Hi all you Mini Toy fans,

I have a sweet 1978 Toyota Pickup that needs engine work. She is a bone stock
long bed automatic... try to find one of these... I would like more horsepower and more automatic gears... Does anybody out-there know where I should go to add a little more spunk to the old girl? And Hilux trucks never had power steering so a V-8 upgrade is not realistic for a daily driver. I have already put a Vette 350 in an S-10, so "been there, done that"...

Thanks in advance for any "useful" information,

Pete in Aptos, CA

Please keep in-mind that in CA we have to pass smog regs...

 

How much HP would you (realistically) like? Any other goals?

 

my first suggestion would be to get rid of that auto trans.

my 79 had the auto, as well as my friends 78 corona. both 20r vehicles. the trans is a slush box. they drive much nicer with a 4 or 5 speed manual.

if you're set on keeping the auto maybe try a rear end gear ration change. your truck should have a 4.10 rear just like my 79. it was tough to hit 70 lol.

 

My truck hits the freeway a lot so I need a fourth gear... More HP is always good, I haul dirt bikes and make dump runs, so low end is always needed... Where can I find a good motor and a bullet-proof 4-speed auto without adding a lot of weight?

Thanks again for the ultra-quick responses! You guys rock! It's good to see that grass-roots performance hasn't died in America...

Gas on!

 

the A40D and A43D transmissions can be found in toyotas, are 4-speed autos, and can be found with proper bellhousings to bolt up to your 20r. Throw on some bolt-ons to your engine (exhaust, carb, cam) and maybe some head work, and you're in business.

Or, you know, there's always something crazy like this

 

just swap a 2rz/auto from a taco more power no need mod a lot of stuff just pull a running engine/trans with harness trans crossmember driveshaft [try to get one from the same length i.e. shortbed or longbed reg or ex cab] and grab the front part of the exhaust and your in business should swap in with a few mount adjustments someone on here did it but I don't know how to link you to it

 

Welcome Pete,
Thanks for the introduction! Boy! I know all too well about these CA smog regulations.

I agree about dumping the auto for a 5-speed. Perhaps the Toyota truck dismantlers here in SJ can be a source for you.

Maybe I'll contact you the next time I'm at the beach house in Aptos. We can meet at Seascape Resort. I love running on the beach out to Rio Del Mar.

Rick