RM Garage LS80 Build (1993 Land Cruiser LS Swap)

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rmgarage

rmgarage

Joined
Aug 20, 2022
Threads
7
Messages
39
Location
Idaho
Website
www.youtube.com
Hey everybody, my name is Ricky. I run the YouTube channel "RM Garage" where I've been building my 80 over the last couple of years. I just recently finished up my 1FZ rebuild, and even more recently the front oil galley plug popped out, lol. So I pulled the engine back out to fix it (easier that way for me), and I've decided to just swap the engine. I plan to go with whatever LS-platform engine I can find for a decent price - as I want to keep this realistic - but I'm thinking a Gen 3 or Gen 4 5.3/6.0. Gen 4 preferred, but will go with a Gen 3 if that's what I can find.

Here's the current progress, along with videos.

The culprit. Completely my fault, I didn't use sleeve retainer on it. The 2JZ has a boss on the back of the oil pump which holds the galley plugs in, turns out the 1FZ doesn't. Would be a decent product idea to create 1FZ-FE oil galley plugs which are proud of the front surface and "wedge" in between the timing cover and the block for added insurance.
1767753325076.webp


Tearing down the front of the Land Cruiser getting ready to remove the 1FZ. That's my JZA70R Supra in the background, I'm building that at the same time. Cool little RHD imported unit.
1767753119532.webp


Engine, transmission, and transfer case removed as one. An all too familiar scene.
1767753159720.webp


This 1FZ has maybe 3000 miles on it, and as much as it sucks to remove it so soon, I'm super excited to dive into the LS swap.

Video links:
LS Swap Part 1, Removing The 1FZFE:


Diagnosing the oil galley plug leak:


The whole build playlist:
www.youtube.com

1993 Toyota Land Cruiser

Building a 1993 Land Cruiser FZJ80 into an extremely capable overland, rock crawler, and adventure vehicle. This is going to be a sick rig!
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

I will start taking more pictures since it's more applicable to the forum than videos, but feel free to check out the build up to this point. This is going to be awesome! Thanks for checking out the thread.
 
I watched all of your engine build videos and liked them heaps. Cant wait to see the swap vid's and the outcome.

I wonder what goodies may be in the tool boxes of that truck you won at auction!
 
I mean, LS swap is the logical swap IHMO. This is what I did.

I am betting those wishing for a 2UZ swap haven't done it themselves....It isn't an easy engine to swap, with minimal hp gain, and you are still left with running a decades old engine.

I am very impressed with the simplicity, efficiency, reliability and the power of my L96 6.0. It is a beast of an engine.
 
rmgarage said:
Looks like I'm going gen 3 6.0. Won this truck today at auction for $600. Supposedly runs and drives! We'll see.

View attachment 4063455
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I would go with a gen4 6.0 and a 6 speed auto if you can swing it. The torque from the vvt and low 1st gear of the 6 speed will be nice. I enjoy my gen3 4l60e, but the 6 speed would be nice.
 
White Stripe said:
I would go with a gen4 6.0 and a 6 speed auto if you can swing it. The torque from the vvt and low 1st gear of the 6 speed will be nice. I enjoy my gen3 4l60e, but the 6 speed would be nice.
Click to expand...
I already have this white truck, I pick it up today. I think it might have a 65e or 80e in it, won't know until later today.

I was thinking the same thing (mainly the low 1st gear) but it looks like if I wanted to in the future, most 8 speed swaps support the short crank gen 3 5.3/6.0 and the Terminator X can support a 24X engine with a 6L80/90e.
 
gen IV + 6 speed is the sweet spot.

Low first gear, and 2 overdrives mean 35" tires + 4.10 gears are perfect.

On the other hand, $600 for a complete donor is insane! Do the swap, and if you don't like the engine/transmission combo, you can always swap it out.
 
NeverFinis said:
gen IV + 6 speed is the sweet spot.

Low first gear, and 2 overdrives mean 35" tires + 4.10 gears are perfect.

On the other hand, $600 for a complete donor is insane! Do the swap, and if you don't like the engine/transmission combo, you can always swap it out.
Click to expand...
I feel the same way with the donor being cheap. I think the best route for me is to just get it together, running, feel it out, and determine if I need to change things. I have a tendency to go overboard and I'm really trying not to do that with this swap. Lol
 
rmgarage said:
I already have this white truck, I pick it up today. I think it might have a 65e or 80e in it, won't know until later today.

I was thinking the same thing (mainly the low 1st gear) but it looks like if I wanted to in the future, most 8 speed swaps support the short crank gen 3 5.3/6.0 and the Terminator X can support a 24X engine with a 6L80/90e.
Click to expand...
That will have a 4l80e in it. It will be strong but have a higher 1st and higher stall converter. I guess my thought is, if your keeping the truck for a long time, put your ideal setup in it from the start whatever that is. I didn't know the terminator x would support a 6L90e with a gen 3. That would be a nice setup. Will you put a cam in the 6.0?
 
White Stripe said:
That will have a 4l80e in it. It will be strong but have a higher 1st and higher stall converter. I guess my thought is, if your keeping the truck for a long time, put your ideal setup in it from the start whatever that is. I didn't know the terminator x would support a 6L90e with a gen 3. That would be a nice setup. Will you put a cam in the 6.0?
Click to expand...
Part number 550-917-6 from Holley looks to achieve this if I'm reading it correctly. I was looking at some truck cams, yeah. I really want to keep the sound profile minimal and don't want to lose any low end torque, so I was looking at the low buck truck cam or similar ones like the BTR stage 1 truck cam. Do you have any suggestions?
 
rmgarage said:
Part number 550-917-6 from Holley looks to achieve this if I'm reading it correctly. I was looking at some truck cams, yeah. I really want to keep the sound profile minimal and don't want to lose any low end torque, so I was looking at the low buck truck cam or similar ones like the BTR stage 1 truck cam. Do you have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Btr Truck norris cam is my recommendation. It gives some more torque in the lower rpm range and more hp across the curve. Richard holdner has some nice dyno videos about it. Stage one is not worth the effort in my opinion-not enough gain. You can get get a bit more aggressive and still have good idle. Stage 3 gets pretty lopey.
 
Last edited:
rmgarage said:
Hey everybody, my name is Ricky. I run the YouTube channel "RM Garage" where I've been building my 80 over the last couple of years. I just recently finished up my 1FZ rebuild, and even more recently the front oil galley plug popped out, lol. So I pulled the engine back out to fix it (easier that way for me), and I've decided to just swap the engine. I plan to go with whatever LS-platform engine I can find for a decent price - as I want to keep this realistic - but I'm thinking a Gen 3 or Gen 4 5.3/6.0. Gen 4 preferred, but will go with a Gen 3 if that's what I can find.

Here's the current progress, along with videos.

The culprit. Completely my fault, I didn't use sleeve retainer on it. The 2JZ has a boss on the back of the oil pump which holds the galley plugs in, turns out the 1FZ doesn't. Would be a decent product idea to create 1FZ-FE oil galley plugs which are proud of the front surface and "wedge" in between the timing cover and the block for added insurance.
View attachment 4062985

Tearing down the front of the Land Cruiser getting ready to remove the 1FZ. That's my JZA70R Supra in the background, I'm building that at the same time. Cool little RHD imported unit.
View attachment 4062982

Engine, transmission, and transfer case removed as one. An all too familiar scene.
View attachment 4062984

This 1FZ has maybe 3000 miles on it, and as much as it sucks to remove it so soon, I'm super excited to dive into the LS swap.

Video links:
LS Swap Part 1, Removing The 1FZFE:


Diagnosing the oil galley plug leak:


The whole build playlist:
www.youtube.com

1993 Toyota Land Cruiser

Building a 1993 Land Cruiser FZJ80 into an extremely capable overland, rock crawler, and adventure vehicle. This is going to be a sick rig!
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

I will start taking more pictures since it's more applicable to the forum than videos, but feel free to check out the build up to this point. This is going to be awesome! Thanks for checking out the thread.
Click to expand...

What are you going to do with the 1FZ?
 
Been watching your videos since your 1FZ build. Excited to watch the swap videos and follow along with this thread.
 
@rmgarage
I have been watch your video for a bit now and just watch the engine pull video last night. I liked it but the teaser at the end was not right...hey guys look at this and then the video just kinda cuts off. I guess it make people (me included) want to look for the follow on but man I thought I would see more after you pulled the front cover.

Looking forward to the progress and the documentation.
 
Niko Jackson said:
What are you going to do with the 1FZ?
Click to expand...
Sell it once the LS is done. Or use it in a different project
truthdetector said:
Been watching your videos since your 1FZ build. Excited to watch the swap videos and follow along with this thread.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
Brindleboxer said:
@rmgarage
I have been watch your video for a bit now and just watch the engine pull video last night. I liked it but the teaser at the end was not right...hey guys look at this and then the video just kinda cuts off. I guess it make people (me included) want to look for the follow on but man I thought I would see more after you pulled the front cover.

Looking forward to the progress and the documentation.
Click to expand...
Sorry! There will be a full video to follow up with that teaser.
 
It is easy to get 500 hp and nearly 500 ft lbs of torque out of the L96, add the 6L80 trans and suddenly your LC feels like a rocket.
 
sjpitts said:
Not to dissuade you from your engine swap, but I am pretty sure @cruiserdan had that same oil plug issue 20 years--- and he was able to fix it --- and still has that 80 today.

See this thread-- Nasty Oil Leak
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If the leak was caught before the engine suffered oil loss damage, replace the plug like I did and drive the truck for an additional 22+ years and counting (supercharged the entire time, by the way).

If you are needing an excuse to re-power, by all means proceed.
 
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