need advice on 60 purchase (3B Conversion) in CA

[cruzerfetish]

Okay, 1st, no pics. Sorry.
2nd: this is registered in CA, FJ60 that has a 3B/H55 swap (no turbo). The truck is in great shape (no dents/no rust that I have seen yet), interior is good. Engine has about 240kms. Runs good. I think the only things they never got to work after the swap is the dome light (which might have never worked), the back-up lights and something else along those lines that I cannot remember.

This rig is not for sale publicly, but the owner is an acquaintance and says he will sell to me for $8k. It is pretty much stock, but I have a 60 (rusty) that I can swap my OME lift, tires/wheels, roof rack, etc from before I part it out.

Question is: Do you think it is worth it?

I think (if I did it myself), by the time I find a donor vehicle and get it to the Central Coast of CA, get myself a nice rolling 60 chassis to put it in and get some help to do the job and a place to do it at I am probably looking at $8k+

Thankin' everybody for their help in advance. : )

 

[BlueHZT60]

Depends, do you want to drive fast? The 3B is probably a little undersized for a 60, especially without a turbo. There's a 60w/3Bt in Bend, OR for $10k. I wouldn't let go of my hz60 for less than $25k but its' built top to bottom and for the moment, it doesn't drip. I probably have a CT26 turbo sitting up in Oregon still, that I'd sell inexpensive - it works fine, just spooled up too quick for the HZ.

I believe at least for now - diesel = smog exempt down here.

Bob

 

[roscoFJ73]

Okay, 1st, no pics. Sorry.
2nd: this is registered in CA, FJ60 that has a 3B/H55 swap (no turbo). The truck is in great shape (no dents/no rust that I have seen yet), interior is good. Engine has about 240kms. Runs good. I think the only things they never got to work after the swap is the dome light (which might have never worked), the back-up lights and something else along those lines that I cannot remember.

This rig is not for sale publicly, but the owner is an acquaintance and says he will sell to me for $8k. It is pretty much stock, but I have a 60 (rusty) that I can swap my OME lift, tires/wheels, roof rack, etc from before I part it out.

Question is: Do you think it is worth it?

I think (if I did it myself), by the time I find a donor vehicle and get it to the Central Coast of CA, get myself a nice rolling 60 chassis to put it in and get some help to do the job and a place to do it at I am probably looking at $8k+

Thankin' everybody for their help in advance. : )

For $ 8k you would have a registered diesel cruiser that you can drive straight away.
No headaches ,no delays and no hardwork .
Its going to need a turbo if you want to use as a DD.
If the body checks out and the engine is good,I say buy it.
The 5 sp is another bonus

 

[cruzerfetish]

Thanks for the responses so far. I am leaning towards buying it for that price, especially since I have time to set up the finances with it not being on the market. I hear you guys on the 3b without the turbo. I know. I have been reading all the diesel posts. I may be interested in that turbo (once I do some research). Definitely a turbo in that rigs future if I have it. I don't care about going fast, but I do plan on it being the DD. Until I can save up for the next purchase - early 80s 300TD wagon. Then the gasser fleet will be totally swapped out.

The body is great on this thing. I just saw it down at the bakery and there is really nothing wrong at all with the body or frame. watched it drive away and didn't see any smoke either.

 

[brownbear]

8k.... worth it IMOP.

Go for it. Drive it first. Take it on the freeway, make sure you like it.

I love my BJ60. Slow though. So start reading turbo threads.


But 8k sounds like a good price for decent diesel converted 60 in good shape.


The hassle and cost cannot be saved doing it yourself in this scenerio.

I paid 10k cnd for my BJ60, and it wasn't rust free. But it has 227K Kms on it, and a decent frame, body etc.

 

[SeaGypsy]

Well, if it's not rusty and you want a diesel it sounds like a decent deal. I've been looking for a HJ60 from Vancouver down the W. coast for a while now. In Canada they're often rusty and in the lower 48 they're rare (and often rusty b/c they came from Canada). There's one in Palo Alto w/a cracked head, dismantled engine and a fair bit of bondo for $5k...

If it's got th H55 tranny, I think you could bolt in the 1HZ 6 cyl, yes? Unlike the 2H (and like the 3b) I believe the 1hz has cooling jets in case you install the turbo.

*So what year is the FJ and how'd he register it in CA with a diesel engine??!
-SG

 

[mac]

A 60 w/ a 3b makes a fine DD. Many of us have been using them for just that for years. There's no 0-60 clock at stop lights and you'll get accustomed to the power (ahem), or lack thereof. Good deal. Buy it if the engine checks out healthy and a turbo swap is a relatively easy upgrade for you down the road.