I've been looking for a little pickup for a while and I was pretty set on either a mid 90s Tacoma (Hilux) 4x4 for a fun truck, or just a little 2WD Ranger or something for a basic trash hauler/commuter.

I stumbled on a guy selling an early 90 Tacoma with a 350 chevy small block for a really cheap price. I know it's missing it's front driveshaft right now, but the guy daily drives it as is. This would definitely be a bit of a project truck and I have exactly zero experiance with 4x4 projects.

Do any of you have any insight into something like this? Is there anything to look out for with the chassis of those old Tacomas? Is this a pretty common swap? I don't mind a project, but I'd prefer to stay away from something that's going to be a never ending nightmare. Is there a big reason the front driveshaft would be missing or is it a pretty easy fix to put it back together?

I'll take any thoughts or advice you want to share.

 

Front driveshaft might be missing becuase it doesn't clear the motor/oil pan/headers etc.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. I don't know if there's a semi cheap fix for that or not.

I can only assume power steering and A/C are not an option with a swap like this as well....

 

Do you have pictures of it? 350 swaps usually have cooling problems but if he is daily driving it, it must not be an issue. What transmission is behind the 350? If it is the stock W56, it is living on borrowed time and will fail behind that much torque. Does the truck have a lift?

 

It does have a lift, I'm pretty sure it's no more than a simple body lift. I don't know what transmission is behind it, but I'm going to go look at it in person on Friday and find out. I talked to the guy briefly today and he didn't mention having any cooling problems.

 

You dont want to buy someone elses bullshit either.

 

+1 I bought a toyota a while back with a 350 in it already done and it was nothing but a headache. Would I have another one................yea, but I would do it myself and and make sure it was done right.

 

Take a good look at the wiring etc as well make sure nothing is hacked, I've seen alot of V8 Yotas done right I had an 86 4wd and got my bagged 2wd and wanted to do a v8 in my old one, Havent seen too many V8s in Tacomas (96+) Just the regular Toyota trucks up through 95. The front shaft might be gone for different reasons, it might a complete GM drivetrain, Is it solid axel swapped?

 

I think I've scrapped the idea. I'm just not comfortable with something like that for a truck that I want to be able to depend on.

 

Probably a good idea. I would stick with a 22RE truck.