Nitsuje's 83 FJ60

So here is my plan:
6.2 Chevy Diesel with a Banks Turbo
700r4 Transmission
Dual transfer case
4.88 with Aussie Lockers
SOA lift with shackle revers. kit
Gut the interior of all carpet and fuzz and make steel panels
37x1250 17 Goodyear MTRs
Sahara Tan Paint

So a couple questions I have: Will 37's be too big to be streat-able?

 

[zukijames]

as long as your frame isn't too high , the full width of the tire is covered and 50% of the height you can run what ever size tire you want..

but im not sure if you will need hydraulic assist steering or anything like that i say go for it!

 

[solidfrontaxle]

I've got 36s on my FJ55 and it is plenty streetable. With the wider 60 axle, you'll be fine. Sounds like a killer plan!

 

[Karnage Fab]

i dont see the stock front axle bein too happy with all the diesel weight on it.

 

[bryson]

37's would be nice, and can certainly be streetable. But, in my opinion, unless you cut a fair anount of sheet metal to make them fit the rig will end up being pretty tall. I'd love to see you clearance the body to make the tires fit with minimal lift. That way it is easier to keep legal, will handle much better on and off road, and will look rad!

As for weight, I don't know what a cruiser I6 weighs (I do know they are damn heavy,) but I'd be surprised if the 6.2 diesel weighs much if any more...

 

[Karnage Fab]

the 6.2 motor without accesories weighs 150lbs more than the 3f

 

[Nitsuje77]

Change of Plans

rolling on 37's is just going to be to big. I dont think the stock axles can handle it for a long period of time.. I have decide to go down to 33's for now.. The biggest problem I am having is finding and adapter between the 700r4 and the 19 spline t-case.. Many companies say they make adapters but in fact they are not in stock and really have no idea when they are going to be.. I think times are getting tough for many off-road companies.. I have decided to just go all Chevy on the drivetrain.. I am going to build a hybrid axle for the rear using my 9 inch housing and 8 inch axles and tubes.. I need to find a 56 inch wide axle out of a 87 or newer toyota. I don't need the third member, just the housing and axles.. I am going to use the Ballistic fab bracket and convert it to disc with the caliper sitting on to top..

Thanks for all your info, Justin

 

[Greg]

I think that's a good call on 33's instead of 37's.

For the drivetrain, you could bolt the 700R4 to a GM NP241... it should bolt up, no adapters, less money! The NP241 has a slip yoke, but it had a good low range ratio and is simple.

FJ60 axles are 60" wide... if you want to make the rear end swap simple, you could swap in a Tacoma rear axle. They're 60" wide also, with a centered diff, 6 lug bolt pattern just like the FJ60 axle and usually have 4.10 gears. If you do some looking, you could find a Tacoma TRD axle with the e-locker in it! It uses the common 8" ring gear ring & pinion. A selectable locker would be nice on the street. If you can't find a TRD Tacoma axle, the non-TRD axle is commonly called an '8.4' and I think it's a good diff. Problem is, I don't think there's an Aussie locker available for it, but there is a Lock Rite. Seems like lunchbox lockers are $$ for the 8.4's.

I'll be running an 8.4 in my buggy, with a welded diff... :busted:

 

[Venture13]

Good luck, like to see your timeline and completion date, that is a whole lot of work.. Just put a BJ or Hilux diesel engine with a stock trans. 4BT, NV4500

 

[Nitsuje77]

Status

The fj60 is gutted an pressure washed. Boys at the shop flipped the motor and cherry picker over like some old school catapult. Those 6 cyl are heavy and awkward. Picking up transfer case in morning. going with Greg's recommendation . Has anyone used a slip on sye that you drill and tap the output shaft?
As for time line. I am hoping to be on the road by June. I have a lot of downtime at work while waiting for parts.
Just FYI. I just finished putting in a URD supercharger on a new FJ . Sick power out of that thing. Not as straight forward as they say but it turned out nice.

 

[Greg]

Glad nobody tried to catch the old engine as it went over! Hahaa!

I haven't ever looked into a Hack & Tap SYE for a 241, I'm sure it would do the job just fine. If you've got the money... http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/NP241SYEkits.htm

 

[Rot Box]

Can't wait to see your progress. I like the 6.2/6.5 engines they're great for projects like this

 

[Nitsuje77]

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/hybrid.php This is what I want to do with my rear axle. I like the idea of doing the e-locker swap but they dont make 4.10 gears for FJ60 axles. I think they came stock in a FJ62. Mine are 3.90. I would have to go to 4.56s all the way around to match.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

FJ62's came stock with 4.11, FJ60's came stock with 3.70. No such thing as a 9.5" 3.90. Existing ratios are 3.70, 4.11, 4.56, 4.88 and 5.29. Gears are interchangeable for all 40/55/60/62 and 80 Series rears and in most cases the actual complete 3rd member is 100% interchange from one axle housing to the next. I have a centered rear FJ60 housing (no diff & damaged shafts) if your interested.

 

[Nitsuje77]

Thanks for the info, looks like I was reading some very confused Aussie's post on gearing. I haven't actually pulled the third members out yet.

Got the Cruise home today, hope to be tearing the rear axle out this weekend. Depends on weather. I cut the exhaust off and ended up with and extra magnaflow muffler. Looks like a 2 1/4 in and out. If anyone wants it they can have it. Its at my work. I will post picks this weekend.

I also talked to the County health department on the swap. They said it was fine as long as I can show that it is an improvement on what was in the vehicle to begin with.

 

[Nitsuje77]

updated pics

Here are some pics of the FJ60 in its current state. Also some pics of the FJ Cruiser I supercharged. I build the bumper brackets to push the bumper out 2.5 inches so it didnt hit the intercooler. I also scored some 33's. Traded the 31's it had on it. Transfer case I picked up for 100 bucks. 700 dollars in to the project so for. Going to do the spring over next while I look for my 700r4. If anybody has a good core I would love to pick it up.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Doing a cut/turn on the front axle?

 

[Rot Box]

Lookin good

I talked to my buddy about the ATS kit and he hasn't seen it since October.... I guess the rebuilder forgot he had it and is now trying to find it lol. If he gets it back in this lifetime I'll let you know.

 

[Nitsuje77]

Doing a cut/turn on the front axle?

Yeah, that may be a few months out. I want my drivetrain mocked up to get my pinion angle right. I dont know how for my tcase is going to sit back.

 

[jeepers]

i would do a nice v8 swap in that. Those older chevy diesel motors have no power and heavy for what they are thats why they called them boat motors back in the day, but if it works for you i think thats great. Good luck with build