Stoffregen Motorsports
Explorer
One of the great questions in life - is more always better? More spaghetti? Maybe not. More money? Most of the time, yes. More puppy dogs and sun-shiny days? Always. More horsepower? Hmmmmm, good question.
In the case of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, which is built Ford tough, ready to take anything you can throw at it with grace and style, more HP is not a bad idea. Let's do the numbers. A stock FJ60 weighs about 2.5 tons, with an engine that puts out about 130hp, and gets only about 11 miles per gallon. Sure it will run forever, but the lack of power closes a lot of doors while it's small fuel tank and poor mileage keep it on a short leash.
Solution: a modern V8.
We've been over the pros and cons enough times already, but for those skeptics out there, let me explain that a modern GM V8 has anywhere from 285 to 420 HP and is capable of 20+ MPG. More than enough to propel this package with ease.
When I first spoke to this FJ60's owner, we were discussing diesel options and nothing seemed to make sense. There were about three options. In classic little red riding hood style, one was too big, one was too soft and one was just right, but elusive and expensive. That's about the time I started lobbying for a V8. At first he was not sold. With visions of chrome zoomies poking through the fenders and enough noise to get him kicked out of his HOA, I had a bit of a challenge to bring him around to the idea. Eventually he was sold and the search for the perfect V8 began.
Initially, we chose a truck based 5.3L Vortec LS which fits just right and is available new or used from just about anyone and for a relatively low price. But when we started discussing the emissions compliance, the choice was made and a new engine was ordered up. GM Performance Parts offers many new crate engines, any of which can be made emissions legal, but they also sell one called the E-ROD. It is a 6.2L LS3 which makes 420hp and is 50 state legal. The kit includes everything to make it pass both visual and tailpipe emissions and it even comes with a smog certificate. So why not just use a donor engine from a truck? Well GM has done their homework and taken measures to ensure that the E-Rod is actually more viable and easier to swap in than a comparable donor engine. One area this makes a difference is the fuel tank, which if we decided to use a donor engine, we would also have been forced to use the donor fuel tank. This is major, as there is no easy way to fit a Chevy truck fuel tank under an FJ60. God bless GM for their forethought.
One last thing before we get started. SRMINT...? It's the color. A friend of mine has a 1987 Toyota Turbo pickup that is painted a color very close to this one, and he calls his JRMINT. Since the LC is the mini truck's older brother and spiritual mentor, Senior Mint just made sense.
Enough talk, let's get rolling.
Here's how he was brought in (yes, this truck is definitely a man).
In the case of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, which is built Ford tough, ready to take anything you can throw at it with grace and style, more HP is not a bad idea. Let's do the numbers. A stock FJ60 weighs about 2.5 tons, with an engine that puts out about 130hp, and gets only about 11 miles per gallon. Sure it will run forever, but the lack of power closes a lot of doors while it's small fuel tank and poor mileage keep it on a short leash.
Solution: a modern V8.
We've been over the pros and cons enough times already, but for those skeptics out there, let me explain that a modern GM V8 has anywhere from 285 to 420 HP and is capable of 20+ MPG. More than enough to propel this package with ease.
When I first spoke to this FJ60's owner, we were discussing diesel options and nothing seemed to make sense. There were about three options. In classic little red riding hood style, one was too big, one was too soft and one was just right, but elusive and expensive. That's about the time I started lobbying for a V8. At first he was not sold. With visions of chrome zoomies poking through the fenders and enough noise to get him kicked out of his HOA, I had a bit of a challenge to bring him around to the idea. Eventually he was sold and the search for the perfect V8 began.
Initially, we chose a truck based 5.3L Vortec LS which fits just right and is available new or used from just about anyone and for a relatively low price. But when we started discussing the emissions compliance, the choice was made and a new engine was ordered up. GM Performance Parts offers many new crate engines, any of which can be made emissions legal, but they also sell one called the E-ROD. It is a 6.2L LS3 which makes 420hp and is 50 state legal. The kit includes everything to make it pass both visual and tailpipe emissions and it even comes with a smog certificate. So why not just use a donor engine from a truck? Well GM has done their homework and taken measures to ensure that the E-Rod is actually more viable and easier to swap in than a comparable donor engine. One area this makes a difference is the fuel tank, which if we decided to use a donor engine, we would also have been forced to use the donor fuel tank. This is major, as there is no easy way to fit a Chevy truck fuel tank under an FJ60. God bless GM for their forethought.
One last thing before we get started. SRMINT...? It's the color. A friend of mine has a 1987 Toyota Turbo pickup that is painted a color very close to this one, and he calls his JRMINT. Since the LC is the mini truck's older brother and spiritual mentor, Senior Mint just made sense.
Enough talk, let's get rolling.
Here's how he was brought in (yes, this truck is definitely a man).
