BreckBJ44 said:
For the costs people are throwing around, I'd be looking into a half cut Diesel from Japan.
IIRC they put a super awesome diesel HD-FTE engine and stock five speed plus transfer into the 80 chassis. For the cost of harnesses, accesories etc, you could proabaly source a half cut HZJ81 that woudl have all of the electronics and accessories you would need. Also, everything is sure to fit!
You get a few other cool benefits like a 24v starting system and native 12v everything else.
With fuel costs where they are it makes sense.
Maybe I didn't read deeply enough (I have to admit I did just scan) but if you're not against diesel then it's a no brainer as a SBC that will last 100K miles vs a Toyota that will triple that at least and cost less in fuel in the meantime...
I don't want to get into a huge debate here but having done LOTS of diesel conversions and LOTS of V8 conversions, the best choice is the V8. That is just my personal opinion. I personally am a huge diesel fan, especially the Toyota diesels. I have had lots of them and still own 4 Toyota diesels but the 5.3L Vortec V8 is the most economical conversion out there.
You will get more than 100k miles out of them (not sure where you came up with this #) and spend about 2/3 the cost of the diesel swap. Mileage will be about 20mpg compared to 22mpg for a Toyota diesel. With diesel fuel being about 20% more expensive than unleaded (where I am), it is more economical to drive the gasser. Of course this is not taking biofuels into consideration.
And then.... there is the parts issue. You are not going to find Toyota diesel parts very easily. Not as easily as you would a SBC.
Even though the SBC is a better choice, I'd still take a Toyota diesel anyday.
) and parts avalibility, 