So I think I'm finally far enough along with my new build that I can Start a build thread and share some progress with you guys. Some of you may remember my introduction thread, I had just built a fresh 22re and boosted it. that turbo 22re was a riot and the truck was fun. However the fun was short lived and the bottom end let go. I decided to forge the bottom end and go high boost then I got a deal on this baby... 2001 5.3 and 4l60e so I figured why not try something that's not that common. After a bit of tweaking... Intake, throttle body, camshaft, Valve springs, fuel rail, oil pan, drive system ect. the engine and trans are in the truck and mounted. I have been working on this for quite some time here and there, Still a bit to go like cooling system, fuel system, and harness but should be tons of sideways action when finished. cliff notes are as follows cam only 5.3 4L60E trans Fast 92 intake & tb 1 ton torsion's explorer 8.8 little bit of fabrication
yes. I just mocked the engine and trans up where they needed to be and put the mounts there, it turned out really well and looks almost like the truck came with it factory.
I still have a ways to go before the wiring fun starts but shouldn't be to terrible. My plan is to thin out the stock Tahoe harness into a standalone type harness using the stock ecu and wire it into an Toyota gauge cluster. Thanks twizted! yes I did it myself it didn't turn out as good as I had hoped but it will work for what I'm trying to do. lettering shaved and sanded smooth with a base coat of bright white after dip and a coat of clear after a few coats of clear and ready to go in the truck
Off to a great start! I have a 5.3 motor and trans sitting on the shelf, been thinking of this myself.
I'm doing same swap. Which oil pan did you use? I using the Holley oil pan. Thought by using it I would be able to install engine at a lower position and be able to push it back far enough to clear stabilizer bar. My pickup is a 1990 DLX w/22re. I'm installing a 5.3 w/corvette accessories and T56 trans. I would like to keep up with you progress will surely make things a little easier for me. Thanks.
I also used the Holley pan, I have my engine as low as possible and as far back as possible without modification to the firewall. I probably could have got it another 2 or 2 1/2" back if I cut the firewall in the heater box area. I do however have it low enough that I had to build a drop in the removable cross member under the engine to clear the oil pan.
I knew the crossmember had to be modified, I thought maybe 1.5" to 2.0" drop. Did you have to modify the trans crossmember to obtain correct trans pinion angle.
No it is the stock height now using a gm poly trans mount. the angle is off a bit now but gonna try it and see how it does if I need to change it Ill roll the axle to achieve the desired change.
Sorry its been so long since an update haven't had time to keep up with the tread how Id like to, The truck is almost done just finishing up! as requested by several of you guys the wiring...... dun dun dunnn. It really wasn't that bad I took the stock tahoe harness Cut out everything that I don't need for this swap such as rear o2's and egr ect.... here you can see the extra stuff pulled out. then just modified the harness for my needs and make all the connections in order to integrate it into the stock toyota harness. All this time and effort payed off, all of my stock gauges work as they should. here the harness reworked but not with the toyota stuff in it yet. with all that done and much more like figuring out the radiator hoses power steering as well as other small hurtles along the way the harness is in and integrated into the stock harness. you can see the added circuits in the smaller fuse box to the left fender. Also got lucky and was able to use the factory throttle cable just by making a bracket with some scraps. Built a battery box under the bed just to make the engine bay look cleaner. The truck does run and will move under its own power now. I need to finish the air intake and move on the the tuning of the ecu.