Crazy FJ-62 idea?

[Schattenjager]

Let it be known to all how much I love my pup Max. I even bought him an '05 Tacoma (see signature) so he could travel in supreme comfort.

Well, as time marches on poor Max is getting a little long in tooth and is wanting to ride up front with me instead of his mobile pup palace in the back. Problem is there is not much room in the Tacoma for him to be comfortable for more than 20 minutes.

So, I am thinking seriously about a nicely appointed FJ-62. Problem with them is the drive train of course. They are hard on gas, low on power, and not easy to work on. The benefits are Max could be inside with me, it is a far more capable rig than my Tacoma, and I like them a lot.

So, I have done some research and am considering taking the drive train out of my Tacoma and putting it in the 62. Best of all worlds then! From what little I have gathered, the Tacoma has a single computer that controls everything. If you want options like ABS / Traction control etc. it is a matter of programming rather than new / modified modules. IF this is true, then it is a matter of unplugging the wire harness with the engine, then drilling one hole for the harness to reach the computer inside the 62.

Contentions: the Tacoma is here and I am free to do with it what I will. Selling / trading it is NOT an option. Using it's running gear is. I do not really want to go with any other drive train like Chevy /diesel swaps. If his is too far fetched (read EXPENSIVE), then I might do a modern diesel.

The premise is that I like the 62 for what it is but love my Tacoma's reliability, power, and efficiency.

What say you folks?

 

[ntsqd]

How do the GVW's compare?

I'm going with a GM swap in my 60. More power, more torque, easy potential for better mileage than OE. I am optimising all related mods towards mileage rather than off road capability. Not much to gain in going the other way and a whole lot of mileage potential to loose. Actually, going with the NP241 transfer case gains me a lower low range as well as a more efficient high range.

You & I will have the same issue to deal with due to the centered rear output of our selected transfer cases, that offset rear differential. I have a game plan, but until it happens and is proven to work I don't know that it will work.

 

[Root Moose]

Swapping drivetrains would mean at least swapping the rear axle. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing - the Taco axle could be used I'd guess.

Will it match WMS of the existing front axle? Aren't TLC axles of that vintage fairly narrow by modern standards? Not that big a deal to add a different axle I guess... FZJ80 maybe... or Dana stuff.

What side is the Taco front output? Is it passenger side to match the front axle?

I say do it. Doesn't hurt to do something a little different if you can get the computer to play ball.

 

[SAR_Squid79]

This is something that I am also very inerested in - doing a modern non-diesel engine swap on my FJ62. I was toying around with the notion of doing a Supercharged 5VZ-FE, but one of the new Tacoma 4.0's would be even better!

The axles will be one of the main hang-ups. The rear diff is off-center, and the front axle diff is Passenger Side Drop. All Tacoma (new & old) transfer cases are Driver's Drop...

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Sounds like a lot of work for a lot of money...

To me if the 62 is the rig you want (I would go with something newer), sell the pick up and take the money and find a truck and put a newer Chevy V8 in it. I'm sure you could find a truck for less than $8k and maybe it already has a V8, put another few thousand in it and hit the road.

You might even be able to wheel and deal with someone who has a 62 and would trade.

Just my $.02 :sombrero:

Plus you know I am totally biased toward 80's...

 

[ntsqd]

I don't think that swapping in the Taco's rear axle is a good idea. It would work, but you are giving up some strength in the process. I think it better to center the diff in the LC's rear housing. The way that I have it worked out I end up with a FF rear axle in the process.
80 stuff is ~3" wider, which becomes a fender clearance issue unless late model wheels are used. Even then I'm not sure that it would work, just that it might work - no experience there.

Front output side could be solved by going to the Mini truck's transfer case via one of Marlin's adapters.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any thoughts to a Toyota deisel powerplant? 1HZ? Could retain the automatic transmission and re-use the split t-case, that way there is no reason have to replace the rear axle.

Before you rally discount the 3FE setup, give one a drive. They can get mid-teens with a conservitive build (33's) and if a manual is your thing the H55F will really wake them up performance wise. The 3FE is actually amazingly easy to work on, there are few things I would rather do on the 4.0 compared to the 3FE. That said it will never kick out the power the modern V6's do.

As for good rear axles for centered FJ60 applications, the Tacoma would be a good option, espectially a non-locked 8.4" center section, if you desire a locker than the ARB would be right at home. There are some downsides to running the non-Cruiser housing but nothing that can't be worked through.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

This is something that I am also very inerested in - doing a modern non-diesel engine swap on my FJ62. I was toying around with the notion of doing a Supercharged 5VZ-FE, but one of the new Tacoma 4.0's would be even better!..

There is a SC'd 5VZ in an FJ45 running around the western side of Colorado, that thing hauls!

 

[Root Moose]

I don't think that swapping in the Taco's rear axle is a good idea. It would work, but you are giving up some strength in the process. I think it better to center the diff in the LC's rear housing. The way that I have it worked out I end up with a FF rear axle in the process.
80 stuff is ~3" wider, which becomes a fender clearance issue unless late model wheels are used. Even then I'm not sure that it would work, just that it might work - no experience there.

Front output side could be solved by going to the Mini truck's transfer case via one of Marlin's adapters.

Mini-truck would center the rear output as well. Is the mini-truck t-case as strong as the TLC case. I'm thinking not.

Regardless, we are talking big project.

 

[Schattenjager]

I was thinking of using the entire Tacoma driveline - engine, tranny, and maybe the t- case. Maybe just the motor mated to the LC tranny (auto box) would be better.

 

[uzj100]

Sell Taco and buy the one below. Done and you save a ton of headaches and ton of cashola.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-tr...-1987-60-12ht-turbo-diesel-4.html#post4737346

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Sell Taco and buy the one below. Done and you save a ton of headaches and ton of cashola.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-tr...-1987-60-12ht-turbo-diesel-4.html#post4737346

:drool:Ohhh! ...That thing is SCHWEET!:drool:

 

[ntsqd]

Mini-truck would center the rear output as well. Is the mini-truck t-case as strong as the TLC case. I'm thinking not.

Regardless, we are talking big project.

Goal was to solve the front output side, doesn't solve the rear issue at all. The only t/c's that I know of that would are the various LC t/c's and the Dana 18.

As far as strength, who knows? Sure see a lot of Mini cases used in strange places w/o issue or much issue. IMOE I've seen more broken LC cases than Mini cases, but I'm pretty sure that's not the norm.

 

[Schattenjager]

If I just do the engine then I can keep the LC auto and avoid all the above mentioned problems...

 

[ntsqd]

To use the existing auto trans with a different engine you may be looking at re-programming the shift points. I don't know how hard that is to do with the A440 or that it will be absolutely necessary but it is something to keep in mind.

Were you in KA it would not be possible to do because our mechanically illiterate statesmen have written the emissions codes such that any OBD II engine swap pretty much has to use the trans that came behind it.