what to salvage from a FJ60?

[abruzzi]

Here is my question--I have a mostly stock 1972 FJ55. The only real mod from stock are lifted springs. I have been given a completely stock 1982 FJ60 with a blown engine. I was trying to figure what I could usefully salvage from the 60 to upgrade the 55.

Some of my preliminary thoughts:

* 4speed w/ transfer case: I recall reading that the 70s 4 speeds are more easily adaptable. What is the limitation here?

* Axles: My understanding is the 60 axles are wider and can provide a more stable stance, but some support tabs would have to be welded to the frame to widen the position of the springs.

* disc brake knuckles: If I don't move the entire axle, at least transplanting the knuckles with the disc brakes would be a good idea.

* diff/ring/pinion: if I don't replace the entire axles, the r/p on the 60 (3.70 right?) will be better matched to the 4speed ratios than the 4.11s on the 55.

* power steering: can the FJ60 power steering parts be transplanted to the 55 easily? What is involved?

* engine: like I said it's dead, but the engine on my 55 isn't like new, so, if I were to do a rebuild, the 2F would make a better platform.

* seats; maybe--they're in ugly shape, but ugly bench vs. ugly bucket, ugly bucket wins.

Any thoughts on the above items or anything else I should consider?

thanks,

Geof

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

the later 2F would be the one I would rebuild for the PS mounts
the PS box will have to be mounted to the frame which will take some engineering and fabrication
I would swap the 411s into the 60 axle housings
the split transfer case is cool, but the 4 speed on the 82 is short like the early 4 speed, and will have different mounting points for the crossmember if you were ever to go to the 5 speed, which mounts the same as a later 85-87 4 speed


Seatbelts???
maybe a/c???
HTH. you're in for alot of work

 

[scrapdaddy]

Free is good!

 

[PabloCruise]

Disc brake knuckles are good!

60 series PS can be adapted to the 55. I did this on my 40 (see tech thread link in my signature), there are threads in here about the same PS swap onto the 55.

You can go with the 3.7 third members w/ fine spline pinion if you think you will be driving on the road more. If you are more likely to wheel, then I would stick with the 4.11's. Yours will be coarse spline pinion.

4 speed is good, but it will take some work to adapt the split case txfr to your 55. I think you may be able to mount a 1 piece, 4 spd txfr to the 4 spd out of this early 60.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

Aside from the crossmember mounting for the trans/tcase, I think the splitcase is superior to the one piece AFAIC-only downside is there is no driveshaft brake BUT there are e brakes in the rear drums of the 60 axles so.....

 

[abruzzi]

This 60 used to be mine, but I sold it to a friend a while back. He had it stored for six months while out of town on a job, when he returned he took it for a drive and didn't notice the hole the mice chewed in the coolant hose. So now I have it back.

I've always liked how the 60 drives a lot more refined than the older 55, and honestly, if I could transplant the entire drive train of the 60 into the 55, I would love it.

I was figuring on the 3.7 simply because the truck is doing some double duty towing my boat. I wheel the truck semi frequently, but it is also occasionally commute and travel in it. The 4.11 with the 4 speed would give me a very low 1st, and no better highway. Ideally I'd like something in between, but nearer term the 3.7 would be more useful.

So when it comes to putting the later trans/transfer in the older vehicles, is the difficulty simply mounting/supporting the unit? Or are there bellhousing/clutch issues, or driveshaft issues?

I'll check out the links on the power steering swap--thanks.

Geof

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

the crossmember support is prolly the most involved mod in order to mount the trans and tcase. You can use your BH, flywheel clutch assy and throw out stuff. There may be a change in where the shifter pops thru the floor, you will have to run the early water pump that works with oil cooler and has NO fan clutch provisions to clear the raditaor DONT try and run a lectric fan(ask me how I know) I'm not certain about the Dshafts, but I think you might have to shrink the rear and stretch the front. I am likin my 4:1 gears, but I run 33s and drive mountains. NOT the slowest rig on the freeway either. no speedo, but was in the inside lane passin mofaws from fowler to the ranchos the other day(about 30 miles) I WISH I had a sixty to rob everything from. If you don't do the axle housings then the split case mod will create the need for an aftermarket tcase brake.......so, do the wider axle housings.....

 

[abruzzi]

Right now the emergency brake is parking the rig in reverse gear...

I have a brother and a friend with welding and fab skills, but I have limited favors to call in. Still it may be worth it to use the trans/transfer from the 60, and the wider axles.

thanks.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

Right now the emergency brake is parking the rig in reverse gear...

I have a brother and a friend with welding and fab skills, but I have limited favors to call in. Still it may be worth it to use the trans/transfer from the 60, and the wider axles.

thanks.

I say use it all.