Build White Lightin’ - LS3/6L80 swap and much more!!

[SNLC]

We are starting a new project. It’s a 12/1988 FJ62, originally a California Cruiser if I recall right. It’s as clean as any California Cruiser!

Real nice original paint, decent stock interior. So we for the most part are leaving those two things alone, everything else is getting done.

-LS3 430hp Connect & Cruise package with the 6L80 6spd automatic.
-2”-ish lift with new wheels and 255’s
-Diffs rebuilt, front & rear axles fully rebuilt.
-All new brakes.
-All new steering with 80-series steering box.
-All new OEM Toyota body mounts.
-Paint axles & frame, ie chassis.
-Rust proofing.
-More goodies!!

Next to a somewhat crusty 62!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Few pics of the last LS3 swap we did in a 60/62. Unlike most builds or swaps out there we like to run a mechanical fan and clutch on our v8 swaps. From our experience this eliminates any concerns for cooling issues no matter how or where you use your Cruiser.

Link to the blue 60 swap/build thread.

Thread 'FJ60 gets an EROD and NV4500'

Jun 25, 2021

I generally do build threads for bigger projects than just an engine and trans swap but why not? The owner of the Cruiser is cool with me posting this so away we go....

This is a pretty nice 1987 FJ60, its been off the road awhile and came to us with no engine. The owner had been eyeballing it for years before he was able to finally purchase it.

We went around about engines for a few months, an EROD was finally selected if crate form. From the beginning the owner wanted a manual trans and it really wasn’t up for much discussion. So we went with the NV4500.

Stock trans was...

• SNLC
• Replies: 120
• Forum: 60-Series Wagons

• 

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

LS3 Connect and Cruise with a 6L80 automatic plus a Marks 4wd adapter to the split case purchased!

Let’s go!

Cheers

 

[klip]

Totally agree with you on the mechanical fan.

 

[SNLC]

We pretty much started the project today.

Went and cleaned it up first.

Before

After

Better but still dirty, we will get it shiny once the engine + trans is out.

We will be selling the 3FE, 442 trans and most things under the hood as a package deal. So we took compression test today before starting tear down.

#1:130
#2:125
#3:125
#4:130
#5:125
#6:130

218,xxx on it as well so a decent running replacement for somebody.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Video of it running,



Cheers

 

[SNLC]

It’s a real clean California Cruiser!! 12/1988 so getting pretty old now for this kind of OG condition. Great bones for us to build upon, it’s getting a body off frame and chassis refresh with new OEM body mounts.

Rust just starting on the LHS rear frame rail.

RHS still nice-ish!

A common place for rust/rot on a 60/62 is inner frame rail at the rear leaf hanger, solid on this one.

Really good frame for going on 40yrs!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

You really can’t ask for much better than this for a shop/owner to start with on a build. 8-9/10, no?

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Anyways bit dirty but not horrible for its age, not much rust either. It’s an easy clean up and paint on the chassis all things considered. Inside the rails appears to be same condition as the outside so yeah, win win all around.

We knew this more or less though before preparing a proposal for the customer, they knew it too they just wanted confirmation from us.

Yup, super solid bones!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

30 odd years of shopping mall rash but overall really good.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Cheers

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Very clean slate.

 

[SNLC]

Tcase is torn down and ready for rebuild. Marks adapter showed up too.

We got all new OEM body mounts headed our way. Already got diff rebuild parts and fresh gears in hand. Got knuckle job parts too. Ordered a Terrain Tamer parabolic lift kit less shocks and damper.

Bringing the 62 back in the shop tomorrow to tear out the axles, suspension, fuel tank and more. Then engine and transmission won’t ship until mid-February so we are going to bang out a bunch of things in the build while we wait.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Cleaning nearly 40yrs of grease, oil and road grime off the underside of the body with a hot water pressure washer.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

The frame and axles have already gotten the same treatment.

Cheers

 

[klip]

That thing is in great condition, gonna be one nice ride! Great work so far, can’t wait to see this one come together.

 

[SNLC]

HW pressure washer we rented was a pos, it started popping its own circuit breaker every 30-seconds. We got it pretty good though.

We are going to coat the underside of the body and seal it all up. If you haven’t seen how we do that in one of our builds, follow along!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

The worst rust on the frame is-was obviously hiding under the rear c-channels.

Went ahead and just ordered replacement c-channels.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Hit both front & rear axle housings with the HW pressure washer.

3rds, knuckle parts, hubs and ect have been through the parts washer.

Hit the fuel tank with the HW pressure washer too, why not!?

Cheers