More Power????? (1 Viewer)

[1st times a charm]

Hey y'all, I have a 1983 FJ60 project that I've been building, and I would like to make a bit more power. I'm 16 and make terrible financial decisions so low-cost options are preferred. I just put in a full aluminum radiator and intercooler system so I can manage some extra heat, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I am also debating on if I do a suspension upgrade before I do anything else. I use it a lot for overlanding and leaf springs on all four corners isn't ideal, especially when I drive my 60 to all of the trails without a trailer. Anyone know of a conversion kit/lift kit that doesn't require a ton a welding or a shop to do? I do all of my work and only have standard jacks and stands. Thank y'all for your help!

 

[BurntToast]

Clapped out 80 for the chassis/suspension and a totaled truck with a 5.3 LS is about as cheap as it will get for those goals. Lots of work though

 

[1st times a charm]

Sounds reasonable LOL. Thank you.

 

[dbleon]

Just drive it… and focus on other things in life

 

[Mark W]

What exactly, in your mind, does "overlanding" mean?

Why do you think that leaf springs are not suitable for your uses?

What sort of "conversion or lift kit are you thinking about?

What do you mean when you say that you added an intercooler system? Do you have a tubocharged engine?

Mark...

 

[OSS]

The FJ60 with a properly running 2F engine will never be exhilarating to drive. It’s pretty much the slowest vehicle on the road today compared to most everything.
That being said — so what. I drove mine for 30 years and it didn’t bother me. It may not be a jack rabbit but man…. It’s a sturdy and reliable vehicle.

Just drive it as is and change your perspective.
If you want a faster vehicle- buy a different car. Don’t try to soup up a FJ60.

 

[zeeklafreek]

The FJ60 with a properly running 2F engine will never be exhilarating to drive. It’s pretty much the slowest vehicle on the road today compared to most everything.
That being said — so what. I drove mine for 30 years and it didn’t bother me. It may not be a jack rabbit but man…. It’s a sturdy and reliable vehicle.

Just drive it as is and change your perspective.
If you want a faster vehicle- buy a different car. Don’t try to soup up a FJ60.

Yep. I love fast cars (my father was a part-time race driver) but there are few cars I would rather drive than an FJ60. It's hard to explain but they just pull in a certain way that's very satisfying and never leaves me thinking 'I wish this thing had more pick up ...'. I just can't wait to finally shift Betty into 5th gear going 75mph on the Autobahn!

 

[CruiserTrash]

Hey y'all, I have a 1983 FJ60 project that I've been building, and I would like to make a bit more power. I'm 16 and make terrible financial decisions so low-cost options are preferred. I just put in a full aluminum radiator and intercooler system so I can manage some extra heat, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I am also debating on if I do a suspension upgrade before I do anything else. I use it a lot for overlanding and leaf springs on all four corners isn't ideal, especially when I drive my 60 to all of the trails without a trailer. Anyone know of a conversion kit/lift kit that doesn't require a ton a welding or a shop to do? I do all of my work and only have standard jacks and stands. Thank y'all for your help!

I live in Denver too. Daily drive a 60 with stock smogged 2F. Zero complaints. When you're going to the mountains just stick to the right lane on I-70, put your foot to the floor, and enjoy the scenery. Everything works great when you get to a trail and drop it into 4Low.

As far as suspension goes, especially for "overlanding" and not hard core rock crawling, the leaf springs do great. Sometimes you'll need to pull a spring from each pack or load the truck down with heavy gear to soften things up, but they put in the work. Set aside $2500 for a new leaf spring kit. Old Man Emu is the old favorite, but I've really been liking the Dobinsons that I put on a couple years ago. Don't go with the basic shocks from any brand, they all seem very stiff; spring for the next step up. There's also Iron Man, and the Terrain Tamer parabolics might be coming to the US soon thanks to @orangefj45. We'll see on the latter, I don't want to speak for Georg.

Get your 60 baselined, get some non-worn-out springs installed, and enjoy it for a few years before making any big moves just because you have the itch to mod it.

 

[MWM1]

I live in Denver too. Daily drive a 60 with stock smogged 2F. Zero complaints. When you're going to the mountains just stick to the right lane on I-70, put your foot to the floor, and enjoy the scenery. Everything works great when you get to a trail and drop it into 4Low.

As far as suspension goes, especially for "overlanding" and not hard core rock crawling, the leaf springs do great. Sometimes you'll need to pull a spring from each pack or load the truck down with heavy gear to soften things up, but they put in the work. Set aside $2500 for a new leaf spring kit. Old Man Emu is the old favorite, but I've really been liking the Dobinsons that I put on a couple years ago. Don't go with the basic shocks from any brand, they all seem very stiff; spring for the next step up. There's also Iron Man, and the Terrain Tamer parabolics might be coming to the US soon thanks to @orangefj45. We'll see on the latter, I don't want to speak for Georg.

Get your 60 baselined, get some non-worn-out springs installed, and enjoy it for a few years before making any big moves just because you have the itch to mod it.

THIS!!!!
Drive it for a few years and several thousand miles before you look to change it! At least get a few experiences with it! There’s a learning process, just saying don’t fix what ain’t broke! BTW there will be a few broke items that will attention and dollars along the way….

 

[1st times a charm]

Thank y'all. I went for a ride in a friends FJ60 and realized that mine was WAY less motivated to get moving so I rebuilt my carb and replaced some fuel lines, that fixed the problem. It now has a ton more giddy-up and can actually merge onto large roads without being a hazard. After two hours of driving my behemoth in Denver traffic with more power I'm now more than content with its ability and quite frankly 4200 pounds doesn't need to break any slower than it already does. As far as suspension goes, I just need new bushings because mine were worn out. Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions, this is a major learning experience for me and I truly appreciate any help I can get.

 

[Garrissey]

Just drive it… and focus on other things in life

There's more to life than cruisers, you know, but not much more.

 

[Seth S]

There is no win to spending money on a 2f for more power. Get it back to nominal tune and enjoy or do an engine swap. Nominal being no vacuum leaks, no intake or exhaust leaks, sorted stock carb, timing and valve clearances set. Ignition components in good working order. Wiring and grounds in good condition.