For the better ride topic, don't underestimate well set up leaf springs with 3 way adjustable shocks. Saves the conversion and the newer parabolic leaf springs are fantastic.
Restomod or not
- Thread starter Rileylyn
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Having done a few of these, it just really depends on what you are really after. If you're a purist, be pure. If not, go for what you want. Just to provide you a left turn on what you're trying to do, my next project will be an FJ60 on an FZJ80 frame with a tuned Duramax 2.8 liter 6-speed auto. The trucks that these combos came in are actually a little bit heavier than an FJ60, so I should be good. My goal is to have a fuel-efficient daily driver. So figure out your goal, plan it all out, and then go for it! It doesn't need to happen all at once.
Completely agree and would just add that I like to do paint last as long as you know the body is good so as to avoid any damage whilst doing engine swaps etc. That said, sometimes you don't have the luxury based on schedules.
Well, personally I am in favor of resto-mods for daily drivers. BUT anytime a person takes a Toyota and makes it less Toyota I grieve a bit. I put a sniper on my 2F and it's really great. An H55 would probably make it even better.
If I needed the kind of power an LS conversion would give me for pulling a trailer or boat or something like that, or if I wanted better gas mileage, I'd buy a newer truck. I wouldn't try to get that from my FJ60.
I think the 911 is a classic sports car. An LS conversion on a 911 may improve a lot of things, but it's no longer a 911 - not really. The Land Cruiser is the 911 of 4x4s. Especially the FJ40. The 60 is the next closest thing.
So if it's a daily driver, EFI and H55 is a great improvement.
If you have a great mechanic and a ton of money go ahead and do an engine swap but keep it Toyota.
If I needed the kind of power an LS conversion would give me for pulling a trailer or boat or something like that, or if I wanted better gas mileage, I'd buy a newer truck. I wouldn't try to get that from my FJ60.
I think the 911 is a classic sports car. An LS conversion on a 911 may improve a lot of things, but it's no longer a 911 - not really. The Land Cruiser is the 911 of 4x4s. Especially the FJ40. The 60 is the next closest thing.
So if it's a daily driver, EFI and H55 is a great improvement.
If you have a great mechanic and a ton of money go ahead and do an engine swap but keep it Toyota.
- Thread starter
- #27
I looked into the 80 series suspension, and I don't think I will go that way for my daily driver goals. I feel the refresh of springs, shocks, bushings, and sway bars is enough. With all the great input from this thread, I'm leaning toward everything but the engine for now. If I love what I see happening, over the next couple of years, I will do the LS3.
Last edited:
I've done pretty much everything to mine. Modern parts keep old trucks running really well. I'd keep the manual transmission
but I'm anti-auto and its a superb theft deterrent all by itself. For the motor, swapping in anything is gonna make it run smoother,
more efficient and I'd highly recommend a 21st century EFI motor so you can get in, turn the key and drive. I have a friend who
is in Australia and swapped in a set of the new Terrain Tamer Parabolics - WOW, they are apparently really nice, so much of
an improved leaf springs ride. So if you can afford, that's a good direction. Don't take my word, ask around, watch youtube videos.
Update electrical everything, you can keep it stock but improve things easily with a bit of research. Spend the money, get a good
body man and take it to bare metal and body work it right - that's worth every penny. MHO, of course.
but I'm anti-auto and its a superb theft deterrent all by itself. For the motor, swapping in anything is gonna make it run smoother,
more efficient and I'd highly recommend a 21st century EFI motor so you can get in, turn the key and drive. I have a friend who
is in Australia and swapped in a set of the new Terrain Tamer Parabolics - WOW, they are apparently really nice, so much of
an improved leaf springs ride. So if you can afford, that's a good direction. Don't take my word, ask around, watch youtube videos.
Update electrical everything, you can keep it stock but improve things easily with a bit of research. Spend the money, get a good
body man and take it to bare metal and body work it right - that's worth every penny. MHO, of course.
I don't think so. I ran my 1987 Carrera and my 964 RS on the track for literally hundreds of hours living at 5-8k rpm without an engine failure. Won my class at Daytona with a stock 3.2L engine with 60K on the clock. There is a reason Porsche has won numerous GT championships, multiple LeMans victories etc. The mezger flat six is a legend.
Pretty sure We (@TampaCruisers) can baseline your drivetrain, take care of your body / paint needs and refresh / treat / coat your undercarriage for close to your budget. Feel free to send us a message and We can steer you to spend your money where you will actually use it and enjoy it.