2x4 Lexus GS350 FJ62-80 Conversion ???

[ORD10thWard]

Hello,
I'm interested in creating an inner city beast. I never use 4 wheel drive & want to improve performance, handling & gas mileage. Any thoughts on converting to a 2 wheel drive 2007 Lexus GS350 3.5 V6 (303hp - 274lbs t, w/ 6 sp AT) Which FJ is a better candidate, the 62 or the 80? (In the 80, I prefer the 93-94 dash board). Also, what is involved in permanantly removing the transfer case? Yes, I know this is near sacreligious though, I've owned a 60 years ago and love the durability, reliability & utility of these FJs. I just want to build a vehicle to suit my needs / conditions.
Thanks.

 

[T-bones 60]

Not quite sure what your trying to do here. I think the GS350 is a unibody car type chasie. An FJ60/62/80 are body on frame vehicles. If your trying to combine them in any way it's not going to be easy. If your looking to put the 350's drive train in a 60/80 it won't be worth the effort. I'd do a 5.3 or 5.7 GM engine swap in a 60/62 and leave it in 2wd.

 

[Heckraiser]

Buy an X5 and leave that poor landcruiser alone.

 

[RockDoc]

I highly doubt that going to a smaller displacement V6 is going to be suitable in a heavy cruiser. Look at where the V6 makes the power and compare that to the curves for a 2F or 3FE. With the HP number being higher than the torque, that's a dead give away that it is a revving engine rather than a grunt engine. (e.g. 155 HP and 220 ft-lbs for the 3FE) It won't be able to cruise at as low an rpm as the stock drivetrain.

 

[Sethro60]

For the love of god, why????????

 

[eric1115]

Good grief, I hope this was an April Fools' joke.

 

[ORD10thWard]

Thanks fellas,
Consider that at oner point converting with a 350 Chevy was cutting edge. With continuing advanced engine technology, I was just wondering, can this be a new plateau? Yes, gearing & HP-Torque curve play here heavily, in spite of both being rear drive & a varience of only a few hundred lbs. in total weight. Though again, my interests/ desires are for improved handling, performance and gas mileage in a city vehicle, which I've owned & loved (85 FJ60) in the past. So, reducing weight via transfer case and two cylinders was a thought. Thanks for the constructive input, as for the rest, too bad daring to think outside the box usually gets you ridicule. Also, I've been living in Bangkok since May. Folks here seem to be far more in tune with gas prices. I only hope that the cost gas won't push these gem-trucks to becoming weekend relics.

 

[ridgerunner]

Thanks fellas,
Consider that at oner point converting with a 350 Chevy was cutting edge. With continuing advanced engine technology, I was just wondering, can this be a new plateau? Yes, gearing & HP-Torque curve play here heavily, in spite of both being rear drive & a varience of only a few hundred lbs. in total weight. Though again, my interests/ desires are for improved handling, performance and gas mileage in a city vehicle, which I've owned & loved (85 FJ60) in the past. So, reducing weight via transfer case and two cylinders was a thought. Thanks for the constructive input, as for the rest, too bad daring to think outside the box usually gets you ridicule. Also, I've been living in Bangkok since May. Folks here seem to be far more in tune with gas prices. I only hope that the cost gas won't push these gem-trucks to becoming weekend relics.

For a platform, I think (if I had the hankering to do so) that a lighter 4Runner platform would be much more suitable for what you're looking for. Plus, it'd be much easier to pull the IFS guts while retaining the driveability of the factory suspension. My 4wd 22re powered truck gets 20mpg combined- you should be able to do better with a more efficient (and modern) engine and no heavy 4wd to lug around.

2wds can kick ass, but a 2wd landcruiser is a fail.

 

[Lka1988]

Consider that at one point converting with a 350 Chevy was cutting edge.

The Chevy 350 is a truck motor. More torque than HP. That's why it was (and still is) a popular swap.

The 2GR-FE in the GS is a car motor. More HP than torque. That's why it isn't (and never will be) a popular swap.

 

[Lka1988]

Just remember- most Land Cruisers are already 2WD. Until you put them into 4WD.

 

[Kurtis]

If you have the cash to spend and want to make it unique maybe talk with some pre runner builders and have them remove the front axle and fab up a-arms. The good builders will be able to build it to street needs as well with improved handling and ride. I would stick with an ls1 or ls2 if you want some street able power. The sky is the limit and their is tons of reasonable aftermarket support. They are also very light compared with a 2f at least a savings of 350lbs. 2f=750lbs ls1=about 400lbs. The transfer case only weights about 80lbs but you will lose the front axle and drive shaft that will save a little bit as well. A fj60 only weights 4400lbs stock so those savings would get you under 4k pretty easily. A gs350 weights 3800lbs so with those mods your getting the fj60 frame and all to weight almost the same as a gs350. By the time you get lighter rims and tires your probably getting even closer.

 

[TobyB]

Dear God, you want to make it into a station wagon!

heh

Sure, why not? But like all these 'I wanna make something so custom
only I will like it' projects, start with a tired old 60 that still has good sheet
metal, but worn out axles, cases, motor and so forth. Then you wouldn't be
really doing much harm...

because heck, if you like it, that's good enough.

But I agree with the gearing comments- a fast- spinning engine's going to want more
gear to do the same thing the 2f does, so leave yourself room to move gears around if you have to.

fwiw,

t

 

[ORD10thWard]

rear wheel drv GS350

Thank you all for your experience and constructive input. Please alow me to reiterate my FJ desires: to, only in an 62 or 80, create an inner city, reasonably sized, practical, classic, utilty beast. My real aim is to be able to USE one of these two models as a DAILY driver in times where gas prices may soon never see the light of $4-something a gallon again. I would never drive it during salty Chicago winters, so no need for the 4x4's extra weight. Though, I'd love to be able to chew up spring time pot holes and not have to worry while my wife errends with my daughter. I'm not looking for G-force speed, though something more respectable than stock would be nice. I may owe some of you an apology for the prospect of castrating an icon. Please consider my respect for this deity vehicle by not only possibly adding a useful, facet role to its already gem status, but also by converting only with a Toyota (Lexus) drivetrain. Can this approach possibly transform a potential offroad dinosaur into a lean, 21st century triathlete? Thanks again for your input.

 

[TobyB]

lean, no. Anything that uses a frame, leaf springs and solid axles is not going to be a triathlete.

It's going to be a cart. You can optimize this cart to be a better urban dweller than it is.

But you'll never make it into a tall Prius. It'll always be what it is- a LOT of steel!

t