Quite literally the only major hurdle you're going to run into is an oil pan that'll clear the front diff. I don't think anything really exists that'll bolt on and drop in, so it's going to either be modified from a gto pan or more likely built from scratch. There are plenty of Tacoma based crawlers and truggies running LS based engines and solid front axles, everything else is easy enough.

Transmissions you have a ton of options, the R150F could feasibly handle a stock LS engine and adapters are available. You can run a divorced transfer case setup out of an early Ford truck off of any chevy transmission, Th400, 700R4, 4L60/80, etc.

The thing that would turn me off of this kind of swap though is the fact that it's never going to be perfectly mated into the 4Runner itself. That obviously doesn't matter when you're talking about a rig built to bash on in the trails and mud, but a daily driver isn't something I'd want to swap.

If I were ever to swap an engine into a 4Runner and keep it all relatively factory otherwise, it makes more sense to me to go with a Toyota engine from the same era, that way things can be made to work like they were supposed to be that way to begin with. A 2UZ or JZ are both viable options but are just now really starting to be explored in depth.

Really though I don't think it's necessary, both the 5VZ and 3RZ are reliable, adequate for the chassis, and respond somewhat well to forced induction.

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Yup, neighbor down the street has a 3rd Gen he turned into a rock crawler with 38"s. LS swap as well. It isn't street legal but has such bad road manners that he has to tow it everywhere. Not meant to be driven but once in a while.

How would like double the low end torque not be beneficial? I suppose maybe not if it isnt lockered.

I totally understand what you guys are saying when you’re mentioning the LS powered 4Runners on 38” tires not being daily driveable.

But there’s no reason whatsoever to not be able to DD an LSX swapped 4Runner, if you do it correctly. Now, sure- skip the AC, throw 40’s and a solid axle under it and you will not want to drive it everywhere.

But, there’s “doing things” and “doing things right”

People are putting LS engines in everything from Miatas to mustangs these days, and keeping all the creature comforts. It’s not like a carbureted engine that loses all manners immediately


I think maintaining a 100% Toyota body harness is key to keeping OEM functionality
Then, a stand-alone computer for the engine and trans control

The biggest electronic hurdle is integrating the GM ECU with the toyota cluster. Wouldn't be very hard. Other actual prob is emissions inspections. When plugged up to the OBD port, it'll read for a GM. maybe someone who can code could program the ECU to register the proper data to fool the inspection computers. Anyone fluent in C++?

People tend to oversimplify these things, and it ends up with other people thinking it's way easier than it actually is. The issues you'll run into start with the obvious, wiring, actually fitting the engine itself, etc. But then you start to go down a rabbit hole, a rabbit hole that only the most skilled and dedicated ever find the end of.

You'll run into things like making the cooling system function properly between the Toyota radiator and heater core and chevy engine, then you'll have to make sure your shifter, clutch, brake system, ABS, drivelines, fuel system, fans, etc all work, then make sure they all function in a way that is as resilient and fail proof as Toyota's design.

If you don't have extensive knowledge of these specific systems that won't happen, and even then, sometimes fitment constraints don't allow for proper clearances.

I've been down this rabbit hole when my neighbor picked up a much simpler swapped toyota, a simple 4.3 TBI chevy V6 mated to the stock R150 in a 93 pickup. We spent countless hours on finicky nonsense you'd never consider as an issue and after 2 years they gave up on it ever being anything near a daily driver. Constantly cooking starters due to header fitment, an ever temperamental clutch setup, cooling issues, wiring issues, the list goes on.

It's just not as viable as people think. You will never have it dialed in enough to be as fail proof as a stock 4runner.

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I suppose it just seems fairly simple due to my background. I'd say 98% or more people on this forum wouldn't be able to accomplish this task. The only part of this task i am not confident in is getting a front driveshaft to a front diff.

Lol, Boosted too^

Thanks for the pics!

Oh it is very possible, yes. With the right knowledge and some good parts you could make it very drivable and have enormous amount of power. But you'd also be paying in the thousands, perhaps even over $10,000 in parts and labor by that point. While it would definitely be cool and one of a kind it's probably not going to be done at that level on a 20 year old SUV that has no collector value. If one is going to put that much work and attention to detail to make it amazing, there's better platforms to do it on with more support as well.

Facts. That exhaust note and around 400hp/400tq sounds tasty without any power adders. I bet gas mileage would go up a smidge too if you kept your foot out of it.

I am still pondering the idea since I have the engine and ECU already. Junkyard pull a gm or yota tranny and tcase, fab up some engine/trans mounts, headers and exhaust, plumb and run some lines and wires, tie into the cluster, measure and order new driveshafts. It's not too complicated. Also have a TIG and a MIG, and like $20,000 in tools. I may attempt this in a year if I still have the motivation. My other cars broken atm so my 4runner is my only DD.

If you do any of this. Please be the pioneer and document every detail you can so others can follow in your steps.

I consider the 4runner / Tacoma the Miata of the SUV world. Simple to work on, stupid reliable and to maintain.

I wish there was more love for swaps for the 4runner. Good luck in your quest!

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Amen to this. Whoever does this needs to measure every little bracket they fab up, headers, etc

Then, they could throw everything into CAD and sell complete 3rd Gen 4Runner LS Swap kits.

Kits in stages, maybe.

- Basics- just the motor mounts, hardware, headers, etc
- stage 2- above + front drive accessories, radiator, etc
- stage 3- above + harness, etc

and on and on.

Would be amazing. Although not a huge market for it, which is quite clearly the reason we dont see it today available!

I just dream of a Longtravel 3rd Gen Runner sitting at a stoplight chopping away like it's about to murder something.

As far as the gauges in the cluster working: the speedometer works off the wheel speed sensors independent of the ecm, the coolant temp gauge for the dash is read from a different sensor than the ecm uses so it's seperate too, fuel gauge doesn't use the ecm either. I think the only gauge you would have to adapt is the tachometer which you could use a dakota digital signal converter to find the right signal for that as well.