LS Swap?

[VitaminC914]

I have an 84 FJ60 with 263K. Seller sold me a truck with a bad engine and he claims he didn't know. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now, it is my problem. I am a purist, but I am seriously considering an LS Swap. I am sure it has been done.
Can anyone guide me to some good write-ups or experts? Will I have to change the transmission to a 5 speed? What is all involved? Are there companies that specialize in selling conversion parts? Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[Tennessee80]

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it’s a great tool on this forum. There have been insane amounts of threads involving swaps of all kinds, including LS swaps

good luck, sorry for your situation man

 

[HemiAlex]

Get a new drop in engine from @FJ60Cam and enjoy the truck before you tear the whole truck apart for an LS.

 

[LyndenCruiser79]

I have an 84 FJ60 with 263K. Seller sold me a truck with a bad engine and he claims he didn't know. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now, it is my problem. I am a purist, but I am seriously considering an LS Swap. I am sure it has been done.
Can anyone guide me to some good write-ups or experts? Will I have to change the transmission to a 5 speed? What is all involved? Are there companies that specialize in selling conversion parts? Any guidance is appreciated.

Oh man... I am totally in the same boat! Just found out my daily, a 1987 HJ61 with the 12ht, had a cratered motor, found all sorts of chunks of metal in the oil pan after a head gasket and piston clash was identified... Looking at doing a Chevy swap myself very soon! Good luck with everything! My sympathies!!

 

[batthewmrown]

Oh man... I am totally in the same boat! Just found out my daily, a 1987 HJ61 with the 12ht, had a cratered motor, found all sorts of chunks of metal in the oil pan after a head gasket and piston clash was identified... Looking at doing a Chevy swap myself very soon! Good luck with everything! My sympathies!!

I know it's probably cost prohibitive, yada yada, but throwing a Chevy motor in a 60, especially a DIESEL 60, just seems so perverse. Your rig, your money, obviously, but for all that is holy, keep a diesel in it.

 

[youpers]

I know it's probably cost prohibitive, yada yada, but throwing a Chevy motor in a 60, especially a DIESEL 60, just seems so perverse. Your rig, your money, obviously, but for all that is holy, keep a diesel in it.

Im going to be proactive and gear up with my flame suit for this one, okay ready... An LS swap almost makes the 60 feel modern. Best thing you could do if you like the truck enough to dedicate the time and mostly money, there I said it. Going from an oil burner to an LS is NEVER a mistake. Absolutely a great decision, and now thanks to folks like Proffit and Ward commissioning six figure 60's with LS motors for clients; an LS swap done "correctly" can add value to any cruiser! Take it from the Aussie's if you wont take my word. They prize the LS over most of the available Toyota diesels when doing a swap. But then again I am biased. Ive owned too many old cars and old motors and I am almost ashamed to say I don't think Ive met one I wouldn't trade for a modern motor any day. Well not too ashamed because modern motors just plane work, and when they happen to have an issue, they have the ability to spell out exactly whats wrong.

 

[batthewmrown]

Take it from the Aussie's if you wont take my word. They prize the LS over most of the available Toyota diesels when doing a swap.

Any evidence to back that claim? I've never come across that line of thinking from any of the boys down under that I've talked to. I get it, though. Power, computers, parts availability, all that fun stuff. Everyone talks about parts availability like they're constantly overlanding through remote parts of the world. We all know the wildest place you're going in your 60 is the Safeway parking lot. I'll be honest, I'm speaking from a place of total ignorance and tequila right now. I know jack s*** about LS motors. I just don't see why you would take one of the most coveted 60 series and put a Chevy motor in it. It'd be like taking an 80 series and swapping leaf springs on it. I've got no dog in the fight, but I'd rather have a rebuilt 2F from @FJ60Cam than whatever is in a 04 Tahoe.

 

[White Stripe]

I probably wouldn't pull a diesel out of a 60 for a LS. But pulling a 2f for a LS a good route I think.

 

[NCFJ]

I've been putting Vortecs and LS3s in 60 series trucks for a while now and although I would not call myself an expert on the LS motor platform I probably have more experience than many on this forum. My OPINION, its a game changer. If you are being honest with yourself you can admit that these truck (gas at least) were under powered when new. Putting in an LS motor ends the days of keeping up in normal traffic being a pain, merging on to the Interstate at 45MPH and being a moving pic, passing at 60MPH plus without planning for two miles and doing it on a down hill run with a tail wind.

It is not all about big HP numbers and torque. It's about rolling into the throttle coming from a light rather than tromping on it just to get out of the way. It's about rock solid reliability. Folks go on and on about their stock motors having high 200 to 300K miles on them. LS motors are just warming up at those numbers. With regular oil changes Vortec motors in fleet service clock 300K-500K with regularity.

My favorite are the guys that state "I like the OEM motors being slow, I like taking my time driving through the country". The owner of an LS swapped 60 or 80 have the OPTION of slowing down any time they choose to. Bottom line on all of it, at least for me is I see no advantage of rebuilding 30 plus year old technology when modern power has been well documented as a viable alternative.

Once again, this is my OPINION. I've not pulled out a diesel and installed an LS in it's place yet. I have looked at a diesel 70 series for sale with the thought of selling off that diesel to help finance an LS3 swap, for myself. But that's me, my thought is, a diesel is perfect for my tractor and a pulling truck if the need arises. I do not want one in my SUV. Precisely why there is chocolate and vanilla.

 

[cruisermatt]

It'd be like taking an 80 series and swapping leaf springs on it.

that's actually been done ...

 

[1911]

I've been putting Vortecs and LS3s in 60 series trucks for a while now and although I would not call myself an expert on the LS motor platform I probably have more experience than many on this forum. My OPINION, its a game changer. If you are being honest with yourself you can admit that these truck (gas at least) were under powered when new. Putting in an LS motor ends the days of keeping up in normal traffic being a pain, merging on to the Interstate at 45MPH and being a moving pic, passing at 60MPH plus without planning for two miles and doing it on a down hill run with a tail wind.

It is not all about big HP numbers and torque. It's about rolling into the throttle coming from a light rather than tromping on it just to get out of the way. It's about rock solid reliability. Folks go on and on about their stock motors having high 200 to 300K miles on them. LS motors are just warming up at those numbers. With regular oil changes Vortec motors in fleet service clock 300K-500K with regularity.

My favorite are the guys that state "I like the OEM motors being slow, I like taking my time driving through the country". The owner of an LS swapped 60 or 80 have the OPTION of slowing down any time they choose to. Bottom line on all of it, at least for me is I see no advantage of rebuilding 30 plus year old technology when modern power has been well documented as a viable alternative.

Once again, this is my OPINION. I've not pulled out a diesel and installed an LS in it's place yet. I have looked at a diesel 70 series for sale with the thought of selling off that diesel to help finance an LS3 swap, for myself. But that's me, my thought is, a diesel is perfect for my tractor and a pulling truck if the need arises. I do not want one in my SUV. Precisely why there is chocolate and vanilla.

Stan, will an LS fit in a 40? Are there adapters available for H41/42?

 

[NCFJ]

I believe it has been done in a 40. I believe that both Advanced Adapters and Marks both have an adapter for that swap. If you are thinking of going that far any thoughts on a 5 speed? I have really not read up much on a 40 swap as it has not come up in my shop. No adapter for the trans to transfer case so the drive line should not get real long causing a very short rear drive shaft.

 

[1911]

I believe it has been done in a 40. I believe that both Advanced Adapters and Marks both have an adapter for that swap. If you are thinking of going that far any thoughts on a 5 speed? I have really not read up much on a 40 swap as it has not come up in my shop. No adapter for the trans to transfer case so the drive line should not get real long causing a very short rear drive shaft.

OK thanks.

I have some time and money tied up in my H41 and Orion combination, and actually like that gearing (with my 3.70 diffs) really well both on and off road. If I went with an H55, I'd have to ditch the Orion as well as find a parking brake solution.

 

[youpers]

Any evidence to back that claim? I've never come across that line of thinking from any of the boys down under that I've talked to. I get it, though. Power, computers, parts availability, all that fun stuff. Everyone talks about parts availability like they're constantly overlanding through remote parts of the world. We all know the wildest place you're going in your 60 is the Safeway parking lot. I'll be honest, I'm speaking from a place of total ignorance and tequila right now. I know jack s*** about LS motors. I just don't see why you would take one of the most coveted 60 series and put a Chevy motor in it. It'd be like taking an 80 series and swapping leaf springs on it. I've got no dog in the fight, but I'd rather have a rebuilt 2F from @FJ60Cam than whatever is in a 04 Tahoe.

I took a pretty firm stance in this case because I believe the notion that these vehicles need to remain in their "original" configuration with the 2f otherwise mixing chevy and toyota being blasphemy, is total nonsense born in ignorance. It is only ignorance that perpetuates this myth that the 2f keeps this vehicle all toyota. I encourage everyone to read the 2f wiki (Toyota F engine - Wikipedia) and specifically the part where the penning of the 2f was done under license from Chevrolet. The 2f platform is just a 1939 stovebolt motor. If it weren't for the sense of nostalgia the 60 now brings, this motor would be confined to prewar history and only repurposed as boat anchors. To reiterate the original point, Im not advocating Chevy over Toyota, nor am I saying LS or nothing, I am simply saying modern motors and modern tech is something that constantly improves. The motors being built today are far superior to the motors built 30 years ago. So if you have one that runs, great. But if you are presented with a situation where you need to replace the motor you have with either a rebuilt motor or converting to a more modern motor all you need to do is ask yourself if you like the vehicle enough to spend the time and money to modernize it so it can actually be enjoyed.

The difference between the 2f and the family of LS motors is roughly 60 years and 300lbs. It is not a backwards step by any means. Also to back the claim that the Aussies love these as much as we do and in many cases more than their plentiful variety of toyota diesels I present a few videos for your enjoyment:

Billy’s LS Swapped ’45 Landcruiser – Born This Way Offroaders Ep. 7

From a $300 paddock find to the 450 horsepower country cruiser it is now, it’s hard to believe this beauty was built in less than a month!-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-Watc...

www.youtube.com

 

[White Stripe]

OK thanks.

I have some time and money tied up in my H41 and Orion combination, and actually like that gearing (with my 3.70 diffs) really well both on and off road. If I went with an H55, I'd have to ditch the Orion as well as find a parking brake solution.

I am 99 percent sure a LS will bolt up to an h41. But u would have to research it. Lots of 40s have LS motors swapped. Very similar to bolting in a 350sbc motor.

 

[LyndenCruiser79]

I need to clarify... I am still looking at all the options. In the end, I want reliability and longevity... All of the pros for having a 12ht has evaded me. The motor has self destructed at 114k miles, I replaced the turbo 5k miles ago, I have had to work on all sorts of things since I got it (I know, I know... it IS a 33 yo truck)basically a major project about every month for the last 12... I just havent experienced the benefits of having a 12ht diesel... but I'm not totally giving up!

Does anyone know where I could source a rebuilt 12 ht?

 

[F226continental]

I need to clarify... I am still looking at all the options. In the end, I want reliability and longevity... All of the pros for having a 12ht has evaded me. The motor has self destructed at 114k miles, I replaced the turbo 5k miles ago, I have had to work on all sorts of things since I got it (I know, I know... it IS a 33 yo truck)basically a major project about every month for the last 12... I just havent experienced the benefits of having a 12ht diesel... but I'm not totally giving up!

Does anyone know where I could source a rebuilt 12 ht?

very interesting, I’m sure your experience with toyota deisel isn’t the norm. I was given a very nice 1985 fj60 2f, h41 with 210k miles for my 16th birthday. Drove it everyday to hs, college, work etc... it never once left me stranded. Today it has 350k mi with a little oil consumption. It is the essence of reliability in my mind, and can’t be improved upon. which is why I bought a 1988 fj62 with the 3fe dog of a motor and trans. So the ls3 can be slipped in.

Get 2 no excuses

 

[Seth S]

very interesting, I’m sure your experience with toyota deisel isn’t the norm. I was given a very nice 1985 fj60 2f, h41 with 210k miles for my 16th birthday. Drove it everyday to hs, college, work etc... it never once left me stranded. Today it has 350k mi with a little oil consumption. It is the essence of reliability in my mind, and can’t be improved upon. which is why I bought a 1988 fj62 with the 3fe dog of a motor and trans. So the ls3 can be slipped in.

Get 2 no excuses

only dog in the 88 is the trans. Think if you put a 4 or 5 speed behind that 3FE you'd find it was a much better setup.

 

[F226continental]

only dog in the 88 is the trans. Think if you put a 4 or 5 speed behind that 3FE you'd find it was a much better setup.

yeah I’m sure, it revs nice, but the wife likes an auto even though she can drive a manual.

 

[YooperCruiser]

yeah I’m sure, it revs nice, but the wife likes an auto even though she can drive a manual.

I like an auto too but I'm getting old, I've owned tons of sticks and quite honestly I just don't want another one. I'm torn between dropping to 4.88's(running 33's) and maybe an extreme valve body, an LS swap or sucking it up and doing an H55F. My 62 only has 148k miles though, runs perfect and the trans is in great shape. For this year it will stay as is but if that A440F ever takes a dump then I'll have to decide which route to go. Just wish there was a modern auto we could use behind the 3FE.