300 I-6?

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Jan 5, 2009 | 11:52 PM

maicomega1

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From: Yuma, Az

300 I-6?

O.K., I'll probably get a friggin' wrench bounced off of my head for admitting this, but I recently bought an old Toyota pickup for the purpose of building a rock buggy. Before you curse my name and the day I was born, please note that my daily driver is my '76 F-250! I also own an '04 Mustang. So anyway, the Toy has a good rep among rock crawlers, and there are a ton of parts made for them.

My problem is that when I think about the supposedly "great, bulletproof, awesome, etc." I-4 that they come equipped with, I go a big rubbery one. Torque is where you live in rockcrawling, which made me think of an old tow truck I used to drive that had a 4.9L I-6 in it. I'd love to put one in my buggy, if nothing else, just to **** Toyota guys off. Problem is, I can't find a long block, short block, or anything online. So am I junkyard digging or what? And does anyone make performance parts for them?

Jan 7, 2009 | 12:11 PM

Kemicalburns

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From: Bend,OR

check out cliffordperformance.com

not sure how well it would fit in the engine compartment. if you run a doubler case and proper gearing in the axles that 22r works well. staying as light weight as possible is a huge benefit for your type of wheeling.

Jan 8, 2009 | 01:03 AM

maicomega1

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Thanks, I'll take a look. Yeah, I may have trouble stuffing it in there. I can't find the dimensions on the net anywhere, but the guys that stuff 350s in them usually end up having to pund a sizeable dent in the firewall in order to fit the rear distributor setup that engine has, and keep the radiator up front. I may just end up going to the JY and measuring one there. Thanks again for the info.

Jan 8, 2009 | 12:11 PM

Kemicalburns

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a 350 is much shorter then a 300-6 for sure. now if you went with a remote mounted radiator that would probably work well. or an electric fan with a hi quality aluminum 2 core radiator up front.

Jan 8, 2009 | 06:54 PM

havi

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IIRC, I measured 35 5/8" from block-bell mating surface to outside edge of fan pulley. As was said earlier, lighter weight is better, and the 300 isn't so lightweight.

Jan 9, 2009 | 12:08 AM

maicomega1

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From: Yuma, Az

Yep, settled it today, it's going to be too much work to fit it, unless I scrap everything but the frame and go partial tube chassis. If I were doing that I would just go full tube and use something a little wild like a stroked 351 or something. Alas, the funds don't permit for the time being. I'm thinking 302 now, I know that will fit.

I just want to build something different than the rest of the Toyota masses, and since I'm a Ford guy at heart, that's what I want to put in it. A 302 puts out about 300+ ft/lbs of torque, certainly better than the wimpy 129 or so of the 22R that is in the truck right now. A 289 would be cool too, though it's a Windsor block, so no advantage in block size, plus the 302 is easy to find parts for in BFE. I know lighter is better, but the hp to weight along with the lowest possible placement of heavy parts is just as important.

Given my druthers, I'd build a Ford Ranger buggy like this one: 2007 Xrra Rock Races Ford Ranger Buggy Photo. Nice!

Jan 10, 2009 | 01:26 PM

MotherTruckinMarine

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Weight would be an issue for a rock buggy. Would be better off with your R22, Jeep 4.0, or something like a Chevy 4.3. That 300 is a hefty motor. Now a mid mount would be cool, but now youre talkin all out buggy.