FJ60 Updates- Fuel Injection

[ADVFJ80]

I've gone back and forth on this... I had plans to do a V8 swap in my FJ60, but the Land Cruiser purist in me has struggled with it; so I've decided to stay true to the 2F... with some upgrades. The engine runs great, despite being a little underpowered. In the area I live, all of my wheeling is done above 6,500 feet. I constantly run into issues with fuel starvation and poor running the higher I go.

I've decided I want to do a fuel injection conversion from Affordable Fuel Injection, as they've got a good price on the complete kit, with a HEI ignition upgrade. It's nearly identical to the Howell kit, just a better price.

What are the potential pitfalls to doing this conversion? I know my 2F is tired, and I'm not expecting power gains- just efficiency. I'm planning to swap front and rear gears from 3.70 to either 4.56 or 4.88. I guess I'm hoping that will address the low HP numbers from a 35 year old motor, with 230k on the clock.

Thoughts, pitfalls, consideration and anything else I need to look at?

Thanks,
Randy

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Blue '84 gets a fresh start- AFI EFI and more

Search for this thread and read it all Nolan and crew did a jam up job on his rig.

 

[OSS]

HEI ignition downgrade

 

[crashmonk]

 

[crashmonk]

Something to consider, a V8 swap would not need new gearing. Just wanna save you money and increase your smiles per gallon there buddy!

That 2F is just..... underwhelming. And realistically now, let's be honest, not as reliable as a modern(ish) fuel injected V8.

Do yourself a favor, you'll be happy to drive your cruiser again.

 

[ADVFJ80]

Blue '84 gets a fresh start- AFI EFI and more

Search for this thread and read it all Nolan and crew did a jam up job on his rig.

This is good info, thanks for this!

 

[ADVFJ80]

Something to consider, a V8 swap would not need new gearing. Just wanna save you money and increase your smiles per gallon there buddy!

That 2F is just..... underwhelming. And realistically now, let's be honest, not as reliable as a modern(ish) fuel injected V8.

Do yourself a favor, you'll be happy to drive your cruiser again.

Believe me, I've gone back and forth on this a ton. I agree with all the pro's surrounding a V8 swap.

However, with the cash I've set aside to do the engine work, I can get a whole lot more done in the bigger scheme of things to my truck....more bang for the buck.

Previously, I haven't had the time or space to do an engine swap myself, so I found a shop that do the work. But rather paying $5200 just in labor (!!), I can alleviate my carb problems wheeling between 6-12,000 feet in Colorado via fuel injection, re-gear front and rear axles with air lockers, and do a bunch of other work... all work that I can do myself.

I'm not taking the swap off the table, just delaying it until I can acquire the gear and parts to do the swap myself, and still wheel my truck at altitude.

Thanks everyone,
Randy

 

[SteveH]

I am wrapping up an AFI conversion on my '78 FJ40 (2F). Same issues with vapor locking, hot soaking, stalling, etc. in Colorado for 15 years. So far, the AFI kit has made sense, but you will discover a few things that complicate matters (gas pedal and cable fit-up, wiring lengths, etc.). Not AFI's fault; it's just the nature of such kits.

I will bookmark this and try to remember to report back when finished. I live at 7000' and my FJ40 used to run great when gasoline was more engineered for carburetors, but I literally can't use/drive my FJ40 when temps are above 60F.

 

[gregnash]

I am wrapping up an AFI conversion on my '78 FJ40 (2F). Same issues with vapor locking, hot soaking, stalling, etc. in Colorado for 15 years. So far, the AFI kit has made sense, but you will discover a few things that complicate matters (gas pedal and cable fit-up, wiring lengths, etc.). Not AFI's fault; it's just the nature of such kits.

I will bookmark this and try to remember to report back when finished. I live at 7000' and my FJ40 used to run great when gasoline was more engineered for carburetors, but I literally can't use/drive my FJ40 when temps are above 60F.

There are other kits out there but for the 2F specific application, it seems that AFI is the only company that makes one. Looking at their site recently they have a new OPTIMUM system that is a self learning AND can go in the engine bay. Slightly more expensive (with everything it came out to a little over $2k) but seems like it would be worth it.

 

[SteveH]

I passed on the Optimum system because I didn't want to be a guinea pig on it. Their old system is pretty time-tested, and I don't care about tuning the system to the Nth degree - just want reliable hot-start performance. We'll see!

 

[slacker24-7]

Blue '84 gets a fresh start- AFI EFI and more

Search for this thread and read it all Nolan and crew did a jam up job on his rig.

. X2 Nolen really did his homework and is really happy with the end result.. Blue '84 gets a fresh start- AFI EFI and more

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

you know, the was a car company in the 80s that made some decent EFI packages. I'd bet one of them could easily and with almost no aftermarket parts required be adapted to bolt onto your engine. I'd look to find a late 80s Toyota? landcruiser? I think- with the 4.0 liter EFI powered motor. everything youd need with the exception of a few hose adapters will be right there, under the hood...the best part is, the whole swap is detailed and recorded by the factory, in a book called the FSM.

 

[3_puppies]

not up on all the aftermarket setups.
why not go with the 3fe setup?
is it cheaper easier going 1 route over another?

 

[White Stripe]

I think one thing I would recommend is rather than use the AFI distributor I would convert the FJ60 distributor to work with the EFI. The FJ60 factory distributor is very high quality. I get 16MPG with 35s with my fj40 at 70mph with tbi fuel injection. Above tree line I have no fuel issues, on steep inclines in Moab it runs perfect.
As far as gears, anything lower than 4.11s will kill your highway rpms unless you have a 5 speed. The other option would be to throw on a 3fe head and EFI and turn your 2f into a 2fe.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

that's 3 suggestions for the 3FE efi in a row... just sayin...

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I think one thing I would recommend is rather than use the AFI distributor I would convert the FJ60 distributor to work with the EFI. The FJ60 factory distributor is very high quality. If you do get the AFI kit, I'm in Denver, I would give you 100 bucks to let me download the AFI EFI program. I want to see what the difference is between my diy programming and afi's programming. I get 16MPG with 35s with my fj40 at 70mph with tbi fuel injection. Above tree line I have no fuel issues, on steep inclines in Moab it runs perfect.
As far as gears, anything lower than 4.11s will kill your highway rpms unless you have a 5 speed. The other option would be to throw on a 3fe head and EFI and turn your 2f into a 2fe.

I will say this, your claims are outrageous. if that combo is repeatable, it should be.

 

[White Stripe]

I will say this, your claims are outrageous. if that combo is repeatable, it should be.

Which claims specifically?

 

[Rusty 72]

I think one thing I would recommend is rather than use the AFI distributor I would convert the FJ60 distributor to work with the EFI. The FJ60 factory distributor is very high quality.

I will be using the AFI stuff on my conversion. I went with the 3fe dist. Why do you recommend the 60 dist over the rest?

 

[White Stripe]

I will be using the AFI stuff on my conversion. I went with the 3fe dist. Why do you recommend the 60 dist over the rest?

I don't know what the difference is between the fj60 distributor vs the 62. I imagine either would be better quality than the one in the kit. I imagine fj62 distributors are harder to source.

 

[Rusty 72]

@White Stripe do you use the 60 dist for timing control or do you program it in the chip?

Not much to go wrong with the 3fe dist supplied by AFI. Glad I did not go with the DUI hei dist.