Builds The Squirrel - 1991 FJ80 "Poverty Pack" Cruiser
- Thread starter Will Van
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- land cruiser
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Will Van
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- Thread starter
- #142
Sorry for the lack of updates. Due to personal reasons, I had considered abandoning my 6BT/NV4500 swap project. However, after much contemplation (and some encouragement from my wife), I have decided to proceed.
I need to clean & organize my garage to prepare for the swap, but picked up this mockup 6BT engine from Speedway Motors.
It is dimensionally correct laser-cut steel and only weighs about 45 lbs. It should make it much easier to move in and out of the engine bay to mock-up engine mounts. Since my truck is 3FE, I need to replace/relocate the frame-side engine brackets to the 1FZ location. Then modify the steering brace to clear the oil pan. Plus, just general clearancing for the bellhousing and other miscellaneous items.
I’m waiting on a new oil pan and valve covers. I’ll probably try to get my donor engine and trans after Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I hope to have more significant updates soon.
I need to clean & organize my garage to prepare for the swap, but picked up this mockup 6BT engine from Speedway Motors.
It is dimensionally correct laser-cut steel and only weighs about 45 lbs. It should make it much easier to move in and out of the engine bay to mock-up engine mounts. Since my truck is 3FE, I need to replace/relocate the frame-side engine brackets to the 1FZ location. Then modify the steering brace to clear the oil pan. Plus, just general clearancing for the bellhousing and other miscellaneous items.
I’m waiting on a new oil pan and valve covers. I’ll probably try to get my donor engine and trans after Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I hope to have more significant updates soon.
Delta VS
Supporting Vendor
Need some 100 spokes
Will Van
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- Thread starter
- #146
Unfortunately, the mock-up block from Speedway Motors is not going to work. The mock-up block is marketed as an exact replica of a real 12-valve engine. But it does not have the provisions to bolt on the valve cover buckets.
The real Cummins engine uses rocker arm pedestals that bolt to the head. Then the valve cover buckets bolt to the pedestals.
The Speedway mock-up block has the holes for the pedestals, but does not have the holes for the valve cover buckets. So I would need to buy Cummins pedestals to attach the valve covers. Those are a couple hundred bucks additional cost. And I would need more hardware to get them seated.
Also, it doesn’t really make any sense from a mockup perspective where you would be primarily concerned with the external dimensions of the engine. Who is mocking up rocker arm pedestals to begin with? Just include the hole for the valve cover and delete the rocker pedestal provision altogether.
There were other drawbacks as well. The steel was laser cut, which meant every edge was sharp AF. I cut myself a couple times during assembly.
Plus, it used nuts and bolts to assemble, which meant those holes weren’t available to attach accessories like intake, exhaust manifold, or bellhousing components. You would have to disassemble the stamped steel components, hold the accessory in place (exhaust manifold), then reassemble with longer bolts to clamp the two stamped steel components and the accessory. Not impossible, but a pain.
The real Cummins engine uses rocker arm pedestals that bolt to the head. Then the valve cover buckets bolt to the pedestals.
The Speedway mock-up block has the holes for the pedestals, but does not have the holes for the valve cover buckets. So I would need to buy Cummins pedestals to attach the valve covers. Those are a couple hundred bucks additional cost. And I would need more hardware to get them seated.
Also, it doesn’t really make any sense from a mockup perspective where you would be primarily concerned with the external dimensions of the engine. Who is mocking up rocker arm pedestals to begin with? Just include the hole for the valve cover and delete the rocker pedestal provision altogether.
There were other drawbacks as well. The steel was laser cut, which meant every edge was sharp AF. I cut myself a couple times during assembly.
Plus, it used nuts and bolts to assemble, which meant those holes weren’t available to attach accessories like intake, exhaust manifold, or bellhousing components. You would have to disassemble the stamped steel components, hold the accessory in place (exhaust manifold), then reassemble with longer bolts to clamp the two stamped steel components and the accessory. Not impossible, but a pain.
Last edited:
Delta VS
Supporting Vendor
dang that sucksUnfortunately, the mock-up block from Speedway Motors is not going to work. The mock-up block is marketed as an exact replica of a real 12-valve engine. But it does not have the provisions to bolt on the valve cover buckets.
The real Cummins engine uses rocker arm pedestals that bolt to the head. Then the valve cover buckets bolt to the pedestals.
The Speedway mock-up block has the holes for the pedestals, but does not have the holes for the valve cover buckets. So I would need to buy Cummins pedestals to attach the valve covers. Those are a couple hundred bucks additional cost. And I would need more hardware to get them seated.
Also, it doesn’t really make any sense from a mockup perspective where you would be primarily concerned with the external dimensions of the engine. Who is mocking up rocker arm pedestals to begin with? Just include the hole for the valve cover and delete the rocker pedestal provision altogether.
There were other drawbacks as well. The steel was laser cut, which meant every edge was sharp AF. I cut myself a couple times during assembly.
Plus, it used nuts and bolts to assemble, which meant those holes weren’t available to attach accessories like intake, exhaust manifold, or bellhousing components. You would have to disassemble the stamped steel components, hold the accessory in place (exhaust manifold), then reassemble with longer bolts to clamp the two stamped steel components and the accessory. Not impossible, but a pain.
I don't mind taking a roadtrip to Austin and giving you a hand.Sorry for the lack of updates. Due to personal reasons, I had considered abandoning my 6BT/NV4500 swap project. However, after much contemplation (and some encouragement from my wife), I have decided to proceed.
I need to clean & organize my garage to prepare for the swap, but picked up this mockup 6BT engine from Speedway Motors.
It is dimensionally correct laser-cut steel and only weighs about 45 lbs. It should make it much easier to move in and out of the engine bay to mock-up engine mounts. Since my truck is 3FE, I need to replace/relocate the frame-side engine brackets to the 1FZ location. Then modify the steering brace to clear the oil pan. Plus, just general clearancing for the bellhousing and other miscellaneous items.
I’m waiting on a new oil pan and valve covers. I’ll probably try to get my donor engine and trans after Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I hope to have more significant updates soon.
Just get four rolling carts and take your wheels off and set the truck down on the carts. We set mine down on the rotors while painting.Since I am doing all this work in my garage (without a lift), I need to get the truck lower and still be able to roll it around. The 37” tires are tall AF.
Anybody have a cheap set of low profile tires and wheels they want to sell?
Will Van
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- Thread starter
- #152
I was able to get a full refund on my Speedway Motors mockup engine (kudos to them for being hassle-free about the return).
I splurged for this much nicer (and more expensive) mock-up engine from P-ayr. It is a fantastic replica and includes nutserts for all the Cummins accessories that mount on the longblock, including oil pan and valve covers.
That’s all for now. I probably won’t have many more updates until after the holidays.
I splurged for this much nicer (and more expensive) mock-up engine from P-ayr. It is a fantastic replica and includes nutserts for all the Cummins accessories that mount on the longblock, including oil pan and valve covers.
That’s all for now. I probably won’t have many more updates until after the holidays.
Will Van
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #153
I also picked up this “swap friendly” Cummins oil pan (PN: 3949338) that offers the most clearance for the 80 series draglink. I’m not sure the specific application, but I believe it is similar to the 2nd gen Dodge setup (1994 to 1998.0). It pairs with an OEM 2nd gen Dodge oil pickup tube (PN: 3928455).
More info here and here.
More info here and here.
Just found your thread... Good luck on your swap!I was able to get a full refund on my Speedway Motors mockup engine (kudos to them for being hassle-free about the return).
I splurged for this much nicer (and more expensive) mock-up engine from P-ayr. It is a fantastic replica and includes nutserts for all the Cummins accessories that mount on the longblock, including oil pan and valve covers.
That’s all for now. I probably won’t have many more updates until after the holidays.
Will Van
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #155
Apologies for the lack of updates. Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share - I am going to sell the FJ80. The truck is awesome and a perfect candidate for what I want to build. But I am going through a divorce and the FJ80 doesn't make sense for me financially.
I am going to detail the truck and get some good photos. But if you (or anyone you know) is interested, please send them my way. Price TBD but reach out if you're seriously interested. Thanks guys.
I am going to detail the truck and get some good photos. But if you (or anyone you know) is interested, please send them my way. Price TBD but reach out if you're seriously interested. Thanks guys.
