Before I get started, V8 conversion?

[Elsie85]

I need some advice. I am sure this topic has has been gone over many times but Im having a hard time finding what people have said.

I will start by saying I have just returned from Africa after 2 years of Peace Corps (Malawi). Before I left I bought a 40 ft shipping container and stored my 1985 fj60 and an old VW bus (holding onto my hippie days) in it. After seeing the abuse that a Toyota can take I am believer that they are the best trucks out there. If you didnt know the Peace Corps buys Land Cruisers in many different forms and I rode in all of them in all different conditions.

My truck is from SoCal and is in exclent condition. I bought it from the original owner and completely stock. I have since lifted it with OME and put 33" BFG all terains. It has 250k on the engine and trans. It runs great still but waiting for the day to come that I will need to rebuild or replace something big. I want to be prepared for that day so that is why I am looking into upgrading.

I want to know what people think of building up a FJ60 as a 60% road/35% dirt road/5% light mudding into a reliable rig. My questions are:

1. Stock 2F or V8?
2. H55f or other 5 speed?
3. What is a good working combo of engine/trans?
4. Is it worth building up this truck or should I buy something that gets better gas milage and has more power that is stock?
5. Money is an issue but what is the best bang for the buck?
6. Im in Portland OR (but work in WA as a forest ranger in the summers) and would like to see and drive a truck with a V8 or 2F with a 5 speed, does anyone know of someone?

I have full access to a shop with everthing to do fab work. I plan to do the conversion myself and am a very detailed mechanic.

Right now I have some time before the summer season work starts and want to use the time in preparing to do a conversion or upgrade. I was thinking of using a H55F with the old 2F and then mating up a V8 when it dies. Or should I wait and do it all at once and maybe use a NV4500?

Thanks for the help, I am a newbie here but when I bought my truck 3 years ago this site gave me a lot of info. Since revisiting the site after 2 years things here seem a little different, in a good way. People are very helpful with tech. and personal/life issues.

 

[Cruisergreg]

To answer all the questions you pose could take up pages. Most of what you asked comes down to personal preference, so you'll need to decide what your priorities are (gas mileage, cost, livability, etc.) before formulating a plan. Try some more to search the archives as you'll get a lot of insight.

That said, adding an H55F first, then adding in a V8 when the 2F dies is a reasonable approach because it allows you to spread the effort and cost out over some time. H55F works very well behind a V8. NV4500 has a lower granny and higher overdrive, but is a less refined feeling unit than the 55.

 

[curious1]

Call Advance Adapters for a catalog. Has most of the parts you need and some good info on your options.

http://www.advanceadapters.com/

Good luck

 

[Tinker]

There's a recent thread that describes a crate Vortec with aftermarket fuel injection coupled to an H55. That's pretty simple & should give great gas mileage. Only downside I see is maintainability of "custom" fuel system. Stock GM is everywhere, therefore maintainable.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Since you seem to be into exploring having been in the Peace Corps. I would consider where you will use the truck. If it will be a US ONLY truck have fun with the V8, if it will travel outside of the US/Canada/Mexico I'd STRONGLY reconsider the desire for a V8. Here in Guatemala I trip over 3B diesel parts but I have a tough time finding a 350 air filter!!