LS Swap orrrrr.. a Taco (1 Viewer)

[HitTheDirt]

Hey Mudders, I am in conundrum, or something. I want to keep my 60 since I have around 11k in it and there's no way I'm getting that out. But I hate it's slow useless motor, and the frame is rusted through in the center. I have a new rust-free and freshly powdercoated frame waiting to drop under it, and the body is rust free except for a few small holes in the floor I'd fix when the frame is off. Front end was already rebuilt by me, knuckles, brakes, bearings, tie rods, and steering stabilizer. But that motor, I'm doing 40 miles an hour over the hills here, and if you know how fast people drive on I-25 & I-70 you know that's not safe!

So, option 1, I have a quote for a frame swap and 5.3LS swap with auto trans, plus an OME 2.5" lift from Proffits Resurrection Cruisers here in CO which will bring my investment to around 26k.

The other option is to cut my losses now and go for a more highway friendly Tacoma or 4Runner for the times I actually need it for that.

I plan for light trail wheeling etc to get to camping and hiking spots. Then I do use it to go to the mountains for snowboarding in the winter, which it handles like a champ with the Hakkepelitas I bought for it this year!

Anyway, if you're bored throw up a vote so I can quit waffling back and forth

 

[jakerudy]

Have you contacted Classic Cruisers in Salida? They did a 6BT swap in my 60 and it is awesome. As close as you are it would be worth a call.

If you love the 60 there is no replacing it. At least that is how I justified the expense of my swap.

 

[mattressking]

Swap it. Then if you still aren't about it, someone will buy it for at least a majority of your investment. Then you can buy a taco.

 

[HitTheDirt]

Good to know, forgot about CC in Salida! I really do want to keep it, and for the amount I drive it it would last a long time, mainly once or twice a week to work and then only for trips.

 

[jakerudy]

Good to know, forgot about CC in Salida! I really do want to keep it, and for the amount I drive it it would last a long time, mainly once or twice a week to work and then only for trips.

I'd say give them a call. Brandon owns the place and Micah did the work on my 60. They were straight up with me through the project. I don't have any experience with the 5.3 swap but hear good things about it. A 60 with power is fun to drive.

 

[NCFJ]

Just to add some fuel to the fire

You are talking about a frame swap and a motor swap already. So why not the next step and a huge difference, instead of another 60 frame, use an 80 roller. It's nothing new and well documented. It will cost you more but you will have what I personally consider the best overall LC platform to take you into the future. I think that you'd be in good hands with the shops you are looking at. I'm not looking for work, just an option you may not have considered.

 

[Nesquik]

Life's too short to drive something boring.

I'm willing to bet 99.5% of FJ60s will roll their last mile before I die....I'm a youngster though.

Enjoy it while you can

 

[NMfjCruiser]

I can't vote for the swap unless it's a manual.
Before I get flamed here it's just my opinion but that's what makes a 60 a 60 as opposed to an 62 or an 80.
I won't drive an auto unless Im unfortunate enough to get a disability that won't allow a manual.
Why are most of the swaps auto?
Also there are plenty of threads here on making the 2f perform good enough.
I recall reading one about a 2f being able to hold 55 on Monarch pass. That should be good enough.

 

[HitTheDirt]

Good point on both the 80 frame and the manual, both would be awesome. I love shifting and the 5spd would be great, but really it comes down to budget. I have also given some thought to the hot rodded 2f with a 5 spd but from what I"red here it's sort of a pig with lipstick. I'm also looking for better reliability, less maintenance and more power. I'm talking to Brandon today and I'll see what he has to say, getting pretty stoked to get this moving! Thanks for the feedback.

 

[White Stripe]

So Proffits will charge 15k to do a ls swap and frame swap?

 

[HitTheDirt]

So Proffits will charge 15k to do a ls swap and frame swap?

Around that but I suspect it would run more when said and done.

 

[HitTheDirt]

I've got a V8 swapped FJ55 and a 3.4L Tacoma(trd) both manual transmissions. There is NO comparison. I will take a V8 swapped 55 over the Tacoma except when I need a pickup bed.

As for the why an auto with the V8, swapping complete assembled drivetrain from donor is easier and cheaper. Most vehicles in US don't come with manuals. Getting the manual behind my 6.0L was not easy or cheap

Will an LS work with an H55?

 

[mcguirejohnson]

I love driving my cruiser, but my Taco is an awesome daily. Cheaper, semi-efficient, cruise control, ability to keep up w/ traffic, & I don't feel bad keeping it on the road with cheap parts.

But... there's nothing like a cruiser, so you should keep the 60 and spend the conversion $$ on an old Toyota eco-box

 

[HemiAlex]

Why not fix what is there and buy a cheap Tacoma.

I daily drove a 2004 2.7 prerunner for years. Paid $8000 and it's not lost value. I now drive my 60 everyday with a 300k 2F that I worked on to get running like a dream.

Kept the Tacoma just in case. If I wanted to take the 60 down for anything I can always drive the trusty Tacoma. If I wanted to sell it, the tacomas down here sell within a day or two on Craigslist. It might as well be a savings account!

 

[dffj6288]

So 15-20k for a vortec swap? Engines are used and trans are new in these swaps and quotes I'm assuming? Like monster transmission? Will the price of these swaps come down when more shops do them and people want em. I'm looking at 5 years or so from now haha. Or should I do a swap before I get a house and get married hmmm??

 

[White Stripe]

If you aren't hardcore wheeling the fj62 I would also consider a 6bt swap.

 

[jakerudy]

If you aren't hardcore wheeling the fj62 I would also consider a 6bt swap.

I couldn't be happier with my 6BT conversion. I'm sure the LS is a great swap also (and quieter) but have no experience with it. The LS is certainly lighter than a 6BT but I don't notice the weight difference from stock driving my 60. The lift is higher than I hoped but well worth the trade off for the improvement in power and mpg. No more hoping I can get up to speed, just push the pedal and go as fast as I want at anytime.

 

[HitTheDirt]

Just an update- I decided to buy jpsfj60's silver rig, it is super clean and 5spd swap, and no rust underneath!! I paid more than I planned so the LS swap is on the back burner, but who knows maybe the H55 and Jim C carb will be enough for me.

In the meantime I need to sell my current 60, it comes with a shiny new powdercoated frame!

My dilemma, sell as is or finish it first?

 

[SNLC]

My 2 cents,

I had an 04 Taco built to the hilt. Super charger, 7th injector, very nice lift, rear locker, sweet bumpers and much much more. All it didn't have was a SAS.

I sold it and got and FJ60 with a 350hp v8 with the 4spd and a Ranger OD box and have owned several v8 Cruisers since. Nothing beats the Cruisers with the v8, least of all a Taco. I am currently driving a very built up 100 and would rather have a sweet 60 or 80 with a 300-400hp v8 any day.

Cheers