Fj62 swap help! LS v8 or cummins???

[fj62max]

Iam ready to start a my first swap on my fj62. I want something very reliable and something I can enjoy my years to come with my son. Looking to travel and will be doing many road trips and occasionally jump on trails. I've always wanted a diesel, but don't know if the swap would be too much. Which swap would be the simplest. I plan on running stock transfercase and would like to use a gm auto 4l80e or 6l90e. Will start gathering parts very soon. Thanks for everyones help

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Ls swap will be the simplest the in my eyes. I haven't done a diesel swap tho. I am not sure about what transmission you can use also with the diesel swap. I do like the power of the ls swap but I know the diesel swap will get better mpg.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

What's wrong with your 3FE? Run that until it dies. It's a very good motor and enough power for your average FJ62.
If the 3FE is done, then an LS swap gets my vote. Same or better economy, lots of power, cost effective. Well sorted. THey make for very clean long lasting installs that owners actually like.

Diesels are damn sexy and I want one, but the cost analysis doesn't pencil out. Plus, most of the 4BT swaps that get done are sold shortly after. Don't know if it's the noise or vibration, but most don't seem to hang on to them for various reasons.

 

[ander42b]

Diesels are going to be about 2.5 times the cost of a good Vortex engine swap. Use the threads here a do a lot of studying and find out what works and what does not work. Not every V8 swap is the same but you can learn the pit falls of others to stear clear.

Jason

 

[HoJo 61]

Toyota diesel???

 

[gilamonster]

The point that made me not want a 4bt, is the lift required to fit. I don't want/need that much. They aren't diesel cool, but the chevy engines fit better.

 

[cullmancruiser]

It's a misconception that a SOA is required to fit a 4BT Cummins. A 4" lift will work just fine if you just make a slight modification to the oil pan and pickup tube. I use my rig offroad and have no issues with engine clearance with my 4BT. All that aside though, a SBC swap will be much easier. I was able to do all the welding, fabrication, and machine work myself, and I already had the engine so I saved gobs of money. Unless you can do that stuff too, I would recommend the V8. I do love my 4BT though, especially the 24MPG.

 

[The Phoenician]

I'm partial to a Cummins myself. Took me everywhere I wanted to go and is reliable, no harnesses or electronics needed.

 

[doug720]

Consider an Isuzu 4BD1/2 diesel swap. Take the time to search here on Mud and the Isuzu section of 4BTswaps, I think you will find them very civilized, cost effective, fit friendly, and performance satisfying. At least worth a look IMHO, but I'm biased, as you can read about mine below.

Are they perfect, well no, but nothing is. Have there been issues, yes, read about Wheelingnoobs trials with his. But overall, worth consideration.

In addition, and a major consideration if you choose diesel, is the State the 62 will be registered in. Sometimes a diesel can be a real PIA to register - ie, California, parts of Colorado, and I'm hearing even Utah, and likely more.

 

[fj62max]

If I were to go with a diesel it would 6bt with an auto and if I were to go with a ls v8 it would be 5.3 or 6.0. Yes I will doing all the work myself.

 

[Elbert]

Truck engine, GM 5.3 or 6.0 gas, matching GM auto transmission, transfercase adapter from AA, FJ60 transfercase... done.

What I've advocating for......for some time and the route I will take if I make any changes to my setup.

Read this: Cam's FJ60 is Gittin' a Heart Transplant

 

[franklin40]

diesel is awesome but more expensive. i've done a rough analysis of cost and if i drive it for 10 years the way i do now i'll break even. and that's if fuel stays roughly the same price. what makes it worth it to me is the functionality of it. my 3fe could barely hold highway speeds. the 1hdt holds it easily with loads to spare. it'll be better for towing too. a v8 gas will be easier, cheaper and parts are everywhere. if i were to do it again i'd do what i have for sure. the difference between gas and diesel give a very different feel to the drive. make sure you like how a diesel accelerates before jumping in. it won't give you the same snap a gasser will and you might be disappointed if you're expecting that.

 

[MANUCHAO]

If you gonna go diesel go Toyota....
I couldn't afford it back then, can't afford it now....
So I went Vortec.....
Haven't looked back......
If you have the $$ go with a Diesel Toyota.

"I hate my TD Toyota" said no-one ever....!!!

 

[doug720]

It's always interesting to see the discussion of costs of swaps. Yes, a swap - gas or diesel, can cost $10-20K, but they don't have to.

Read my build, I have less than $2000.00 into my Isuzu swap after selling off my left over parts. I did 90%+ of all the work, it only took 3 weeks of nights and weekends, and then we left with it on 2 week vacation!

I have a factory turbo charged and inter-cooled diesel engine, with PS and AC, that has averaged right at 20 mpg over about 6 years and 50k plus miles. I can cruise at 70+, pass cars on the freeway, go up the 6% grade of the Tejon pass in summer with 3 people, 3 dogs, roof rack, full camping gear for 4 days, with ac in 5th gear at 70 mph! So it ain't bad.

The drive train is not a mesh mash everything but the engine is Toyota. The stock drive line is in the stock locations, the transmission was never removed, DS angles are stock, the radiator is stock, etc. Even the stock 60 top radiator hose is used. Isuzu parts can be bought at any Chevy or GM truck dealer, or at Isuzu. So no issues there.

I have no complaints

PS - With my Saddle Tank, I have a travel range of around 800 miles without refueling!

 

[fj62max]

It's always interesting to see the discussion of costs of swaps. Yes, a swap - gas or diesel, can cost $10-20K, but they don't have to.

Read my build, I have less than $2000.00 into my Isuzu swap after selling off my left over parts. I did 90%+ of all the work, it only took 3 weeks of nights and weekends, and then we left with it on 2 week vacation!

I have a factory turbo charged and inter-cooled diesel engine, with PS and AC, that has averaged right at 20 mpg over about 6 years and 50k plus miles. I can cruise at 70+, pass cars on the freeway, go up the 6% grade of the Tejon pass in summer with 3 people, 3 dogs, roof rack, full camping gear for 4 days, with ac in 5th gear at 70 mph! So it ain't bad.

The drive train is not a mesh mash everything but the engine is Toyota. The stock drive line is in the stock locations, the transmission was never removed, DS angles are stock, the radiator is stock, etc. Even the stock 60 top radiator hose is used. Isuzu parts can be bought at any Chevy or GM truck dealer, or at Isuzu. So no issues there.

I have no complaints

PS - With my Saddle Tank, I have a travel range of around 800 miles without refueling!

View attachment 1350983 View attachment 1350985 View attachment 1350986

Looks really nice and clean!

 

[fj62max]

Been reading and reading.... I would like to go with a diesel 6bt or wish I can do a 12ht, but guess the ls maybe the bestimate bet for my first swap.

 

[SteveH]

That's just the most handsome swap ever! You need a clear plastic hood just to show it off more effectively! Exactly what Isuzu trucks does that family of engines hail from? - to give me evil thoughts while trolling Craigslist? And is it emission-legal at any level?

 

[gregnash]

That's just the most handsome swap ever! You need a clear plastic hood just to show it off more effectively! Exactly what Isuzu trucks does that family of engines hail from? - to give me evil thoughts while trolling Craigslist? And is it emission-legal at any level?

Those come out of the NPR bread trucks that you see driving around. I think the 4BD1T came from them up until like 94 then the 4BD2T came out. There is a difference between the two but cant really remember.

 

[doug720]

Yes, Isuzu NPR Forward Cab trucks. There are 2 engine versions, both are 3.9l 4cyclinder and turbocharged, and both of the engines are mechanical injection, so easy swaps:

4BD1 - 1986-1991 - Direct injected, no intercooler, will usually start with out glow plug, and return maybe 10% better mpg

4BD2 - 1992-1997 - Indirect injected, with intercooler, needs glow plug when cold, a little less efficient - This is what I have

I think a diesel swap is as easy as a carb'd gas engine, and easier than a FI/compter controlled gas engine.

These will not push you back in the seat, but are a big improvement over the 2f. I drive the the fast lane in SoCal and am not blocking traffic. Plus, these are LandCruisers, not LandSpeedsters!

 

[The Phoenician]

Initially I wanted an Isuzu and found one only to have it sold to someone else before I was able to get to it. I ended up with a 4btaa cummins, which is a balanced and rebuilt 4bt. Not much vibration and 130 hp, can do over 70mph and can tow anything I need. Used the toyota transfer case, decided to go with an NV4500 gear box. Just saying you have options for a diesel swap.