I purchased a 64 FJ40 3 years ago from a ranch in Colorado. The seller told me that it had never left the ranch and that the 13000 miles showing on the odometer was correct. It is very straight, can not find a ding. The only rust that I can find is on both fronts of the interior wheel wells where a roll bar was installed and then removed. It was painted at some point brown but was orig. a light yellow or beige. It is all original which I like, however I want to make it a daily driver. I want to make it as comfortable as possible and keep the original look. I don't want to lift it but I know I will need to do some suspension and brake work. I will have many questions during the restoration. I would like to swap the orig. engine with a 4.2 vortec straight six. I have read where this is a great engine. I would like opinions of this swap as well as a good 5 speed that would be easy to install. What other things will I need to do to accomodate this engine swap? What gears would be best for street and highway use ? I will put some pictures up as soon as possible. Thanks in advance for your help.
engine swap
- Thread starter 64tom
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Welcome to MUD!
I have heard of the 4.2 votec that is in some of the S-10's. It is a common swap.
What is a 4.2 Vortec Inline 6? What vehicle does it come out of?
I have heard of the 4.2 votec that is in some of the S-10's. It is a common swap.
What is a 4.2 Vortec Inline 6? What vehicle does it come out of?
Welcome
. Man, you have some good luck if the rig is in that good of condition and so few miles. I would have to agree with keeping the original engine and fixing the rust. Doing an engine swap can be costly and time consuming. If you have good engine, stay with it. Trust me on this one.
. Man, you have some good luck if the rig is in that good of condition and so few miles. I would have to agree with keeping the original engine and fixing the rust. Doing an engine swap can be costly and time consuming. If you have good engine, stay with it. Trust me on this one.
FWIW you need to clear up on your car grammer. If you go and replace everything with parts from another manufacturer, that is a rebuild as in you rebuilt something toyota made into a chevota. A restore is where you make every effort to stay with the original stock parts. Doing a restoration on a toyota is dang near impossible, but you have a good canidate for one. If I were you I would keep it all original, and try for a restoration it would probably cost less with only 13k on the machine and no rust.
The trailblazer weighs approximately 1,000 lbs more than a stock FJ-40.
That being said, if you're going to do it, go with the 5.3L V8 or a TBI 350. You'll likely spend the same amount on the motors. Peak torque on the I-6 is 4,800 rpm, and peak torque on the 5.3L is at 4,000 rpm.
Of course, peak torque on a 2f is a nice diesel-like 1800 rpm......
That being said, if you're going to do it, go with the 5.3L V8 or a TBI 350. You'll likely spend the same amount on the motors. Peak torque on the I-6 is 4,800 rpm, and peak torque on the 5.3L is at 4,000 rpm.
Of course, peak torque on a 2f is a nice diesel-like 1800 rpm......
Downey
SILVER Star
the only experience we have with Chevy straight 6 cyl. in a Landcruiser is that it cost as much to install a Chevy straight 6 as it cost to install a Chevy V8, at no particular gain.
If the vehicle is as you've described it, I think it would be nice to keep it as original as possible.
That being said it is YOUR vehicle to do whatever you want with. My only advice would be to spend as much time as possible reading and re-reading and searching this forum before you act on anything.
Many, many things to be learned here.
Happy searching, hit up the FAQ.
That being said it is YOUR vehicle to do whatever you want with. My only advice would be to spend as much time as possible reading and re-reading and searching this forum before you act on anything.
Many, many things to be learned here.
Happy searching, hit up the FAQ.
Here is another opinion/vote for keeping the rig stock. Like 67azcruizr said it is your ride so you can do with it whatever you desire. If you sell it believe the $$ you can get for a stock low mile '64 FJ40 should easily pay for another Fj40 that already has the engine mods. You could probably even go for a 40 with a Diesel already installed. In the next few years I'm certain your wallet will be happier with a efficient Diesel engine compared to any gasoline block you could find and put in. Either way have fun and congrats on the find!
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Thank all of you for your advise. As of now I'm going to begin restoring the body. I will probably leave it original. I have a question regarding the engine once again. I have access to a rebuilt 2F long block. Will this engine bolt up to the original 64 components? Thanks again for your advise and pictures will soon be posted. Tom
Tom, Is there something wrong with the engine that is in it? First you wanted to swap and now a 2F block? Interchangeability is dependent on the year of the block, there is a FAQ that describes what years interchange.
