LS1 swap into a '88 Toyota
I mentioned in my intro post about swapping a LS1 for the TBI 4.3 and now that the project is progressing (it'll never be 'done'), I will post up. First, a little history. It's colorful, to say the least.
I bought the truck new and drove it stock until the factory warranty expired. First, I added a 4in chassis lift with 33 in. tires. Those tires exposed the need for lower gearing, so I chose 4.88 R&P's with a rear ARB and front Lock Right added while in there. I got wind of a bumper manufacturer not too far from where I lived at the time and, after a couple phone calls and a trip north, I had a new Reunell bumper, custom made, on the front with a Warn XD9000i within. The truck worked really well in this configuration and it stayed that way while exploring trails all over northern California, my favorites being the Rubicon, Fordyce Creek and my secret spot on Hell Hole reservoir.
One weekend, with a bed full of dirt bikes and camping gear heading toward the mountains on I80, we heard what sounded like a bunch of rocks dropped into a blender. It didn't take long to figure out the stock 5 speed was toast, a failed counter shaft bearing.
This left 2 options: One, replace the transmission (boring) or, swap out the whole engine and transmission for something better. I ended up with a salvaged 4.3 TBI and a 700R4. I figured that while I had the transfer case on the bench, I might as well do that too. I liked the dual case thing, but opted for the 4.70 gear set instead in order to keep it "simple'. A call to Marlin had a box on a UPS truck headed my way. This guy is awesome and he took good care of me. I was pretty happy with the truck and it was especially fun when, on one camping trip, a lady approached me with a flat tire on her bicycle asking if I had any way to inflate it. I said,"yup", threw the switch for the compressor and a minute later had her on her way. Life's little pleasures.
A couple years later, I decided to swap out the IFS front for a refurbished solid axle from a '85 truck. The ARB, Longfields, rear disks and 35's completed that project. I ran the truck that way for several years, learning all about the weak links inherent to the 700R4 and also about the problems associated with a 3in body lift.. Clutch packs, Sun shell and upgrades to the planetary sets along with a reverse pattern manual valve body solved the tranny issues, and the body lift reduced to 1.5 inches solved those issues as well.
A worn out 4.3 with 2 dead cylinders left us where we started the latest project. I always wanted a V8.
A swap of this magnitude required unusual access, and I had an idea.
The under hood shot before:
I thought a tilting clip would be a fun way to address the access problem. Shouldn't be too big a deal...
First thing was to strip everything from the engine bay not welded down (and some of that, too) and remove the bumper
The winch previously mounted to the bumper and now had to mount to the frame.
The bumper mount brackets had to be modified to allow the bumper to pivot about the lower mounting bolts
Bumper remounted with up stops and down stops located
And tested
Next, the wheel well cut lines had to be determined. I wanted to locate these lines as close to the firewall as possible which would bite back later on.
Before the cuts were made, bracing had to be installed in order to maintain the original shape. I welded the brace to the sheet metal everywhere I could and made it so that it would all bolt to the bumper.
The results were positive, the clip swings nicely and with the hood taped in position, it balances surprising well
What I really like about this is that the clip is easily removed as a unit, allowing full access to the front chassis.
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