Fitting a 3B and H55 Box to a Hilux

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

I am keen to swap out the 18R from my 81 Hilux. I have always loved the 3B diesel and the H55 box with split trannie. Anyway I am thinking that it would be a good option to go with as it keep me at 4 cylinders which is cheap rego. I see BJ has one for sale so I know where to get one.

I am just woundering if anyone has ever done it or can see any major problems with it ? Any ideas how it would go for size / alignment ?

Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Location: Shed.

this mod has 'nightmare' written all over it. just say no - if you really want a 3B powered beast, get a BJ40 or 70. the 3B and H55F are enormously heavy and bulky compared to your existing engine/trans - although it *might* fit, I reckon you'll have clearance problems all over the place. consider instead a 2L, 2L-T or 3L (2.4, 2.4 turbo, 2.8 litre) diesel, and the accompanying G52 or R151F gearbox, much closer to bolt in, and you can get those gearboxes with hilux transfer. the Cruiser split transfer has offset front and rear outputs, so you would have to modify/move your fuel tank, run a CV tailshaft, all sorts of nightmares. of course if you are a gun welder and have full workshop facilities available, you could get a set of cruiser axles, build up a fuel tank, etc etc, and be on your merry way.

by far the easiest upgrade you could do would be a bigger, newer R series engine, a 22R from a later hilux/4runner, or a 22RE froma celica would be the pick. complete bolt in. if that's outside your budget, the 21R-C (only 2 litre but a considerable power increase over 18R) will also bolt in. from celica and corona.

cheers

Brian

Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Location: Greenbank

Do it! It will fit with very minimal probs and has been done before. Move the fuel tank to the passenger side you only need to cut the rear mount off the frame and move it across and then extend the filler. As for diffs i would swap in a couple of 60 series diffs or just run the tailshaft at an angle you wont need a CV joint it will run fine as long as you set up the angles right.
Heaps more grunt than a L or R series engine the only drama is the weight factor but that is only a matter of choosing the right front springs to suit.

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

mmmm any one know if they make an adapter for 3B to Hilux 5 speed ? If the engine will physically fit in the hole I am happy to make it work. The drive line maybe a hassle so 60 series diffs maybe the go. I forgot about the different offset pumkins on the cruisers. Embarassed

I have no probs with making tanks, mounts or chassis if it comes to that. I have stuffed a few foreign engines in where they aren't suppose to go. Just finished a V6 into a Baja Bug.

Anyone know how much a 3B weighs ?

I am looking into a few engine swaps the 3B was just a great 4 cyl donk and I still have a few parts to fit.

If I came across a 2L-T or 2.8 3L at the right price with trannie then that would become an option.

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

Tony and I must have been typing at pretty much the same time Very Happy

Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Location: Greenbank

An adapter from the 3B to a G52 is no longer available but it would be easy to make one.
The 2LT and the 2.8 has nothing on the 3BT.

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

Yeah I will have to take some measurments after I get my hand fixed.
I don't see any real problems. I was most worried about the fire wall and tunnel in the cab. The H55 looks like a higher box thanthe current 4 speed.

I think my preffered option will be 60 series diffs and run the entire drive line as cruiser. I am much keener on the 3B thanany of the L series. Even though I reckon it will have almost 50-100kg weight difference.

If I go 60 series then I can get bigger brakes, and other components. Suppose I had better sort this out before I decide on the p/s setup I am going to build.

Man here we go again, just wanted a little more power and before I know it I am swapping diffs, replacing brakes, building tanks, moving chassis shit... I may as well go coils or air bags while I got it all apart....

Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Location: gold coast, australia

RUFF wrote:

the weight factor but that is only a matter of choosing the right front springs to suit.

44044 will hold that weight easy.

NICK

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

what is 44044 ??? a 44 Gal drum welded under each end ?? thats gunna be a bit stiff on the bumps Laughing

Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Location: London

Brad wrote:

what is 44044 ??? a 44 Gal drum welded under each end ?? thats gunna be a bit stiff on the bumps Laughing

These are the model number for Rancho v8 Wrangler springs. I have these in my 4runner with a holden 5.0 lt efi motor. The work and flex very well.

Chris.

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

oh cool how much lift ?? Embarassed

Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Location: Your Mummas House!

hey brad, the motor is not much heavier than a hilux diesel, id swap in some lifted diesel springs

just remembered gearbox is much heavier than hilux box, put cruiser springs in the front Wink

Joined: 21 Oct 2002 Location: London

Brad wrote:

oh cool how much lift ?? Embarassed

About 4"-5" of lift

Chris.

Joined: 16 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD.

It all sounds very doable, a little bracket here, a little bending there....
My main concern was the fire wall but from what people are telling me it will fit just fine