Restomod or not

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

R

Rileylyn

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Nov 19, 2003
Threads
4
Messages
13
I’m looking to sink many dollars into my silver ‘85 after many, many years of doing nothing to it, including little driving. I’ve had her for 28 years.

I’ll have the under carriage reconditioned, new suspension w mild lift, and refresh of many components, including the sloppy steering.

What I’m trying to decide, given my budget, is whether to have the engine “refreshed” with an EFI, H55 transmission, glass-out body and paint, or go with the LS3 swap with 6L80E (body and paint not included. There is some rust, not too bad).

Hoping there are some folks out there that have a few comments or questions about how best to preserve it, yet drive it often. Cheers🍻
 
5 speed is to much cheered I think, just do the baseline (500 hours of work)
With new everything (brakelines to drums, wheelbearings, birfs, exhaust , some seals, etc. )
And a new suspension this would cost at least 5 grand, money flying out for locker and winch :wrench:
 
Rileylyn said:
Hoping there are some folks out there that have a few comments or questions about how best to preserve it, yet drive it often. Cheers🍻
Click to expand...
How do you see yourself wheeling it in the future? Which parts of your rig make you happy?
 
Are you a purist at heart? If so, you know your answer. If not go the LS route. So many upsides to it.
 
What are your goals with this vehicle after you are done with said project?
Why did you buy it to begin with? What are the reasons you haven’t driven in 30 years and now decide to revive it?
With the answers to these we can help point you in the right direction.
 
Thanks @hj 60 , @dmjay , @Pighead , @ceylonfj40nut , @bkfj40 , @cruisermatt . Your questions and comments are very much appreciated.

I’ve had a 40 and a 80 in the past. Only the 80 was a daily driver. For this FJ60, it just hasn’t been suited for daily driving, so it sat. I’m close to retirement and had been looking to sell in favor of a bump side highboy. But with additional pressure from my daughter who has even stronger emotional ties to this rig (I got them both about the same time!), I’ve decided to put up to $60k in having it professionally done. But like I mentioned, the LS3 doesn’t get me body and paint, but the 2F EFI/H55 does. I have no interest in off roading. Just have loved the look and know the quality.

So goals? I will surely go with bigger tires (~33x10.5) and aftermarket wheels and probably some other aftermarket items. I want it as a daily driver, but won’t be dependent on it.

I just have to figure out if I want the joy of driving with an LS, albeit as an automatic (hearing that a manual transmission is more $$), or getting a slow completely finished truck.

Here are a few pics and thanks listening!



IMG_4270.webp


IMG_4263.webp


IMG_4206.webp


IMG_4186.webp


IMG_4247.webp
 
Last edited:
I am certainly not an OEM back to stock restoration hater. We are even up for doing those builds in my shop!


However…..

SNLC

Build Thread 'White Lightin’ - LS3/6L80 swap and much more!!'

We are starting a new project. It’s a 12/1988 FJ62, originally a California Cruiser if I recall right. It’s as clean as any California Cruiser!

Real nice original paint, decent stock interior. So we for the most part are leaving those two things alone, everything else is getting done.

-LS3 430hp Connect & Cruise package with the 6L80 6spd automatic.
-2”-ish lift with new wheels and 255’s
-Diffs rebuilt, front & rear axles fully rebuilt.
-All new brakes.
-All new steering with 80-series steering box.
-All new OEM Toyota body mounts.
-Paint axles & frame, ie chassis.
-Rust proofing.
-More...
  • Like

Drive ability, cheap to repair, fairly reliable, extremely fun and all the things you have read or heard are true. It is 2026 and we are hurling towards 2030! The old 2F H55 is really going to struggle keeping up in coming years, don’t get me wrong either, they will still go fine on those two lane back roads at 45-65mph, off-road on mild trails and around town. It’s when you want to travel the interstate or perhaps live in a big city where merging onto the freeway is not cool with an old slow tractor engine.

Just my opinion, take it for nothing more.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
Gonna guess based on the rust and those trees that you're in the plains - or at least a flat-ish area. If true, my opinion would be to skip the LS and get everything else sorted out, starting with the rust remediation (top and bottom). EFI would be an improvement, but if you're not off-roading, I'm not sure the 5 speed cost will be worth it over the existing stock trans. If you go to 32-33" tires, consider changing to 16 or 17" rims, and keep in mind you'll likely want/need to re-gear to 4.11.

You can always swap in another powertrain later if you feel the need. But that rust will not sleep.
 
I hope you dont take offense at this, but $60k is a lot. I get it your daughter is attached to it. Is it about her or what you want? She has her life to lead. Perhaps gift it to her as is and have her put some skin in the game if she likes it that much. Spend your $60k to get what you want… seems like you worked hard and want to enjoy something nice. $60k will buy you a great cruiser perhaps with all you are looking for and get to living without delay.
 
In my opinion, for a daily driver, do 80 axles. It changes the feel. I myself can live with the 2f but could not with leafs. Maybe it's because I suffer too much from back pain. Then decide what you want to do about engine.
There are great shops on on here. For example, SNLC and Cruisermatt are can steer you in the right direction. Find a local owner and drive one. Get quotes
 
Yes Roonie, that’s what I’m talking about. Also, media blasting/POR15, steering, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires. It adds up. Btw, I couldn’t get that link to load on my phone. Will try PC later.
 
Rileylyn said:
Yes Roonie, that’s what I’m talking about. Also, media blasting/POR15, steering, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires. It adds up. Btw, I couldn’t get that link to load on my phone. Will try PC later.
Click to expand...
I debated about this as well... option 1; leave it as is OEM at 205k miles and limited parts availability, rebuild eventually. option 2;put in junkyard 350 with 50,000 + miles on board and unknown condition. Still about 15k-20k. option 3; LS3 high HP and new. you only live once option. I don't see myself getting rid of my Fj62 ever so I am going with option 3 for the smiles. Also going to probably add the 80 series suspension underneath another 20K for driveability. That also adds 4 wheel disc brakes and beefier axles and way better ride.
 
As @toy_tek stated and if it were me, I would prioritize the body/rust issues. I'm in the middle of a down to bare metal repaint and am really glad I did. Despite my truck presenting really well, rust is like an iceberg, you only see ~20% of what is lurking beneath the paint.
 
Roonie said:
I debated about this as well... option 1; leave it as is OEM at 205k miles and limited parts availability, rebuild eventually. option 2;put in junkyard 350 with 50,000 + miles on board and unknown condition. Still about 15k-20k. option 3; LS3 high HP and new. you only live once option. I don't see myself getting rid of my Fj62 ever so I am going with option 3 for the smiles. Also going to probably add the 80 series suspension underneath another 20K for driveability. That also adds 4 wheel disc brakes and beefier axles and way better ride.
Click to expand...
Add 80 series transfer case too.
 
Daily driver to where? How many miles per week? As others have said, getting the body and frame rust free and protected from future corrosion would be my top priority.

I would keep it Toyota with a 2FE/3FE combo, smallest lift possible, OEM wheels and 31" tires. And not spend $60K. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom