Thought I would share my current project....

[5.0inaYota]

Well I must say I think it is great this section is here, I never would have thought a computer forum would have an automotive related section, this is great.

I am currently in the process of building a fairly hardcore off road toy. It started its life as an almost bone stock 1991 Toyota Pickup, Automatic, 22re, 3" body lift. I drove it for a while then installed a 4" IFS lift and a set of 33" Mud Kings and did some mild wheeling with it. Then I swapped out the auto for a W56c 5-speed with a Marlin Crawler 1200lb clutch kit. Then I decided it would be a good idea to cut it up and turn it into something a little different, I can't leave anything I own alone, so out came the plasma cutter. I am a big fan of Toyotas and Mustangs, and since my old '89 GT needed a bit of work, I thought why not combine the two. Currently I have the truck torn down and am in the process of fitting the 5.0 between the frame rails.

Build Plan
Engine: Ford 5.0L (warmed over a bit)
Transmission: Ford NP435
Transfercase: Ford NP203/Chevrolet NP205 Doubler
Front Axle: Chevrolet Dana 60
Rear Axle: Chevrolet 14 bolt or Sterling 10.25
The rest of the details I have worked out in my head and I don't feel like typing 10 pages of details so if you want to know just ask me about it. I will post some pics of it in a little bit.

 

[satyajitmenon]

You know the rules. Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[jlee]

build thread ftw! moar pics!

 

[5.0inaYota]

You know the rules. Pics or it didn't happen.

Don't you worry I have some pics for you, just give me a few minutes.

 

[5.0inaYota]

IFS removal:

Chopped off the front clip for easier access, I am going to use some DOM tube to hang the fenders and core support:

 

[5.0inaYota]

I have more just wanted to check if I was adding pics the right way.

 

[exdeath]

Lulz!

 

[5.0inaYota]

Of course I pulled out the interior:

Pulling the drivetrain from the 'Stang was fun, who needs a lift?:

Then it was time for a test fit:

I decided I wanted to push the engine back farther for better weight distribution and more clearance for the radiator and front winch. Time to bust out the plasma again:

Engine almost where it will live (it will be about 3" higher and 2"back from this when done I just didn't want to leave it hanging on the hoist until its mounted):

 

[5.0inaYota]

That's how it sit as of now, I have a little more cutting to do on the floor for bellhousing clearance and I plan to make a removable trans tunnel cover to service stuff. Mounting the pedals back up will be a little challenging but I have it worked out pretty good I think, we will see when the time comes. I got my engine mounts for it I just haven't had any time to go out and work on it lately, at least when the weather is good. I hope to get the engine and trans mocked in place soon.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

Gonna clean up and POR-15 the frame rails/mounts? Also are you planning a roll cage to get back the chassis stiffness you just took out? Love the concept, can't wait to see the finished product.

Thought this might be a 5.o in a Supra from your username and because of my bias
<- Planning an LS3 for my MKIII.

 

[5.0inaYota]

Yeah I will clean everything up after I get the drive train mocked up and pulled back out. A cage will be put in as well, I have some plans to build a real nice tubing bender, and the cab is actually still pretty stout, but yeah I am going to reinforce the firewall and trans tunnel where it was cut out. The body lift is staying too, but the cab will get boatsided and solid mounted to the frame. An LS engine in a MKIII will be BA, especially an LS3.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What was wrong with the mustang? It looks pretty straight and clean from the pics.

 

[5.0inaYota]

It has a little rust issue on the inner fender and front subframe area. The suspension is shot too. I will be cutting out the rust and plating the front unibody structure and torque boxes, re-doing the suspension, and building a beastly big block for it (557ci) or maybe another high winding small block.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I love the foxbody mustangs. I have a 90 that I drive daily. I have a list of stuff that needs to be done but it is a pretty solid ride as is. Speaking of suspension I've replaced the rear control arms which surprisingly really made a big difference. I plan on new shocks/struts, caster camber plates, and an alignment. I thought about changing the springs but they give such a nice ride even though the stance is a little too high stock.

Btw I want that cobra intake. Drool.. Looks like aftermarket shorty headers too? Any other goodies on that motor?

 

[5.0inaYota]

Yup BBK equal length shorties. I am going to try to sneak a set of longtubes in there. Yeah I have all the rear suspension parts already, control arms and poly bushings, and yes changing the rear control arms does make a huge difference. If you do decide to change the springs DO NOT get the Ford Racing C springs, they ride rougher than any others out there, my recommendation would be H&R or Eibach. Foxbody Mustangs rock!

 

[hanoverphist]

friend of mine did this with a 327 back in the late 80s. first run on concrete he thought it was a good idea to put it in low 4 and do donuts. twisted that rear driveshaft like it was a coffee stirrer, hehe. looking forward to seeing how yours turns out!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yup BBK equal length shorties. I am going to try to sneak a set of longtubes in there. Yeah I have all the rear suspension parts already, control arms and poly bushings, and yes changing the rear control arms does make a huge difference. If you do decide to change the springs DO NOT get the Ford Racing C springs, they ride rougher than any others out there, my recommendation would be H&R or Eibach. Foxbody Mustangs rock!

I had Eibachs on my SN95 along with Koni yellows. The Eibach springs gave a decent ride and lowered the car about an inch or so but it was really rough when I clicked those Konis up to their stiffest setting. Nice thing about the Koni shocks is that they had a wide range of damping.

I had Ford Motorsport shorty headers and really liked them, much better than the crap MAC headers that were on the car when I bought it.

 

[manimal]

great build man! cant wait for more porn er picts

 

[5.0inaYota]

Went out and started cleaning up the frame a little bit today, only spent a couple hours at it. I hope to have the front of the frame all cleaned up and painted by the end of the week, shouldn't be a problem. I must say Toyota did a good job welding on all the IFS brackets, they definitely didn't want them to come off!

Going to try to finish the rest of the drivers side tomorrow, I may need to go get some more supplies though. I also have to weld up a spot where I got a little carried away with the plasma cutter. I can't wait until I get the engine and trans mounted so I can start on the removable tunnel, pedal mounting, and boat sides.

 

[5.0inaYota]

Thought I would post a pic of the engine mounts I will be using too. I was going to make my own, but I got lazy and thought these looked real nice.

As for what else will be done to the 5.0: I would really like a to put a set of GT40p heads on it but I don't think that will be in the budget for now. I am debating on whether I should use the Ford harness and computer with a Moates Quarterhorse or just change the whole intake setup and run a complete aftermarket EFI setup. If I choose to run the stock harness and ECU I am going to put on a 75mm throttle body, 24lb injectors and matched mass airflow sensor, and probably a 3/8" intake spacer. Going to get rid of the clutch fan and change up the front accessories a bit too. Also have to change those leaky valve cover gaskets at some point.
Oh yeah, the 5.0 is already running 10:1 compression, E303 cam and FRPP 1.7 rockers, if I remember correctly.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

This is really impressive!! Huge kudos for a project like this, I've been following since your first post and enjoy the updates :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[5.0inaYota]

Yeah it is quite the project and will take me a while to finish, actually it will probably never be finished , but I hope to have it at least moving under its own power by sometime next year. As soon as I get the drivetrain mounted in place it will be time for the SAS with 1 ton axles. Thanks for the interest.

 

[5.0inaYota]

Not much to update today. I felt lousy all day, I was hoping to get more done, but only got the outside of the drivers side rail finished. Also down to my last grinding wheel and only a few 2" sanding disks left, looks like I will be making a run for supplies in the next day or so. Here's a good ole Vermont Redneck picture for you though, had to move that 500lbs of engine somehow. Hope you all get a good laugh, I thought it was pretty funny.