I'm looking for a small pickup to swap a B3.3T into, I prefer the Tacomas and Rangers but I'm open to them all. I've found some early model Tacomas with blown engines that I'm considering putting the 3.3 in with the help of the adapter that Peak Mechanical uses that I think comes from Phoenix Castings.

What platform do you think would be the cheapest/easiest to use for the swap? I'm thinking it will be the Toyota, but I have no idea. What about the 4x4 S-10's or the Nissians?


I know TDIwyse and Mooktank are running AX15's, one in a YJ and one in a explorer, but I would rather have a small pickup, and I would rather not swap out the out the entire drivetrain as that is the reason I'm looking at the 3.3. I have also had a XJ for a while and am ready for a little more refined/more aerodynamic vehicle.

For the guys in the future: small pickup transmission B3.3T BT3.3 3.3BT manual automatic

 

The 3.3 is UP to 85hp and 215ft/lbs of torque. I think it would need some modifications to really be fit for a daily driven truck. Have you possibly thought about a 3.9l 4bt engine or is that out of the question? They were available with 120hp and 300ft/lbs of torque. The AX15 was offered in the 90's Dakota's, at least i believe thats what my 94 4x4 3.9l V6 has behind it.

 

Find an old Ram 50 haha

 

How about a Jeep Comanche? That gets you a straight axle out front and a room engine bay compared to the others.

 

It may be a little big, but I think a 4BTA in a 97-2004 Dakota 4X4 extended cab with a NV4500 would be lovely!

 

1979 to 1985 Toyota with a solid axle would be a good choice...

 

I want to put a 4BT into a 95 or a 96 Dakota will it work? and if I do is there somewhere to get an adapter for the 46E auto transmission that came with the Dakota or would I be better off bolting up to a manual?

 

There is a cummins dakota on here, its a 6bt though.

Heres his myspace page, cool truck.

http://www.myspace.com/6btdakota

 

The 4WD Dakotas have independent front suspension with the front diff mounted on the engine. It's a poor design to start out with unless you want to put a straight axle in and jack the truck up to get the clearance. If you are going that far you could just start out with a 2WD and convert it to 4WD.

The Jeep Comanche pickup would be a real good choice with reasonable interior and engine bay room and a straight axle from the factory.

I have an old Mitsubishi PU (same as a Dodge D50) with 2WD that was a diesel. I'm going to put a 240D engine in it that I already have. The D50 diesels were not that great it seems. They had good power but didn't last too long before serious oil consumption and timing problems. Parts are hard to find. So there are some of them around with perfect bodies just waiting for an engine. Plus they already say "diesel" on the side .

Don't plan on putting a 6BT in a Dakota unless you are willing to do some very serious body work and redesign the firewall. It can be done but it won't just go in. You could turn the body around backward and set it in the bed though. Then use the old engine bay as a trunk. Don't forget to jack it up about a foot to clear the straight axle. Might be impractical.

 

6bt in a dakota, no firewall cutting, no serious body work (I cant see any at all actually)


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not to impractical.

 

ya but I bet he had to lift the truck so the engine would not hit the front axle..stock there is no way the engine would fit and not hit the axle.

 

that 6BT dakota gained some inches by not using a mechanical or an electric fan setup to pull air through the radiator ...

 

I actually brainstormed the jeep idea last night when I read about one in an Off Road, sounds like a cool Idea to me I always like the jeep J10s.

 

It seems to fit better in that Dakota than I thought it would. Cool truck.

 

Does any one know of a 4bt into a dodge D 150 4wd. I have found a 1986 D-150 4wd that has a 360cu. and auto. The guy was having trouble with engine wiring harness and yanked it out. He now has to get rid of it fast because he is losing his rental house. The truck is very straight. I can probably buy it for less than $250.00. It"s going to be a project truck for me and my 14 yr. old son. He's very excited and is already looking for parts. I have to get my crewcab done first and then on to this.