idea. Most of the off road driving I do is soft sand desert driving which is very taxing on all the car's components, plus we're usually away for a few days at a time which means I can't afford any unnecessary breakdowns while away. Unfortunately american SUVs aren't very popular here and therefore there is a lack of spare parts and people who know what they're doing when it comes to fixing them. What we do have an abundance of though is toyota land cruiser parts. So this is what i'm thinking:

I like the space that the jimmy (blazer) provides, but when it comes to the drivetrain I need something a lot tougher and more reliable, like the land cruiser.

I want to swap out the engine, transmission, t-case, axles, and diffs for toyota land cruiser equivalents (there is an abundance of spare parts for 60, 70, and 80 series land cruisers in Egypt).

I'd like to get your opinions on this plan. How difficult would it be? What would be the main obstacles or show-stoppers? How expensive? Time is not an issue as I already have my trusty 1991 Nissan Patrol to take me wherever I want to go.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts

kmr8x

ohh and I forgot to add some important details:

I would be putting in the 4.2 turbo diesel (1HD-T) with a 5-speed manual.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Short answer: "no"


Long answer:
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

Face it, unless you get a 2UZ there is no LC drivetrain in the 'verse that will move a lardass Blazer around.


Keep the Chebby a Chebby, parts are cheap, and unless you want to pay alot, there are few Toyota engines around that will equal the displacement of that 5.7 liter V8.

If you want a Toyota that badly, sell the Blazer and get a 70 series.

 

[green40]

Just buy a Cruiser.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

I was hoping this thread was about a custom taco-blazer

 

[kmr8x]

Face it, unless you get a 2UZ there is no LC drivetrain in the 'verse that will move a lardass Blazer around.

The 1HD-T from toyota produces a little more power and torque than the 6.2 diesel from GM which was an option on some of the blazers. From wiki:

6.2L diesel from GM: Horsepower / Torque (at final): 143 hp (107 kW) @ 3,600 rpm / 257 lb·ft (348 N·m) @ 2,000 rpm

Toyota 1HD-T: Output is 162 hp (121 kW) at 3600 rpm with 267 ft·lbf (361 N·m) of torque at 1400 rpm.

If you want a Toyota that badly, sell the Blazer and get a 70 series.

Well I definitely could do that, but where's the fun in that? Plus I really love how much space the blazer body gives + the removable top. I just want the reliability and durability of the toyota under that body. Given the price I paid for the blazer i would need to spend another $22k on top of that to find a good quality 80 series (yes, they're really expensive here).

 

[beaufort-fj60]

yeah, the removable top is nice. Post a picture of the blazer, I'm curious what an Egyptian version blazer looks like. Was it ex-military?

 

[Combat Chuck]

The 1HD-T from toyota produces a little more power and torque than the 6.2 diesel from GM which was an option on some of the blazers. From wiki:

6.2L diesel from GM: Horsepower / Torque (at final): 143 hp (107 kW) @ 3,600 rpm / 257 lb·ft (348 N·m) @ 2,000 rpm

Toyota 1HD-T: Output is 162 hp (121 kW) at 3600 rpm with 267 ft·lbf (361 N·m) of torque at 1400 rpm.




Well I definitely could do that, but where's the fun in that? Plus I really love how much space the blazer body gives + the removable top. I just want the reliability and durability of the toyota under that body. Given the price I paid for the blazer i would need to spend another $22k on top of that to find a good quality 80 series (yes, they're really expensive here).

The 1HD is a great motor, but a completely different animal than the 6.2, and in order to match the 1HD against a V8 will overwork it to death and then some.

As to reliability - it depends on the situation. I've seen Chevies that I would dismiss as junk (the 2.8 v6 an 327 v8 for example.) put up with all kinds of stupidity, and I have seen the pinnacle of the "bulletproof Toyota Motor" (22R/RE) die horribly in easy use.

It depends on how it's treated, and sometimes on the variations in the metals used in production. The name badge means as much to durability as wearing a hat means to a person's physique.

Bottom line is: That 350 will be cheaper than dirt to maintain because General Motors overproduces parts. Their overall quality may be hit or miss, but their blatant disregard for manufacturing efficiency and 'just in time' production will ensure that any work that motor needs will usually be cheaper than a Toyota.

 

[kmr8x]

I'm not sure if it was ex-military. The car has gone through at least 3 or 4 owners before I found it. Its definitely not egyptian military as i've never seen them driving blazers. They're Jeep fans, specifically the wrangler.

 

[mookie]

that's not a u.s. military blazer unless they changed the bumpers and grill out on it.....find you a 454 and put it in that badboy, should bolt right up......if you already have the L.C. drivetrain build a lightweight buggy around it

 

[Combat Chuck]

I have the Chevy V8, but I can't help but agree: dig up a 454, and have a ball!
A year ago, I'd be the most jealous person on the planet for finding a Blazer with a stick!

 

[beaufort-fj60]

isn't gas like 10 cents a gallon over there?.... x3 on the 454

 

[kmr8x]

isn't gas like 10 cents a gallon over there?.... x3 on the 454

I wish! Its actually more like 1.3$ a gallon (which I'm sure you're thinking isn't too bad either)! Either way it's very unlikely that I will find a 454 anywhere in Egypt. Like I said these motors are rare here and finding spare parts for them will be a b****!!

The point isn't how much cheaper it will be to maintain the 350, but its about the increased likelihood of the 350 breaking down on me, even if its something trivial and could be replaced in a minute, over the 1HD. When its the most likely to break down I will probably be at least an 8 hour drive from any mechanic, through some very tough terrain, while loaded with at least 400kg of gear!

The second thing is that when driving through sand dunes, its all about low end torque!

Plus its not just about the engine. There's also the question of diffs and axles.


@mookie: I don't have the LC drive train but I can easily source the different parts from local traders.

 

[mookie]

how many miles on the 350? smoke or use oil? those can be very dependable if you maintain it....seems pretty common to get 200k out of one if you take care of it. i'd say alt or water pump, maybe starter and belts might be parts to get spares for ahead of time?

 

[Combat Chuck]

Honestly, if you want an LC for reliability, get an LC. 70-series with the 1HD.

If you want the Blazer for space, then carry spares of common wear parts (what mookie said)


it does not seem worthwhile to spend the money and effort to make an oddball chevota. If you think parts are hard to find now, try explaining what you've done to an unsuspecting clerk at a parts shop when you need a new 1HD-FTE timing belt for your Blazer.

 

[Tapage]

Honestly, if you want an LC for reliability, get an LC. 70-series with the 1HD..

X2 .. 70 series like beauty 76 series or old 74 series ( also removable top ) .. and be happy !

 

[gothodgie]

holy wide pics...

 

[YotaJosh]

Excellent. The automotive world has come full circle.

With all the cruisers with Chevy engines/axles/transmission running around, I always wanted to run Toyota engine/axles/transmission in a full size Chevy just to be backwards.

<mild purist rant off>

 

[Tools R Us]

Easy deal, just slap a bezel on it, instant FJ40!

 

[Kurtis]

An 80 and a blazers curb weights are almost identical..........

The swap would be as difficult as you wanted to make it. If you went with the 80 1hdt, transmission, transfer case, rear axle and a front axle from a 60 series it could be a pretty straight forward swap. The 60 front is set up for a leaf sprung vehicle so you would just have to move the perches and probably run some type of high steer kit which are available. The 80 rear you would need to grind down and put spring perches. It would defiantly be unique in your part of the world. Since you have access to the parts reasonably It should work out pretty well. Since your going gas to diesel you would have to change the fuel delivery up but it shouldn't be anything to hard.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you really want to drive the Blazer get a hold of some 1 ton GMC axles and be done with it. The Toyota stuff won't hold up to the stress from the weight of a full size American truck.

If Cruisers are easy to find and you just want more room look for a UZJ100 or a 105. I've had a Blazer and I currently own a UZJ100, I'd say the usable interior space is similar.

Personally I like the way the IFS UZJ100 handles high speed off road driving.