FJ60 drivetrain swap questions

[dieselcruiserhead]

That old link doesn't work any more, Longfields at http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/

With these and 35's you should be OK. You might consider an aftermarket rear axle shaft as well. Radio Dave who has the world's heaviest FJ40 (and uses it, really uses it) has 60 axles and was chronically snapping rear shafts with his 37s and Vortec until he went aftermarket... Normally I'd say on 35's you're fine but again all that weight will change things. I wouldn't worry too much about wider springs, just get lots of them. If you can source add-a-leafs from a local supplier before they are bent that is a good option. If you search there are a few pretty good threads about spring packs here and not losing the "land cruiser" out of your cruiser, IE being sprung over but still being able to take a load. For example with my sprungover 55 I had it dialed so I was able to tow very heavy loads, cars, etc, with no compromises other than a little rattling around on washboarded roads. But it ran/drove/wheeled very well...

Otherwise it really sounds like a good match up.. What is the spline count coming out of that transmission and what are your plans for a t-case? I thought I saw something about a Klune. Nice bling options but they add drivetrain slop and are expensive and unneeded. With that auto and a decent low range of even 2-2.7 (a NP241 for example is 2.72 low range) you will be beyond fine. My manual trans 4BT setup was 63:1 but felt like 100:1 because... Of the diesel... So this is where you can save money as well by using an off the shelf setup. I agree with Clay's comments on chain driven cases, they don't need to be as beefy. The biggest problem is finding a decent pass drop t-case though without spending a fortune on adapters or beefing up components like a Dana 300. For example I'm about $1000 into my built 2.62:1 Dana 300 with a 29 spline input from JB Conversions. Retardedly expensive when I've seen used 29 spline 3.8 Atlases go for $1200 locally. And all this is very expensive considering this is just one component of your vehicle..

I really look forward to seeing it done! Yours is overkill but trust me there are many people on this board who share your perspective and style of build. It might take some labor but you'll get there... And as you probably know with 35's you can pretty much do anything, complete with big built trucks on tougher trails out of reach to 33s, but still drive there and back with grins on your face, and 20+ mpg to boot

cheers,
Andre

 

[RHINO]

i'm in north'ish central Phx.

 

[Chas Stricker]

Howdy Brian,
I think the auto tranny is what will let the drivetrain live in my limited opinion. I ran a 6.2 detroit w/Banks turbo and the 700r4 and did break one axle.....the left short rear. It was a problem with a bad shaft (crack with rust halfway through). I did baby it offroad and but catching 2nd gear scratch on pavement with 35's and a Detroit locker in the rear was too fun. If you're going spring over do a nice single or double traction bar to rid yourself of the u-joint destroying axle wrap. The Cummins is a much taller and heavier engine than the detroit. Sounds like fun,
Chas

 

[ISB Cruiser]

Jonathan, I also agree that stock is usually the best way to go. Engineers spend allot of time making a vehicle as good as they can within certain constraints. Unfortunately, Toyota never made a diesel wagon in the US and no Cummins was ever put in a diesel wagon.
As far as the International swap, I really like that article, any diesel swap is a good swap. I however have a bad taste of International products and support being a light and heavy truck mechanic. The availability of ISB and B series parts worldwide is also greater than that of any International engine ever made. Although some parts are Dodge specific.
As far as mileage goes, I borrowed a friends 03 common rail 4x4 quad cab long bed lifted on 35's to go Christmas tree cutting (not enough room in the old runner for the family and a tree). With a Bully Dog programmer set on extreme, truck loaded, uphill the whole way past Payson, I averaged 17 mpg at 85 mph. Coming home downhill was 20.5 mpg at 90 mph. He claimed 23 mpg driving to the Grand Canyon in a 7500 lbs. truck with the programmer set on medium. Some of the Dodge trucks in my fleet get 20+ mpg towing. Gas engines no matter how good will ever do that.
I am not knocking your comment in any way, it's just opinions and I like criticism. Another issue for me personally is the cost of the swap. I can do all of my own work and have access to multiple Cummins engines for a really good price. This is a compromise swap due to cost. That and the previous owner ruined the truck with a carb'd Ford 302.

 

[ISB Cruiser]

Andre, my transfer case choices for now (at least what I have currently) are the stock FJ 60 split case or the Dodge 241HD. The 241 would require different axles front and rear. The stock Toy case would require an adapter. The 47RE trans is 23 spline and from what I can gather the split case Toy is 19 spline. I can get from the 47 to the split with a Klune or I can get a shaft for $250 and fab my own adapter. I think I am going to pass on the Klune due to cost for now. I agree on how hard it is to do a good passenger drop t-case and even then they are all center drop rear. Thank you for the support.

Chas, Traction bars are definitely in the plans. I know way to much about ventilating floorboards with driveshafts to ignore that. Was your broken axle in an FJ? Was that your only failure? What t-case were you running?

Rhino, when I get started we will have to get together. I'm always up for a beer otherwise.

 

[RHINO]

awesome i look forward to it.

 

[Chas Stricker]

Howdy Brian,
It was in a FJ55. I went through a tranny (700r4) that wasn't "prepared" for the off idle power that a turbo diesel puts out. Once built it worked well. I used a 203 reduction unit tied to the original Toyota t-case. I did built plates to strengthen the two weak spots in the stock t-case housing. No other problems at all. Miss the power and the truck.
Chas

 

[ISB Cruiser]

Chas, how did you get from the 203 to the Toyota case?

 

[Chas Stricker]

Hey Brian. I used a Advanced Adaptors or a Marks adaptor. Once the gear reduction half (the half that attached to the rear of my 700r4) was split from the chain drive portion, that surface (with Advanced's plate and bearing) bolts directly to the front of the Toyota's t-case.
Chas

 

[AndrewP]

You can get from NP203 to Land Cruiser split case. The adapter is sold by jerry Nichols and made by Advanced adapters. Here is the info with phone #'s:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/160807-family-haulin-4.html


If your NP203 has the wrong input gear spline count, here is a source for new ones:

http://www.northwestfab.com/input.html

The most common NP203 will have a 27 spline input and came behind Th350 transmissions. Most of the common swaps require a 10 spline input or a 32 spline input.

The NP 203 is a super heavy duty and (super heavy) doubler. It's easy to work on and disassemble.


Anyway, it's a nice option to get some really low gears and not spend too much $$. I bought my 203 for $50. THe adapters are expensive, but will save you money because you get to keep your Land Cruiser axles and transfercase.