when my 80 series engine dies (likely never will though) I'm in for a more powerful swap. interested to see your report of a v8 test-drive.
v8 conversion vs LC100 v8 (cost and driving experience)
- Thread starter Ali M
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I can say without hesitation that an 80 with an LS conversion will keep you smiling every time you drive it. Here are a few pictures of my LS3 swap.
How is your tranny behaving?
I am running a 6L80E and it's been flawless. I towed a trailer up to Flagstaff for the Overland event last month and I could easily hold any speed I wanted up the hills. I use the manual tap shifting a lot when I tow and I am glad I decided to go that route.
I'll add to the votes for a 6speed if someone goes LS/vortec. I wanted my swap to stand out from stock in more ways than just power and always having an appropriate ratio AND a super low first gear feels VERY different than stock. I was easily doing stuff in high range that would have required low before.
I think another point about fuel efficiency is that some of us are literally doubling the horsepower while getting better mileage than stock, which improves tank range. Not necessarily that we are saving money.
Also with an aluminum block and the big 6spd transmission I lost about 100# from stock weight with the larger a442f transmission. Someone originally with a343F and using iron block v8 won't save as much.
I think another point about fuel efficiency is that some of us are literally doubling the horsepower while getting better mileage than stock, which improves tank range. Not necessarily that we are saving money.
Also with an aluminum block and the big 6spd transmission I lost about 100# from stock weight with the larger a442f transmission. Someone originally with a343F and using iron block v8 won't save as much.
If money and time weren't factors, no doubt I would start off with a modern V8. I have no qualms with the "sacrilege" of putting GM products in my toyota: 1) the original F motor was a rip-off of a GM design 2) my truck has a gazillion miles and a (twice) salvage title--nothing there to "preserve" 3) I love toyota quality, but I hate them for not giving the american market half the crap they sold everywhere else.
But money and time are factors, so I chose 1fz+ turbo. Cheap and relatively easy. I'm sure not quite the same experience as a well-sorted swap, but good from a bang/$ standpoint.
FWIW, I have owned a V8 swapped Cruiser (62) and it was kind of underwhelming. The newer vortecs are where it's at
But money and time are factors, so I chose 1fz+ turbo. Cheap and relatively easy. I'm sure not quite the same experience as a well-sorted swap, but good from a bang/$ standpoint.
FWIW, I have owned a V8 swapped Cruiser (62) and it was kind of underwhelming. The newer vortecs are where it's at
not to turn this into a pissing contest, I think this is a flawed point:
a) we can say this abut almost any vehicle manufacturer if you're into their "niche" products. The reality is that AMERICANS did not want to buy and have perceived no use for some of the Toyota Products offered anywhere else -ex 70 series, current land cruisers, land cruiser 105 etc.. This has to do with marketability in the AMERICAN market. You really think Toyota, at the time the auto manufacturer with the corporate goal to be the top auto manufacturer on the planet in product sales purposely held out on a product that would allow them to achieve their goals? no way, it was and always has been the AMERICANS, they don't want it.
b) nissan, chevy, ford, mitsubishi etc, all hold products back in different markets, INCLUDING GENERAL MOTORS- they have like 4 cars in their lineup that have Daewoo roots.
I don't drive an 80 because its fast. Quite the opposite, especially at 10,000ft. Sure, doing 40mph up Loveland pass isn't wonderful and we can only pass cars on the downhill, but that smile as soon as we hit trail makes everything worth it.
I half agree with that, but also feel it has much to do with the fact that the generic buyer doesn't know what they are missing (unlike mud members) and the corporate bean counters won't screw with marginal profitability when it's easier to get more money fron less product. Soo... We get 4runners and no 70 Series, FJ Cruisers (or did) without a removable roof. Fully loaded 200's instead of poverty pack options. They would make a few of us happier, but not enough profit to give a rip. This is not a Toyota specific thing, but they are not without sin.
To the OP, if you have the means I say get a nice Vortec swap 80. If you can wait a while and want to keep Yota power... a turbo kit cometh methinks.
Not doing it to save money on fuel...better fuel mileage allows more freedom from the fuel pump to travel longer ditances to more remote places. However, it should be noted that I did the math on how much I spend annually on fuel and I average just north of $4k. I make between 8.8 and 9.2 mpg on average. Swapping to the diesel I expect to get 18-25 mpg's realistically. Which means I will spend half as much on fuel annually at a savings of $2k which means that at my current balance for parts etc...the swap only has to go 4.5 years or 63k miles with no major repairs to pay for itself. And seeing as the bulk of my excessive spending has been on replacing critical parts with factory replacements it should pay for itself hopefully without issue, and then start saving money.
the generic buyer is most of the market in North America, and most of the North American market is not interested in our "toyota jeep things". Let's not kid ourselves here, these are legendary truck and we are a cool crowd; but we're not special, because special niches of vehicles that last 50 years does not make the auto industry money the same way other products do, AND it is not what the people want to drive. They want something that's easy to buy, easy to merge into lanes, predictable, not expensive, easy payments - hundai tucson.
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Awesome looking swap. I am jealous.
Question about the LS3, what reasons made you pick the LS3 over the 5.3 vortex besides hp?
I take your point, and I agree with you. But I find the options list for american models preceding the 80 was horribly truncated and would have been a shining opportunity for toyota to make a buck on a few American dentists. I.e. 60 series could only get 4 speed manual when the rest of the world had 5, cable lockers, etc. These trucks were built in Japan and sent to America--they could have easily fitted a few with some options, but they decided the American buyer only gets to pick their color. Likewise with the decision with the FJ62 and onward that Americans don't get a manual transmission option. Sure they would have sold fewer manuals than autos in the US, but all they had to do was give us the option and load a few of them on the boat. They would have sold. The marketing decision not to offer 70 series and 105 was probably sound as they probably would have competed with 4runner and minitruck sales and by the time the 105 came around, everyone in the US except jeep had given up on the idea of solid axles. I'm sure I'm expressing my own ignorance a little bit here, but for petes sake, America has highways, give us an H55 60 series!
Damn that's a clean swap!
Let's assume you can afford a well done professional swap and top shelf 80. In that scenario I think an LS swapped 80 (especially a new/good one like an LS3) is the king of the hill for an almost investment quality 80 that you will absolutely love. Beneath it is the rest of the heap- modified 100, 2UZ swapped 80, turbo'd 80. I like all the other options for sure, but I'm talking about smart money in the car world and that LS swapped 80 has the best market appeal/residual value if you sold it later than the others IMHO. You could wind up with a 40 or 50g tab quickly for a top shelf example, but that is less than a new generic suv from the big three and those lose 50% of their value very quickly. This is specialty car territory and it is totally common in the car world. I appreciate those that want the best if they can afford it, even if I can't. I'll just work harder so that maybe I can.
A new 200 will cost you 85 grand.
My 80 was $40,460.00 in 1993. that is roughly $68,700.00 today.
Kinda want a Ford Everest. They could call it a new Bronco in the states. But you are right, and they would probably lose the diesel engine. In the mean time, I am perfectly content with my 80 but will lust a bit over the idea of dropping in a V8.