Land Cruiser Repower with 4bt

[WStephens]

Has any one done a repower of a FJ40 Land Cruiser with a 4bt?



What I have planned is to us a Dodge conversion for a Cummins/NV4500, Advanced Adapter for the NV4500/stock transfer case, stock full floating rear axel.



Any thoughts, recommendations or ideas are welcome.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Not that out there at all, I have one in a FJ55. See http://cruisers.shoumatoffmedia.com for conversion info. Search the forums of ih8mud.com there are two or three guys with 4BT's on that site...

 

[WStephens]

Thanks for the response I did not know there was any following for using Cummins B series engines.



I had considered the 6BT but was concerned about the power being to much for the rest of the drive train and it being to long to fit. I have checked the dimensions and 4BT is comparable to the 2F engine and will produce more power. Which should hopefully provide enough room for an after cooler.



The Cummins B series seems to me a cost effective replacement compared to some of the later Toyota Diesels and I would have better support from Cummins than Toyota.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Exactly right on everything except the length. It is actually quite a bit shorter than the 2F. You may have to modify the firewall slightly because of the location of the turbo on a 4BT (I did on my FJ55)... Other than that plenty of room . www.proffittscruisers.com has something like 10 4BT conversions lined up for different 4BTs. They have put them in a couple 60's already. Actually no firewall modification requirted now that I think about it. . Fits with an intercooer just fine... One of them is getting 27 mpg at stock fuel settings on stock 3. 73 gearing and very road friendly 33's. Good luck with it...



Andre

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Also, you need at least 4" of lift to clear the oil pan. I went SOA personally and am happy with it. Only two companies make 4" lift springs for a 60, Alcan in Colorado (and they are custom), and BTB. Alcan has made some good springs but a good friend who did a 4BT in a 60 had his flatten out after 3 weeks, horrible customer service, and is SOA now (the guy who got 27 mpg above). The other company has even worse customer service so I would lean towards a SOA personally... Andre

 

[WStephens]

What size radiator is needed since mine is toast from the accident that totaled my 40?



I have already decided to use the 4" lift kit that Specter Off Road sells, and the Atlas transfer case housing to increase the strength of the stock unit.



How do you rout the exhaust from the turbo since it is on the same side as the drive train?



I have been looking at the specs for the 4BT for quite a while and it suits my criteria perfectly.



It comes down to a mater of time and money that come together at the same time.

 

[WStephens]

I do not expect to get real good mileage due to the low gear ratio (4. 56) that my FJ40 came with stock but should improver over the 11 mpg I was getting with the 2F and lot more power.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Sorry I confused your FJ40 for a 60 for a second there. Any 4" should work, there are some good 4" kits for FJ40s. I would go to ih8mud.com in the forums there, best info you'll find. There is a guy, I believe H1C is his handle, who has done this swap. Exhaust is not an issue, you will be fine. You can replace with an atlas but that is an expensive route. I would use an Orion (also by AA) over the atlas, cheaper, just as strong and good gearing. . And bolts up. . Definetely go to ih8mud.com and I would do it before you buy anything. Best advice out there for anytthing land cruiser related. Good luck with it. . Andre

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Also I found my oil pan was very close to the front axle on my FJ55 (same axle and width as a 40) on my FJ55. I swapped to a FJ60 front axle (requires fabircation) but is totally worth it. . You might have these issues (it being pretty close/tight) with a 40 as well, I dunno...

 

[bgilbert]

Where are you guys finding these fj55's and fj60's?? I don't think I've ever seen any around here. . they are sweet, I'm in love!!! Wanna trade, I got a boat LOL!!

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

They are rare especially in the midwest. Again go to www.ih8mud.com and click on the forums. Look inf the classifieds section. Some of the cleanest ones I've seen are actually in the midwest sometimes. There was one I almost bought in Nebraska that wasn't even funny how nice it was... I have a couple of buddy in IN that are cruiserhead but mostly wheeling rigs, but I could refer you to them. I would post on there "looking for ___ in Indiana" if there isn't anything there that works for you. . Andre



PS the FJ55s are hard to find, especially in nice shape. In restored shape they fetch a pretty penny, so much that I wish I could afford one, so I start with beaters personally. I have seen them for as much as $17K from the private seller for an immaculate one, or as much as a LOT more for literally an immaculate from one of the sellers. Avoid ebay unless you are certain its in top of the line shape by seeing it yourself. There are some scammers on there including anything from "vintageoffroad. . " Hope it helps...

 

[TKingsbury]

Dieselcruiserhead, that is a cool rig. What did your engine/trans come from? I dig that trailer, put the canvas on an voila! instant tent trailer!

Travis. .

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Yes trialer is neat, just heavy... The engine came from a 1980 Grumman P-Van that originally had a Chevy 350 that was originally in service at Frito Lay, then went to an ice cream company when they decommissioned it. When I got the van I didn't know if the engine even ran, but luckily it did It had been repowered in 1992 under their Cummins repower program, probably when it was still in service at Frito Lay. Luckily it was the 120 hp 4BTA model with the factory air/air intercooler... Getting it out of the van was like giving birth though. . Eventually the torch had to come out, but other had had much better luck. Can't remember who but they claim they can get them out in 30 minutes. The big mistake I made was **not taking the motor mounts**. They are liquid filled and are expensive...

 

[TKingsbury]

Here's a good question for you, have you had any trouble with engine run-away or excessive oil smoke when at severe angles? By severe angles I mean laying on your side, going up or down a near vertical, that kind of thing. You know, crazy wheeling type angles.

Travis. .

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Nope not at all, in fact it's been flawless. It's also like fuel injection, starts at all sorts of angles. When it was on its side it started idling a little weird but probably from oil. So I turned it off pretty much right away and it fired right up as soon as it was back on all 4's. That is the first and only time I have had any issues at all though...

 

[Willys]

I think it was Lee Alessi that is the expert at pulling them- I think he pulls them into the cab, and out the door. I hear he's a big guy

 

[bgilbert]

They are rare especially in the midwest. Again go to www.ih8mud.com and click on the forums. Look inf the classifieds section. Some of the cleanest ones I've seen are actually in the midwest sometimes. There was one I almost bought in Nebraska that wasn't even funny how nice it was... I have a couple of buddy in IN that are cruiserhead but mostly wheeling rigs, but I could refer you to them. I would post on there "looking for ___ in Indiana" if there isn't anything there that works for you. . Andre



PS the FJ55s are hard to find, especially in nice shape. In restored shape they fetch a pretty penny, so much that I wish I could afford one, so I start with beaters personally. I have seen them for as much as $17K from the private seller for an immaculate one, or as much as a LOT more for literally an immaculate from one of the sellers. Avoid ebay unless you are certain its in top of the line shape by seeing it yourself. There are some scammers on there including anything from "vintageoffroad. . " Hope it helps...

Man you weren't kidding about price. I found a nice low rust and mileage 83 fj60 close to here about 100 miles, for $5000 :{ . Must be like the Dodge Cummins holding its value.

 

[WStephens]

I was on the Spector Off Road site today and Hi Impact site also and now i am looking at a stock split housing transfercase and a set of replacement gears with the 8% over drive in hi range and 55% lo range. with the gear ratio i am running it would put my rpm just right at 65 mph. the orion transfercase with the 4:1 low range would be nice in low range but still to low for my ring and pinion gears.

 

[wicked6]

There was an '85 Landcrusier / FJ60 about 1/2 a mile from my house. $2999 on a dealer lot. . A buddy of mine went to go look at it today & they had taken a 70's Pontiac 4 door in on trade on the 'Yota. GONE. .