Well, I had a blast with the 55 this week in Moab... But seeing some of the 80s in action and Gary Cobberly's awesome 45 basically finalized something I have been pondering for a long time. So, I am about to pickup another piggie, this one with a cleaner body. I was planning on doing a body swap and keeping everything as is (which is pretty good) but some fantasies got a hold of me and here is the outcome:
A new piggie with:
80 series axles and frame complete with lockers and OE FJ80 suspension. Probably OME J springs. Not sure what else as I am not up on my 80 series stuff but I'll learn it. Probably pretty high backpaced wheels to get about 1" wider on each side than my current FJ60 width axles.
Trying to score a Cummins ISB 3.9, the 16 valve electronic version of the 4BT that is higher power and better mielage. 170 hp, it will be a rocket ship. A little more reliable, powerwise, than the mechanical injection pumps (which are fine). Otherwise I just scored another 4BT breadvan so I could always use this engine too...
NV5600. 6 speed out of late model Dodge Diesel. One big heavy motha, I think 300lbs, and very long...
Built Dana 300 with 4:1 gears and strong output shafts....
And that is it. This is of course all a big dream but assuming the cruiser sells then it will be at least moving towards a reality here.... And I promise I won't be done with FJ55's of course by any means...
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So, unfortubately here is the auction. I have had a great three years with her. Will be sad to see her go. Or if it doesn't get $11,500 (admittedly a little high IMO) then I just keep on trucking and do the body swap...
Because most of this truck will be new, I started doing the math and it will be easier to start with a new truck and frame rather than scavenge from the old. So... Unfortunately I guess she's gotta go... sniff sniff....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4638724473&sspagename=ADME:L:LCA:US:31
EDIT: FYI even though the auction says $16G, I got $12G for it...
A new piggie with:
80 series axles and frame complete with lockers and OE FJ80 suspension. Probably OME J springs. Not sure what else as I am not up on my 80 series stuff but I'll learn it. Probably pretty high backpaced wheels to get about 1" wider on each side than my current FJ60 width axles.
Trying to score a Cummins ISB 3.9, the 16 valve electronic version of the 4BT that is higher power and better mielage. 170 hp, it will be a rocket ship. A little more reliable, powerwise, than the mechanical injection pumps (which are fine). Otherwise I just scored another 4BT breadvan so I could always use this engine too...
NV5600. 6 speed out of late model Dodge Diesel. One big heavy motha, I think 300lbs, and very long...
Built Dana 300 with 4:1 gears and strong output shafts....
And that is it. This is of course all a big dream but assuming the cruiser sells then it will be at least moving towards a reality here.... And I promise I won't be done with FJ55's of course by any means...
________________________________________
So, unfortubately here is the auction. I have had a great three years with her. Will be sad to see her go. Or if it doesn't get $11,500 (admittedly a little high IMO) then I just keep on trucking and do the body swap...
Because most of this truck will be new, I started doing the math and it will be easier to start with a new truck and frame rather than scavenge from the old. So... Unfortunately I guess she's gotta go... sniff sniff....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4638724473&sspagename=ADME:L:LCA:US:31
EDIT: FYI even though the auction says $16G, I got $12G for it...
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