Pig Newbie

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H

HomeMadeSin

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Threads
15
Messages
40
Location
Castle Rock, CO
Well, I'm the pr....pr....prou......

Heck, I'm an excited (1st time) owner of a 1974 L/C FJ55.

SSPX0306.jpg


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While it made the 30 mile trek home, 50 mph was the tops it would do. 2F, 3 speed on the floor. Lovely drum brakes all around.

I've been searching on this site for a month or so and there's a ton of good info. But, I do have some questions as I try to determine my goal for this beast.

After the maiden voyage home, I'm thinking hard about a V8 transplant, 4+ speed tranny and NP205 or similar set-up. I've seen quite a bit of discourse about Alcan/MAF/other springs, SUA versus SOA and even SOA front, 4 link rear and am not clear about which is most ideal for me.

I think 35's would be max tire size with Fourmile near Buena Vista being about the ideal type trail system to tackle (up to 6 or 7, maybe 8 on 1-10 scale).

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
Troy
Ugly as HomeMadeSin - just like the FJ55 now
 
Nice find, and welcome to the pen. :flipoff2:

I would stick with the 2F, but that's just my preference.
 
Before you swap in a V8 I would check my timing, adjust valves, then check compression. My 2F pushes a SOA Pig on 35's just fine. It's not a race car but I can cruise 65 without an issue and could go farther but I don't like being that tall in an old truck and going too fast.

What kind of wheeling are you planning on doing? Not much = SUA lift, look at a lift from a 70 series from Kurt Williams @ Cruiser Outfitters. There is a thread on it in this forum. Harder wheeling consider a SOA lift and put a disc front end under there while you're at it. Even harder wheeling = links and more custom stuff.

3 speed and 4 speed both have a 1:1 top end gear ratio.

Check out Iron Pig Off Road for some sliders that mount in place of your door sills.

Congrats! :bounce::bounce2:
 
Thanks. I dig those sliders - that's on top of the list for sure.

This will be a weekend warrior, foul weather rig. Mainly, a trail rig capable of Hear Attack Hill, Elephant Hill, Fourmile Rec Area (can't recall the names). Think of spotters required, occasional winching but no full skeleton required/suggested. I think 35's are a good compromise for occasional street use mixed with weekend fun time.

The drums have to go up front. Although, I must admit they do stop well. Oh, and the non-power steering. I don't a work out when wheeling.

It seems from searching that the stock axles are not that far from D60's in strength or did I miss something?
 
PabloCruise said:
Welcome!!!

Welcome to MUD and welcome to 55 ownership!!!

1974 is the year of survivor Pigs. Stock would have had the 1.5F, not the 2F.

Did someone transplant a 2F in there? If so, I would stick to that w/ a 4 spd...

PS: Where in CO are you?
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Castle Rock ~ 30 miles south of Denver.

Good point - I thought the 2F came on the '74. I'll check this evening. I suspect it is stock. How's the 1.5F?
 
Stock LC axles are very strong, you may want to upgrade birfs and inners.

The drum brake housing is easy to covert to discs. If you wait long enough, I'll have a disc front end to sell...

Search for PS options for the Pig. A 60 series PS swap is very nice for Pigs.

I drive past Castle Rock every now and then, nice little part of CO!

The 1.5F is good! Check normal maintenance things like filters and timing. If she is still a dog, check compression...
 
I run 35's with stock axles and FJ60 birfs and knuckles. I would be scared to go larger due to potential breakage. I'm not heavy on the skinny pedal but if I can't go somewhere in 35's I need to winch or turn around. I don't drive too hardcore trails.

I think a Pig looks just about right with 35's, but 37's do look nice too. :grinpimp:
 
My '72 with the 1F with 3sp tranny would pull 65mph easily rolling 35" tires. There must be something wrong for sure. Maybe just a tune-up?
 
Hate to be the odd man out, but the 350/NV4500 5 speed I put in the pig was the best thing I ever did.

I run 33's and can cruise at 70-75 mph withi the motor spinning at 2200-2500 rpm.

I also have a 70 series full floater in the back :D
 
Congrats and welcome to the madness. That little piggy right there might look pretty good with a little lipstick on her!

I'd stick with the stock engine, but that's my preference. My '73 is on 33's and will pull 80 (OK, maybe not uphill...but flat).
 
HomeMadeSin said:
It seems from searching that the stock axles are not that far from D60's in strength or did I miss something?
Click to expand...

Yes, they are pretty strong and can be beefed up with parts from Longfield. Check out Woody's rig. He has modified his axles so his work would give you a good basis for comparison if you decide to stick with the original axles. On the engine, the 1.5 f is characterized by a f designation and an oil filter on the right (passenger) side of the engine. You can find the engine serial number by looking for the flat on the engine just ahead of the starter. If the serial number starts with an F and the oil filter is where stated then you have a rare beast of a motor. It has all of the oiling improvements of a 2 f and the displacement of an f. Some consider it the best f series engine made.
 
Lil'John said:
I swapped in a V8 in my FJ55 because I wanted a modern drivetrain that would be nice to drive, "easy" to tweak for mileage and gobs of power. I think I should be able to pull of 300hp+ and upper teen MPG with the vortec swap:eek:

For rockers, you might take a look at what was done on my FJ55(see link in sig) Basically, the stock rockers were cut out, 2x4 tubing was welded in place, and outriggers were welded for "steps". All the benefits of sliders with none of the loss of clearance from attaching to frame:hillbilly:
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The rocker 2x4 is a definite. I'll need to digest more on the motor. I like the V8 power, reliability, etc. I will not be (all apologies to those that may get offended) a purist and restore to original glory. I do want to wheel - hard but smart. I like the idea of keeping it 'yota, but they don't sell engines and it doesn't appear they've put a manual tranny behind their V8 yet. ****, they copied the Chevy 225 in-line anyway, right?

PabloCruise said:
Are you able to wait a while?
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I'm in no hurry....yet.

rsbcruiser said:
Yes, they are pretty strong and can be beefed up with parts from Longfield. Check out Woody's rig. He has modified his axles so his work would give you a good basis for comparison if you decide to stick with the original axles. On the engine, the 1.5 f is characterized by a f designation and an oil filter on the right (passenger) side of the engine. You can find the engine serial number by looking for the flat on the engine just ahead of the starter. If the serial number starts with an F and the oil filter is where stated then you have a rare beast of a motor. It has all of the oiling improvements of a 2 f and the displacement of an f. Some consider it the best f series engine made.
Click to expand...

The nameplate in the engine compartment said displacement was 236.7 in3, so 3.8 liter. The filter is on the passenger side, I do recall that. I'd be interested to hear how the smaller displacement F is the best of the bunch. It desperately needs a tune-up. I'll save judgement until I can devote some time to checking compression, gaskets, state of tune, etc.

Thanks for the input and greetings!
 
HomeMadeSin said:
The nameplate in the engine compartment said displacement was 236.7 in3, so 3.8 liter. The filter is on the passenger side, I do recall that. I'd be interested to hear how the smaller displacement F is the best of the bunch. It desperately needs a tune-up. I'll save judgement until I can devote some time to checking compression, gaskets, state of tune, etc.

Thanks for the input and greetings!
Click to expand...

Yeppers, sounds like you have an f 1.5. It is the best (plenty of debate on this subject) because it has the better oiling system of a 2f and smaller lighter pistons that are 4 rings versus 3 rings on a 2f. Thus it will not beat up the crank as much with heavier pistons. It also has the thicker wall of an f. The 4 ring piston will float and seal better in a worn engine.

Your plan to evaluate the engine before making a decision on which way to go is sound and a good idea.

Here would be a good place to state your experience with doing engine swaps. What has been stated by liljohn is truth. The sbc offers many advantages over the stock toy but if you have never done a swap before you are in for some unpleasant surprises.
 
rsbcruiser said:
Yeppers, sounds like you have an f 1.5. It is the best (plenty of debate on this subject) because it has the better oiling system of a 2f and smaller lighter pistons that are 4 rings versus 3 rings on a 2f. Thus it will not beat up the crank as much with heavier pistons. It also has the thicker wall of an f. The 4 ring piston will float and seal better in a worn engine.

Your plan to evaluate the engine before making a decision on which way to go is sound and a good idea.

Here would be a good place to state your experience with doing engine swaps. What has been stated by liljohn is truth. The sbc offers many advantages over the stock toy but if you have never done a swap before you are in for some unpleasant surprises.
Click to expand...

Well, Phase 1 will be to declutter the non-essential stuff (feathers and all :rolleyes: ) and to check the vitals of the engine. Here are some pics in the mean-time:

FJ55Label2.jpg


FJ55Label1.jpg


FJ5515F.jpg


Roof Line not too shabby...

FJ55Roof.jpg


That's a Honda tape deck!?

FJ55Dash.jpg
 
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