That sounds like a somewhat ambitious project. You are going to need to
structurally weld and cut metal and make many measurements (and use some
basic trig at the least). But it *probably* won't overload the stock
diff and axles. I would consider trading you my 1500 4 speed trans and
engine for the truck (after I get the rabbit truck back on the road) if
it looks like I can make it fit in my spit and I can get FI and EI for
that toyota block from the boneyard, if it isn't already equipped AND if
it would be easier for you to put in a 1500 engine and trans. Which
begs the question, how hard is it to put a 1500 engine and trans in a 53
tr3? Which begs the question, is there a parts interchangeability
source somewhere (preferrably on the web :).
And I have to ask why do people who talk about swapping in non-triumph
items into their triumphs frequently feel the need to take it off the
list ASAP? This has GOT to be more relevant than electric water pumps,
theoretical pump cavitations, cookie recepies, drive shaft driven
alternators, european languages and generalizations about "todays youth"
and the readers of this list... and I for one AM interested in the
subject and am not ashamed of it. I have my reasons for wanting to
drive something with a more modern engine and trans (not necessarily
more powerful either), yet still like the styling and handling of my
wifes spit (and she wants to drive it 100 miles a day at 80+ MPH).
Can't we all just get along?
P.S. Jeff, you anywhere near Chicago? What year/model is the truck?
Jeff Foster wrote:
>
> The '58 TR3 I have has been off the road for over 25 years and the motor
> was incomplete when I bought it. My brother has offered me his old Toyota
> pickup as a free 4-cyl/5-spd donor if it will work (the truck runs great
> but looks really bad and he's going to chop it in half to build a small
> utility trailer).
>
> Not having tried anything like this before I'm hoping that somebody out
> there who has could give some advice/pointers on how to go about it. My
> intent is to get the TR back on the road quickly and later rebuild the
> original 4-cyl/4-spd to put back into the car as original.
>
> If you can help get me going please e-mail me off the list (I doubt most on
> the list will care to hear about it).
>
> Thanks!
> -Jeff
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