Im starting to get the 2.5yr blues...solid front axle swap or lt1 ls1 v8 swap?

[240m3srt]

So your thinking what the heck does that title mean. I understand. I have been through many cars and it seems that i always get bored after 2.5yrs of ownership almost like clockwork. Dad gave me this truck so im really trying to hold on to it. My only idea to remain interested is too mod it further.

There are 2 things i have wanted to do since i got it. A solid front axle swap and a v8 swap. I know this has been covered many times and ill admit to being lazy but after 10 min of searching i got a bit, well...tired.

So my questions are as follows:

How much will a solid front axle swap cost me w/ parts and labor and who can do it in the DFW area or near by? I dont mind buying the parts but id really like to leave the labor to someone who has done it. Heck i might even consider a roadtrip/hotel if necessary to get it to a competent shop. What all exact parts will i need? Oh yea...id like it to be the same width as the rear too.

Next, does anyone have experience with swapping in a lt or ls series chevy v8 and retaining the 4wd? I know i know. Im probably looking at a small money pit ill never get back in the event of resale. But im just wondering how much i should realistically budget if anyone here has done something like this. And how to go about it?

I dont have the time/patience/money to tackle either one of these projects from scratch. I was hoping someone could make it easy and maybe provide a couple links or something. Im assuming ill have better luck with the SAS vs. the Chevy v8 conversion, but im all ears to any ideas and possibilities.

Thanks for entertaining my crazy notions.

 

[Mf Baker]

as for the ls swap, lots of money. getting the motor sitting in the bay and running is only gonna be half the battle, somehow mating a 4wd to it would be the real struggle and cost. as for links or anything, its never been done before, so you are the one thats gonna find out the hard way that you need y part instead of x part that you already bought for it.i would say plan on at least $10-12k for that kind of swap, possibly a good bit more. especially if you are just paying someone to do it.

 

[Kotrin]

I know a few people who have done the swap...here's one site a guy I know used to do it himself...Toyota Truck Engine Swap Parts, V-6 Headers, GM V-8 Header, 5-speed header, V8 Traction Bars, Hi-Torque Starters, Heavy Duty Copper Core Radiators

Pretty much can get all the parts from them. SAS not sure in your area but figure 2-2500 depending on if you provide the axle and do you do the conversion in the back at the same time, plus new Drive line, on a positive side if your doing the engine swap...wait on the Drive line ;p. I've done a SAS took me about 4 days that was just grinding/welding etc. So if you find a shop figure you will pay them for a SAS about 10 hours (they have better equipment than I have..lol)

Engine swap a week easily depending on location and confidence. You could do it in a few days..but my notion of time is skewed on the swap due to everything always TAKES Me way longer than I realize ;x

 

[Baja Runner]

Sounds to me like you just want more lift. Why not just do a drop bracket lift then? Its way easier and less expensive. About $1500 and you're done.

SAS is going to cost you ~$5k in parts.

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

From doing an internet search it seems that nobody does V8 and SAS swaps. Looks like your treading in unknown waters. I dont know of ANY shop that has even attempt a solid axle swap on a 3rd gen. Your best bet would probably be to call your local mechanic and ask him what he thinks. I know this has been covered many times as well and ill admit to being lazy but after 2 seconds of searching i got a bit, well...tired. I really hope this info helps and is able to point you in a good direction. If you cant find any info on this forum you will NOT find it anywhere else

 

[stlfan]

Throw a TRD Supercharger on it and call it a day. $2500-$2800 for it and I think you can install yourself in your garage in a day.

 

[fightman80]

I don't know about V8 swaps...but I know of at least a couple of guys who have done it...

I would do the SAS, but maybe just do like someone else suggested....and just to a Supercharger upgrade??? Should get some serious HP out of that, and not have to F around with fuel tanks, computers, and such.....

Just my 2 cents.......

 

[Champ1415]

Addicted did the sas swap. He has a shop in Colorado he would be the one to ask about parts/labor costs

 

[Baja Runner]

Doing a SAS is a waste of money if you're not a hardcore rock crawler. I didn't know Texas had rocks, but maybe they do. Do you want a SAS because you want to crawl every weekend or do you want it to fit 37s?

If you just want to fit big tires, do the drop bracket. Its way cheaper and way easier to install. The SAS will cost you $5k by yourself... having a shop do it would be more.

I'd go for the v8 swap first, but probably use a Toyota or Lexus V8. Grab the drivetrain out of a Tundra and "slap" it in there.

 

[the great him]

ive done a SAS before, but never one a taco or 3rd gen runner. you will have to use a dana 44 or similar type axle with drivers side diff, the toyota axles from older solid axle trucks wont work as the dump on the passenger side. you can pick up SAS kits(everything you need minus the axle for like $2k shipped. but plan on it taking at least a weekend to do if you know what your doing( im only saying that cause i dont know what all needs to be done on our trucks, the one i did was on a 92 and took us 3 days and two of us knew what we were doing.) its a lot of work but if done right it can be sweet! here are some pics of a rig around portland or that has been SASd and linked, its bada$$ and to show you just how much work goes into the SAS, im sure its gonna be a lot less than a full motor swap, those are never fun

 

[the great him]

still more



here he has a passenger side front diff, but thats only because hes using an atlas dual case transfer case set up so the dump is on the other side...



atlas twin sticks...

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

still more
View attachment 50319

View attachment 50320
here he has a passenger side front diff, but thats only because hes using an atlas dual case transfer case set up so the dump is on the other side...
View attachment 50321

View attachment 50322
atlas twin sticks...

did you also notice this thing is on 1 ton axles!?! AWESOME!:jaw drop:

 

[the great him]

-with a 6 lug conversion :boink:

 

[Running4life]

Doing a SAS is a waste of money if you're not a hardcore rock crawler. I didn't know Texas had rocks, but maybe they do. Do you want a SAS because you want to crawl every weekend or do you want it to fit 37s?


We do have "rocks" in Texas but most of them are driving stupid cars on the interstate. Maybe he wants to rock crawl during Dallas rush hour.

My vote is that you do the engine swap. The first time someone does this it will open the door to many others. Think of how many 350 Jeeps there are out there now.
Anyway, if you need someone to help turn wrenches, sign me up.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

if you decide to sell, can i call dibs on your headlights? They look great.

 

[240m3srt]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful insight and pics. Wow that white 4Runner is sick! Childrenofbodom thanks for the compliment...they took me forever to get just right, and i actually just pulled them apart and took them to the painter today to get painted gloss black to match the rest of the truck.

Im still uncertain on the V8. I tossed around the supercharger idea a while back but i am very certain now that it wont be enough for me. I should be more specific about my uses of the truck. I will probably never go rock crawling as im too much of a sissy and dont want to scratch my truck. I know that the SAS is for the hardcore guys but i really want the truck to look more aggressive by sitting even higher than it already is and be more off-road capable at the same time. Its kinda cool to know i COULD if i wanted to. Plus i still feel a bit small when the lifted 4wd trucks pull up next to me. Silly but true.

Im currently on a Sonoran Steel lift aprox 3.5"fr and 4.5" rear plus a 1.5"BL. It clears the 35's really well. Id love to get another 2" of lift in the front and maybe an inch or two in the rear as well, without any more ugly gap from more BL.

I have heard from $2500-$5000 on the axle swap, thats a pretty wide range however everytime i do something on a vehicle it seems to be twice as much and take twice as long as i thought...and thats assuming i had every detail well though out.

Is it recommended to do a rear axle swap at the same time as the front? And what is the purpose for a rear axle swap if we already have a solid one on our 3rd gens?

I may as well go ahead and ask does the SAS make the ride less comfortable on the highway, and does it affect MPG's? I know these are not huge concerns of the weekend crawler, but 99% of my driving is at 80mph in city traffic.

It currently rides comfortably, drives straight, handles pretty well considering the 35's, and gets 16mpg. Should i just leave well enough alone?

I guess if money were no object(which it definitely is) my 4Runner would run 11's in the 1/4 w/o nitrous, sit up high and be very off road capable. I know that sounds crazy. I miss my srt6's speed but i love being in a jacked up truck, i just wish it were faster. I went through the bike stage this summer and already sold it. I guess i could get another fast car, but an SUV is so much more practical, and i love the 4wd during winter. Id feel guilty getting one of the multiple $25k C5 vettes w/ 800hp on the forums, as i really only want the upkeep of one vehicle and it needs to be practical and fast, not just fast. Ive been tossing the idea around of those SRT8 jeeps and then throwing a Magnacharger on it, but they get terrible MPG stock and itll only get worse after mods. I know im asking a lot but is there any truck/suv combo i havent considered that will be super fast, have 4wd, get decent MPG, and have the potential for an aggressive lift kit? Something up to date with all the creature comforts? I realize the two(speed and big) dont usually go together. Btw my budget would be 20-30k, so it rules out anything like some badass jacked up diesel. Sorry for all my ranting im just a bit confused as to what will suit my desires. Thanks for reading this far.

 

[J-money$$$]

Dude, Dont sas the thing if your not gonna use it for crawling. Why swap the rear axle? Thats easy. A toyota 8" isnt strong enough for big tires and low gearing IF YOU WHEEL IT HARD.

If you SAS it who care about the MPG's

IMO there is nothing cooler than a SASed taco or 3rd gen that is completely chewed up and looks like a raisin. If you build it to wheel it then you should do just that.

Heres the deal. You wheel 1% of the time. I dont have a sased truck and 90% of the time if i start my 4runner its going wheeling. You can do some burly stuff on ifs. Do you want to wheel the Hammers or something equivalent? if not its unnessary to sas the thing. Have you broke cv's to the point its limiting your fun on the trail? Have you broke your ifs parts because they are too weak for why your doing? If you drive on the freeway all the time why would you want rock crawling stuff. THe 5k price tag is on the cheap side. If you try and build something like addicted offroad's 4runner you will be looking at close if not more that 3k- 4k in axles. 2K in wheels and tires. 2k in t case BS. 3k in suspension (coilovers, heims, link tubing)...steering etc.... the list goes on and on.

a $2500 sas is using a stock bare bone waggy d44. no t-case modifications and running leaf springs up front and leaving the back or using chevy 63's in the back

LEAVE IT. BREAK IT WHEEL IT> then decide if you need a sas

 

[Rc4r]

When I called addicted, he said don't waste your money doing it the wrong way. Diamond axel and a 4 link!!!!!!


Oh and leaf springs are crap.

 

[240m3srt]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Looks like im gonna hold off on a v8 swap. I dont NEED the power for crawling, and if i want something fast im going to look into buying a second vehicle, something suited towards that purpose.

As far as the SAS, i suppose doing it right the first time is obviously the way to go. Im still interested in finding out if people have noticed an MPG difference with the SAS. Id be suprised if no one has ever logged it before and then after the swap. But maybe the lack of input is pretty much my indicator to just leave it the way it is if im not gonna crawl or seriously offroad it.

I guess im just looking for the next big mod to keep me interested since i can never seem to leave well enough alone. Thats probably a sign that i need to prioritize on other things right now.

 

[Rc4r]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Looks like im gonna hold off on a v8 swap. I dont NEED the power for crawling, and if i want something fast im going to look into buying a second vehicle, something suited towards that purpose.

As far as the SAS, i suppose doing it right the first time is obviously the way to go. Im still interested in finding out if people have noticed an MPG difference with the SAS. Id be suprised if no one has ever logged it before and then after the swap. But maybe the lack of input is pretty much my indicator to just leave it the way it is if im not gonna crawl or seriously offroad it.

I guess im just looking for the next big mod to keep me interested since i can never seem to leave well enough alone. Thats probably a sign that i need to prioritize on other things right now.

Since I'm local I'd like to join you when you do the sas. I'm not much help but I want to do this some day