4Runner engine swap

[purevenom1]

Looking at getting some things together for an engine in the 4Runner. It has the crappy 3.0 and gets about 12-13 mpg's. Has no power at all. Looked up the V8 swap kits and they are reasonable.

Leaning more to the 302 than the 350 for a few reasons. 302 bellhousing kit comes w/ everything you need( clutch disc, bell housing, slave cylinder, throwout bearing, pilot bearing, and hardware). Use starter and flywheel from Ford truck and manifolds from Ford van. Plus the 302 is a little narrower and lighter. Distibuter is in the front

The Chevy kit you still have to buy the disc, slave clyinder, bearings, and a new starter and headers. Weighs a little more and wider and distibuter is in the back. Firewall clearance issue possibly.

I have access to both motors and parts fairly easy. Can tune it get better mileage than what I am getting now even if its only 18 or 20mpg's.

Anyone done this swap that can give their experience on it. Not really interested in the 3.4 cause it is going to cost about the same as the V8 swap.

 

[purevenom1]

For some reason it seems as if I am suppose to put a Chevy motor in my 4Runner. lol. I just got a free 350 w/ all accessories.

 

[GonOvr]

Chevy swap: you will run into firewall problems, not only at the distributors but also at the valve covers. In order to run the radiator up front you have to run a short water pump. ford 302 29" long, SBC short water pump 27" long. You really need that 2". I have done 5 of these conversions between 2001 to present. Your 5spd will work but not for long. Toyota transmission's dont like v8 torque all that much. Your V6 t-case is chain driven, also a bad idea with v8 stuff. I have been down this road a few times and believe me, you want to do it right the first time.

 

[purevenom1]

Chevy swap: you will run into firewall problems, not only at the distributors but also at the valve covers. In order to run the radiator up front you have to run a short water pump. ford 302 29" long, SBC short water pump 27" long. You really need that 2". I have done 5 of these conversions between 2001 to present. Your 5spd will work but not for long. Toyota transmission's dont like v8 torque all that much. Your V6 t-case is chain driven, also a bad idea with v8 stuff. I have been down this road a few times and believe me, you want to do it right the first time.

Did you do both swaps or just one or the other? What kits did you use?

 

[GonOvr]

I've done both and I've used NW Offroad and Advance Adapters. I've only done one Ford 302 swap though and it was a truck. I had to mount the radiator in the bed. I prefer Chevy V8 conversions, they seem to easier to install.

 

[Nick's 94]

You can also consider a 4.3L Chevy if you are worried about length. It has the same profile, so you may still have firewall issues, but it is significantly shorter than the v8. Your chevy bellhousing kits will still work with the 4.3, and it may not eat your driveline components. A properly outfitted 4.3 should have about 180 hp., so it is still an upgrade from the 3.0. Look for a TBI unit- Pre 1994 or 95, for a nice portable engine management.

 

[run4yota]

kudos with the 4.3.. you can always put the 350 in late down the road, but the 4.3 would make alot more sense, and it's a very torqey motor.. but not to much that you will shred your tranny (well not immediately anyway lol) a supercharged 4.3 will put out more power than a stock or lighly modefied 350 annyway, and theres room for a s/c if you cut your hood and do a body lift... but a 350 is a TIGHT squeeze.

either way... bad a$$, post pics!

 

[Jabo]

I just finished up doing the 4.3 swap in my 95.Im running the 4.10 gears and 35s and it does great on and off road. I changed out both the motor and tranny. That was probably the easy way out. around here you can find a good motor complete with computer and wiring harness for around 3-400 bucks. If you havent done a sas it will be alot easier on you axles.

 

[purevenom1]

kudos with the 4.3.. you can always put the 350 in late down the road, but the 4.3 would make alot more sense, and it's a very torqey motor.. but not to much that you will shred your tranny (well not immediately anyway lol) a supercharged 4.3 will put out more power than a stock or lighly modefied 350 annyway, and theres room for a s/c if you cut your hood and do a body lift... but a 350 is a TIGHT squeeze.

either way... bad a$$, post pics!

Havent even started it yet. lol. But when I do we are gonna get alot of pics during the swap. just getting some input from other members that may have done this and some of their issues that they ran into. I would rather stay w/ a manual trans if at all possible. That was why I was looking the bell housing adapters to keep my trans and t-case stock. Its not going to be a hot rod or anything. Just something w/ a lil more power and driveability.

Still kinda leaning toward the 302 as that is what I like but I have a FREE 350 that needs a rebuild. I will find out more when I tear down the 350 and see what kind of shape the cylinder walls are.

Does any of the previous posters have any pics of their install that they can share? Gonna call NWOR and AA again to help narrow it down a little more.

 

[purevenom1]

I've done both and I've used NW Offroad and Advance Adapters. I've only done one Ford 302 swap though and it was a truck. I had to mount the radiator in the bed. I prefer Chevy V8 conversions, they seem to easier to install.

What trans and t-case combo did you run on the 302 and chevy?

 

[GonOvr]

The ford was a NP435 4wd trans adapted to a 4cyl toyota case.
The chevy's were 3 th350 4wd trans and 1 th400 4wd trans. The th350's were all adapted to toyota 4cyl cases. The th400 was adapted to an atlas II. I'm currently finishing the th400/atlas combo.

 

[charbel88]

hey guys I have an 89 4runner with a 22re engine, on a 33'' and a front heavy bumper its is too slow and their is not much torque some are advising me to saw the engine by a 4.3 v6 chevy 96 and said that I will have to chane the gear box and gear. can anyone help in this matter??
thanks in advance.