Vvti to non swap, body swap?

I can’t find my perfect truck anywhere in good condition or at an affordable price. So I’m thinking about making it myself. Clean white 2004 AC 4.7 4x4 with 300k miles. Wrecked body clean chassis 2005 AC 4x4 4.7 with 155k miles.

Looking to just swap the 04 body to the 05 chassis. Probably add a 1” body lift while I’m at it.

Or, swap the 05 engine/trans/ecu to the 2004.

I have read about some frame swaps and their issues, pretty important to get the same cab and matching 4x4 or Rwd. But I haven’t found an example yet of anyone doing this and what I can expect. How about anyone swapping a 05-06 engine, trans, and ECU into an 04 and earlier?

A little about me. I am slight to medium mechanically inclined. Can replace and work on everything outside of engine internals and wiring. Not good at fabrication. Much more research oriented than experienced but I do have a retired master mechanic with a lift who can help and advise me. I am not electrically inclined at all and would hire someone to do all wiring that isn’t plug and play. Is it worth all the effort? Pipe dream?
I just want a sub 180k white AC 4x4 with vvti that is actually in good shape and not $20k

 

Of course I find this after posting. https://www.tundras.com/threads/have-any-of-you-guys-swapped-an-engine-from-a-2004-4-7l-to-a-2005-4-7l-v8.123814/

Sounds like too much work for my skills, and a waste of time/money even if I was mechanically inclined enough. Going to keep looking for my unicorn. But has anyone managed to complete the Vvti swap successfully? I’m just curious now.

 

I wouldn’t swap or replace anything if it’s still working, I could drive that 04 another 200k miles. The only issue for me is I like the extra power of VVTI/5-speed and power mods for our engines are pretty costly per Hp or sacrifice reliability/mpg. I got a great deal on my current 2wd 05 AC (150k miles rust free for $4000, needed timing belt and had a dent in the bed.) I did all maintenance and upgrades to be able to keep it in top shape around $5000 worth. At the time there was a company offering 4x4 conversions for $3k but they stopped due to parts issues not lack of demand. But I just need 4x4 so I’m going to sell it, and what I put into the truck doesn’t raise the price I can sell it for. I’m just worried about getting another truck that leaves me still wishing I had something slightly different. I plan to keep the next one forever and just replace and upgrade as I go.

 

Again, I fail to see the problem. I understand the want for a 5 sp with VVT, but many guys here are happy running non-VVT 300k trucks and plan to keep, replace and upgrade as they go. If the price is right, you'll still be with a good running reliable truck.

 

Yeah, I guess you wouldn't see the problem as you have a 3.4L that you're happy with, and the 3 other first gen engine options have more power. I drove my buddies 2003 3.4 with a manual 5-sp across Montana and back, 4low and being able to select gears was amazing. That truck has 430,000 miles and still rising. I've also been down the V8 manual conversion rabbit hole and had to come back to my senses, they did us a disservice by not having that as a stock option. The difference between 190hp/220tq to my 271hp/313(more accurate 2006 rating) is huge, and while I love the 3.4 tundra, its not what I want. losing 26hp, or a 10.6% decrease with non-vvti v8 isn't what I want either.

I could be tempted by a 4.0 manual AC 4x4 though, but talk about Unicorns

 

The vvti get you a little bit more top end & a 2nd 1st gear. A little difference, but not a game changer. '99-'03 is the unicorn (as long as you dont try to tow in OD). A jap 2uz, not one cobbled together in alabama.

 

I was searching for a while for my truck and ended up bailing on the idea of the vvti. I wanted it, but found everything else I wanted in an 04. If you want more horsepower, this probably ain't the truck in general. Get you a 5.7 and supercharge it. I had a 2010 and that 5.7, even stock, was a monster compared to anything else I had ever driven.

 

There's definitely something to be said about this

I love everything about first Gen A/C's, its the sweet spot of weight, leg room, full size bed, turn radius, mpg, bulletproof reliability, and affordability. I don't want to start sacrificing all that to make it a hot rod, but if I can have more HP without sacrifices and slightly improved MPG, then that's the way to go. I still get 17-18mpg per tank mostly highway after 20 years and 180k+ miles.