keeping the cruiser a cruiser

[green73]

You have to look at it as a package doing an engine swap. There are right and wrong ways to do it. Consider, cooling exhaust, potential driveshaft issues, and adapters into a SBC swap. The most common problem I have seen with the SBC converted Land Cruiser is the stock t-case housing can split under a healthy engine and a a heavy foot. If you wheel that way. To fix that you either swap the whole engine trans and t-case from a chevy, or go aftermarket for the t-case (Advanced Adapters Orion). The pay off of the SBC swap is it has a bit more power, but at a totally different RPM range. It is also a lighter engine, which makes it a little different off-road. I have never driven an SBC converted Land Cruiser, so this is just stuff I have gathered from people who have. Hopefully I have this info close to correct, and I do not intend to bash a SBC converted rig.

Keeping the F/2F. When properly maintained is pretty dead reliable, but not all that powerful, so highways are doable, but at a price. The F/2F is heavy and right over the front axle, so I feel it helps in a climb, but in a steep descent, you know it's there. The torque builds early in the F/2F so off-road, I personally see it as a benefit. The drivetrain behind the F/2F, does have options, as in the non U.S. H41 trans and the Orion t-case for deep trail gearing too.

Search is your friend on this subject, it has been debated to all ends here.

 

[blysccr]

welli have two very capable jeeps, this would be one of those....look at me i'm cool kind of things.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

I really like the old school 32" swamper look on stock wheels. keep it close to stock and beat your heeps offroad you have two so maybe you can keep one running while working on the other I hate not being able to look in the fsm for all my rebuild info and I always have to take the part in to the partshouse and compare{i should write what parts came off what} get a plan for this rig and it'll save money than a pocket full of cash in the end

 

[JohnnyC]

keep the original engine


with my 74 f.5 or some people call the "F and a half" engine I got 450,000 miles out of it...it was still running when it was pulled ....but...since it had soooo many oil leaks....i went with finding another used 74 f.5 low miles and put it in...it has now 30,000 miles ...sooo....i am good for the next 420,000 miles

IMO

 

[pc4400]

Im pushing roughly 400,000 miles on my original 1F, not sure a SBC will do that. F's are not great on gas, but they laaaaaaast.
And you say you're new? Swap to a SBC might be more than you expect. Might want to do a search first.

 

[singletrackjunkie]

If you really are looking for the cool factor go for a BJ42 with a 3B diesel engine otherwise I think others above have summed up the advantages and disadvantages of the f/2f vs SBC very well. Sometimes I think I may someday get Chevota to modify for a trail only rig but there is no way I'm ever getting rid of my diesel cruiser.

 

[Trollhole]

i'm looking at a crusier and i am wondering how many of you keep the old engine in it? i'm not sure if it's f or 2f(got bit by the bug yesterday) and i want to go look at it here sunday, so my question is,....how hard is it to maintain stock drivetrain compontents? how many people swap stuff out for common chevy stuff? thanks

Stock

With access to MUD maintaining is really easy and parts are easy to find.

 

[blysccr]

ok, i'll take a look at it and post what i find. thanks guys

 

[SHREG]

All Hale the mighty F......2F

F the SBC..... I have a stock truck now, 3 on the tree and old F.....I used to have a rock rig....my rock rig had a fire breathing F in it with a soup can for a carb. Damn thing ran at near any angle.... I ran 38" tires, sprung over bla bla.... Would not have swapped out the old tractor engine for no stinkin V8....... May as well drive a friggin blazer....... The "F" is the heart and soul of the LandCruiser...........

 

[Thornton]

I'm running the stock F in my 40. She's running strong. Not fast but strong.
I've got a buddy of mine who's father had a garage back in the 70's and had a wrecker with a 6 cyl in it. Mark said he always tried to get his dad to drop a V8 into it. He said his dad would look at him and laugh and tell him to look at the other guys that had the V8's and were always having to repair them because they were breaking something and his 6cyl kept on going.
I'd keep the 6. Maybe go from an F to a 2F

 

[Coolerman]

All Hale the might F......2F

F the SBC.....

F the SBC? I love things that can have multiple meanings...

Personally I say 2F the SBC!

 

[shelfboy1]

had many v8s in cruisers over the years and the 2f seems to work the best.only v8 i liked was the 501 caddy 73 i have. 500foot lbs of torque at 2400 rpms would idle anywhere and kick some but on the street .still rely on the f or 2f to get the job done right good luck

 

[motoloco]

V8's NEED to be in some trucks, I have a 06' GM 6.0 going in my 80 series because it NEEDS it. My 79' 40 has the stock 2F and it always will, with a good running 2f and the right gears, it is fun to drive. A 40 is just not a 40 with a V8, modded or not IMO.

 

[metalonmetal]

i get a sick and twisted satisfaction of keeping things toyota.

i think it's because i believe that the toyota land cruiser didn't get it's name because of a domestic product.

it gets expensive, it's a full time job, and it will wear you out a times, but when it's all said and done you're driving a legend.