Fitting a 3B and H55 Box to a Hilux

Post by **Brad** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 7:02 pm

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 ?

Post by **dumbdunce** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 11:49 pm

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

Post by **RUFF** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:21 am

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.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:26 am

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. :oops:

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.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:28 am

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

Post by **RUFF** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:33 am

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.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:42 am

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....

Post by **NICK** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 9:43 am

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

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 10:46 am

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

Post by **cbr** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 1:01 pm

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

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.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:07 pm

oh cool how much lift ?? :oops:

Post by **bj on roids** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:02 am

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

Post by **cbr** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 3:13 pm

Brad wrote:oh cool how much lift ??

About 4"-5" of lift

Chris.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 8:26 pm

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

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Fitting a 3B and H55 Box to a Hilux

Fitting a 3B and H55 Box to a Hilux

Thanks for the input....

hehe

mmm

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Re: ??

Ohh

Re: Ohh

mmm

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