Hey guys, I haven't been in here for a while. I just wanted to check here because I've been shopping for a Fj60, and my intended project quest is to finish my small block I'm building to stuff into a FJ60. I need something to tow my boat with, and the 4runner isn't cutting it anymore. I'm building this for a camping/towing/ cruising vehicle, and not crawling. It must be highway friendly so, main question is, what is the most common lift that you guys are running on these currently? I don't want to go to high, just a mild lift for clearance while wheeling , plus over sized tires! I know how things change on the forums. I've been through the Advanced Adapters books and know whats involved with the conversion, however if there's anything they aren't saying, please speak up. I'd rather hear it from someone who has experience. Recommended suspension systems or components would really help out as I'm trying to figure out a budget for this project. Thanks for your suggestions and help!
Towing with oversized tires and stock differential gearing and a 2F would not be much fun. I don't know if the greater horsepower of the V-8 would compensate enough or not. It would appear that the Old Man Emu is a common mild lift. You might be able to accomplish the same thing with Add-a-leafs.
(By oversized I am assuming 33 inch or better, technically, a 31 inch tire is oversized).
Howdy! Kind of depends on how your building the v8. Set it up for a Corvette, and your going to need a not of gear reduciton, but build it for a dump truck and it will pull stumps all day long. John
__________________ 97 FZJ80 rustfree SW native, 3xlockers, 315 MTRs , 4.88s, 5" lift, Slee sliders/ rear bumper, ARB front, M12000, dual batts, custom exhaust, Scangauge II, Sonoran SuperKooler System (3FE fan & Blue Clutch w 24000 oil), Oh, and one of them Kazuma Thingies on top
76 FJ55, Safari Grade. 350 SBC, Lockrightx2, SO, SR, PS, York on board, 35" Krawlers, dual shocks x4, Custom CV driveshaft x2, 4x7 roof rack, high steer,etc
85 Toyota mini truck -SOLD 72 FJ 40 -SOLD CSC #41
You're towing so it can't be radical and needs to be low geared.
My advice-4.88 gears in the diffs, 33 x9.5 x 15 tires, OME heavy suspension. Drive slow. It won't be particularly highway friendly unless you run a 5 speed, and the brakes really are not up to high speed towing, regardless of gearing.
If you really just want to tow your boat, get a full size pick up. It will be cheaper and better.
In fact, re-reading your post, I recommend you shop for a decent used Suburban, and call it good. If it's a big boat, look for a 3/4 ton Suburban. The stuff you want to do, are not the things the 60 is good at. It's best as an all-around expedition/camping vehicle, not towing anything.
__________________ Andrew
1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 85 2F (with a little help from my Cruiser brothers) , SM420, some mods--It abides
1976 FJ40 gone
1984 FJ-60 H41, Toybox, 4.56/ARBs, SOA, twin sticks and Rubicon tested
1989 FJ-62 133k-OME, daily driver-H55f
1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen, with door dent-currently living in Southern California, but better come home in one piece this time.
Hey guys, I haven't been in here for a while. I just wanted to check here because I've been shopping for a Fj60, and my intended project quest is to finish my small block I'm building to stuff into a FJ60. I need something to tow my boat with, and the 4runner isn't cutting it anymore. I'm building this for a camping/towing/ cruising vehicle, and not crawling. It must be highway friendly so, main question is, what is the most common lift that you guys are running on these currently? I don't want to go to high, just a mild lift for clearance while wheeling , plus over sized tires! I know how things change on the forums. I've been through the Advanced Adapters books and know whats involved with the conversion, however if there's anything they aren't saying, please speak up. I'd rather hear it from someone who has experience. Recommended suspension systems or components would really help out as I'm trying to figure out a budget for this project. Thanks for your suggestions and help!
with the v8 and a 700r or t400 i would leave the gearing at 3.73 and go with a quality set of lift springs and some 33" tires
What percent of your miles will be w/the boat behind you?
With a heavy boat, and lots of towing miles, Cruiserdrew is right on the mark - get a suburban. But if the boat is light, and/or the miles are low, your 60 might work.
Post up some more details, and we can weigh in with a little more clarity.
My boat is only an 18ft fourwinns. So not that big of a deal, My 4Runner tows it, but I wouldn't do it too far. As far as the motor, I'm keeping it pretty mellow, standard 010 block, Vortec heads, hopped up cam, and a quadra carb with edelbrock manifold. Main reason for the quadra, is mainly fuel mileage. Thanks for all the input guys.
33s & 4.11s put you right at stock gearing. A fuelie 350 will pull your boat just fine, & a 2-1/2" Dakar works well with 33s. I went to a Vortec 5.7 & 4L60E because it would tow better (3,500# boat/trailer), plow snow better, & wheel better. Also going to 4RNR calipers up front & 60 discs in the rear. With stock brakes & 33s it's kinda scary 'cause the boat trailer brakes didn't work (working on that, too).
Now for my noob nag: put your location in your sig line so your neighbors will volunteer to help.
Well with my 5.3 4l60e 4.10 33's OME heavy ... still needed Air bags and trailer brake to haul my old Truggy .... but it was 8K easy .... but it did it ... so build it and use it ... just dont use a non O/D tranny
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