My friend got a good deal on a suburban so we stripped it down and are parting it into his Fj40. It is a 454 bored over (don't know how much), headers. So far we have taken off the body, taken out the engine, and we are in the process of mounting the new engine and tranny. I want to rip the stupid headers out so bad. There is almost no room. We are having to mount the engine really low to fit the headers. Which isn't necessarily bad I just hope it isn't too low. Maybe one day I'll post some pics. Just not to computer literate. If some one wants the engine here in slc let me know he wants to sell it. In the plans are the suburban axles, coils hopefully, full hydro or assist (he hasn't decided yet). He wants to put airbags and I just keep telling him not to. Right now it has a custom roll cage and that is about all that is going to stay beside the body. It used to have a 3/4 eliptical rear, SOA, lift springs and shackles, shackle reversal. We only have 1 night a week to work on it so it is taking a long time. The loser is in sales so he works all day on saturday. Friday the engine should be in (SHOULD). I'll keep you updated.

2 major problems with running big blocks in cruisers:

cooling

steering shaft

you will NOT be able to keep that engine cool with a stock type rad. you'll have to run an aluminum rad or the one out of the suburban, which will require some "modifications".

if you're going to run headers, you will not be able to run a one piece steering shaft. you can modify the headers for the shaft to pass thru or go to a 2 piece steering shaft with a pillow block. or just forget about the headers and run manifolds. IMHO that's the best way to go.

i have learned all this by helping out on a big block conversion in my best friend's fj40. he runs a very healthy big block with an auto and it stays at 180degs and runs a one piece steering shaft. but he had to make his own headers. not easy.

just a little advice from my perspective. have your motor, steering coulmn, steering linkage and box and the manifold/headers you plan to run before you start. this way you can test fit everything as you go. by changing just one piece of the puzzle things just may not fit.

thanks for the info I keep telling my friend to ditch the headers but he really wants them. I say he doesn't need them a 454 has plenty of power and the headers are the only things slowing us down. Maybe I can convince him otherwise.

hope he's planning on running an auxillary fuel tank along with the stocker or at least carry a few jerry cans. there's a reason why suburban's had 40+ gallon tanks. BBCs are thirsty fawkers! :smokin:

Suppose a 500ci caddy motor would be a better swap into a FJ60???

;)

hope he's planning on running an auxillary fuel tank along with the stocker or at least carry a few jerry cans. there's a reason why suburban's had 40+ gallon tanks. BBCs are thirsty fawkers! :smokin:
It is plumbed for a second tank but he ditched it a while back maybe we'll put it back in if he still has it and its not rusted. The cruiser has been sitting for over 2 years. It was started once during that time, and that was to get it into the garage and it hasn't moved since. We definitely have our work cut out for us.

If some one wants the engine here in slc let me know he wants to sell it. Friday the engine should be in (SHOULD). I'll keep you updated.

Is it a 2f :confused: that he wants to sale or the 454 or other :confused:
If it's a 2f, this guy need one :D
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=51964

Just to clarify he wants to get rid of the old stock engine so we can put the 454 in. Last week we were not able to get the engine in. We had to take the axles off of the suburban so we can get rid of it. My friend is starting a new job with less pay, but it is way cooler job and better hours. We are going to work on mounting the engine tonight. If all goes as planned we'll see.

Its been a while since I have updated this even though not much has happened. The Engine and Tranny are mounted. Though I think we will have to re-do the cross member. We need to clock the t-case, and I am worried that we mounted the engine too low. I don't know where the front links will go.

The frame has been boxed out to fit the engine better. The old suspension is completely gone. The new axles are sitting under the frame and we are about to start measurements for the 4 link. The coilovers have been ordered for the rear. This weekend we will probably cut the frame in the back to fit the coilovers better.

It sucks working full time and going to school full time. Then try to fit girls in there, man it sucks. I have no idea when I'll work on my tacoma. Maybe when I get money. :(