Builds “The Dude”: New Owner w/ Basket Case FJ60

[CenTXFJ60]

I would love nothing more than diesel power but isn’t that $10k+ to do!? I’d like to shake the truck apart with a 4bt but even that would bust my wallet open a little farther than I want. Maybe someday! For now I just want to get this thing puttering around for, say, under $1,500.

Ok, that’s probably not gonna happen, but I feel like these two options could play out:

Cheap 2F someone pulled to swap in a V8, brush hone, minimal machine work, OEM gasket set, HEI, Weber, header I already have and boom

On the contrary, V8 adapter set someone pulled to go back to stock, enginetech re-main’d junkyard 350, sell off parts pile for swap moneys, also boom

Those are two good options. Keep networking (MUD is a great tool) like you’re doing and something will pop. Surprisingly enough, 12HT’s are going for the $4500-$5500 range over the last year which is above your target, but seem to becoming a bit more affordable than years past.

 

[js0k]

Those are two good options. Keep networking (MUD is a great tool) like you’re doing and something will pop. Surprisingly enough, 12HT’s are going for the $4500-$5500 range over the last year which is above your target, but seem to becoming a bit more affordable than years past.

Considering what you end up with that isn’t bad at all!

 

[HemiAlex]

Hey, that’s Jacobs truck.

I actually bought the blown 2F from that truck....

What part of town are you in?

 

[js0k]

Hey, that’s Jacobs truck.

I actually bought the blown 2F from that truck....

What part of town are you in?

Hahaha you’re the guy who scored it for $200!!! Jacob is a super cool dude. I’m an hr south of Htown

 

[js0k]

Hey, that’s Jacobs truck.

I actually bought the blown 2F from that truck....

What part of town are you in?

If you still have the 2F and want to make some room I know a guy... looking at a “good” one on here in Kyle but for what I want to do pre-blown is probably fine.

 

[HemiAlex]

Hahaha you’re the guy who scored it for $200!!! Jacob is a super cool dude. I’m an hr south of Htown

That’s me. Jacob is a good guy. He’s works really hard.

 

[Cruzerman]

I'll throw in my thoughts. Why not? Anyhow, don't go Weber. In fact, if you want a 2F with more power, think 2FE. IMHO, the Weber is not a great match for an offroad vehicle. The stock carb works well if it is in good shape. Most people who "upgraded" to a Weber like the Weber because the Toyota carb was barely working. I have a 60 that is waiting for me to do a restore and I'll be going 2FE with H55 tranny.

Don't go HEI. Inferior to the stock distributor. The stock unit is excellent, especially for its water resistant properties. IMHO, HEI is not an upgrade.

Have fun!

 

[js0k]

I'll throw in my thoughts. Why not? Anyhow, don't go Weber. In fact, if you want a 2F with more power, think 2FE. IMHO, the Weber is not a great match for an offroad vehicle. The stock carb works well if it is in good shape. Most people who "upgraded" to a Weber like the Weber because the Toyota carb was barely working. I have a 60 that is waiting for me to do a restore and I'll be going 2FE with H55 tranny.

Don't go HEI. Inferior to the stock distributor. The stock unit is excellent, especially for its water resistant properties. IMHO, HEI is not an upgrade.

Have fun!

Thanks, it’s starting to look like refreshed stock with more compression is the way to go? I have inquired about a complete stock ‘83 2F takeout which I think I’ll refresh with the OEM gasket set that came with the rig, maybe have 80 thou taken off of the head to bump the compression, lap the valves in, then if I’m not satisfied with the stock stuff I always have the weber and HEI to throw at it. What are your thoughts on a header? One of those came with it too. I just know that more carb, flow out of the exhaust, compression and HEI are a great way to wake up a Chevy 6, which is close enough to the 2F but came from the factory with a much worse carb...

 

[HemiAlex]

Before you do anything, you need to drive my truck. I’ve got 40,000 miles of daily driving since 2015 on a carbed 2F, it’s never failed or given up on me.

Currently at 317,000 miles and I just got done with a 2500 mile trip. It’s basically a stock bottom end, rebuilt head, no header and a full desmog.

 

[js0k]

Before you do anything, you need to drive my truck. I’ve got 40,000 miles of daily driving since 2015 on a carbed 2F, it’s never failed or given up on me.

Currently at 317,000 miles and I just got done with a 2500 mile trip. It’s basically a stock bottom end, rebuilt head, no header and a full desmog.

Will do!

 

[klinetime574]

@HemiAlex your rig is too slow. He won’t want to build a 2F after that. Lol. I tease.

V8 swaps are cool but definitely gonna blow the budget. Although a 2F done right will as well. I’d find a later 2F though. I don’t like the early motors with welch plugs that seal an oil galley that passes through the block. Driver side of the crank.

Later 2F’s used a large threaded plug. Better design IMHO. The late and early blocks will bolt to any Hxx transmission. The bellhousing will just need to match the cross member your truck has. Early is a three piece design cross member. Late is one piece. Early use a 2F stamped bellhousing. Late use a 3F stamped bellhousing. The bellhousings clock the transfer case a little different, which is why the mounts are different.

Probably TMI but HTH

 

[js0k]

Figured this will eventually evolve into a build thread if I post as I do stuff.

This morning a tire was flat so I pulled it, saw that it had been plugged in the past, and pulled that junk out to put a new harbor freight plug in, we’ll see if it holds.

I also lifted each wheel off the ground to see what was stuck and making the truck impossible to push. Driver rear was the culprit so I pulled the drum off thanks to the handy bolt holes and “disconnected” the parking brake bellcrank which was stuck. Rolls great now and hopefully the tire holds air. Will actually fix it later when tackling brakes.

I also took inventory of the parts in the back, there’s some good stuff I’ll probably use and some stuff I’ll probably sell to recoup some funds.

Next I’m gonna move it to a different spot in the driveway and wash it! Fun.

Hopefully I can score a 2F this week and get started on that!

 

[drwright68]

Thanks man, figuring out why it doesn’t want to roll (probably brakes), getting something under the hood and rust repairing the wheel wells & a rocker panel is all I’m looking at right now, it was a daily driver before it overheated in Houston traffic.

Can’t really touch it until I wrap up an axle rebuild, 22r install & de smog, W56 swap and brakes all around on an ‘84 runner. Exciting stuff and I’ve learned a lot (that will translate to the 60).

Until then just hunting for parts! Whatever materializes will

Welcome and it looks like you will have plenty of time to do those knuckles while sourcing a power plant lol.

 

[js0k]

Welcome and it looks like you will have plenty of time to do those knuckles while sourcing a power plant lol.

Thanks, wrapping that up is on the agenda for tomorrow (at this point it’s iust wheel bearings) and a power plant deal is in the works!

 

[drwright68]

Thanks, wrapping that up is on the agenda for tomorrow (at this point it’s iust wheel bearings) and a power plant deal is in the works!View attachment 2073141View attachment 2073142

Nice! What did you find?

 

[js0k]

Nice! What did you find?

A MUD member a few hours away from me 350 swapped his 83. That's right, the same year as mine and he has just about everything I'm going to need (everything from the bellhousing to the front accessories). The goal is to pull the head, have 80 thou taken off, lap in the valves, brush hone and new rings if the cyl walls don't look great, reseal with OEM gaskets, paint it black, desmog it, stab it in. May go HEI may not, may go weber may not, will probably go with a header. I'm sure I'll be more than happy with the performance of a freshened up 2F with a bump in compression.

 

[drwright68]

Very nice score. It looks like we will have a new build thread lol.

 

[Seth S]

Someone wiser on the subject will chime in...but there is a Chevy valve that often gets recommended for a head upgrade.

Guessing you will at least gasket match the manifolds as well?

 

[js0k]

Someone wiser on the subject will chime in...but there is a Chevy valve that often gets recommended for a head upgrade.

Guessing you will at least gasket match the manifolds as well?

Nice border collie, I posted mine in the dog thread, they’re the best!!

I’ll probably go the Chevy valve route if the valves and guides aren’t within spec on the new engine but if they are my goal is definitely just Allen plug, bumping the compression ratio, cleaning the existing valves up with a brass wire wheel on my bench grinder and lapping them in.

I spent a grand on my 292s head giving it the works (undercut stainless 1.84” intake 1.6” exhaust valves, performance guides, seats, seals, beehive springs, lite weight retainers, offset locks and a lot of flow work) and it is still very much a tractor engine!

 

[Seth S]

English shepherd actually. Little calmer temperament but everyone thinks he’s a border collie.