Builds Unicorns are real... My dream car FJ73 build (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter 2fpower
- Start date
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- Jul 22, 2012
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- Location
- Winter Park, Florida
- Website
- www.cruisermatts.com
so how are you liking the 5.3 in such a small truck? Pretty awesome right?
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Lol, I was just scrambling to see how I missed it being done. I’m like damn he worked fast
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
- Threads
- 485
- Messages
- 14,282
- Location
- Winter Park, Florida
- Website
- www.cruisermatts.com
Dang I'm sorry man, I just figured it had been like a year since I last opened this thread and figured you'd be done already 
2fpower
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #187
To start off this engine swap, I took a video of the engine running and driving the rig. All is fine with it, so hopefully someone will need this.
Any Idea what it is worth to someone? I can't find any for sale on any the webz.
VM Motori 2.5 diesel. HR 588 OHV
wikipideia says...
HR 588 OHV[edit]
2.5 L; 152.2 cu in (2,494 cc) inline-5, with two (pushrod-actuated) valves-per-cylinder and indirect fuel injection from either Bosch or Spica. 88 mm × 82 mm (3.46 in × 3.23 in). This engine is a five-cylinder version of the 2-litre HR488, and also uses KKK turbochargers.
Applications:
Any Idea what it is worth to someone? I can't find any for sale on any the webz.
VM Motori 2.5 diesel. HR 588 OHV
wikipideia says...
HR 588 OHV[edit]
2.5 L; 152.2 cu in (2,494 cc) inline-5, with two (pushrod-actuated) valves-per-cylinder and indirect fuel injection from either Bosch or Spica. 88 mm × 82 mm (3.46 in × 3.23 in). This engine is a five-cylinder version of the 2-litre HR488, and also uses KKK turbochargers.
Applications:
- 1983–1986.05 Alfa Romeo Alfa 6, 112 PS (82 kW) at 4,200 rpm and 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 2,400 rpm[21]
- 1987-? Toyota Land Cruiser II BJ73, 99 PS (73 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) at 2,600 rpm (Italian market only) (European market)[22
To someone that needs a VM to replace their crapped out one I think you can almost name your price , I tossed out the only 2 that ever came to my shop but neither of them was in healthy condition.
Pretty sure there are a few people already that bought a vm73 without knowing what they bought and are looking for a replacement engine , I would list it here and on a broader platform like Ebay to find those people , they will be happy they found one and you will be happier to see it leaving your driveway
Pretty sure there are a few people already that bought a vm73 without knowing what they bought and are looking for a replacement engine , I would list it here and on a broader platform like Ebay to find those people , they will be happy they found one and you will be happier to see it leaving your driveway
I like it but could go either way with the bar. Seems like it would look good with a light bar mounted on it. But I also like the big round lights.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I prefer without but it doesn't look bad with the bar. I assume that means no lights? Definitely prefer the look with the lights.
2fpower
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #192
With the Bull Bar, my plan is to do smaller round lights.
The one side note is that with the bull bar, the winch cannot be removed without taking off the bumper, so offers more protection from theft. Much like many bumpers on my 80 series rigs, you have to pull the bumper off, or back several inches to remove the winch. Then you put a tamper resistant bolt, or tack weld a bolt and you have a much more secure setup.
Thinking this size lights mounted to the bull bar, so they will be a few inches higher.
The one side note is that with the bull bar, the winch cannot be removed without taking off the bumper, so offers more protection from theft. Much like many bumpers on my 80 series rigs, you have to pull the bumper off, or back several inches to remove the winch. Then you put a tamper resistant bolt, or tack weld a bolt and you have a much more secure setup.
Thinking this size lights mounted to the bull bar, so they will be a few inches higher.
I’ve got the Toyota 3 bulb ones on a ‘92 which fit perfect. Originally had the same as yours, and moved the other bulbs up from the bumper. Check those ones out, they do fit.
Last edited:
2fpower
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #197
@cruisermatt and @thatcabledude want to pick your brain....
Got a few friends coming over to start this party. @kc_chevota one of the most talented fabricator and mechanic I know of, @CrowleyFJ40 smartest guy I know-- but I don't know a lot of people.
Plan is to start the LS swap this weekend. Here is my mental notes and wanted to see what I am not thinking of. I have already powerwashed everything as good as I could.
1. Identify starter wire, tach wire, coolant temp, oil pressure wire on existing engine harness. Flag
2. pull front clip off car to make easier work.
3. cut exhaust
4. pull engine/tranny
5. powerwash clean frame without engine.
6. cut existing motor mounts off frame.
7. drop diesel fuel tank
8. hook up LS to tranny with advanced adapter parts, new clutch from @cruiseroutfit
If I recall, tranny needs to move forward several inches. Any confirmation on amount, or how I know where it needs to be?
Any suggestions for height, angle of driveline, positioning, etc?
I have not started working on the harness, so that will be after it is placed in the car.
Got a few friends coming over to start this party. @kc_chevota one of the most talented fabricator and mechanic I know of, @CrowleyFJ40 smartest guy I know-- but I don't know a lot of people.
Plan is to start the LS swap this weekend. Here is my mental notes and wanted to see what I am not thinking of. I have already powerwashed everything as good as I could.
1. Identify starter wire, tach wire, coolant temp, oil pressure wire on existing engine harness. Flag
2. pull front clip off car to make easier work.
3. cut exhaust
4. pull engine/tranny
5. powerwash clean frame without engine.
6. cut existing motor mounts off frame.
7. drop diesel fuel tank
8. hook up LS to tranny with advanced adapter parts, new clutch from @cruiseroutfit
If I recall, tranny needs to move forward several inches. Any confirmation on amount, or how I know where it needs to be?
Any suggestions for height, angle of driveline, positioning, etc?
I have not started working on the harness, so that will be after it is placed in the car.
FJBen
SILVER Star
step 9: take VM and...
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
Sounds like a sound plan to me. Unless there is reason because of the 7x platform that I don’t know about, I don’t know why you’d have to move the trans forward. Seems like you want to keep the t-case in the factory spot. I’d say set it all in there with T-case bolted at the factory location and see where the engine lands.@cruisermatt and @thatcabledude want to pick your brain....
Got a few friends coming over to start this party. @kc_chevota one of the most talented fabricator and mechanic I know of, @CrowleyFJ40 smartest guy I know-- but I don't know a lot of people.
Plan is to start the LS swap this weekend. Here is my mental notes and wanted to see what I am not thinking of. I have already powerwashed everything as good as I could.
1. Identify starter wire, tach wire, coolant temp, oil pressure wire on existing engine harness. Flag
2. pull front clip off car to make easier work.
3. cut exhaust
4. pull engine/tranny
5. powerwash clean frame without engine.
6. cut existing motor mounts off frame.
7. drop diesel fuel tank
8. hook up LS to tranny with advanced adapter parts, new clutch from @cruiseroutfit
If I recall, tranny needs to move forward several inches. Any confirmation on amount, or how I know where it needs to be?
Any suggestions for height, angle of driveline, positioning, etc?
I have not started working on the harness, so that will be after it is placed in the car.
View attachment 2499098
Position to fit! Lol. I imagine there will be very little wiggle room side to side between frame rails. I’d set the angle at whatever makes your driveline happy at your ride height.
With help you’ll probably have this done by Monday
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
You may have to play with hood/front axle clearance if you are keeping that truck intake manifold.
