Hello all,
I am going to be pulling a 4500lb trailor cross country with my stock FJ60 and am wondering how it will do. I currenty have a blown head gasket and I am concidering putting in a 350 with a 700r4 or installing a header and webber carb. Will the stock 6 banger pull that heavy of a trailor at hiway speeds? also does any one know of good tech sites for the 350 conversion.

thanks,

james

it can be done but I hope your not in a hurry :D The last time I towed with my 60 the trailer was lighter that 4500 lbs and it was a DOG!!!!

for V8 conversions go to ih8mud.com

if you go with the 700R4, make sure you get it beefed up and get a 1991 or 1992.

Good Luck,

james,

With the stock 2F... it is dog towing, especially with that weight! I would pull 2500 pounds (small sedan) with little problem, but with 4500 pounds... I hope that trailer has electric brakes!

With a V8 Conversion, you'll have the power to pull... just pay attention to engine & tranny temps. Also look into heavier springs, shocks, and other good stuff to make sure you can keep the load behind you.

I was at the same point, with a good stock reliable FJ60 last year. 220,000 miles on it, only thing wrong was a leaking rear main seal. Just was NOT safe to flat tow the FJ40 behind me. Too much weight pushing on the FJ60. Loaded with kids, dogs, camping gear... didn't feel comfortable. Sigh ol "Spot" was sold, and bought a '02 2500HD Crew Cab for the towing chores. Still only a "small" engine 6.0 gas... but with the size, and well base, I can safely pull the FJ40 with little concern other than keeping a safe stopping distance.

Next on the list is a trailer with brakes to replace the tow dolly. Just would rather have dual brakes on the trailer for any downhill sections of road!

Oh, dumbest move I did... flat towed a '67 Datsun convertible (2200#) behind a dead stock '72 Datsun 510 (2000#, stock 1600cc motor) from Oregon to Texas. Couldn't afford to pay a car hauler, so I towed the sports car down here. Top speed was 45 mph... and any down hill was a pucker factor! Took 5 days to get the 2200 miles... but made it! WHEW! Never again. FJ60 pulling a FJ40 isn't as bad, but a close second! :)

Tom :usa:

I've done it both with the 2F and with a 350TBI. I wouldn't worry about the power of either, I would be worried about the handling. I spent a ton of money on my 60 trying to get it to tow a smaller horse trailer. It probably runs 4200 lbs loaded. If the road is not perfectly smooth it is darn right spooky. The wheelbase just isn't long enough to handle that much extra weight. Even with a weight distribution hitch and trailer brakes it would not be something I would want to do for a long trip. I would say that it would be a very unpleasureable trip with you having several white knuckle moments.