Please forgive me, Newb to 60's

[getlost4x4]

I'm sorry if i am asking stupid questions here. I'm trying to decided if i want to buy a early 60 series cruiser.

i've searched through some of the faq's but couldn't find an answer to my questions.

Just some quick info about the truck in question.

350 V8 chevy
Toyota manual tranny
stock t-case
4.10 gears
Some sort of lift
33x12.5x15 copper AT's

no cancer, its been sitting for about 10 years, the owner blew the motor because he hated the cruiser. so its going to get a junkyard 350 in good shape if i buy it.

I used to own an 85' yota, so the front axles are very similar.

how are the rear axles on these cruisers? Are they c-clips? or are they a full-floater.

what do you think about the 350 in the cruiser?

should i go back to the yota straight 6 in it? i think i'd rather keep the V8 or find a 4 banger cummins diesel.

where should i look for rust on the frame and body?

this is going to be a sort of restoration if i get it. its in really good shape inside and out. the only problem is the motor. i think i can get a motor for around $300 and get the cruiser for $500-$800.

i want to use it as an Expo build. I'm not into rock crawling, i just love exploring the country side. i currently have a jeep commander, but it is just going to stay the way it is currently. i need something new to build.

 

[Root Moose]

Axles are fine, full float, big enough to not worry about.

350 is fine. If you decide to change the engine I'd consider a modern EFI LSx of some flavour. Clean and more powerful and should bolt up to the existing adapter (Verify).

Check for rust pretty much everywhere... Frame in the rear.

Do you know what model the transmission is?

The only OEM engine I'd consider is a diesel. But that conversion requires cubic dollars. Stick with the Chev engine.

Kinda bummed to hear your aren't going to SFA the XK.

HTH

 

[helocat]

Root Moose is correct most of the 60’s in Canada did have full float rear ends. However here in the States we did not get so lucky. If this truck is in WY like yourself, then most likely the rear is a c-clip. Now they are quite strong and guys use them for expo quite a bit.

Yes the front end is basically the same as your 85, just wider and has vented rotors.

Nothing wrong with a V8 in the truck, they work quite well as long as it was installed correctly.

Rust: Like Root Moose said watch the rear frame. For the body check the lower quarter panels and the tail gate. There is a good number of 60s getting parted out so you can source body panels if you needed.

Enjoy your new truck if you get it!

Mark

 

[getlost4x4]

i need a second vehicle with 4 wheel drive. 1 vehicle isn't cutting it anymore.

i suspect in 3 years after i'm done with my bacholers i'll SAS the front on the commander. it should have a bazillion miles on it by then! 75K miles on the commander now.

 

[getlost4x4]

my dad actually bought one of these cash back in 85'. i think i was 7-8 years old at the time.

i remember it being really cool. i really liked it. it was beige.

 

[rusty_tlc]

In my opinion a V8 is one of the few mods you need to make a 60 a great truck. The straight six is a bit puny for the size and weight of the truck in my opinion.

 

[Root Moose]

Btw, if you haven't already, you really need to get over to the forums at ih8mud.com.

Pretty much any conceivable detail about 60s and 80s has been discussed to death over there.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Btw, if you haven't already, you really need to get over to the forums at ih8mud.com.

Pretty much any conceivable detail about 60s and 80s has been discussed to death over there.

And 40's 70's 100's..........:sombrero:

 

[DBS311]

If you plan on a 4bt, you will need more than 4" of lift which usually translates into a SOA. That opens up a whole new can of worms. Just from following so many 60 series builds over the years, I see that the majority that drop in a nice V8 tend to keep them and enjoy them...........and those that drop in a 4 cylinder Cummins end up selling them not long after the transplant. I'm sure DCH can argue the merits of the diesel as he's done every conversion I can think of.......but some say he's composed of 70% diesel, so his opinion might be a little biased. :sombrero:

 

[bj70_guy]

Root Moose is correct most of the 60’s in Canada did have full float rear ends.

Cdn spec 60s had c clip rear axles. Many (not all) of the JDM HJ61s have full floaters.

A cdn FF in anything other than an old FJ45 was near un-obtainium until the jdm explosion.

That said, there's nothing wrong with the semi floater, it is a skookum piece.

If I were wanting a diesel but didn't want to pay Toyota diesel prices I'd be pretty intrigued by the Isuzu 4BD1-T. I think that'd be a great powerplant in a 60.

 

[Mike S]

Stock FJ60s in the US had 3.73 gears, 4 speed, semi-floating rears with drum brakes. Fronts were FF.

Vulnerabilities include rust on the frames and lower 1/4s, sagging suspensions, oil galley plugs, PS pumps, and mystery smog system problems. These are mainly minor issues except the rust - get a rust free truck - it is worth the extra money.

The SBC 350 is a great mod, lots of after market support. An older carb'ed engine might be the simplest trade. If you mate it to a H55F toyota 5-speed it will cruise very well. I suggest that you invest a little $$ in an OME suspension, you will be glad you did. The SF rear axle can be swapped out for a FF without any issues.

 

[getlost4x4]

well, the guy decided he couldn't part with it.

so, it'll sit on the dirt lot its been sitting on for the last 10 years. i really do not understand people that would rather keep something and let it rust to death instead of letting someone else fix it up and enjoy it.

I did find another vehicle. 1978 Jeep Wagoneer, 72K original miles, Mint interior, No dents, minor rust in the rear lower fender, 401 CI V8:Wow1:, TH400, Quadra Trac, 3.53 gears, 2.72 ;low range, D44's front and back, never used off road.

 

[Root Moose]

Dig the FSJs... Between the two I'd rather have an FSJ I think. It hits my priority list better than the '60. I love both trucks though.

Some ramblings here: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36948

Before I pull the trigger on project vehicles I'll pick up one of these types of books to research the platform (my garage library has a whole shelf of these):

http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/Product_Details.aspx?ProductID=7827

Googling for info can work but I like a book as a complete, in one place reference. Lots of neat historical stuff in that book too. (1960s IFS - LOL)

401 is the reason to buy something not in the ~88-91 year range IMO. (later trucks supposedly have better HVAC).

Make sure you check out ifsja.org if you haven't already.

 

[getlost4x4]

thanks. i'll see if i can find that at Barnes and Noble, now i have 3 books i want to read.

freakanomics,
superfreakanomincs
Jeep Wagoneer Performance