Need guidance on 5.3/4l60 swap with 3 link and ? steering

[KStacoma]

Hey guys,
I'm building a 76 FJ40 with a 5.3L gen 3 vortec, 4l60E, atlas passenger drop, dynatrac high pinion passenger drop dana 60 and a 3 link.

Has anyone done a similar build with a SBC, 4L60E and 3 link?
I'd love guidance on motor positioning laterally and longitudinally, header selection, steering set up (I'll be using a steering gear box, not hydro), link mounting locations/ideas, and any other useful tidbits.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[mr jits]

Take a look at my build thread. I think there's a lot of things you could get ideas from. If you want engine mounting measurements, I'd be happy to grab them for you.
You will for sure want to use Hooker block hugger LS headers, very few others will work with saginaw steering without a lot of work.

Hey guys,
I'm building a 76 FJ40 with a 5.3L gen 3 vortec, 4l60E, atlas passenger drop, dynatrac high pinion passenger drop dana 60 and a 3 link.

Has anyone done a similar build with a SBC, 4L60E and 3 link?
I'd love guidance on motor positioning laterally and longitudinally, header selection, steering set up (I'll be using a steering gear box, not hydro), link mounting locations/ideas, and any other useful tidbits.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Mine is similar - but I used a 350 chevy and 5 speed. The length is the same as is the passenger drop and high pinion you're using. I ran headers to the outside of the rails and back - gave me lots more room under for all the other stuff that goes between the frame rails. Mine is called Shipwreck and is in this section.

 

[93jspec]

I did 5.3/TH350/Splitcase, but I did the FJ60 steering setup in my 71 FJ40. The front is still sprung under with 4 inch springs and 2.5 shackle, FJ60 front axle outobarded with a shackle reversal. The rear is 3 link with fox 2.0 air shocks. I have to do the camaro pan/pickup and what not swap still to feel secure about how close the front driveshaft is to the pan.


You can find these shenanigans begin on page 20 of my build thread (in my signature)

 

[gpfj40]

I haven’t done a 3 link in a cruiser yet but since finishing the radius arm set up in my cruiser with a 4.8 I have seriously evaluated it and think it is doable. I’m currently doing a 3 link in a toy mini truck with a 6.0 L and I believe the frame rails are at least 1.5” narrower on the mini truck which gives me more confidence it can be done in a cruiser. Both of my set ups are centred between the frame rails. I would suggest pushing the motor etc as far forward as possible based on my experience, 4l60e are long and you rear driveshaft will thank your doing it. Maybe even to the point of moving the rad mount forward a little bit for that extra 3/4 of an inch. For headers I used c6/ct525 stock manifolds in both projects cause they were cheap. Hooker block huggers would be my first choice if I was going to buy something new, I thing they are the tightest fitting swap manifolds.

 

[Mace]

My 40 has a three link front and doubly triangulated 4 link rear.

The front is easy. The hardest part is making the panhard bar mimic the Steering drag link as closely as possible. Variations in the two will cause bump steer and, if you get enough articulation can reduce steering angle.

Here's a old rig of the month write-up on my 40. I have made a couple of alterations since then (panhard rod and full hydro steering), but it's mostly the same.

ROTW ish.. 79 FJ40