What size lift for a SUA and 6BT conversion?

[bluehawk]

Have been reading a lot of threads on the 6BT conversion. I really want to keep the stock axles and t-case the same as they are. Do not want to do a SOA if I can keep from it. So, the question is what size lift to install and where to get one (best manufactured) ?? It needs to clear the oil pan on the 6BT. Does anyone know if a more slim or smaller oil pan can be put on these engines? I will be starting a build thread when I get a little more going on the truck. It will be a slow one as funds are low and due to working 10 hour days and two kids.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

55, 60, 62, 80? Wacha got?

 

[mwalls54]

Ome heavy duty or have some made

 

[bluehawk]

Sorrry I thoght I put in there what I had. Its a 1984 FJ60 that is Rootbeer Brown !!

 

[bluehawk]

I called and talked to some guy at Trail Gear today. I asked him about their 5" heavy duty springs and the 6BT conversion. He told me that I would be too heavy for these springs. Don't know if he was just saying that because he didn't want to sell something that was going to be under a heavy load. Will keep looking for a SUA kit. Thanks Guys. Hope to have some more input from more guys on the MUD Forum

 

[Elbert]

who else has done one without going SOA?

Seems like a fairly heavy / tall engine to me. You gotta have some room between the oil pan and the front axle.

 

[bluehawk]

been a couple of guys that have done it on here. May just wind up doing a SOA and not worry about it. Not sure of the stability and driveability of a SOA set up. May just order some heavy duty springs and be done with it also.

 

[DSLTOY]

I have seen a couple of 4BT conversions, both were SOA and had body lift and I thought the oil pan was still too low. I doubt that you can use a smaller pan as the BTs are a long stroke motor and need the depth. In the early days of Dodge using the 6 BT the had issues with drive shafts and Dana 60 rear ends and had to go heavier so I doubt that the stock drive train would hold up.

 

[Elbert]

there is a guy in the hardcore section doing a 6bt swap right now...on a 60...
might want to check in with him to see what he thinks.

I'm no expert but I would think SOA is about mandatory. I know some of these people who swap engines never go of-road so its important to understand what kind of setup they have and where do they drive their "stuff"...

I too...think a 6bt will stress the stock drive line (trans & TC)....crazy torque numbers compared to stock. Seems like you might want a 14 bolt in the rear and something stronger up front...and look at options on trans and TC.

I like the power of the 6bt...and even the 4bt from what I've read...cool swaps. A guy down where I live has a 4bt in his 60.. I think he run nv4500 and stock axles and stuff but not sure of TC choice.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/570248-stevos-6bt60-build-thread.html

 

[bluehawk]

I have read the Rastarig build and Stevo's 6bt60 build. I will be doing the 6bt swap with a nv4500 five speed trans with stock tcase and stock axles for now. Steve says that this should be fine as long as I don't turn the power up on the motor ( bigger turbo and stuff ). Really not sure on the lift yet. This is why I was asking. Was maybe thinking 5" heavy duty spings with the SUA and a body lift and set the engine as high as I can in the engine bay. The way my 60 is right now, the whole front end is torn off. This I hope will help me locate the engine within the frame rails and then put the radiator core back on and the hood and check for clearance. This is going to be low low budget for sure. Trying to do this with out spending a ton of money and doing all of the work myself.

 

[Elbert]

not really a comparison...but I have heavy / heavy OME front and rear springs on my truck SUA with vortec 5.7. I think it puts the truck about 3+ inches higher than stock..approx. regarding the increase in distance between the front axle and frame (for a fixed point) I don't know if roughly the same distance increase but I would assume so since thats where teh lift is..but does that add up to an increase of avaliable space between the lowest part of the oil pan and the highest part of the front axle?.

 

[mwalls54]

to get the largest lift sua your going to have to have custom springs made. There are a few guys running ALCAN springs that are about 5"

 

[sk8salomon]

I did my soa for about $300. I re-used just about everything I could because like you I was on a tight budget. You will spend more on custom springs and such for sua and still have a crappy ride. Soa feels so much nicer!

 

[bluehawk]

Well as fate would have it again, went to go look at the 6BT this morning and the guy sold it the night before. Anyone know of a write up on the 4BT1c motors out of Isuzu NPR box trucks? Found one this morning after my sad ride to look at a truck that wasn't there. Thanks Again Guys !!!!!

 

[sk8salomon]

If you are interested, my bro n law still has his '84 60 for sale with 4bt conversion.

 

[bluehawk]

how much is he wanting for it?