Evilmunkey
New member
Amazing Build, now I want on in my '02. . also if your toyota buddy could happen across a 3.4L tRD s/c and have it fall of the truck at my shop in Dunwoody, ga that would be appreciated, lol
V8 conversion
- Thread starter Singtoe
- Start date
Stockwell45
New member
Just read all 37 pages, great work. Not many people can say they've put that much effort into a 4runner, let alone any vehicle.
One question though. I know you mentioned the 4runner and sequoia tranny's were the same, except for the bellhousing thickness. Aside from the wiring and crossmember mounts, would you think a r150 5 speed would bolt right up to the v8? I know if I were to ever attempt this, and I'm sure others would agree, I would want the 5 speed with the v8
One question though. I know you mentioned the 4runner and sequoia tranny's were the same, except for the bellhousing thickness. Aside from the wiring and crossmember mounts, would you think a r150 5 speed would bolt right up to the v8? I know if I were to ever attempt this, and I'm sure others would agree, I would want the 5 speed with the v8
Coastal616
New member
I bought this adapter...made in Canada, UZ bell to R series tranny, $320 or so
Welcome to NorthWest FabWorks - Everything You Need For Your 4x4! It wasn't on their site but I know the owner and he makes them.
Welcome to NorthWest FabWorks - Everything You Need For Your 4x4! It wasn't on their site but I know the owner and he makes them.
Stockwell45
New member
Good to know, thanks both of you!
I know you probably get absolutely sick of answering questions about your v8 swap. I'm genuinely looking at doing this in my '97 Ltd. I've got too many miles on the clock, and my wife doesn't want me to sell it since I've put a lot into upgrades and we have tons of memories. Unfortunately I've grown weary of the soggy gas pedal, so I'm not really interested in rebuilding with a 3.4, even if it's got a supercharger, which are getting harder to find. The one question I have is would you be willing to post up a realistic list of required components (part numbers would be totally unrealistic, so no worries there) to get the thing up and running? I noticed that in some instances a Tundra donor would be a better bet for ECU, instrument cluster, etc., so info like that would be perfect. Also, if a custom ECU would be a viable answer for some of the probs you ran into. I've been chatting a little bit with a guy that does 3.0-3.4 swaps to see if he thinks this is a possibility, but it would be great to get it from the horse's mouth to assess the dollars and cents. Believe it or not, my wife thinks this is a great idea. You did a stellar write-up throughout the the process, so if you don't want to put a list at the end, that's totally understandable. I've read the whole thing at least twice on this site, and on lextreme as well. Way to have a goal and knock it out with prejudice.
Singtoe
New member
Words of advice.
Don't use a custom ecu.. You will have a hard time passing any emissions testing.
Get a donor Vehicle. This way you won't have to buy many parts.
Tundra is a better donor vehicle because it is simpler. Analog gauges and no transponder key.
Sequoia or the LX470 donor vehicle will be cheaper as demand for them is less.
The 4th gen 4runner with the 4.7 is always very expensive less it is burnt up.
Don't buy any flood or theft recover vehicles as the electronics will be missing or destroyed. Look for the roll over. Nobody wants to fix them up and will most of the time be cheaper.
:drummer:
Doing the swap:
Dedicate time. a couple hours everyday or a whole couple of weekends.
Buy a body lift form 4 crawler in advance.
Body off frame made fabrication super easy but might be a bit much for some to remove the body. Plan a method for removal and storage. I used 4x4's and tires. The best thing would have been to use 4x4"s and saw horses.
Making the motor mounts. I have seen some use the existing mount, cut it up, weld and fitted. I made my own. This is probably the difficult part of the whole conversion. If I was to do it again, I would do what I did. Plate steel welded to 2x2" tubing to plate steel. Very strong and easy to mock up using cardboard and tape.
Other words of advice. Replace the timing belt and water pump. Open up a valve cover and inspect for sludge. Go ahead and pull the starter and check the contacts and lube the bearings. Easy to do while it is out of the vehicle.
Wiring is easy. Don't over think it. Purchase a year specific wiring diagram for your 4runner and for the donor vehicle. Knock out one wire at a time and before you know it, the new ECU is merged with the old body.
Do not scrap or part out the donor vehicle until your conversion is done. It is great having a vast supply (albeit they're used) of Toyota grade nuts and bolts. I ended up using relays and heavy gauge wiring to make my electric fan controls.
Take lots of pictures. Use lots of boxes to store parts and write on the boxes where bolts and nuts came from.
Remember- Measure twice - cut once, and fuse any circuit that you supply power to. You don't want your baby to burn up by mistake.
Don't use a custom ecu.. You will have a hard time passing any emissions testing.
Get a donor Vehicle. This way you won't have to buy many parts.
Tundra is a better donor vehicle because it is simpler. Analog gauges and no transponder key.
Sequoia or the LX470 donor vehicle will be cheaper as demand for them is less.
The 4th gen 4runner with the 4.7 is always very expensive less it is burnt up.
Don't buy any flood or theft recover vehicles as the electronics will be missing or destroyed. Look for the roll over. Nobody wants to fix them up and will most of the time be cheaper.
:drummer:
Doing the swap:
Dedicate time. a couple hours everyday or a whole couple of weekends.
Buy a body lift form 4 crawler in advance.
Body off frame made fabrication super easy but might be a bit much for some to remove the body. Plan a method for removal and storage. I used 4x4's and tires. The best thing would have been to use 4x4"s and saw horses.
Making the motor mounts. I have seen some use the existing mount, cut it up, weld and fitted. I made my own. This is probably the difficult part of the whole conversion. If I was to do it again, I would do what I did. Plate steel welded to 2x2" tubing to plate steel. Very strong and easy to mock up using cardboard and tape.
Other words of advice. Replace the timing belt and water pump. Open up a valve cover and inspect for sludge. Go ahead and pull the starter and check the contacts and lube the bearings. Easy to do while it is out of the vehicle.
Wiring is easy. Don't over think it. Purchase a year specific wiring diagram for your 4runner and for the donor vehicle. Knock out one wire at a time and before you know it, the new ECU is merged with the old body.
Do not scrap or part out the donor vehicle until your conversion is done. It is great having a vast supply (albeit they're used) of Toyota grade nuts and bolts. I ended up using relays and heavy gauge wiring to make my electric fan controls.
Take lots of pictures. Use lots of boxes to store parts and write on the boxes where bolts and nuts came from.
Remember- Measure twice - cut once, and fuse any circuit that you supply power to. You don't want your baby to burn up by mistake.
Coastal616
New member
Depends on who is doing the tuning. Some novice maybe, a pro...emissions testing is a piece o' piss.
RussToy
New member
What year Tundra should I be looking for? Would the newer 5.7 work?
If I'm lucky and find a cheap 4th gen 4Runner...which would be better/easier to use...a Tundra or 4th gen 4Runner??
Thank you for all the information and advise you have provided us in this write up! Not being that familiar with Toyota V-8's...I thought for sure I would have to use an LS3 for my V-8 swap. However, after reading your post...I'm very excited to use a Toyota motor!! Yea, very happy about keeping my Runner all Toyota...
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Singtoe
New member
Using a programmable ECU is great as it will let you adjust for your paramables. Tuning it is not the problem, having it interface with OBD II type inspection is. I am not sure how it is done in other states or in other countries, but in North Carolina, the inspection station plugs up to the car's OBD port and reads for any codes.
This is why you can't use a JDM motor with its ecm. No OBD Port.
Singtoe
New member
I would say any year Tundra would be great. The problem is that the newer Tundra's with the 5.7 cost a premium. Probably more then cost of the project 4runner. I would love to have tried this but it would have been just too cost prohibitive. Same thing for the 4th gen 4runner.
I think they would all be equally easy. Just finding one is difficult.
Coastal616
New member
We are on the exhaust probe system, so that makes sense.
LittleCaesar
New member
I have to ask but the snorkel doesn't make some degree of noise? Just curious.
What happened to the winch that was supposed to go on there some time back?
What happened to the winch that was supposed to go on there some time back?
Singtoe
New member
The snorkel doesn't make any noise. Nothing at all.
My 4runner drives down the road and sounds very OEMish (corvette oemish). The exhaust note sounds sporty with no drone. I take that back, there is some drone at speeds above 75.
Before the Snorkel, there was a lot of intake noise due to the crappy CAI.
Now the rack makes a howling type noise at any speed above 45 mph.
My Bumper build will start as soon as DOC goes home. He is picking up a winch mounting plate from Bud Built for me.
