LS1+3RD Gen.

[CSAlltrac]

To keep it breif I'm curious about weather or not this has been done. The 3.4 is in its last leg. I love my truck and could be happy with it forever other than one fact. Tow rating sucks. If I could tow with the 4Runner it would be the perfect truck. That's where the LS1 idea comes in. I know I would have to beef up the rear suspension as well as some other items like brakes too. Since I know it will be asked I'm looking to tow around 7k lbs (heavy ass car + trailer) and also be able to do the speed limit without ringing the engines neck. Also want to apologize if it's a beat topic. I did search but everything I found was for second gens or older and sequoia swaps. I am open to a Toyota V8. They just aren't as easy to come by. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Cree]

To keep it breif I'm curious about weather or not this has been done. The 3.4 is in its last leg. I love my truck and could be happy with it forever other than one fact. Tow rating sucks. If I could tow with the 4Runner it would be the perfect truck. That's where the LS1 idea comes in. I know I would have to beef up the rear suspension as well as some other items like brakes too. Since I know it will be asked I'm looking to tow around 7k lbs (heavy ass car + trailer) and also be able to do the speed limit without ringing the engines neck. Also want to apologize if it's a beat topic. I did search but everything I found was for second gens or older and sequoia swaps. I am open to a Toyota V8. They just aren't as easy to come by. Thanks for the feedback guys.

Biggest thing I can think of is the transmission issue. You're either going to need a plate or a GM transmission, which then presents a whole new set of hurdles to over come.

As for the engine it's self, I'm sure that would drop in and fit, and I know you can get a harness built for just about anything. Probably be better to go with the 4.7 swap and put a huffer on it if you want the power.

 

[shootmymime]

Just do a 350 swap with a 350 trans

 

[Darwinian_Crusader]

Just do a 350 swap with a 350 trans

LS1 is a 350 C.I. small block. An LS7 is also a small block.... I need to go to bed and stop day dreaming.

 

[jmildoc]

Stay Toyota and put a 5.7 in there!!! Lol.

 

[AZ4Running]

I helped do part of a LT1 swap on a 2wd 96 4runner when i worked at a local performance shop years ago.

 

[KidVermicious]

To keep it breif I'm curious about weather or not this has been done. The 3.4 is in its last leg. I love my truck and could be happy with it forever other than one fact. Tow rating sucks. If I could tow with the 4Runner it would be the perfect truck. That's where the LS1 idea comes in. I know I would have to beef up the rear suspension as well as some other items like brakes too. Since I know it will be asked I'm looking to tow around 7k lbs (heavy ass car + trailer) and also be able to do the speed limit without ringing the engines neck. Also want to apologize if it's a beat topic. I did search but everything I found was for second gens or older and sequoia swaps. I am open to a Toyota V8. They just aren't as easy to come by. Thanks for the feedback guys.

Engine power is the least of your worries. We could talk all day about all the ways the 3rd gen is a horrible choice to tow 7000+ pounds and not come close to covering it all. An LS1 powered 3rd would be great fun and you should do it, right after you do yourself and everybody else on the road a favor and buy a tow rig.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Engine power is the least of your worries. We could talk all day about all the ways the 3rd gen is a horrible choice to tow 7000+ pounds and not come close to covering it all. An LS1 powered 3rd would be great fun and you should do it, right after you do yourself and everybody else on the road a favor and buy a tow rig.

Agreed, there are some basic laws of physics at work here, most of which work against you. Please don't tow that much with your 3rd gen!!

 

[02SE]

Engine power is the least of your worries. We could talk all day about all the ways the 3rd gen is a horrible choice to tow 7000+ pounds and not come close to covering it all. An LS1 powered 3rd would be great fun and you should do it, right after you do yourself and everybody else on the road a favor and buy a tow rig.

This.

Not to mention you would want to re-engineer pretty much everything for more strength: Entire drivetrain, frame, suspension, etc.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Look at my build, the 4.7 fits perfectly.

 

[ajonesnv]

Look at my build, the 4.7 fits perfectly.

BTW, I love your 3rd!

 

[4Running Daily]

My goal is a supercharged LS3 with a TH400 transmission. It'll fit and should be more power than I ever need.

 

[02SE]

My goal is a supercharged LS3 with a TH400 transmission. It'll fit and should be more power than I ever need.

While an old 3-speed TH400 is strong, (if it's built correctly) it would be a poor choice, considering the the availability of much better transmissions that have OD, and can be built just as strong.

If it was 40 years ago, then the TH400 would be a good choice.

 

[BrandonF]

I agree with the above posters. The 3rd gen 4runner was never designed to do any significant towing.

 

[Illicitdream]

Yes, this possible. There's a guy here in Iowa that did a LQ9 swap with a TH350 with TH400 torque converter. Check it out.

"Petey" Frontier 4x4's 3rd Gen 4Runner - Page 3 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

 

[Cree]

My goal is a supercharged LS3 with a TH400 transmission. It'll fit and should be more power than I ever need.

The 4L80E would be a better choice. Just a little harder to swap in.

 

[4Running Daily]

The 4L80E would be a better choice. Just a little harder to swap in.

Noted. Thank you.

 

[CSAlltrac]

Maybe its just time to let the T4R go. I do realize that the amount of towing I need comes with a TON if issues when trying to making the Runner the rig of choice. I just enjoy the truck a lot despite it not having the capabilities of towing.
Im unsure of what I want to do, doing a JDM 3.4 is floating around in my mind. I figure for around $6k I could have a low mileage JDM engine, wheels and tires I want, and a Hybrid front bumper. All those things completed I would have my dream Runner essentially.
Getting into a truck payment is the other avenue I keep kicking around. A TON less labor and headache. But thats $30K or more since it would be a Tundra.
Life decisions

 

[Dezerts10]

last post on this thread was in 2015, has anyone done it lately? Just curious, people are putting LS based engines in everything these days.

 

[TonyB66]

last post on this thread was in 2015, has anyone done it lately? Just curious, people are putting LS based engines in everything these days.

Funny you re-surface this thread as I was recently thinking the same when I read of an LS engine in an Atom-like kit (Excoet). Damn 1,200 lb rocket...