'75 FJ40 4.3 Vortec/4L60E Swap

[MJKFabrication]

I got most of the final wiring done today, I put the ECM in the glove box it fits pretty good in there.

The check engine light fit in the old EGR housing without any modifications.

I spent the rest of the day buttoning up all the wiring for the transmission, final shifter adjustments, and modifying the tunnel, had to move the transfer case shifter location back about 3" (sorry about the bad pic).

This is the work for the weekend....

I got the Vintage Air kit from TPI Offroad, I'll be using the stock compressor that came with the Vortec.

 

[LQ9 4D]

Clean. I like to hide all the wires as well. One day I will get that same A/C kit using my stock compressor on my 6.0L. But it isn't at the top of the list.

 

[MJKFabrication]

Got the Vitage Air kit finished today (except for crimping a couple of hoses). I've seen the Vintage Air kits for hot rods and muscle cars and their stuff looks real nice and appears to be high quality stuff but this kit is far from that. I'd never seen one of these in person just here on Mud. Maybe I was expecting too much but it didn't meet my expextations, I get it that it's not a factory set up, but even the fastners and brackets were all really poor quality. I hear it's really cold though, so maybe I'll overlook all the plastic and fake chrome this summer.

First to go in was the condensor and dryer, this was simple enough with some minor radiator schroud modification.

Then moved to the inside for the evaporator, this part was a big pain in the a**.
The ducts are for the defrost and driver's vent.

It comes with new "pulls" for two of the controls, defrost and heat. They work fine but are incerdibly chessy.

Everything routes through the old heater blower hole.

Wiring was pretty simple, there are only 4 or 5 wires plus a couple of grounds, and then you cut in the heater control valve and hook up one of the cheesy pulls. Here it is all buttoned up.

I'll get the hoses crimped tomorrow and try to pick up a couple of 90 degree fittings for the compressor (it didn't come with any).
Then it was on to mounting the front fenders, brake lines, and some more wiring. Started it up and let it run for a while, can't wait to start driving again.

 

[MJKFabrication]

Well it's finally finished, all I can say is that it turned out better than I imagined. The power is smooth throughout, and it is responsive and cool from idle to highway speeds that it's never seen before. This engine/transmission combo performs beyond expectations, the shift points are spot on too. With the way this V6 performs, the V8 guys must never stop smiling. Since I did the power train, power steering, and A\C all at the same time, it's hard to rate them separately. I'd recommend these components and this combination for anyone looking for drivability, power, and modern day quiet performance. Since I had some final painting to do I modified a late model tire carrier to fit in place of the old square one.
Here are some final pics, thanks for all the help and advice along the way.

 

[MJKFabrication]

 

[alaska60]

very cleanly done....tastefully done I should say!

 

[MJKFabrication]

I need to clean the garage out now and unload all the stock components that didn't get used in the swap. Where is the best place to post these items in the classified section, Parts for Sale or Parting Out? Thanks.

 

[mudmud]

Nice job!! Glad your happy with the Vortec, since I've just bought a Chevy Blazer to donate the V-6 & TH700R4. I can't wait!!

 

[srgould41]

What did the V6 do for your fuel economy?

 

[MJKFabrication]

I gotta be honest, I don't know what it was before. And I have not yet checked it after the swap. I will check it and post up the results.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I gotta be honest, I don't know what it was before.

It was crappy...12 mpg if it was running well and you drove slow.

I'm guessing you can get 16 mpg or better with that setup with the AC turned off at 65mph.

Nice.

 

[cooney]

Would you mind telling how much you had in the swap? Hard costs, not your time or very skilled labor.

Very nice job, BTW. That is one great looking rig. I would put some stock steelies on it if it were mine, but then again no one asked me.

 

[Jeff G]

Cool project. Thanks for sharing.

 

[MJKFabrication]

06-08-11 04:46 PMcooneyWould you mind telling how much you had in the swap? Hard costs, not your time or very skilled labor.

Very nice job, BTW. That is one great looking rig. I would put some stock steelies on it if it were mine, but then again no one asked me. 06-08-11 04:32 PM

Hard Costs,
Low Mile Engine and 4L60E = $1,700
Advance Adapter = $900
Front Motor Mounts = $115
Rear Motor Mount= $140
Aluminum Raditator = $475
Lokar Shifter = $300
Fuel Pump/Filter = $125
A/C = 925
Power Steering = $700
ECM Reflash = $75
Engine Harness Mods = 350
Exhaust = $ 150
Total (not including plumbing, fittings, wiring, rebuilding the T/C, etc) $5,955

As to the steelies, I completly agree. I have the 5 that came with it and I'm in the process of widening them now, I'll post up some pics of that when they are complete.

 

[cooney]

I consider myself a purist but I do love this swap. Although out of my price range right now, I will definitely keep this on my wish list. I really wish I lived near by. I would definitely like to check it out first hand.

Alright, I'm gonna go ahead and embarass myself. How does this work exactly? The tranny is automatic and I can see that you have removed the clutch pedal but the shift lever looks like a manual shifter? And where is your transfer case shifter? How do you put it in 4WD?

 

[MJKFabrication]

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, clutch pedal goes away, the shifter is a Lokar shifter, I chose that brand specifically because of their quality and so that it would look somewhat stock. The transfer case shift lever is there, it ended up about 3 1/2" rearward of its stock position. It works as it did in the stock configuration. You can see it in this pic a little better.

 

[FJ40addict]

fuel milage

Great build! Would love to see the milage on your V6...I'm in the middle of a Vortec V8 sway with same tranny setup as yours.

 

[freewheeling frank]

Any mileage numbers yet? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Bennett]

Ditto

 

[cumminscruiser]

Vortec V6 Fj40

Fuel mileage,

Well Ive been driving my Vortec V6 FJ40 back and forth to work almost 100 miles per day, and since I dont have a speedo cable hooked up and I'm running 35" tires I don't know the exact numbers..... but I also commute with my FJ60 35" tires I do the round trip on $20.00 dollars a day at $4.00/gal (thanks OPEC) 5 gallons. about 20 miles /gal. The Vortec V6 in my FJ40 costs is closer to $25.00 / day and the gas is a little cheaper than diesel.

So with all that being said the VortecV6 does not get as good milage as my FJ60, the power is good climbs hills fine, accellerates fine even with the big tires and is reliable.

To be fair, I dont know if all systems are working correctly, VSS, O2 sensor etc. I need to find someone who knows these engines and can verify everything is working correctly, I don't have any reason to think it's not but I don't know for sure. My engine is a 1994 and only has OBD 1.

My goal next year is to replace the Vortec V6 with a Cummins 4BT diesel, mostly for the fuel milage.

Oh my FJ60 has a Cummins 6BT5.9.