FJ60 Diesel conversion

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

gifu said:
doh, I knew that. I meant to ask Grease cruiser what he was using between his 4bt and his NV4500.

Grease cruiser? what bellhousing? what clutch are you running? and can you PM me the info on the guy in LA who deals with the 4bt motors? that be guh-rrrreat.
Click to expand...
The NV4500 that I am using is out of a wrecked 96 1/2 ton Chevy with a Vortec 350. I am using the bellhousing out of this and a clutch from a Chevy 454. I believe it runs a 12" clutch (11 7/8 maybe). More surface area in contact with the flywheel.
Speaking of a flywheel, this is the only problem that I am having. The flywheel I need is specific for a 4BT. A brand new Cummins 4BT flywheel is $892, OUCH! Some people will say that the 6BT flywheel will fit but according to Cummins, it is not balanced for the 4BT. This unbalanced flywheel will resort in premature bearing failure.
So if any of you guys want to do the same conversion with the 4BT and want an automatic instead of a manual, Let me know. Maybe we can do some trading. I have the Turbo 400 with the Allison torque converter. The guy I bought my Frito Lay van from now has some 4BT's with SM465's. I think I could use this as well.
Or, if any of you have any contacts that might know where to get a 4BT flywheel for less than $800, Please let me know.
 
Almost forgot. I talked to Jeremiah at Proffitts Cruisers a few minutes ago and he says my motor is in! Hell Yeahhhhhhhhhh. My tranny is getting the output shaft changed to mate to the Cruiser split case. Should not be long now.
Also, since undertaking my project, Jeremiah has taken several other orders to do the same. So if you guys have questions specifically on the installation, talk to Jeremiah. Looks there will be a few other BTJ60's out there. IMHO, this is the absolute best motor you can put into a 60. Then again, I am kind of biased because I have one! My .02 worth.
I will try and post some pics when it is all done.
It might be awhile as I want to install dual tanks so I can run straight veggie oil or "greasel". Man I can't wait to run free fuel and get 25+ mpg!
 
Okay. I think I've made a decision. Here's are the results of my research and thought process:

Although I really wanted to save some money on this project there were only a few options that I had available. I can certainly get a chevy motor easily and for little money, but I've gotten mixed reviews on them at best, and in most cases really bad reviews. I want this rig to be reliable (isn't that why we buy Toyotas?), so I decided to pass on the chevy.

Cummins motors can also be had fairly cheap, but I'd have to do at least a 4 inch suspension lift to accomodate either the 4BT or the 6AT, and I really don't want that much lift for a daily driver. So that's out.

I couldn't find very much information about the Isuzu 4BD1T, which I think says something in itself.

So, that gets me right back to Toyota motors. Turns out I found a 13BT/H55/T-case combo and I'm going for it. The longevity, mileage, and ability to keep the vehicle fairly stock make it worth the money. If there were a 12HT available I'd probably go for that, but I think this will be a good swap. Plus, I can benefit from Stickboy's experience and give him some support on the power side of the argument.

I plan to do the swap in Montana in March. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all your comments.


btw-there's a guy here in Bend, Oregon who's got 2 1HZ's that he's having swapped into FJ60s. Anybody know him?
 
Browndog,
Yah, If I recall correctly he (Bob) was going to be selling one of the two when done. Your in Bend?
 
Cosmo:

I am in Bend. Do you think Bob would be interested in selling the other uninstalled motor by itself? I've got dibs on the 13BT but haven't closed the deal yet. If that motor is available I'd be REALLY interested.
 
browndog said:
btw-there's a guy here in Bend, Oregon who's got 2 1HZ's that he's having swapped into FJ60s. Anybody know him?
Click to expand...

Ive conversed with him once or twice. Nice guy. I just dont remember his name.

TB
 
Drop me a PM with your email and I'll forward the info to him. I don't know him very well but I'd be happy to get the two of you in contact.
Another local cruiser guy, Nice!


browndog said:
Cosmo:

I am in Bend. Do you think Bob would be interested in selling the other uninstalled motor by itself? I've got dibs on the 13BT but haven't closed the deal yet. If that motor is available I'd be REALLY interested.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry I am just getting caught up here. 1) It was a hell of a month here in the lodging/tourist industry in Park City which is my other job and 2) I have been a little burned out on cruisers so took a break but I guess old habits die hard. I really love the diesel aspect.... Anyway, Grease Cruiser I sent you a PM but realized I remember the whole conversation. I am sorta psyched because these last few diesel conversions (getting popular over at proffitt's!) have been from recommendations from me so I hope that keeps him happy. I really really really lucked out with the flywheel. The guys over at TRD told Lee Alessi (mcinfantry on PBB) that a 6BT flywheel is the way to go with less vibration. Also, I swapped a bearing on my 4BT (had never done that before) but it was really easy, you can probably swap out almost all of them in less than two hours. If you find a 6BT flywheel, I say use it. Anyway, 1) we have this new 4BT yahoogroup that already has 28 members so I would join, there is probably some good info or at least you can find a flywheel. anyway, back to my point, MCInfantry scrapped his 4BT flywheel in place of a 6BT flywheel and sold it to me for $10 (sure lucked out). But we shared enough info, really him and only a couple guys out there knew anything about them so we were sort of "buddies" even though he is a cop in the thick of Lousiana and I'm a damn yankee :) Anyway, I told him to ship it Fedex ground but he ended up UPS'ing it so with frieght it was about $60 or something with shipping. I think the flywheel is maybe 80 lbs, maybe more? It is literally like 2.5" thick or something like that.

Here is the bearing I had to replace. the Number 4 bearing originally was a three piece design that is pressed together. Luckily cummins (who does a GREAT job of this) recognized the problem and made the new one one-piece but you will see where the bearing came apart. This allowed the crank to have lots of play to get the clutch to engage and disengage.
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/110104_photos/IMAG0079.JPG

Here is the flywheel and clutch. Grease Cruiser (sorry I can't remember your name dude!) I told you what showed up was a Chevy 454 clutch (which is true) but if I were to do it right, call or talk to orangefj45 (Georg Esterer) and get the correct 454 part number, basically from a muscle car that had a 454. Key point is that it is a CAR so the clutch is a low throw --- so --- you can activate it using your stock clutch master cyl and slave. I had to switch to a Wilwood style high flow clutch master. Which isn't bad, it broke in well but took a long time and is still stiffer than it should be....
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/misc_picts/clutch.jpg

OK, here is the pic I was looking for:
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/birfie_9_1203/flywheelbearings.jpg
Top bearing: the OEM one for a Chevy. .69" diameter
Bottom Bearing: a slightly larger one that allowed my Dodge NV4500 input shaft tip to fit (.75" diameter - same a NV4500 HD). I had to get the flywheel machined to fit this bearing.

You can see it uses the standard Chevy 6 bolt clutch pattern. Thing is huge as I mentioned... Make sure you use a good torque wrench and as mentioned, I would return your clutch and move on from there. Hope it helps! Also click on the link in my sig and going the yahoo group. One of those guys might have a flywheel or know of one. It is great, the power of 28 people talking about the same wierd-ass thing!

Best,
Andre
 
Thanks Andre!

Hey Andre,
Thanks for all the info. I sure do appreciate it but just a tad bit late on the flywheel info. Last week Jeremiah sourced a Brand New in the box 4BT flywheel for about half the price of what Cummins wanted. He found it back east somewhere. Some guy has like 700 of them. So if any of you guys wanting to do a 4BT/NV4500 conversion need a flywheel, talk to Jeremiah. HE is the man!!!
It is kind of funny, since starting my 4BT/NV4500 conversion, Jeremiah has taken 2 other orders to do the same. All 3 are on FJ60's and they are all white. Go figure.
Hopefully my Cruiser will be ready for Cruise Moab. Sure seems like it is just around the corner even though it is still over 2 months out.
BTW Andre, the name is John.
 
Andre,

Do you think the 454 short throw clutch might work with a Downey V-8 conversion bellhousing? I can't get the Toyota or a 350 clutch to release with the throw from the Toyota slave. I'm about ready to go to DOwney and pay stupid money for their clutch and quick release p-plate, but I'm worried if it can take the torque, especially on deacceleration, where the Toyota clutch slips and shudders bad.
 
Back to the post. I'll be picking up the motor combo around March 14 and starting the install a couple days later. I'm thinking about intercooling it, but I wanted to see if anyone has intercooled any of the Toyota diesels.

How involved would intercooling this motor be?

Thanks.
 
I went through a breadvan company and found a complicated Cummins part number that was cross referenced the LUK and what showed up was a regualr old truck 454 clutch, that I paid probably $75 too much for just because that was the cost of this part number VS a regular 454 part number. There is nothing special about this clutch either, it is literally a generic 1968-1988 454 Chevy 454 clutch. So, to answer, yes I think the 454 car clutch would be fine. I am still amazed they put that engine in cars anyway.

To answer the intercooling question. It is very easy, it just takes time and the right parts to mock it up. I am not sure where to buy some of the 2.5 or 3" connectors other than maybe a junk yard. Mine was intercooled in the breadvan so I took all of those pasrts and believe it or not they all literally worked great...
Here is a photo of the rubber connectors. You'll see the intercooler in front of the radiator, this is the Volvo version that works on 40 and 55 radiators but not 60s. If you went with a narrower aftermarket or whatever radiator then it would be fine but for me the radiator is more importatn than the intercooler so OEM is probably a better bet IMO. http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/110104_photos/IMAG0008.JPG
 
near purrfect 60

Well, my 5 speed is finally swapped into my 6AT powered 60. It's now a near-perfect truck; can cruise all day on the freeway, get's 20+ MPG, has low enough gears to do some good trails, enough lift to get where I need to, and handles and rides better then a stock 60.

1987 Onan L634t, h55f, BTB springs (with an extra leaf up front), ubolt flip kit, ford shock towers, 33x12.5 on 7" rims, 4x4Labs front and rear bumpers, Maxima seats, 3" exhaust...

Took a couple picts for Browndog to show how tall 4" lift and 33's is.
 
Looks like a sweet rig! The lift doesn't look as high as I thought it would. It's too late for me though. I'm picking up a 13BT/H55 combo March 15 from Sheldon. I plan on intercooling it as well, and I'll post pics as soon as I can. Wish me luck.
 
Yes this is very late info and is not Land Cruiser specific, but I just wanted to log a user's experience of the two Chevy '95 (electronic) 6.5 turbo diesel pickups I have for work:::::THEY SUCK. No end to electrical and injector pump and sensor and wiring harness problems. They are dealer-serviced yet are still unreliable and I cannot get better than 14mpg out of them (used to get 18-20). Neither truck has more than 100k miles. On the good side, the turbo gives some reasonable pep when not towing; it's a dog when towing.

A buddy has the 6.2 (non-turbo) in his '82 Blazer. He's happy with it. It's been rebuilt twice in 300k miles.

So I'm glad you picked Toyota! Have fun with the swap.
Tim
 
Pics are better. i need to take updated ones. maybe tomorrow.

I also heard the electronicly controlled injector pump Chevy's were junk. The non-electrics are not a great prize, but they run.

Mine is running very well today. I broke down and ordered the Downey p-plate and clutch disc. No part numbers on the p-plate to cross. Goofy looking brazed on balancing weights and poorly sprayed bright orange paint, but it works. Mostly.

The clutch still disengages at the floor. The gears are still tricky to find at a stop or downshifting. Fortunately, with the 6.2 hardly any downshifting is needed.

I need a local 60 owner to compare rigs with. I'd like to see how the 6.2 does against a 2F. The main advantange I see right now is the cool noise. My fuel sending unit is busted and I'm trying to run it out of fuel to drop the tank.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom