Cost of 5.3 Swap in Toyota Pickup

Hunter44

Hunter44

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Location
Lexington
Anyone know any numbers on what a 5.3 swap in a 95 Toyota pickup might be? Seen a motor in the Parts section for $700, no idea what to do about wiring harness(probably $500-600), plan to run a 5 speed transmission(not a Toyota one), advance adapter's motor mounts, and maybe a 205 case? Plus however much labor is.....
 
$7-9k to do it right. The small things add up fast!
 
A simple equation I tell potential customers wanting this sort of thing is to add up the sum of the parts and double it. There are always things you forget...
As far as labor, I'd estimate that at around 25-30 hours to get most of the major work done (assuming the engine, trans and t case are ready to install and don't require rebuild/ freshening up). Figure another 5-10 for incidental wiring, plumbing, running around trying to find parts, etc. Take that 30-40 hours and multiply it by $75-$100 an hour.
 
Hunter44 said:
Anyone know any numbers on what a 5.3 swap in a 95 Toyota pickup might be? Seen a motor in the Parts section for $700, no idea what to do about wiring harness(probably $500-600), plan to run a 5 speed transmission(not a Toyota one), advance adapter's motor mounts, and maybe a 205 case? Plus however much labor is.....
Click to expand...

You have to run a body lift with the advance adapters mounts.

Otherwise you can get custom mounts to move the engine and trans down and back.

With the AA mounts, there is very little room at bellhousing even with a body lift.

With the engine low enough to clear bellhousing, you will need custom manifolds and steering shaft as well. Also plan on another custom trans xmember.

Also will need a custom or AA radiator.

Not sure on numbers, I scored deals, and don't keep track of all costs.

Also will need to get the proper fuel pump, thinned or new harness, custom accessory mounts, computer reflash etc and more.

Any common swap parts are designed to be used with either a 3" body lift, or sas swap, or both.
 
5.3, NV4500, 6.0 Flywheel, Clutch, Hydraulics, Hoses, Replace any faulty or broken accessories, harness work, ecm flash, driveshafts, yokes, round pattern case, short 32spline input, notch tail housing for the 205 shift rail, floorboard mods, might as well twin stick the case while its all out so you only have to do it once, twin stick kit, engine mounts, radiator, radiator hoses, trans xmemeber. There is a start. Make a spreadsheet then add it all up +20% if you do it yourself. +100% if you pay someone to do it.
 
Check out my build thread (The Money Pit) starting on page 18 it shows all my parts. I'm doing a 6.0 swap with th350 auto. I feel like I'm doing it about the best can be done within reason. I've had some very experienced and helpful advice too. Ive probably had 40 hrs in chasing down a good engine and ordering parts. The cost will be the same except the extra $1k for the engine I paid over a 5.3. I will almost bump $10k when its said and done but that's with all new parts except the engine and someone else doing 95% of the labor.
 
My advice, shop around. Wait about a year and collect parts and before you know it youll be able to put together a whole swap and save big $$$!

Starting 6 months ago I did the same thing. In that time I've bought a complete 03 lm7 5.3 for $150, a ford 435/205 combo for $150, a set of Superduty axles (60&10.5) for $400 all sitting in a free YJ tub and frame. Deals are out there. Just gotta be patient.

As far as the swap goes, all depends on how much you can do yourself. Research is easy.
 
I have a couple of quotes from vendors on swap parts packages for CJs and YJs. They're pretty comprehensive and run from 5K to 7K for everything, new. (Using your Engine, Trans, & T-case.) That gets you a pretty good idea of what you'll be spending on parts, if buying new.

As XJsavage said...If you can shop and scavenge, you can cut those costs!

Then figure around 40 hours labor, for a turn key installation.
 
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