Topic: Project Family Cruiser Arrives!!!!

[kneedownnate]

Yes it is a Toyota, I think it is out of a 85' Landcruiser... but I'm not positive. Are they any good? I know everything is backwards, manifold is on the opposite side. He only wants $600 for the whole truck... motor running gear and frame are good.

From what I've heard they're typical toyota.  It'd probably be a cool addition to your ride, and if you turbocharged it it should make plenty of power and be very reliable, not to mention way cooler than the standard 350 swap. 

[1Bad4Runner]

Sorry, Iti is a straight 6, not a 4... is that better?

[kneedownnate]

Yes and no; better for you cause it'll have the torque you need for your rig, bad for me cause if it was a 4cyl toy I was gonna try and latch onto it.

[1Bad4Runner]

whats the difference? I thought a 6 would be better. 

[wa4x4]

In theory a 6 should be better but some people are 4 banger purists...

[4THEWKN [OP]]

At one tine I was thinking of doing the caddy motor but the Chevy is alot cheaper to buy parts for. Another thing is parts availability. If you brake something on the trail chances are better that someone will have The part to replace it. Also was thinking of a TPI L98 vette motor, but the  TBI is super simple and could careless if it sucks up a speck of dust. The TPI don't likeee dust....Dean

[1Bad4Runner]

In theory a 6 should be better but some people are 4 banger purists...

Thanks Wa4x4, I'll assume that the motor is good then.

[fzj40]

Your new Cruiser appears to be 9-76 or later.  Look inside the driver door check next to the a-pillar.  This means it will come with the more desirable 4speed, disc brake front end, 4.2L 2F motor and 4:10 gears.  The 2F is a great motor for low-end torque.  It can be built up with basic hot-rod tricks: shaved head, cam, header and rebuilt Aisin carb (don't use Weber or Holley, they suck).   If you want to SBC, OK, but you will lose significant potential value of the vehicle, you will probably lose torque in the 600-1500 RPM range and you will lose weight over the front axle. Your axle is capable of running 79+ 'fields with minor clearancing. With improved birfs you can run 35's no sweat, just need a 4" lift.  If you go SOA you can run 36s with stock springs, usually.  IMHO, you should take the top off, get it running and take it off-road a little while it is totally stock.  They are impressive bone-stock.  Personally, I would not swap Chevy crap into a Cruiser (YMMV).  No Turbo or SC kit is offered, and if you fab one I highly recommend swapping studs for the head bolts.  Good motor swaps for these are 1ZFZEs from 93-97 LCs with an auto, or 13BT or 2HT diesels from Canada with H55Fs.  I'd love to see a hot 7MGTE with JDM 96+ R151, that would be sweet!  Then again, the venerable 2F is not a bad motor...

[4THEWKN [OP]]

Sorry to disappoint you FZJ40 but this bad boys getting a 87 TBI motor done deal. Angelo who works in the shop is a GM Master Mech. The man knows some trick things to do to a SBC to make them as smooth as a sewing machine. As for the month built it was Nov 76 . Nice  guess. I really like the color of your Cruise what color is it, and is it the origanal color.

[fzj40]

Oh well on the motor.  Wish you were closer, I could use it here for a friend.  My paint is Toyota 653 Olive Brown.  I was offered by most accounts only 77-78, but my research shows occasional use through the end of the US run in 1983.  It is not the original color of my truck, that was mustard yellow.  I have swapped a few other things too, like a FF rear with factory LSD and RDB, but it remains all Toyota.  Good luck with your project, I look forward to the updates!

[4THEWKN [OP]]

Checked the color code it's #416 Dune beige. Kinda funny I lived on Ave 416 most of my life.

[fzj40]

That is a very nice color.  That's the early beige, much better than the 82-83.  I redid my last '72 in that color and was very pleased.

[kneedownnate]

whats the difference? I thought a 6 would be better. 

That's what I meant, for your LC a six is better, but for my truck I'm gonna need a four.

[1Bad4Runner]

That's what I meant, for your LC a six is better, but for my truck I'm gonna need a four.

I gots ya... Thanks 

[CTENG in KS]

There seems to be a lot of talk in this thread!!!!
 

[CruzrDave]

LC axles are WAAAAY stronger than mini axles.
 

I've ditched the cruiser axles on my FJ in favor on mini truck axles.

 Compareing Stock mini axles to stock cruiser axles.
 I still have 30 spline shafts, I got rid of the C-clips that retain the rear axles, I gained 1" more ground clearence,  I went from a 10 pline pinion that has a 90mm OD X 40mm ID X 23mm thick bearing to a pinion with 27 splines and a 89mm x 35mm x 39mm bearing, the pinion is 5mm smaller but the bearing is 16mm thicker which gives the pinion more support ,1978 and newer cruiser axle have a 27 spline pinion also.  The Carrier bearings on the FJ40 are 80mm x 45mm x 20mm compared to 83mm x 50mm x 23mm on V6 3rd member. The FJ does have a larger ring gear.

I also went from 10mm knuckle studs to 12mm studs. This could also be done using a 79 and newer cruiser axle. Or putting Mini knuckles on the cruiser housing but then that make its a minicruiser Hybrid and not fair to a equal comparison.

[4THEWKN [OP]]

And if you take and shave the frt and rear axle you gain about 2" over the TLC axle.

[fzj40]

You guys are right, but you should also compare housing strength.  If you are swapping a V6 diff for the extra strength, you could also swap a 93+ LC factory locking or aftermarket locking diff f/r into the factory 76 axles for upgraded bearings and spline count.  Of course all of this is really just about what you want.  4thewkn wants a GM motor, so mini axles are simply another choice and maybe a good one for his needs.  My preferences are different.  I am going to start on my 4Runner next, and that one will be much more modified than my Cruiser.   I look forward to watching the build on this Family Cruiser!

[4THEWKN [OP]]

Your right it all depends on what your building. I was eyeballing these bad boys right here for axles.

[BigMike]

I've ditched the cruiser axles on my FJ in favor on mini truck axles.

 Compareing Stock mini axles to stock cruiser axles.
 I still have 30 spline shafts, I got rid of the C-clips that retain the rear axles, I gained 1" more ground clearence, I went from a 10 pline pinion that has a 90mm OD X 40mm ID X 23mm thick bearing to a pinion with 27 splines and a 89mm x 35mm x 39mm bearing, the pinion is 5mm smaller but the bearing is 16mm thicker which gives the pinion more support ,1978 and newer cruiser axle have a 27 spline pinion also. The Carrier bearings on the FJ40 are 80mm x 45mm x 20mm compared to 83mm x 50mm x 23mm on V6 3rd member. The FJ does have a larger ring gear.

I also went from 10mm knuckle studs to 12mm studs. This could also be done using a 79 and newer cruiser axle. Or putting Mini knuckles on the cruiser housing but then that make its a minicruiser Hybrid and not fair to a equal comparison.

Wow, that's the first useful tech I've seen from Dave. Nice!

Hey Dean:

[mr4x42u]

Just a comment to the guys calling out caddy mototrs and 502's,,that stuff is old news..welcome to the world of 454 small blocks that put out more tourqe and hp then a 502 and less weight same money...

my buddy installes alot of small blocks into l/c's..I thin k the tpi 350 is an awesome swap..I really don't think there is going to much of a value differance just due to the motor..maybe to a collector,,but not many people collect l/c;s,,,most wheel them..

[4THEWKN [OP]]

I was really considering the TPI motor but there a some issues Running the 4 sp behind it in California. I did a TPI/ 700R4  vette motor in a CJ7 that was  crazy fast. But I think the TBI is a better motor for offroad because it is not tempermental to what it sucks do the intake. I also agree, if I was restoring this thing a 6 cyl would be going back in. But I fell it's not a collector cruise IMO. 

Just a comment to the guys calling out caddy mototrs and 502's,,that stuff is old news..welcome to the world of 454 small blocks that put out more tourqe and hp then a 502 and less weight same money...

my buddy installes alot of small blocks into l/c's..I thin k the tpi 350 is an awesome swap..I really don't think there is going to much of a value differance just due to the motor..maybe to a collector,,but not many people collect l/c;s,,,most wheel them..