FJ60 diesel conversion
- Thread starter jakerudy
- Start date
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Gotta love the rattle of a tractor motor.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
- Threads
- 583
- Messages
- 16,388
- Location
- Winter Park, Florida
- Website
- www.cruisermatts.com
Cool info on the intercooler! And congrats on the swap.
- Thread starter
- #44
Yeah, the engine out of my old John Deere 4020 seemed silly. And it's not falling apart like the Dodge truck was.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #45
Due to some family issues I've had to delay the trip to get my Cruiser. They are driving it to work out any kinks before I have to cross Kansas. Still working on how to post pics.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t220/jakerudy/FJ60-3.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t220/jakerudy/FJ60-3.jpg
- Thread starter
- #46
The 60 is pretty much complete. Successful 850 mile trip and a couple of small issues to address but Micah tells me it is awesome. Got some of the family issues taken care of at home so heading out this week to get it. I'll try to post some pictures and more details in a few days.
Getting psyched to get it.
Getting psyched to get it.
- Thread starter
- #47
After much anticipation I am on the final leg of my trip to pick up the Cruiser. I'll try to get some pictures and details posted soon.
- Thread starter
- #48
First impression is the result is better than I even hoped. Drove through some mountains and it feels weird to not floor it but I expected the power.
Ride is stiffer. 2 extra leaf springs in the front and 1 in the back. The BFG MTs are as they came mounted so pressure is probably on the high side. Going to work on that when I get home. The ride doesn't bother me but might be a little better with less pressure in D rated tires.
Noise level is obviously up but not as much as I expected. At 60 mph I was able to use Siri for directions with the iPhone on the console. You can hear the turbo whine but not obnoxious. Pushing 70 does get louder but no problem hearing the radio.
Workmanship is superb. If you didn't know ahead of time what the engine was it would look factory. The engine compartment is cleaner than with the 2F. The only giveaways on the interior are the shifters and gauge for exhaust temperature.
The lift is a little more than I wanted but became necessary and is a small price to pay for the rest of the improvements.
With stock gearing engine rpm at 65 is about 1950. It is getting 20 mpg or better. Drove about 100 miles tonight and used about 1/8 tank. Micah got 20 driving it hard to ring it out.
Micah is putting together a list of parts used so I can repair in the future. He tries to keep electrical signals Toyota to keep everything working like factory.
Yeah it was a lot of money but when I hear the prices of new diesel trucks and luxurious suv's that don't interest me this rig gets me the vehicle I want for a lot less than the other options.
No pictures yet as it has been a long day and is dark. I'll post some soon.
Ride is stiffer. 2 extra leaf springs in the front and 1 in the back. The BFG MTs are as they came mounted so pressure is probably on the high side. Going to work on that when I get home. The ride doesn't bother me but might be a little better with less pressure in D rated tires.
Noise level is obviously up but not as much as I expected. At 60 mph I was able to use Siri for directions with the iPhone on the console. You can hear the turbo whine but not obnoxious. Pushing 70 does get louder but no problem hearing the radio.
Workmanship is superb. If you didn't know ahead of time what the engine was it would look factory. The engine compartment is cleaner than with the 2F. The only giveaways on the interior are the shifters and gauge for exhaust temperature.
The lift is a little more than I wanted but became necessary and is a small price to pay for the rest of the improvements.
With stock gearing engine rpm at 65 is about 1950. It is getting 20 mpg or better. Drove about 100 miles tonight and used about 1/8 tank. Micah got 20 driving it hard to ring it out.
Micah is putting together a list of parts used so I can repair in the future. He tries to keep electrical signals Toyota to keep everything working like factory.
Yeah it was a lot of money but when I hear the prices of new diesel trucks and luxurious suv's that don't interest me this rig gets me the vehicle I want for a lot less than the other options.
No pictures yet as it has been a long day and is dark. I'll post some soon.
Glad to hear the transportation details worked out OK. If you went about 100 miles does that put you in Pueblo for the night?
- Thread starter
- #50
Yes. Got up at 3:15 this morning to catch my first flight. 2 flights, a train, and 3 hour bus ride got me there.
Another long day tomorrow but it's worth it. This thing is awesome.
- Thread starter
- #51
11 hour drive today and she runs great.
- Thread starter
- #52
Engine pics
- Thread starter
- #53
Lift
- Thread starter
- #54
Posted left side of engine twice. Here is the right side.
pistonpete
SILVER Star
Sweet install !!
- Thread starter
- #56
Forgot one detail. In the picture of the left side of the engine you can see a starter solenoid on the fender well. It is being used as a switch for the grid heater. Micah installed a button where the choke knob used to be that you depress to warm the intake in cold weather.
Looks great!
- Thread starter
- #58
Thanks. I love this truck and really enjoy driving it. It is better than I hoped or expected. Micah does amazing work and stayed in touch with me through the project. I highly recommend Classic Cruisers.
In my first impressions post I noted the ride is stiffer but didn't know the tire pressure. Figured they were at max pressure since they were ordered mounted as a wheel & tire package. Sure enough they were at 64 psi so I let them down to 40. Big difference in ride quality. Still rougher than stock with some off brand mud tires I had on it but not by a lot. May go lower after driving it awhile but it certainly doesn't need D rated tires at max pressure.
- Thread starter
- #59
A 5 hour drive in torrential rain at night confirmed the need for a headlight upgrade. I went with HID to simplify the install. Haven't driven it at night yet so can't confirm how much improvement over stock they are. They blew both 10A fuses initially so I swapped in 15A and they are working so far.
- Thread starter
- #60
After driving my 60 daily for 6 weeks I figured it was time for an update.
It has been completely reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. I live in the sticks so spend a lot of time on back roads. It is getting 20 mpg with my daily driving which is about 1/3 back roads and 2/3 highway. On a couple of road trips it has gotten around 22 mpg at 60 mph but when I push it to 75 on the interstate it will drop to about 18 mpg.
The power is amazing. It's not that you can race everyone off the line but once it is rolling it will accelerate on any hill I've found. On a recent road trip a newer Mustang was holding me up on a long hill on a 4 lane highway at 70 mph. How often does that happen in an old Cruiser?
I'd gotten used to the attention an old Cruiser draws but the 6BT has taken it to a new level. At the local feed store a kid approached me asking if it was a 4BT. I said no it's a 6 and his eyes glazed and of course he wanted to see it. He ended up videoing it to show a buddy - that was a first. It gets stares pretty much everywhere I go.
The 6BT makes my 60 the vehicle I've wanted for years. I absolutely love this thing and would do it again in a heartbeat.
It has been completely reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. I live in the sticks so spend a lot of time on back roads. It is getting 20 mpg with my daily driving which is about 1/3 back roads and 2/3 highway. On a couple of road trips it has gotten around 22 mpg at 60 mph but when I push it to 75 on the interstate it will drop to about 18 mpg.
The power is amazing. It's not that you can race everyone off the line but once it is rolling it will accelerate on any hill I've found. On a recent road trip a newer Mustang was holding me up on a long hill on a 4 lane highway at 70 mph. How often does that happen in an old Cruiser?
I'd gotten used to the attention an old Cruiser draws but the 6BT has taken it to a new level. At the local feed store a kid approached me asking if it was a 4BT. I said no it's a 6 and his eyes glazed and of course he wanted to see it. He ended up videoing it to show a buddy - that was a first. It gets stares pretty much everywhere I go.
The 6BT makes my 60 the vehicle I've wanted for years. I absolutely love this thing and would do it again in a heartbeat.
