Finally got my first cruiser - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

ManiacMagoo · 05-29-2010, 09:55 PM

After years of driving first gen 4runnerss (currently building an 85 in garage) and 2nd gen trucks my daily driver died and left me stranded lol. So I hit craigslist to find my 84 FJ60. The pictures posted made it look in pretty sad shape but when I got there it was really clean. hardly and body rust and the frame is only surface rust. After a tune up it runs better but still a massive turd. I know the 2F if a pig but it wont even spin the tires on loose dirt :lol:. I'm thinking a 4btt/700r4/205,203 split case is coming unless someone can steer me toward a better route for it. As for the 2F, I need to figure out what is wrong with it that is causing it to be so gutless. It has 185,000 miles on it and I have no clue what the original owners had done. The front passenger spring is bent so a SOA is in store in the near future as well. Trying to decide what color to spray bomb it for the time being thinkinng a black hood and kahkie but might go O.D. green instead. Anyways here is a picture of it with my tires installed since the stock ones didn't match:

dog walker · 05-30-2010, 09:50 AM

The engine sounds normal to me. They are all gutless.

OnTheSpot · 05-30-2010, 11:41 AM

I dig the poop brown, one of my favorite colors.

orangefj45 · 05-31-2010, 07:21 AM

not a bad looking 60........

i'd vote against the 4bt. i know they make great power and get good fuel economy but it comes at a heavy price; noise, weight, noise, low end vibration, noise and more noise.
most of the guys who have done the 4BT swaps or had them done have sold their rigs within the first year. the novelty wears off rather quickly. i'd highly recommend you drive a 4bt rig before you do the swap.

put a 5.3 vortec in the cruiser and be done with it.

georg

Rat70FJ · 05-31-2010, 06:13 PM

That'd be my engine of choice as well. maybe a 6.0 if you're feeling wealthy!

ManiacMagoo · 05-31-2010, 07:16 PM

Only issue I have with going to small block route is I have a 350 tbi and 700r4 sitting here in my dead 92 burban. Are the gains over the 350tbi worth the added costs? I know at sea level my suburban averaged 18-22mpg.

05-29-2010, 09:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
ManiacMagoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Member # 23176 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 42	Finally got my first cruiser After years of driving first gen 4runnerss (currently building an 85 in garage) and 2nd gen trucks my daily driver died and left me stranded lol. So I hit craigslist to find my 84 FJ60. The pictures posted made it look in pretty sad shape but when I got there it was really clean. hardly and body rust and the frame is only surface rust. After a tune up it runs better but still a massive turd. I know the 2F if a pig but it wont even spin the tires on loose dirt :lol:. I'm thinking a 4btt/700r4/205,203 split case is coming unless someone can steer me toward a better route for it. As for the 2F, I need to figure out what is wrong with it that is causing it to be so gutless. It has 185,000 miles on it and I have no clue what the original owners had done. The front passenger spring is bent so a SOA is in store in the near future as well. Trying to decide what color to spray bomb it for the time being thinkinng a black hood and kahkie but might go O.D. green instead. Anyways here is a picture of it with my tires installed since the stock ones didn't match:

05-30-2010, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
dog walker Discount! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 156 Location: Orangevale, CA Posts: 6,787	The engine sounds normal to me. They are all gutless. __________________ Jeff Fretwell 72 FJ40 67 FJ45 83 Toyota 4x4 LB

05-30-2010, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
OnTheSpot Rock God Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34900 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,940	I dig the poop brown, one of my favorite colors. __________________ Applying the Beef Treatment

05-31-2010, 07:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
orangefj45 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6816 Location: Fawk if I know Posts: 15,275	not a bad looking 60........ i'd vote against the 4bt. i know they make great power and get good fuel economy but it comes at a heavy price; noise, weight, noise, low end vibration, noise and more noise. most of the guys who have done the 4BT swaps or had them done have sold their rigs within the first year. the novelty wears off rather quickly. i'd highly recommend you drive a 4bt rig before you do the swap. put a 5.3 vortec in the cruiser and be done with it. georg __________________ Maybe you outta stick to legos!

05-31-2010, 06:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rat70FJ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Member # 22408 Location: Rescue, CA Posts: 3,420	That'd be my engine of choice as well. maybe a 6.0 if you're feeling wealthy! __________________ KI6ZGH

05-31-2010, 07:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
ManiacMagoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Member # 23176 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 42	Only issue I have with going to small block route is I have a 350 tbi and 700r4 sitting here in my dead 92 burban. Are the gains over the 350tbi worth the added costs? I know at sea level my suburban averaged 18-22mpg.

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