A guy over on the TrailGear forum is in the process of swapping the 3.5 liter GM I-5 Atlas motor that is used in the H3 Hummers and the Colorado pickups from 2003 and forward. It's all an aluminum DOHC inline 5 cylinder with great dimensions for the Toyota mini-truck engine bay. He's using a GM automatic with Advance Adapters parts to mate it to the Toyota transfer case. This motor puts out 240 hp & 240 tq in the 2005 and later version and 220 in the 2003 -'04. GM uses a 5spd Aisin transmission behind this motor that is the same transmission that Toyota is using in the latest Tacoma. There is speculation that a GM Atlas bellhousing might bolt up to the venerable Toyota R150F transmission making this a factory parts swap (no expensive adapters needed).

It's been said before that most Toyota mini truck V8 conversions end up in disappointment for those who find that replacing shredded transmissions and axles is not a great way to spend their time and money. At least the Jeep guys have this figured out. It seems that they go for the 3/4 - 1 ton transmissions (NV4500, ect) and axles (Dana 60/GM 14 bolt) pretty quickly.

I used to dream about building a T100 with a Chevy LS1 and an SAS with big American axles, but now with $4.00 gas I'm confining my big motor aspirations to a 3/4 or 1 ton towing rig. I'm thinking more about small diesels for my 4x4 trail rig. -- Matt