The 3VZE-V6 in my 1988 4Runner is actually a good running motor.  I've had very few problems with it since I've owned it. Really, the only problem I have had is clogged fuel injectors. 

But, I wanted MORE power, at a lower RPM (I had to rev the 3VZE to 3200 for it to produce any power).   My brother had a '76 Blazer with a 350 that sounded killer and had good power.  I've looked into swapping the 350 into my 4Runner, and I told myself whenever that old Blazer is ready to go to the junkyard, I'll get the motor and put it in my 4Runner.  Well, the transmission was shot on the Blazer and the body was badly rusted.  It was the end of the line for the old Blazer.  So, I bought it from my brother, kept the motor, and parted the rest.

I looked into pros and cons for using the stock Chevy automatic transmission, the TH350, coupled with the stock NP203 transfer case, and the stock Toyota manual transmission, R150F and stock transfer case. 

Eaton E-locker install into Dana 44

So, you want a selectable locker without the hassle of a compressor and leaky air lines, or a cable that won't fully engage your locker??  Well… an Eaton E-locker is for you.

The Eaton E-locker is a 12 volt electromagnetically operated selectable locker that is fairly easy to install, and works great!!  The install is straight forward and with a few tips, a home mechanic with a the right tools can install one of these with little trouble. Though the instruction manual is well written, it is not specific to the model of locker that I installed.  Apparently, there are two styles of E-lockers, and while similar, the installs differ somewhat.  Eaton does take the time, and space to point this out, but as I said before… my instructions were somewhat hazy in a few areas.   Hopefully, I can clear these gray areas up for anyone installing an E-locker into a D44 in the future.

for the original article visit: Rugged Rocks Off Road Blogs

I've been working with Advance Adapters on a project for quite some time now and we're getting ready to wrap things up. After many test fits with an empty mock up Atlas transfer case, it was time to order in the real deal. When it came in, I discovered a minor mix-up, the input needed on this transfer case is a 31 spline but instead it was shipped with the common 23 spline input which is used on the vast majority of Advanced Adapters' transfer case adapters.

HUMMER’s Recreation Rescue

HUMMER and Tread Lightly! have announced the launch of a new partnership called HUMMER’s Recreation Rescue, which will provide grants to outdoor recreation sites. The grants will be dedicated towards land use education, management and trail maintenance. At least $25,000 in grants will be given away in 2008.