Build 6.0 Vortec LQ9 - FJ60 Engine Swap - Old Blue's Heart Transplant

[cruiser enthuiser]

I like the design of your mounts. I bought mine from TLC and they’re very similar in shape and really a nice upgrade to the AA mounts. Incorporating the factory mounts like that really cut down on a lot of engine vibration.

Cheers!
-Ed

 

[yukon721]

I like the design of your mounts. I bought mine from TLC and they’re very similar in shape and really a nice upgrade to the AA mounts. Incorporating the factory mounts like that really cut down on a lot of engine vibration.

Cheers!
-Ed

Thanks. Yeah they are similar. Pretty sure TLC doesn’t sell their brackets anymore. Although don’t quote me. The reality is once ya start playing with concepts there aren’t to many options with the GM motor mounts. Theres not many ways to make the brackets and keep structural integrity other than to run them in a similar fashion. I have heard the AAs transmit quite a bit of vibration. Hopefully these will work out well for me!

 

[yukon721]

Motor bolted and resting on motor mounts. Slack cherry picker chains make me happy.

Figured i’d post a few pics of how the crossmember played out. Decided to just run a straight drop instead of an angled drop section on both sides. It didn’t make sense to go through the hassle as the distance from frame bracket to the deck of the crossmember was only 1 5/8”.

Little dental drilling

The two drop pieces

Frame brackets. The frame itself kicks out to an angle away from the body. To get a straight run across ya have to offset the outer and inner brackets like so. Although after a bit of contemplation it made no sense to run 2X4” channel beam accross the frame. So I opted to just use the inner bracket. Outer will be cut off. Either way you’ll have to compensate for that frame kick. I’m running 1/4” brackets bolting to 1/4 plate. Just can’t see the need for the outer bracket in terms of added strength. And the point of hanging up should the frame drag across some rock. (Unlikely... but)

Disclaimer: I’m not an engineer so don’t take my word for it. Just an observational decision.

Finished Crossmember

 

[yukon721]

Few More

Set in place

Suppose i’ll pull the motor one last time to paint crossmember, motor brackets and the freshen up the paint gouges i put into frame from welding/grinding/dragging motor in and out. This will be its third and last time out. (Hopefully)

From there its on to plumbing, electrical, fuel management system and all the odds and ends.

 

[cruisermatt]

I hit my crossmember all the time offroad. It is covered in dents (stock FJ62 auto crossmember).
That should work out pretty well for you.

Are you going to round off all those sharp corners

 

[yukon721]

I hit my crossmember all the time offroad. It is covered in dents (stock FJ62 auto crossmember).
That should work out pretty well for you.

Are you going to round off all those sharp corners

Only corners I’ll be rounding are the ones you can work on to pay for all this.

 

[yukon721]

Well thats a wrap. Done painting. Last time I’ll see it wothout a motor in it. (If all goes well) Paint is done. Motor will be completly in and bolted back down tonight. On to the next stage.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Well thats a wrap. Done painting. Last time I’ll see it wothout a motor in it. (If all goes well) Paint is done. Motor will be completly in and bolted back down tonight. On to the next stage.

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Amen!

 

[yukon721]

No Hands. Busy holding two beers. Heh.

 

[yukon721]

Ordered all the parts & components to get this thing running. Full parts list, numbers and links on the 1st page of this thread. So while I wait for packages, figured I’d sneak away to Mammoth and get some fly fishing accomplished. The build continues next week when parts start showing up.

Not the biggest of the adventure. But great colors.

Future Fishing guide and Captain.... Perhaps? Just cause ya can't walk yet, doesn't mean ya can't drive a boat.

Can’t wait to have the FJ in full effect for future trips. Soon.........

 

[yukon721]

Had a few minutes today to unwrap some packages and put the front clip back on. Feels like Christmas. Lots of presents.... and empty wallets. Haha. Of course anything that provides ear to ear grins is worth every penny.

Starting to look like a truck again.

 

[yukon721]

Radiator came in. She’s a biggin. Not sure how I’m gonna mount it yet. But where there’s a will there’s a way.

Also ran my fuel lines today. 2 words “AN Fittings”. They make life simple. Plan on bending a few brake lines (gently) to get fuel components to sit clean. They’ll get bent back and proper soon enough.

 

[yukon721]

Juice to the Fuel Rail

Took out clutch and gas pedal (which will be cut and welded to the cadillac pedal eventually)

Tried to figure out how to mount the new pedal assembly. Pain in the ass comes to mind. Didn’t make much progress. Tomorrow’s another day.

Took a few calculated finger measurements for correct placement on where the combined pedal assembly should rest once welded up.

 

[yukon721]

Got my 2 Mark’s Adapters (temp sensor & Oil pressure) The oil pressure adapter seems a bit odd tho.

Looks good here.

Until you realize there is a huge threaded hole on the top. No idea why. Guess I’ll plug it.

Thats it for today....... Well did put in new sparks plugs, swapped a few pulleys, and drank a couple beers, but thats not really headline news.

 

[cruisermatt]

Good luck with the Summit brand fittings... I’ve not had very good results with them over the years.

That’s a sweet radiator, looks like the one @MBurroughs is running.

 

[joebattle1]

I used the “cheaper than a new truck” approach. May work for you as well. Haha

Was just formulating this very conversation in my head with the boss. Me... “Can you believe the price of a new SUV?”... That’s my starter line.

Just last night I started a Google doc and organized all of my receipts. I added up 10 years of receipts and it was mostly parts (not including the local Autozone or Napa for expendables) I’m at $8500. Marv at Spector (God rest his soul) got about 80% of that I’m guessing.

I’m fighting the California smog demons right now and I can’t stop thinking... ‘What a waste of my time working on this 2F. I could be using this wrench time and money for an LS swap.’ I’m one year away...

I go back and forth on the 5.3 vs 6.0 what was your thinking in determining this? Go big or go home? The only thing I plan to tow is my little hilux camper trailer.

Great thread. Thank you for documenting.

 

[Tylerh84]

Was just formulating this very conversation in my head with the boss. Me... “Can you believe the price of a new SUV?”... That’s my starter line.

Just last night I started a Google doc and organized all of my receipts. I added up 10 years of receipts and it was mostly parts (not including the local Autozone or Napa for expendables) I’m at $8500. Marv at Spector (God rest his soul) got about 80% of that I’m guessing.

I’m fighting the California smog demons right now and I can’t stop thinking... ‘What a waste of my time working on this 2F. I could be using this wrench time and money for an LS swap.’ I’m one year away...

I go back and forth on the 5.3 vs 6.0 what was your thinking in determining this? Go big or go home? The only thing I plan to tow is my little hilux camper trailer.

Great thread. Thank you for documenting.

I'd say go 6.0 so you can have a 6.0 in your 60. That's what i'm doing here in the next year or 2.

 

[yukon721]

Good luck with the Summit brand fittings... I’ve not had very good results with them over the years.

That’s a sweet radiator, looks like the one @MBurroughs is running.

We’ll hopefully they hold out. Went with russell brand for some of the fittings. But they add up quick.

Yeah. Radiator looks like it Means business.

 

[yukon721]

Was just formulating this very conversation in my head with the boss. Me... “Can you believe the price of a new SUV?”... That’s my starter line.

Just last night I started a Google doc and organized all of my receipts. I added up 10 years of receipts and it was mostly parts (not including the local Autozone or Napa for expendables) I’m at $8500. Marv at Spector (God rest his soul) got about 80% of that I’m guessing.

I’m fighting the California smog demons right now and I can’t stop thinking... ‘What a waste of my time working on this 2F. I could be using this wrench time and money for an LS swap.’ I’m one year away...

I go back and forth on the 5.3 vs 6.0 what was your thinking in determining this? Go big or go home? The only thing I plan to tow is my little hilux camper trailer.

Great thread. Thank you for documenting.

5.3 or 6.0 doesn’t matter. I’m sure either will be a game changer for an FJ. Dont have much experience. Never even ridden in a FJ with any motor other than a 2F.

For me, my decision was “if i’m gonna spend all this money and put in all my time to build one, I wanted the bigest, baddest wolf I could get my hands on from the start. I didn’t want to lay awake at night and wonder if I should of went with a 6.0.

But in all honesty I think any LS in a FJ will make ya happy. Once its finished and running. Haha

 

[erse]

f i’m gonna spend all this money and put in all my time to build one, I wanted the bigest, baddest wolf I could get my hands on from the start. I didn’t want to lay awake at night and wonder if I should of went with a 6.0.

This is probably right on the money. However I have a 5.3 and its plenty of power and then some for a 60 series chassis. More important @joebattle1 is perhaps making sure you have enough $$'s to upgrade other components to match the new output. You're going to need bigger brakes to paraphrase a famous quote.

Now If i had to plan from ground zero and had the cash @NCFJ would get a call from me about that connect and cruise package that's still available in the bigger engine. Factory fresh would be awfully nice if money were no object