LS V8 Swap 89 Toyota on 1 Ton's

[817Gabe]

Back in January of 2011 when I lived in Lewiston Idaho I bought an 89 Toyota with the intentions of doing a simple SAS. It has turned into much more than that. It now has a locked Dana 60 front and locked 14 bolt rear. I am also in the process of swapping in a 1999 Chevy LSX 5.3 with 55K miles on it. I will be using a 700r4 transmission and a gear driven toyota T-case.

I have the engine and transmission installed but nothing is hooked up right now. Right now I am waiting on a fuel pump, stand alone wiring harness and engine cooling parts. I plan on adapting a chevy silverado into the toyota fuel tank so I know I get the right fuel pressures and all. Ill post pictures of the work so far for you all that are tired of reading and just want to see.

Here is how the truck started its life.

I used the shop at my work in Idaho to do the original SAS. It was very nice having a lift to do the work.

Here it is flexing after I got the axles under it, at this point it was a Dana 44 and 14 bolt axle.

Fork lifts are handy to have when installing rock sliders.

Here are some custom fender flares I had the local machine shop bend up so it would be street legal in Idaho.

Playing in the snow in the Idaho hills.

Now I am in NC and I broke my Dana 44 at the Devils Playground so here I am putting in a new Dana 60 and 14 bolt. I sure wish I had a lift but harbor freight jack stands worked.

Now its time for the engine swap. Here are some pictures of the LSX and 700r4 I will be putting in.

Put the truck on little tires and wheels so I could get it in my garage

Out with the old 3.0

In with the new 5.3

I am using Advanced Adapters LS1 engine mounts.

I have to keep the air conditioning, the heat on these trails in NC are killer. Had to notch the frame to fit the compressor.

The factory exhaust manifolds wouldnt fit so I ordered some s10 LS1 swap headers and they did the trick. I only had to modify the drivers side engine mount a little to fit.

I used a transfer case cross member from Front Range Offroad.

Well that is where I am at now. Still have electrical and plumbing to do. I have never done anything like this before so I am learning a lot as I go. I am dreading the electrical stuff. If anyone has any tips I would appreciate it. Ill keep this updated with pictures and progress.

 

[StretchASU]

Send the harness and ECU to Jim's Performance. He can cut it down to the basics and re-flash the computer to compensate for what's been removed.

 

[817Gabe]

Thanks for the suggestion. I already ordered a standalone harness and ecm from SSP Wiring. I am just not sure how to integrate my toyota wiring to things such as the AC, ignition to the engine, guages and that sort of thing. It is probably easy to do, I have just never done it before so it seems a little daunting.

 

[GCncsuHD]

If you have the harness, it is pretty simple to trim down yourself, and there are plenty of local guys to do the tuning.

 

[lowestjumperTJ]

hey guys, just wanted to give an update. I now have this truck (traded one of my beloved Harleys for it). it's a very well built truck. I haven't had a chance to get it out on the trails yet, as there are a few things that I want/need to get finished up on it first. it will (hopefully) soon be getting an exo cage, longer rear shackles, and a 4.7 t-case gearset. I can't wait to get it finished the way I want it!

 

[TSF]

What leaf springs are on this front & rear?

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I'd just go duals and forget the 4.7s.


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[lowestjumperTJ]

Chevy 63's on the rear and TG 5" on the front.

 

[4wheelBUM]

save your money and dont waste it on the 4.7 gears because if you wheel it much at all the yota case wont hold up to the torque. save yourself time and money and get you a 205 and twin stick it. It can handle the extra power that 5.3 makes. This is coming from a Toyota guy by the way.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I think there are some better options than the 205. Gearing sucks and they are heavy. Granted a 241/205 doubler is nice. For this I think if its going to be wheeled hard an atlas should be in its future.


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[4wheelBUM]

True. There are many options i guess but that is the cheaper one that came to mind that would hold up for occasional wheeling. I guess what im trying to say is you need to decide what your going to do with it and how often and then build or buy a t-case that will fit your application. I love the options of a dual cased toyota setup myself but i dont think it will handle the abuse of that 5.3.

 

[X-jeeper]

are those 4wd chevy rear springs? they seem to give more lift than mine...

 

[dougefir]

I know this is a really old post, but the photo of playing in the snow in the Idaho hills wasnt taken in Idaho it was in washington. I still miss that pickup it got me aroud for a long time.

 

[XJsavage]

That's a really cool yota. I usually hate Toyotas but this is pretty tits! I vote either a Lomax 205 or built Dana 300

 

[cgm147]

@lowestjumperXJ why did you get rid of this truck?