Suggestions Please on next vehicle...

[Ramdough]

I am thinking (dreaming) about my next expedition/fun vehicle.

This would not be a daily driver and would be purpose built for long trips. I am wanting a capable, reliable vehicle that I will heavily modify. I want it easy to work on, did I say reliable, bulletproof, capable off-road...etc

Right now I am thinking of an FJ80, FZJ80, FJ60, or an FJ62 as the base vehicle.

I will do a diesel swap and the current engine I am looking at is a 4BTA with a 4L80E transmission. The engine will be mechanical (no ECU). The Transmission my be converted to purely mechanical, but I have not decided. The transfer case will be a split transfer case no matter which vehicle.

FYI:
I also looked at the Mercedes Benz engine, but it is a little underpowered for what I am wanting. I also looked at the half cut option, but that seams a little expensive for a used drive train that will be hard to source parts for (especially in the middle of Baja if I am broken down - according to a friend of mine).

So the question is, which platform to start with?

 

[4Rescue]

For that type of swap/project, I'd go with a FJ60 and then build it to suit. Overall, I like the body style the most (that's subjective and beside the point I realize) and teh LACK of interior junk to me, is a real benefit for a project like this. For one you can add whatever you want and not have to feel bad about "deleting" those parts you don't want. PLus it SEEMS like the 60 is larger inside to me. That could just be an optical illusion, but with all the cushyness and the interior trim, the 80's feel more cramped (although nothing like my old XJ'd felt like)

Another plus with the 60/62 is the simplicity of lifting the truck to clear the motor. having to do a long-arm type lift with the 80's coils is alot more difficult than getting lift springs for both ends of the 60. There is a guy here who has a 4bt converted 80 I belive that he custom built a pan for to allow the least ammount of lift possible. That's the route I'd go because the 4BT is quite all and I hate tall rigs, they ride and wheel like garbage.

Either way you go will be awesome, the 80 with a Diesel powerplant will be an awesome and utterly capable truck with alot of comfort built in. The 60/62 (I don't like the headlights on the 62 so I prefer the 60) will be supremely capable as well and it's simplicity seems to fit with the simplicity inherent with Diesel motors.

Let us know what you decide to do...

Cheers

Dave

 

[Hltoppr]

FJ60....especially with the 4BT.

-H-

 

[cpg]

I would go with the FZJ 80 maybe even look at a 100 series mainly because you say long trips and Baja.
Mainly because of the comfort for long trips on pavement and many miles of dirt roads. The 60 would be the easiest motor to work on but would not be nearly as nice to drive all of those miles.

They are all bullet proof if you go thru the vehicle and do all the maintenance before your trip.

 

[cruiser guy]

I would stay away from any auto tranny. When they fail you are dead. When a manual tranny fails you've got a chance of getting back.

How far afield are you planning on going? Mexico is not a big diesel market and further south in Central America the US manufacturers are not too popular.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Land Rover discovery since you are doing an engine swap. You can find one for under 5k in pretty decent shape. Whereas a Land Cruiser will cost twice that easily.

 

[gjackson]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23128


:drool:

cheers

 

[cumminscruiser]

FJ60....especially with the 6BT

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

They are all great. 60's do ride a little rougher because of the leaf springs. I love them too though, they're the cruiser that got me into cruiser. The problem is they need to be SOA to fit the 4BT and that makes them large. I've seen a couple small SOAs and 33's but they have to be built that way any it takes a little work. In a perfect world I would probably do a 60 with 80 axles and all stock 80 series suspension (or close to it)., or maybe retail the leafs in the rear at most. I always thought a regular FJ80 with cloth would be a cool one too. I agree about the auto also but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Also, make sure you know and check out some of the videos on the 4BT. It is a lot like the Dodge 6 cyls and takes some work to get them to work well. Weather stripping and sound proofing and using decent motor mounts (like the original liquid filled 4BT mounts they come with).

 

[Pskhaat]

I know someone with a 1984/5 US State-titled BJ60 in Durango, CO for sale. 3B engine with 5spd, kept relatively stock, &c.

No better deal for a diesel, all Toyota. PM me if interested.

 

[Ramdough]

Hi All,

Thank you everyone for the responses. To comment on a few posts:

I do plan on modifying the oil pan so that I can run a 3 inch lift. I have seen others have done it on forums. I am thinking that 35's should fit nicely and help with the highway speeds (at lower RPM's).

From my understanding, the axles, suspension, etc of the 80 are superior. The main downside of the 80 is the complexity of the electrical system, the more modern (plastic) filling of the interior, and I imagine it weighs more.

The reason I am thinking of using a 4BT is that it is dirt simple, all mechanical, I can get a completely rebuilt engine (better specs than new) for not terribly much, and parts and knowledge are readily available here. I don't imagine I will have too many issues with it even when down south.

The reason I was looking at using a 4L80E is that it is a common transmission (that can be found in Mexico), it is designed for heavier duty engines than the 4BT, and I am used to off-roading an automatic. I thought of using an NV4500 at one time, but I envisioned sliding on ice or stalling on hill climbs. Plus I was at the time looking at the FZJ80, wich has no clutch pedal.

What do you think?

More comments are always welcome.

BTW, this is an awesome rig on an 80 frame and suspension.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/245430-travelling-cruisers.html

 

[4Rescue]

Honestly throw a Turbo on that 3B powered BJ60 someone said was available, it's already got a 5spd so no need to go through the hassle of the swap. It's all most all Toyota Parts, except for the turbo but these motors are really popular to put turbo's on so there are lots of good kits, you can just add an OME suspension and save ALOT of time money and hassle. And then that money and time could be spent on sound deadening the cabin and adding some rexpo kit and really nice seats etc. That's my .02 hell I'm looking into a BJ60 right now as well as a super rare HJ61 High Roof RHD with a factory PTO because from the factory Toyota's are about as indestructible as superman.

Cheers

Dave

 

[lowenbrau]

Since reliability is a priority over comfort and you are talking about a mostly arid environment I recommend the FJ60. The FJ60 only ever got two recalls. One for the fuel tank and one to install a food blocker in the rear seatbelts. My HDJ81 has loads of annoying electrical related problems that are simply creature comforts. A reliable rig doesn't need electric fold in mirrors, an icemaker in the center console or power windows and doorlocks. A cushy mall cruiser that gets regular dealer service does.

I chose the 80 over the 60 this time because it was way cheaper, more rust resistant and has a better towing ability. Now if I could get a base model 80 rather than the VX limited, I might change my tune for ultra reliability.

 

[kcowyo]

The FJ60 only ever got two recalls. One for the fuel tank and one to install a food blocker in the rear seatbelts.

Food blocker? Like one of those rubber doughnuts they stick in the stomachs of obese people to shrink their intake?


A food blocker would be handy. My kids spill all kinds of french fries, crackers, fruit snacks and candy in the back seat.

Is this something only available for CA model Cruisers?

.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

3B is a great idea. If you pull the head and polish the precups (as in port and polish) they all of a sudden breathe really well and you can crank the bejesus out of them for excellent power. Lowenbrau can testify, there was even once a BJ60 on unimog portals and 53" military tires.. Powered by a wimpy little 3B...