seeking Pig advise from the wise

[carneters]

Been driving 60's for a while...girlfriend is buying a BJ60 as well(she bid on a troopie last month and missed it by a hundred bucks)...been wanting to "upgrade" to a 55 for a while and may have the perfect excuse to go ahead and step up...I just rolled my wagon.

Any advice, opinions, and/or experience that I can solicite from the veterans would be great!

**Ultimate goal is to end up with a pig that is highway capable, trail worthy and converted to diesel/WVO.

Interested to hear what advise exists out there as to looking into earlier vs. later model 55's. i.e...major differences, pros/cons, incompatabilities or otherwise with motor swaps/lifts/etc.

I'm looking around for a rig that's clean enough to cut out any cancer in the spring and have a clean body to start this project with...I know, I've already accepted defeat in finding one rust free without paying a mint...

** there getting to be much of a common concensus on the ultimate diesel swap? (y'know, not $ky-is-the-limit, but more bang for your buck) I would like to use my truck as a DD while collecting the right ingrediants for this. probably try to score a good deal here and there on the mechanicals and be ready by late spring with all the parts.

**??prefered parts sources??

about 4/5 yrs back i installed an OldManEmu lift in my 60, sounds like some of the 55 guys like an 'alcan' kit for 4+" (??)

i have BFG KO's(33x10.5) on some vintage looking alum/magnesium rims in storage...would go to 35's for a few extra highway MPH...guess it wouldn't matter if I go with a cummins or something, as far as power to turn them goes...

well...any knowledge passed thie way is much appreciated...let er rip!

 

[ridgerunner]

**Ultimate goal is to end up with a pig that is highway capable, trail worthy and converted to diesel/WVO.

Diesel/Biodeisel will net you the best results. WVO in the Univeristy of Idaho's findings will leave deposits in the engine that will eventually lead to engine failure.

Interested to hear what advise exists out there as to looking into earlier vs. later model 55's. i.e...major differences, pros/cons, incompatabilities or otherwise with motor swaps/lifts/etc.

I'm looking around for a rig that's clean enough to cut out any cancer in the spring and have a clean body to start this project with...I know, I've already accepted defeat in finding one rust free without paying a mint...

If your goal is to swap in a diesel engine, I wouldn't worry so much about year as finding a rust free/srtaight canidate.

** there getting to be much of a common concensus on the ultimate diesel swap? (y'know, not $ky-is-the-limit, but more bang for your buck) I would like to use my truck as a DD while collecting the right ingrediants for this. probably try to score a good deal here and there on the mechanicals and be ready by late spring with all the parts.

Cummins 4BT for my money. Behind that would be a Toyota diesel of some sorts.

**??prefered parts sources??

Same as a 40/60. I get my cummins parts from Cumminsstuff.com

about 4/5 yrs back i installed an OldManEmu lift in my 60, sounds like some of the 55 guys like an 'alcan' kit for 4+" (??)

I love my Alcans and don't really like spring overs, but for 4+ inches look for a spring over, especially if you go Cummins due to the engine height.

i have BFG KO's(33x10.5) on some vintage looking alum/magnesium rims in storage...would go to 35's for a few extra highway MPH...guess it wouldn't matter if I go with a cummins or something, as far as power to turn them goes...

Cummins could turn those no problem. Be sure to incorporate an intercooler.

 

[nuclearlemon]

worry less about year to year differences and more about finding a good straight , close to rust free pig. everything else can easily be swapped.

 

[RUSH55]

It seems that the 75-79 Pigs have the most desireable parts. They have the 4 speed tranny's, the disc front ends, 2F engines, 4.11 gears. I'd go for as late and straight as possible. But there'll always be work to be done.
For the diesel thing, check out Dieselcruiserhead's big honkin' thread.

 

[Pighead]

I like the early Pigs better...
Pre-smog, thicker sheet metal, wind wing doors, smaller turn signals up front.
I like the metal "Toyota LandCruiser" emblem on the fenders better than the later plastic ones.
The late '78 taillight lenses (and some other stuff) are very hard to find used, they only made that model for a year...
Early Pig front doors won't fit a later Pig.
Sure; in later Pigs you get a 2F, front discs and a 4-speed (You can get a 4-speed as early as '74). Early Pigs got 4.1:1s too.

If your long range plan is to swap engines and stuff, don't worry too much about a specific year as being best. If you find a good, clean, Pig, and make it your own, you will soon realize that, whatever year you got, that's the best year.

 

[carneters]

thanks to the wise

much thanks for the replies! i'm checking into smogging and registration issues in CA at this point...definitely keeping my eye open for a clean pig...procrastinated a bit and missed that '69 up in idaho...seemed like a nice price.
any more suggestions are of course appreciated...in particular about smog issues...i'm in north tahoe...ears and eyes open.
c'mon piggie piggie