Newbie's search for first pig continues.

[mejallen]

I have found some options since my first post and would like some feedback.

I have found just a few that are currently in driving condition. I checked with a local garage to see what kind of money will be involved to make the mods I would like and they had some high estimates.

What I would like is a better engine than the original engines since they don't have much speed and are not good with gas mileage, power steering and A/C.

From what the garage told me I'm better off finding one that has already had the engine replaced and already has power steering.

The best ones I have found body and cosmetically are alll original parts. One is from the original owner and needs a new engine. Most are a 72 and one 76 but the price is much higher on the 76.

So, I'm not sure how to proceed. I need it for a daily driver and don't have alot to put into it for upgrades. I'm also looking for shops that specialize in converting the cruizers as they would have better advice and prices than the one I went to becasue they have only converted one.

Any feedback?

Plus, I have never driven one or been in one. I need to find one in my area just for the experience before I travel the USA finding one for salel.

I appreciate your patience and advice. Added infor in a post below.

 

[Fireman]

Contact Texican (Butch Baker) in Bonham, TX. He is active in the Lone Star Land Cruisers and would porbably drive his Pig to one of the meetings if you were to be able to make it to one.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Nothing against '55's but as a newbie who, apparently, doesn't know too much about vehicles and mechanics you should perhaps look elsewhere for a daily driver. If you buy a 30+ year old vehicle then do an engine or drivetrain swap on it do not expect it to be as reliable as a newer vehicle for a good 6 months of daily driving.

It's GOING to leave you on the side of the road more than once and likely when you can least afford it. Any mechanic is going to have second thoughts about servicing it because they are unfamiliar with it (except 'Cruiser shops of course).

Take this all with the little you paid for the advice and from one who's daily drivers are either an '82 BJ60 or a '76 FJ55 converted to diesel power. The '55 started off as my daughters truck and we did a complete resto and engine swap and it left her on the side of the road several times (to the point where she did not want it any longer), and it's had me scratching my head a few times too but now it is fairly reliable and I don't have concerns about it any longer.

 

[mejallen]

more information

I guess I should put my drive informaiton in the post. I live in Dallas and only have 5 miles one way to work daily. I have leased SUV's for the last 15 years and put less than 12K miles a year on them. I mostly fly when I travel.

My current lease will be up in 2 years which is why I want to get the pig now and know what to expect and fix before it would be my daily vehicle.

If I can do that and have the pig and mods paid for by then, I could always lease a lower priced vehicle when needed.

I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[OregonCruzer]

I'm just going to echo that a 55 is a labor of love. Finding a piggy with all the mods you want on it will be difficult most likely. As for a better engine or more speed and a/c, part of owning a pig is dealing with these lacks. A pig with a 350 TBI is still a big box that isn't going to be moving out that much faster without serious drivetrain mods, to include non-stock transmission, xfercase, front and rear axels, drive line mods, brake mods, frame mods, etc. See what we're getting at? If you want A/C and power steering, be on the lookout for the rare and elusive '79 pig. But even then its still going to need work.

 

[PabloCruise]

As mentioned, adding A/C is not a huge deal. Having a V8 in it will offer more options for adding an AC compressor.

I would think for a DD, you would want front discs, PS, and AC (in that order).

Changing drum brakes to disc is not a big deal, just like a knuckle rebuild. Discs came out in 1976. If you find a '76 to '79 Pig, loke for lockouts (hubs) that say "ASCO". They are the real deal.

Good luck, keep us posted.