time for another build

[made in canada]

So as some of you know i am in the middle of an engine swap into my little brothers truck, so i will have a truck with no motor sitting in the yard (never again road legal) and i want to build it for a trail only buggy. Im going to gut the truck, take out everything that i dont need, sas, weld another flat-bed and then comes the motor, i want something with some more power then just dropping in a 22r, so i was thinking chev 305, what would i need to do to do this swap, has anyone done it, and what issues am i going to have, can i use the stock tranny, or will i have to go chev tranny, transfer case?

i am pumped for this buld, i did a little searching and found a little info on some stuff i want to do to it so i got some ideas brewing. if anyone wants to give me and hints/tips feel free, or good online shops... anything i will be glad for the knowledge.

oh and i want to have as much flex as possible

thanks

[mYnAmEiSmUdD]

As far as a motor swap is concerned... Plenty have been done.

Check out:

Downey Off-Road (downeyoff-road.com). Plenty of info and kits for chevy conversions.

Northwest Offroad (northwestoffroad.com).

Wasnt this doner truck a 2wd? You can swap chevy drive train or retain the toyota. If so you may as well source some chevy running gear.

My opinion?
Go full sized on everything. axles to the 305.

[made in canada]

nope the truck is 4x4, i would love to go full gear but for now at least i want to do it cheep as possible, i only work part time and go to school so i got almost no money after gas and beer for the week.

the main thing i was thinking is the whole computer/motor wiring.

[CJM]

I would go 4.3 chevy or 3.4 swap, easiest and have been done before. Wont have the super high output but more than enough with gearing to do fine on the trails. Or you could take a 22R or RE and swap in an RV cam, do headers, exhaust and such and be pretty well set with proper gearing. Engine is near bulletproof anyways.

I would build a truggy, shop the backhalf off and do all tube and make a 4link back there if you can.

[made in canada]

for now i am just going to keep it full body and leafs, thats a lot better money wise, eventually i am going to get better shocks and do a 4 link front and rear

[4runnerchevy]

Ok, you have two options, go stock tranny or stick a GM product behind that motor. I am currently putting a camaro motor (305) into an 1983 pickup. I have also done the 4.3 swap (my runner). You will need an adapter in any case. I personally would go with a GM tranny so you can truly appreciate the gas petal. Either way get an Advanced Adapter (to adapt your transfer case), stay away from Northwest and don't buy Downey motor mounts. When its time to wire, i'll give you the wiring. My only question is the 305 Carbed or Fuel Injected ? Since this is a trail only rig, smog won't be an issue. You will need a complete donor engine, with its wiring and computer (if any). If you can score its mated tranny, then even better. I have the JTR swap manual, and the Downey swap manual. I'll get you a link to where they are stored later.

You don't need full size axles. My 4.3 pushes 200 hp stock, and I have no issues.

Good luck and watch what kind of advise you get.

[made in canada]

Ok, you have two options, go stock tranny or stick a GM product behind that motor. I am currently putting a camaro motor (305) into an 1983 pickup. I have also done the 4.3 swap (my runner). You will need an adapter in any case. I personally would go with a GM tranny so you can truly appreciate the gas petal. Either way get an Advanced Adapter (to adapt your transfer case), stay away from Northwest and don't buy Downey motor mounts. When its time to wire, i'll give you the wiring. My only question is the 305 Carbed or Fuel Injected ? Since this is a trail only rig, smog won't be an issue. You will need a complete donor engine, with its wiring and computer (if any). If you can score its mated tranny, then even better. I have the JTR swap manual, and the Downey swap manual. I'll get you a link to where they are stored later.

You don't need full size axles. My 4.3 pushes 200 hp stock, and I have no issues.

Good luck and watch what kind of advise you get.


thanks man, i can see you are going to be a great help... i was thinking just fab up some motor mounts, i got some 3/4" steel home and i can weld... i am going to go with whatever i can get for cheep at the time (carb or fuel inj.) we do not have smog laws here in nova scotia plus its a trail rig so it dont matter anyways.... i dont have the motor yet, i am looking, but i got lots to do before that anyways. ill post pics of the build this weekend.

[4runnerchevy]

Ok, since you have no motor, you might think about a V6 from a chevy. I don't have exact numbers, but my 4.3 V6 puts out more horses then most 305's, minus the torque abviously from two more rear cyl's. If your determined to do a 305, get a TBI, or TPI model, so you don't have to deal with Carb's. Then you will get into the 200's + as far as horses. I say 4.3 V6 because a stock 95+ Vortec TPI will do 215 stock, and 400+ modified. Wiring,for both, is easy, 5 wires its running, +7 wires for all sensors-guages (EFI models).

[made in canada]

sweet man, im going to do some asking around next week, but from what you say i think im going to do the 4.3. i am picking up the truck tomorrow, first step is to haul out the motor and junk, then bead/gas tank re-location, i have to keep it rolling for now so the ifs stays on...for now, then i have to track down a front axel/leafs/shocks, then mock up my 4 link rear. im trying to do all the cheep stuff first because i am a student and only work part time... untill may anyways... i will be taking pictures of the progress for sure so you can see er progress.

[made in canada]

has anyone here ever done wheelbase shortning, i was thinking about bringning in the rear axel, but if i cut and welded the driveshaft how hard that would be to keep straight.

[Tankota]

I'd stick with the longer wheelbase, especially if you gonna be putting some HP to the wheels. If you really want "short", get a wrangler. :gay:

[made in canada]

yea, i was just wondering because i want to build this for rocks and i figure it would make it more nimble.... i am however ditching the bed and welding up a 2nd flatbed, so that should help with blindspots

[Tankota]

Most people actually stretch their wheelbases for rock performance. I did.
Short might seem nimbler, but makes you alot more tippy forward and backwards. Think about trying to assault a ledge or uphill rock pile. Wouldn't you rather have a longer stance than shorter.

The flat bed will really help with visibility too.

[made in canada]

Most people actually stretch their wheelbases for rock performance. I did.
Short might seem nimbler, but makes you alot more tippy forward and backwards. Think about trying to assault a ledge or uphill rock pile. Wouldn't you rather have a longer stance than shorter.

The flat bed will really help with visibility too.


yea, your right. i have never diven rocks before, but it looks a lot more fun then just getting stuck in the mud all the time, so i figure ill build for rocks, i just gotta find a sfa and get started.

also i want some real flexy leafsprings with about 4" lift over stock, where are some good places to look, keeping in mind that there is going to be a big chev engine going in there

[made in canada]

the only pic i have of the old girl as of now, but tomorrow i am going to rip out all the guts of the cab and clean up the rest of the rust/mold. i am picking up my front axel tomorrow as well and hope to get started on the re-build of that.

next month i am ordering my new leaf springs, have to decide between a 4" suspention and 1" body, or just 5" suspention liftm, any input?... if i do body lift i am going to just slap a hockey puck under each body mount.

its actually not as rotten as the pic makes it look, and also that is the salt side.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f283/goosee/trucks001.jpg

figure id throw one in of my dd also.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f283/goosee/trucks003.jpg

[4runnerchevy]

Get 63" springs for the rear, in whatever lift you want. If your gonna go a 4.3, then get a 1" body lift.

[made in canada]

i was lookin at getting the "trail gear" ones, but they are only 56 5/8" long. who makes these long ones