'89 FJ62 with 6.2L diesel???

[ColoradoBill]

Hello all,
My buddy is installing a 6.2L in his FJ62. His mechanic friend that was helping him with the swap passed away unexpectedly. This is where I came into the picture. They already have the whole GM drive train bolted in (6.2L, 700R4 and transfer case 241 I think.). I was brought in to hook everything up. It looked like a simple install until I got underneath to measure the drive shafts. The front shaft is only about an inch from hitting the oil pan if the suspension is compressed. I raised the engine about an inch and it helped but not enough. The rig already has a three-inch lift on it and his wife doesn’t want to lift it anymore.

Has anyone done this swap before? Do I need to modify the oil pan, lift it, off set the engine to the drivers side a bit??? Any advice would be great. I am leaning towards offsetting the engine but I thought I would post up here to see if anyone had a better plan.

Thanks
Bill

 

[1leglance]

Hey Bill,
I hope someone chimes in here...but I would have to say that ih8mud.com is more than likely a way better place to post this question.
They have both a section for 60 series and a diesel section and personally I would post in the both....but I bet you will get more response in the diesel section.
Those guys can be rough (not as bad as pirate) but they are die hard cruiser dudes and usually very helpful.

Sounds like a neat swap, might be a bit heavy on the front end but still sounds cool.

Keep us posted and get some pics if you can.

 

[ChuckB]

Concur with posting on ih8mud. There have been at least 2 or 3 of these swaps documented there if memory serves me correctly. Definitely try the diesel section.

 

[Flagster]

all the research I have done for 60 series diesel swaps require significant body lifts for clearance 4+"

 

[cumminscruiser]

Diesel swap

I did a spring over.

 

[ColoradoBill]

Thanks for the responses,
Lance- I will check ih8mud.com and see what they say. My buddy Bob said that the total weight of the Toyota drive train is close to the weight of the GM, and it does sit level.

Flagster- The 6.2l does fit pretty nice without the body lift except the transfer case does sit lower then I would like, but not any lower then in other stock rigs I have seen.

Cumminscruiser- The spring over is my suggestion but Bobs wife doesn't want it any higher. This is her rig and she will be the driver. She may just have to get used to the idea.

Thanks for all the ideas. Next time I work on it I will get some pics.

 

[Jacket]

My buddy that put Vortec in his 60 had to cut a section out of his oil pan and weld in a patch to get the proper clearance. His is still sprung under on 35's.

 

[ColoradoBill]

Jacket
That has been discussed and is still an option. I am glad it has been done. Did your friend say how much oil capacity he lost?
Thanks for the info
Bill

 

[matt s]

Sounds crazy but get out the BFH and dent it. Backwoods fix yes, effective also yes.

 

[Jacket]

Not that much - 1/4 to 1/2 quart at most. He said it still holds 6 quarts with the oil filter. I don't know how the 6.2 diesel compares in size, but if you want to flex your front end it's probably necessary.

 

[ColoradoBill]

It has been decided!!! We are going to do a spring over. It will be the least amount of work (except for the BFH from Matt) He has an extra set of axles with 3.73 gears that will match up better with the 6.2L and 700R4. It currently has 4.11s, these will be a little low considering that this rig will not have a very tall tire on it when it's all said and done.

I will continue to to keep everyone updated and add some pics. This is a very long term project so don't expext much progress. We only work on it once a week or so after work.
Thanks for all the input.
Bill

 

[matt s]

Ok that is certainly more elegant.