Tundra V8 swap

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sparky195

sparky195

Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Threads
8
Messages
39
Hey guys. I just picked up a 74 fj-40 and was thowing around the idea of doing a tundra V8 motor swap and would like to retain the stalk axles. I was just wondering if any of you have herd of any body doing this yet and if so how difficult of a swap am I looking at, mostly pertaining to transmission and transfer case options, seeing as I want to retain the stalk axles. Thanks for your time and ideas.
 
Wrote you a big long response, but as usual timed out and it didn't post. :doh:

In short, not an easy swap. If you're worried about keeping your stock axles ....... probably not the project for you.

Someone here has done it with a wagon (do a search) which would have the room (length), the 40 wouldn't. Basically take the engine/auto tranny/transfer/ECU/spaghetti from a donor vehicle and splice it in.

Manual tranny swap isn't practical as the motor didn't come with a manual in the US, so you would need to source a bellhousing/flywheel/clutch from Japan and probably a custom ECU.
 
More idle thoughts if you had a long wheelbase and nothing better to do with your time (like me, at the moment): :idea:

Marlin makes an adapter for adding a gear driven reduction box (crawler box) to the late model A340 auto. In theory the crawler box could be adapted to the cruiser transfer via the toybox rear adapter.

If you did source the bellhousing/flywheel/clutch you could then adapt to a minitruck manual tranny and do the same thing. Or................you could get the OTT SM420 to minitruck bellhousing adapter and use a plate adapter to mate the SM420 to your cruiser case.....................
 
I actually HAD a Tundra V8, trans, and case I was going to put in my 45 about a year ago.

WAY too much money woulda went into that one. Maybe one day. My problem was that I wanted it DONE and not in a garage for 2 years hunting down the ghosts of conversion.



If you're a money bag, don't need to drive your Cruiser for a while, and know your mechanics like MJ knows the Dunk, go for it. It'd be cool to see progress.
 
How many times must I say it?




SMALL BLOCK!
 
mustardfj40 said:
Seriously, do you think a chevy small block will outlast the current Toyota V8?

/td
Click to expand...

it might not, but a he could put 2 new small blocks into his cruiser for the price of 1 toyota V8. plus, it's not going to be nearly as much of a hassle. the toyota V8 would certaily be a cool swap as you would sorta be the pioneer, but man what a hassle. if it's just the power you want do the small block.
 
gamberro80 said:
it might not, but a he could put 2 new small blocks into his cruiser for the price of 1 toyota V8. plus, it's not going to be nearly as much of a hassle. the toyota V8 would certaily be a cool swap as you would sorta be the pioneer, but man what a hassle. if it's just the power you want do the small block.
Click to expand...

Exactly my point. And you can buy Smal block parts at Walmart and Circle K.
 
Maybe he wants an "all" Toyota V8 option? Yeah a 265-400 small block is cheap and easy, and the parts are EASILY available, that is what makes it so appealing. A chevy conversion can even be made to look factory. Personally I wouldn't do it in a Fj40, but, a 45 pickup, or 55 would be nice to see something other than a chevy swap done. I say give it hell, and make a journal/log/photo album of everything you do!!!!
 
Amen to you brotha. That is exactly what I'am shooting for, all Toyota. Of course it would be easy to throw a small block in but everybody and their brother has done it. Besides, I like having the thought of taking on a project that might have me pulling my hair out in the end at least I know it will be a challenge.
 
Have a look at www.lextreme.com for good info on toyota V8 engines and info on swapping them. Don't forget about the smaller Lexus 1UZ 4.0L 260hp aluminum block engine... you can buy them cheap.
 
I say go for it man. Like some have said in this post, small block chevy conversions are a dime a dozen in a cruiser. Dare to be different, if i had the time, money and expertise to do something like that i would definitely pursue it. Heck i would even like to see something other than the common 350 put in one. Hmm maybe a Ford 302-351 or actually anything other than a chevy small block. Dont get me wrong i like the Chevy mouse but they are like A##$%holes everyone has one, including me in a 74. And my pops in 55 pig. Yeah parts are cheap and they are easy to work on but i always say "a scared man cant win".
 
You want bottom dollar for the deal I almost did? Close to $6500 for a Toyota V8 and tranny set up. That even had me doing some work. (1.5 years ago when they were pretty expensive....they still are).

SBC's cost a third of that. That's why I didn't do it. I love the all Toyota idea, but the bottom line was money for me.


And I like the cost effective mods you can do to a SBC to increase the HP.


That being said, I'm not really battling over which is better. In a dollar - free world I'd take a Toyota V8 in my 45 over a SBC in a heartbeat, no questions asked.

I'd just have to get a 69 Camaro RS or something........cause I dig me some Chevy Pow-uh.
 
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