5.7 Swap

If someone did it, I'd buy it. Probably not at all worth it though. Electronics would be a nightmare. We honestly have a better shot at getting a 5th gen supercharger.

Swap in a small block Chevy, ditch all the electronics, and just use the 4Runner shell. Build a trick custom suspension with Dana or 9" Ford-based parts. Somebody WILL at some point do this, but probably not until you can pick up a used 10 year old 5th gen for a couple grand....so maybe by 2020.
 
only problem I have with doing a imported diesel swap is lack of support in US.

There's a dude in the 3rd gen sub forum that has a VW diesel swap in the works. Can't remember his name offhand, but it looks like an interesting project. I think the VW diesels have fairly decent support in the US/Canada.
 
There's a dude in the 3rd gen sub forum that has a VW diesel swap in the works. Can't remember his name offhand, but it looks like an interesting project. I think the VW diesels have fairly decent support in the US/Canada.

That is interesting. I wonder if it is one of the smaller TDI engines or one from SUV
 
Used 200 series can be found for pretty reasonable prices and have MUCH larger running gear to handle the HP. I'm sure cheaper than this swap. Same with GX460's. GX470s are half the price of a 5th gen.

For the same $, GX470 + supercharger + Unimog 416 axles = :)
 
There are a bunch of 1st gen diesel swaps with vw's out there. For a 3rd gen I'm not sure how much sense it makes because there are a lot of power options for the 3.4L. It's actually pretty easy to do a 3-400hp 3.4L. Enough so that a turbo 3.4 would be a better swap IMO than a 5.7 in the 5th gen. Pretty easy to build more power. Cheaper. And it physically fits well. Might even be a bolt up to the transmission, but I'm not sure about that.

I'm planning a turbo 3.4 for my FJ40 down the road for this exact reason. I love the power of the Ford ecoboost 3.5L and the 5vz-fe can mimic the performance very closely with a turbo, plus it's short enough to run a doubler and still have a decent rear drive line in an fj40.
 
thinking outside the box here, but what about fitting 4Runner body on a 5.7 Tundra rolling chassis? That might be less work/cost compared to gutting and custom drive train fabrication....???

Or just buying a 5.7 Tundra :driving:

Okki
 
1UZ, relatively simple swap for wiring, can produce tons of hp AND torque without any major mods, wiring is really not that hard as stated above, and they can have all sorts of crazy add-ons, like my buddy's Rustang!

musty01.jpg


Yes, that's a blower on that there toyota engine!

Cost isn't that high either, about a grand for a 1UZ non vvti engine (the vvti is much harder for wiring than the non-vvti engine, as it uses an extra ecu for valve timing), the biggest issue you'll run into is wiring everything back up inside the cabin, but there's a lot of stuff I'd say good riddance to anyways, so long as I have tach and speedo, along with batt and temp, I'd be happy enough!
 
4.6 would be the way to go as a pioneer.. Lexus has done all the work already.. wiring is all that's left to you.. and some of it might be easier than you think albeit $$$$$ for a new wiring harness/electronics from Lexus.

Not to mention, i heard they built the new 4runner with plans to go with a 4.6 option but because of gas prices they nixxed the V8 plan
 
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V8 options

Just buy a Tundra with the V8, add a cab-height camper shell, take out the rear window and you have a bigger SUV with more power and a steel cargo wall. And less gas mileage.
The reason to buy a T4R Trail Edition over a new Sequoia with AWD, a Lexus w/V8 or a Jeep GC with a 5.7L V8 or 6.2L V8 is fuel economy, a better drive train, locking rear diff and many suspension upgrade possibilities.
I'd much prefer a turbo charger on the 4.0L V6 but that is apparently not in the works.
There's a company making pre-fab V8 upgrades for the Jeep Wrangler, but they are not cheap when you add the cost of a new engine. Here's a link to Adventure Expedition Vehicles with lots of options for the Jeep. Check out the instructions for upgrading the Jeep to a 5.7L V8 from Jeep, the engine that's an option on the Grand Cherokee. This is an example of what can be done.
American Expedition Vehicles - Brute Kit, V8 HEMI, Aftermarket Jeep Conversions, Suspension Systems, Products, Wheels, Accessories and Highline Kits for Jeeps (TJ, JK, WK, XK)
 
1UZ, relatively simple swap for wiring, can produce tons of hp AND torque without any major mods, wiring is really not that hard as stated above, and they can have all sorts of crazy add-ons, like my buddy's Rustang!

musty01.jpg


Yes, that's a blower on that there toyota engine!

Cost isn't that high either, about a grand for a 1UZ non vvti engine (the vvti is much harder for wiring than the non-vvti engine, as it uses an extra ecu for valve timing), the biggest issue you'll run into is wiring everything back up inside the cabin, but there's a lot of stuff I'd say good riddance to anyways, so long as I have tach and speedo, along with batt and temp, I'd be happy enough!

Toyota engine, Nova badge....this mustang has an identity crisis
 
First off I wouldn't want a newer LC200 or a GX series. I'd spend way too much effort removing most of the luxury crap than I'd spend upgrading a 4Runner. We just don't sell a good Land Cruiser in the states in terms of "rugged," even the base model units are too luxuried out for off-roading and too expensive. A Sequoia is far too long for what I'd want and a Short Cab/Short Bed Tundra with a camper shell is still a tiny ass truck with a camper shell.

The 5.7L V8 3UR-FE swap would be a better alternative than trying to go with a diesel (first off, why go small? If you're going to do a Toyota Diesel, go big and get the 4.5L Twin-Turbo Common Rail V8 1VD-FTV engine out of the overseas LC200's since either way you're screwed on parts for any of the engines) as parts support is very common thanks to the Tundra and Sequoia. The other thing is that physically the engine will fit into the chassis (it fit with some minor mods in a 2009 Tacoma that TRD made) and unlike the diesel will use most of the existing fuel system and emissions (important if you want it to pass smog in some states), it's just the electronics are going to be an issue (the same with any engine swap really, this is also where less luxury becomes favorable as you have less crap tied to the ECM's network to bypass/hack) Something else to consider is that while a bit pricey, you can push 550ftlbs of torque on a factory TRD Supercharger tune (though from what I have read and understand of the motors, a mild bottom end upgrade can get you north of 600ftlbs.)

In the end I like the 5.7L 3UR-FE swap idea better than most of the other engines; though if I were to go diesel I would probably snag myself a 1VD-FTV if I could. Something else to note is that when I was talking to Mikey about the idea I had planned to swap most of the drive train out of a LC200 or Tundra; Engine, Tranny, Transfercase, and probably the Axles as they would hold up better to the extra oomph and provide some stronger components to use off-roading (the other reason is that Toyota does not sell a crate motor so it'd be better to buy a wrecked Tundra/LC200 than pay $7k for a junkyard motor and strip the wrecked vehicle for parts and sell what I don't use.)

Post Note-

I'm not entirely a big guy for cross brand engine swaps usually, its nothing personally; just feels weird not to take advantage of good engines Toyota has. As for the Mopar idea... I know those V10's are awesome; but they're Chrysler products and I have had enough experience with Chrysler to never want one of their products after 1970.
 
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Honestly I would just go with a Toyota Sequoia... Too much head ache in trying to swap anything. And by the time your done. The body will have aged already.

I wish I had cash to throw around and get a diesel in my 4runner like right now or importing a Prado Or a Fortunner or even the bad as V8 turbo Diesel LandCruiser. But I don't ... If gears and a y pipe won't answer the lack of acceleration or grunt. I'll just trade my RIG in...
 
I think the point of an engine swap is really being missed here...

The main reasons to do a swap is not for convenience, its because it CAN be done! And, more importantly for the person who actually does one, is the right to say that "I did it"!

Most folks who swap engines in a vehicle (and I'm talking about ANY vehicle, not just hot rods or wheelin' rigs!), do it because they have enough skills to do it, and they wanna have the braggin' rights. Hell, search youtube for engine swaps and you'll find the most ridiculous swaps ever! Whoever thought up the idea of putting a Hayabusa engine in a smart car!?!?!?! Surely it wasn't just for practicality!!!

:rofl:
 
I think the point of an engine swap is really being missed here...

The main reasons to do a swap is not for convenience, its because it CAN be done! And, more importantly for the person who actually does one, is the right to say that "I did it"!

Most folks who swap engines in a vehicle (and I'm talking about ANY vehicle, not just hot rods or wheelin' rigs!), do it because they have enough skills to do it, and they wanna have the braggin' rights. Hell, search youtube for engine swaps and you'll find the most ridiculous swaps ever! Whoever thought up the idea of putting a Hayabusa engine in a smart car!?!?!?! Surely it wasn't just for practicality!!!

:rofl:

A Hayabusa engine in a smart car is VERY practical - it ensures nobody will make fun of you for driving a stupid looking clown car.
 

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