I have a 74 FJ40 and am getting ready to buy a motor and tranny for it. I like the power of a V-8 and my original plans were to put a 350 in it. After debating the pro's and Cons I am now considering a 2F. My question is, is that I have already installed a chevy universal wiring harness from Painless wiring. With this being a universal GM wiring harness would it work on a 2F. My pro's for the 350 are plenty of parts, cheap to fix and I can go to the local partshouse when I need parts. The cons of a 350 are it's not original to the FJ, drivelines won't fit, seems to molest the resale on the FJ's even though I have no plans to sell it . The pro's of a 2F is it's original, easy to make work, and I like inline motors ect... The cons, less power, special order parts, possibly not as reliable of a smallblock Chevy. I am undecided and need your advice. I'm not a big HP guy that needs tons of ponies. I am basically building a daily driver...
If You Were Me!
- Thread starter mruff
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the wiring can be made to work and a sbc just looks better
1911
chupacabra
Personally I would take a 2F over a cheby v8 any day, YMMV.
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You have a good memory,, my FJ didn't come with a V-8 but came ready to install a smallblock. The previous owner put in the motor mounts then ditched the project... I would be starting fresh on a 2F if I went that way...To many choices
Plenty of 2Fs out of the later wagons around. I doubt parts would be a problem...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/87140-best-2f-2.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/87140-best-2f-2.html
I swapped in a 350 about 15 years ago and have no complaints. To do it over today, I'd swap in a 2F or 3B. The 350 swap cost me 2k, plus motor, and labour. 2F are showing up all the time, around these parts, for $200-300. Once you replace the removed motor mounts, it would bolt right in. Although Chevy parts are somewhat cheaper, you'd be $2000 plus a ton of labour ahead.
3B diesels are more expensive parts wise... But get way more mpg. 60 and 70 series trucks are showing up all the time with rusted out frames for $800-1500 and sometimes I've even seen 3Bs with a 5 speed for $500.
it wouldn't just bolt in, but it's Toyota, and a fairly easy conversion.
3B diesels are more expensive parts wise... But get way more mpg. 60 and 70 series trucks are showing up all the time with rusted out frames for $800-1500 and sometimes I've even seen 3Bs with a 5 speed for $500.
it wouldn't just bolt in, but it's Toyota, and a fairly easy conversion.
If you want to go back to a Toyota engine, another option open to you is the 3FE (or a hybridized 2FE if you are interested in building something yourself that is a bump above). You would gain some drivability and performance over a carbed 2F, and since you already have a non-stock harness, working in a 3FE harness wouldn't be a big step compared to reinstalling a 2F harness.
Not to say that a SBC wouldn't be good way to go, just another possible path.
Not to say that a SBC wouldn't be good way to go, just another possible path.
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- #8
The GM harness that was put on it is a non computerized 12 circuit harness. Just the bare essentials to making a vehicle run. Can this harness be adapted to a 2F engine. If so what would the process be. I am wiring challenged so if it's to much of a job I will have to scrap the 2F plan. If it tells you naything about my wiring skills I am doing a full restro and have only had to pay someone to wire it. Everything else was in house so far...
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- #9
What years did Toyota produce the 3fe's?
88-92 model years (FJ62 and FJ80). It is basically a destroked and fuel injected 2F. The 2FE is the combination of the 2F bottom end and the 3FE head, induction and electronic controls which gives you a "factory" EFI 2F, or a 3FE stroker.
The painless wiring can easily be made to work with either engine. Not an issue. There are a small number of wires that go to the engine (dizzy, carb idle solenoid, and starter solenoid, alternator, gauges). It's easy, go with what you want. I would never buy an FJ with a v8-but you're not ever going to sell it so why do you care?
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- #12
When I first bought my FJ I was set on a GM motor thinking it is the better choice. I figured parts for the FJ's would be hard to come by and very expensive when you can find them. Obviously their not hard to find and really not that expensive. I am really starting to lean toward the 2F for a number of reasons but still have a little research I would like to do. I don't see them come up for sale to often in my area but find one every once in awhile. Any more advice or opinions you guys have please let me know. The wiring is the only thing that scares me but am sure it is simple. Maybe I should take the initiative to learn more about wiring.
Your issue with the 2F and worring about parts is short lived, Because the 2F is a GREAT MOTOR with little to no problems. That motor has been talked about for a reason !!! And it's not because it breaks down. Good Luck.
My girlfriends stepdad used to have a '74 FJ (I don't know if it was 1F or 2F) he was tickled to death the day I brought mine home. It brought back memories and he was telling me stories about what was done to his and what was different about my '70 vs his '74. Anyway, he told me what kind of mileage he got with it "the best I ever got was with the top off, it was 7 mpg" he said "and about 4 MPG with the top on". That was all he had to say for me to talk myself into an EFI small block, in my case I ended up with an LT1. I asked the guy I bought my fj from what he got for mileage, he couldn't remember but he said if it was that bad he wouldn't have driven it. These other guys can tell you what kind of mileage to expect from an I6 but I'm sure its no where near what you can get with an LT# OR LS#. A street rodder buddy of mine tells me of an after market computer for the LT1 that will get you 25 MPG. I would assume that's in a Camaro. Now an FJ is barely more aerodynamic than a billboard and with oversized tires I would still guess about 17 or 18 MPG. Someday, when my project is done, I'll find out for sure first hand. For me, the pros of an EFI V8 swap: better fuel economy, more power, cruise control, cheaper parts and more available, more reliable, programmable computer,etc. The cons: freeking $700 adapter kit from 4L60E automatic to TEQ transfer case (not needed if your sticking with original tranny), computers and sensors CAN be a real headache, and um...um...well, I guess that's about it for the cons. What are you building? A weekend pavement pounder or original show truck? Or a daily driven trail rig and hunting truck? If you don't care how original it is I would definately go V8, if you do care how original it is, this thread may have never gotten started. Or just blow everyone's mind an put a Mazda RX7 rotary engine in it.
"throughout the history of 4x4s only a few earned the right to be called lengendary. The original FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the few" - TLC Icon
"throughout the history of 4x4s only a few earned the right to be called lengendary. The original FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the few" - TLC Icon
2F is legendary, rock solid and bulletproof...nothing but respect here...
I had one in my 85 FJ60...ran for 30+ years and has 210000 on it...still going strong for the guy I sold it to in Holland.....
But...... try pulling a boat or trailer behind one going up hwy 80 grade to get to a mountain lake going 40 mph tops with your foot all the way in it as people drive by flipping you off....
Small block V8 all the way.
Cheers!
I had one in my 85 FJ60...ran for 30+ years and has 210000 on it...still going strong for the guy I sold it to in Holland.....
But...... try pulling a boat or trailer behind one going up hwy 80 grade to get to a mountain lake going 40 mph tops with your foot all the way in it as people drive by flipping you off....
Small block V8 all the way.
Cheers!
Get a 2F for the 40. Easy to work on and dependable. Get a 100 for towing
You'll find the mileage to be very similar between a 350 and a 2F. A 350 if set up right could get you an extra mpg or so. A 3B, if you could find one, would close to double your mpgs.
I get around 15 or 16 driving at normal cruiser speeds with my F. And I like that I don't have to deal with cruiser control, programming computers, adapter kits, cooling issues, and the headaches of computers and sensors...
Whatever blows your hair back though. It would probably be worth finding a local club to drive some of each and talk to the owners that know first hand before you spend the money, time, and effort.
BDSeff1fitty
1982 Toyota Pickup
I removed a 350 conversion out of mine and went back to a 2f. If you can find a nearly complete 2f with accessories you can come out even. I probably have about a 1200 putting the 2f back and then sold all of my 350 stuff (motor, adapters) for around 950 iirc. I also paid a lot more for my motor than most since there wasnt many motors available locally
bikersmurf said:You'll find the mileage to be very similar between a 350 and a 2F. A 350 if set up right could get you an extra mpg or so. A 3B, if you could find one, would close to double your mpgs.
Are you talking carb or EFI? Most rebuilt carbureted 350s get around 10-12 mpg, even TBI small blocks only get about that or so but an MPI or TPI small block should be closer to 20 mpg. That's in a 4x4. Obviously a more aerodynamic and lighter car will get more but were talking 4 bys here.
"throughout the history of 4x4s only a few earned the right to be called lengendary. The original FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the few" - TLC Icon
