Can't seem to find a whole lot of info on this subject, maybe its just me lol. I thought about doing a conversion on a 99 4Runner2wd, 5.3/4l60E. Now I know a driveshaft, exhaust and computer and harness for the LS would be a start but what about the fuel pump and any other electronics, brakes etc would be affected?
LS in a 4Runner?
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J-money$$$
New member
good luck fitting that, and why would you want an american motor in a Yota.... everything will have to be changed.
YotaZach85
New member
This thread is for a 2wd Tacoma but it's pretty much the same and will show you about how much is involved.
2001 LS1 / T56 trans from a 2001 Camaro SS WS6 motor swap in 1st gen - CustomTacos.com Forum
2001 LS1 / T56 trans from a 2001 Camaro SS WS6 motor swap in 1st gen - CustomTacos.com Forum
First off let me say I understand where you are coming from as far as wanting American motor in a 4Runner. Few things I have thought about though, for one it would probably be the same if not a lil cheaper to put a 5.3/4L60E than to get the motor and tranny rebuilt when it comes time for that.
Plus I like the street scene here in Houston and it would be very inconspicuous if I were to pull up with it rumbling with a conversion and if done right it would be the ultimate sleeper lol. Another reason is they are an excellent drive train as far as dependability and fuel economy also.
Now I know you can do all types of conversions with the LS setup and if there is enough room in an S10 then I don't see an issue with getting it to fit in a 4Runner.
brian2sun
Elite Member
A supercharger is the most practical way to add real power. Not 330 hp, but you can get in the neighborhood of 270 with fuel upgrades for a heck of a lot less money. And you'll keep your Toyota reliability. Driffter33's lifted, supercharged 3.4 gets him about 17-18 mpgs on the highway so that ain't too shabby.
I've heard pro's and con's about the SC, like 7th injector, fuel upgrade and something about the trans needing to be beefed up? I am new to the whole Toyota scene but I know it's gonna be awful hard to beat 24-26 mpg with an LS. But trying to learn the little tips and tricks of gaining the most power and mileage from a 3.4. Personally I thought about TB spacer and cold air intake to help out and possibly some headers and some type of free flowing exhaust.
What are a lot of common issues that people have encountered with their 4Runners?
brian2sun
Elite Member
You're right about pros and cons of the fuel upgrades. There's a 6 and a 7th injector kit available which I've heard good and bad things about both. Honestly, I'm really beginning to question all of the fuel upgrades at this point as many people seem to have issues after spending hundreds on injector kits and ECUs, while others say they haven't heard any pinging or had any issues with their stock fuel system and a S/C.
AFAIK, if you ordered a supercharged truck from the factory back when our trucks were new, they would have slapped the S/C on there and called it done. If it's ok with Toyota that way, I've always wondered why people say it's necessary to get the upgrades. I'm not an expert on S/Cs, but I'm thinking about S/Cing mine. And so far I'm leaning towards saving the dough and shining the fuel crap.
I'm all for headers and a free flow exhaust for a little more power. A CIA is worth doing for mpgs IMO, but the power difference is minimal. The TB spacer doesn't do sh!t.
I would think the only reason for another injector would be to offset for more boost if you were to upgrade a pulley or an aggressive tune etc... yeah the pinging would be detonation under WOT due to running lean. There is a guy here in Houston who is selling a 4Runner with a SC that was added on it but I wasn't sure about possibly buying someone else headaches or underlying issues.
See and as far as a TB spacer I've had good luck with them on other applications just haven't heard about them on a 3.4ltr.
BrianSD_42
New member
hey, although I dont have as much knowledge as many of the guys on this forum. I just want to call BS and say there is no way you will get 24-26 MPG in a 4Runner with a V8 or any other engine.
sorry but it just aint so. this is no different than the chevy tahoe owners who think they get 24 MPG because they dont know how to calc their MPG.
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sorry but it just aint so. this is no different than the chevy tahoe owners who think they get 24 MPG because they dont know how to calc their MPG.
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just filled up mine this evening and after calculating it out, i managed 17.12 mpg average on this last tank under mixed driving conditions!! best mixed mileage since I bought the truck. I have a second gen SC sitting in the back of the truck now waiting to go on. At this point, my only reservation with actually installing it is having to make the switch from regular ($3.87) to premium ($4.23). may hold off until I can afford a cheap beater DD
the great him
Elite Member
if you think you need to beef up the tranny for the SC you will deff need to for the LS along with drive shafts, rear ends, inner/outer axles ect... you will break stuff left and right with that motor. ive done a SC Iforce 4.7 swap into a mini truck before and broke a R151 tranny and drive ujoints along with axles in the first few months(i was also running 5.29s and 37" mtrs), ended up running dana 60s and the tundra 5spd... your LS will make close to the same power as that and so you will be running into the same issues just an fyi my advice is stick with the the 3.4, SC it, slightly smaller pully, throw some headers and free flow exhaust, cold air or deck plate(id vote deck plate seams to work better with the SC) and see how that suits you. im pretty sure you will find you have a 12yo suv that will cook cellicas, civics, and RSXs all day long
Have you ever calculated an ls3 or ls6 in a Vette with over drive? cause the get real close to 26-30mpg.
I'm taking a 2WD not 4WD, as far as the rear end I mean heck I can put a different type of rear end in it if the factory one is weak. I know an 8.8 Ford rear end might be a close fit but I would have to measure to make sure. But even if an 8.8 is to long, cut it down and order axles from Moser with any lug pattern I want. I already know a driveshaft would have to be cut and rebalanced.
024RunnerSE
New member
Factory Toyota G series differentials are pretty freakin stout. My buddy does LS swaps for a living and currently has a LS1 tuned on E85 making 380 wheel horsepower in his 89 Cressida with a G series diff that he drifts almost every friggin weekend and doubles as his daily driver. People don't understand that most of the time, differential damage is caused by one leggin it. Your spinning that one wheel so fast and there goes your spider gears. You have to go with a T1 or T2 torsen limited slip differential or a locker or heck, even a detroit locker when it comes to doing burnouts and stuff in order to keep your diff from going bang.
A LS is smaller than a Toyota V8, so fitting it in the engine bay of a 4Runner is seriously no hassle. In a Toyota V8, you got 4 overhead cams vs a LS with a single cam in between both heads. That alone shrinks the engine big time. Since your even considering this swap, why not go for a T56 instead of the weak sauce 4L60E?
Here's pictures of my buddies swaps on his personal vehicles.
LS1 in his Toyota Cressida:
1UZ-FE V8 5spd M/T in his Toyota work/drift truck:
I mean, if you really want to keep your 4WD if you have it and want to go V8, you can always pull a low mileage Lexus LS400/SC400 V8 out for a few hundred bux with the tranny and swap your transfercase on the Lex Tranny or put your 4Runners tranny on the 1UZ bellhousing and not worry about making custom driveshafts which you will have to do with a LS motor. The first gen 1UZ V8 was an engineering monster. This thing has 6 bolt main bearings, fat rods and low compression for boost. You could literally spend the same money on a boosted 1UZ swap as a stock LS swap and get way more power out of the 1UZ reliably. Just sayin..
A LS is smaller than a Toyota V8, so fitting it in the engine bay of a 4Runner is seriously no hassle. In a Toyota V8, you got 4 overhead cams vs a LS with a single cam in between both heads. That alone shrinks the engine big time. Since your even considering this swap, why not go for a T56 instead of the weak sauce 4L60E?
Here's pictures of my buddies swaps on his personal vehicles.
LS1 in his Toyota Cressida:
1UZ-FE V8 5spd M/T in his Toyota work/drift truck:
I mean, if you really want to keep your 4WD if you have it and want to go V8, you can always pull a low mileage Lexus LS400/SC400 V8 out for a few hundred bux with the tranny and swap your transfercase on the Lex Tranny or put your 4Runners tranny on the 1UZ bellhousing and not worry about making custom driveshafts which you will have to do with a LS motor. The first gen 1UZ V8 was an engineering monster. This thing has 6 bolt main bearings, fat rods and low compression for boost. You could literally spend the same money on a boosted 1UZ swap as a stock LS swap and get way more power out of the 1UZ reliably. Just sayin..
Factory Toyota G series differentials are pretty freakin stout. My buddy does LS swaps for a living and currently has a LS1 tuned on E85 making 380 wheel horsepower in his 89 Cressida with a G series diff that he drifts almost every friggin weekend and doubles as his daily driver. People don't understand that most of the time, differential damage is caused by one leggin it. Your spinning that one wheel so fast and there goes your spider gears. You have to go with a T1 or T2 torsen limited slip differential or a locker or heck, even a detroit locker when it comes to doing burnouts and stuff in order to keep your diff from going bang.
A LS is smaller than a Toyota V8, so fitting it in the engine bay of a 4Runner is seriously no hassle. In a Toyota V8, you got 4 overhead cams vs a LS with a single cam in between both heads. That alone shrinks the engine big time. Since your even considering this swap, why not go for a T56 instead of the weak sauce 4L60E?
Here's pictures of my buddies swaps on his personal vehicles.
LS1 in his Toyota Cressida:
1UZ-FE V8 5spd M/T in his Toyota work/drift truck:
I mean, if you really want to keep your 4WD if you have it and want to go V8, you can always pull a low mileage Lexus LS400/SC400 V8 out for a few hundred bux with the tranny and swap your transfercase on the Lex Tranny or put your 4Runners tranny on the 1UZ bellhousing and not worry about making custom driveshafts which you will have to do with a LS motor. The first gen 1UZ V8 was an engineering monster. This thing has 6 bolt main bearings, fat rods and low compression for boost. You could literally spend the same money on a boosted 1UZ swap as a stock LS swap and get way more power out of the 1UZ reliably. Just sayin..
Some good info there:thumb3: I just threw the 5.3 4L60E out there. I would actually look at the LQ4 6.0 with the 4L80E in the end. Don't get me wrong the T56 is a kick @** tranny though. I've just sold my Mustang and it ran low 11's on a 100HP shot of NOS and I built it from the ground up so I'm not new to the car/race scene. I do like some good info though and like to learn more and more along the way:thanks:
024RunnerSE
New member
Noprobs, happy to help. LS3 with a cam and a mild tune would be kick ass btw 
98OzarksRunner
New member
A Vette weights anywhere from 3100 to 3300 lbs, quite a bit less than a 4Runner. It is also much more aerodyamic - think Ferrari vs U-Haul truck (well, not quite that extreme). I'd guess you would getter better mileage since these V6s struggle quite a bit, but I'd be surprised if you get over 24 highway. Just too much weight and wind resistance, not to mention higher gears and more rolling resistance.
Now, I'm not saying that wouldn't be a good swap. For a 2WD highway runner that would probably be a great swap. It would be a lot more 'spunky' (to use a word in a recent thread - though I'm not sure I'd use 'spunky' to describe anything). It would be a lot of work and you'd have to marry the LS wiring harness and ECM to the 4Runner wiring, but it could be done. I've had a little experience with this kind of swap, and it is a lot of work and it's expensive.
I'd use the GM auto since you're 2WD and don't have to worry about a transfer case. The Toyota rear end will probably hold up okay, especially with an auto, unless you race it with slicks or good DRs.
You will need to upgrade the fuel system, which will probably cost a lot more than you think (figure a min $1000 - I know from experience - those little doodads add up quickly). I think the 99 4Runner has a return-style fuel system so you should be able to convert the LS to return-style no matter what the year. But the 4Runner fuel system probably won't supply nearly enough fuel to run it safely. The feed line is only 5/16" and for 330 HP (or 430 for LS3) you'll need at least 3/8" (with 5/16" return line), and a lot more fuel pump than the 4Runner is going to have. For 330 HP you should have at least 190 LPH pump to be safe. For an LS3, I'd figure 255 LPH and 1/2" feed with 3/8" return. And, depending on where you live, you may have problems getting past emissions testing (e.g. California).
It would have some wow factor and run well (and generate a lot of head scratches) but you won't make any money on it when you go to sell it. And if you do decide to go for it, definitely get a complete donor car. If you try to piece it together, even with a complete engine, there are lots of little items you won't think about that will eat you up. You also might be able to salvage some of the fuel system components you'll need from the donor. You might be able to salvage the radiator and electric fan too. The 4Runner radiator probably won't cool an LS.
Good luck and post up pics if you decide to do it.
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BrianSD_42
New member
@PW5STAR
Thanks for the helpful comments on my #head/gasket fail thread; keep em coming!
Well I mostly objected because of airodynamics. Also, wouldn't it just make more sense to drop in a Toyota V8 from Landcruiser?
---- I too wish I got better gas mileage; today I just wish I wasn't out of action.
Thanks for the helpful comments on my #head/gasket fail thread; keep em coming!
Well I mostly objected because of airodynamics. Also, wouldn't it just make more sense to drop in a Toyota V8 from Landcruiser?
---- I too wish I got better gas mileage; today I just wish I wasn't out of action.
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