Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Oooooo I gotta new project

Been laid off for a few weeks now and am getting restless. Also I need to have a truck that I can go out and play with, without worrying how am I goona get to work on monday when something breaks (something ussualy breaks).

So heres the start. 1981 toyota, The 22R in it, has no compression. So It'll get rebuilt, or....Something bigger will replace it

Anyways heres my lil project. It was covered in moss from the oaktrees it was parked under. But a few hours later with a scrub brush and a hose and its here.

Oh what a feeling.

A high school buddy had one of those. Try as we might, we couldn't kill it.

The bed stakes are cool.

I logged more than a few miles in that thing, strapped in a car seat. Then it went to an uncle who ran it until the motor died an then it sat.

Should make a fun lil truck.

Cool,

Will a 302/289 fit in it?

Would be tight but I would imagine so. Theres enough toyotas running around with 350's in them....

Was thinking a 350 but it was mentioned that the location of the distributor in the ford motors would let me get the motor tucked further back. Wich would be nice as I really dont wanna relocate the radiator to the bed of the truck, like I see on so many 'yotas around here.

Well the problem I see with the 350 is that it is a Chevy.

Is there any rust on that thing? It looks pretty good.

Agreed lol.

I'm goona have to do some reading on it. As I'm sure the toyota tranny wont hold up to a V8. Course then I'll probly have to swap transfer cases wont I? Then how are the axles goona hold up?

theres a lil bit of rust. I can see some speckling under the paint on the rocker pannels. Also at the head of the bed. One small pinhole in the hood. and I'm sure theres some on the floor boards. But in reality she's pretty clean.

I think the biggest issue is goona be replacing every piece of rubber on the thing.

I would go Buick V6 or Ford 302. Roll a set of axles under it - being that light you don't need Dana 60's - ford 9in or Dana 44 would rock, Maybe a set of full size from a Jeep Wagoneer. Let it be wide - hack the fenders off and abuse it.

Probly depend on what kinda deals I come across. Goona be kinda a budget build up.

I got the tailgate all welded up. The spot welds had come apart and it had just spread on down the line. Entire gate was seperating. Also got the interior cleaned out.

Found a RoosterTail, so now I'm money ahead

The ford is lighter than the chevy too...........

Landed a 302. Came outta a 85 T-Bird. Has around 100k on it. $200


Now, a tranny

weird question what trans does it have in it right now?

Its a manual 4spd.

wow bogger, very cool.

i can't believe you found one of those that wasn't rusted away to nothing.

my dad bought a brand new one of those in 83


what is this going to turn into?

you got a vision yet?

Advance adapters has everything you need for that swap so you won't need a tranny.Your 4spd yota tranny will take that 302 easy.

I'd use that if you can get a bell housing that mattes up to the 302, which I think they make.

I like teal's idea of Jeep axles, but you may have strong enough ones on that yota. What gears is it running?

Are you making crawler, mudder, or just a hunting truck?

More than 1 guy has been left stranded by putting too many horses in a truck designed for a small engine. They get to a tough spot and gun it, twisting off an axle or drive shaft.

Agreed.Add power stuff tends to break.
In my opinion there is really only 2 powerplants that fit that truck.Both are G.M.First engine the 231 Buick V-6.Second 4.3 liter chevy V6.Forget the ford it'll be a money pit.They don't call those engine swaped Toyota's Chevota for nuttin.They work with TONS of aftermarket parts availiable.Better way with zero headaches.Sounds good don't it.

Dave they dont use Salt around here. Rust isnt that big of a deal. Finding one that isnt thrashed is the hard part. Although they are now using some sort of de-icer now that is hell on wireing.

The 4.3 would be a good route. Should be plentiful.