Ive just started my newest project (hopefully a little more usable than the last) of a 12HT into a FJ75 ute. I've wanted to do this conversion for a while as i reckon the 12HT will go bannanas in a 75 ute especially with a 3 inch mandrel and 10 or 12 psi up its ass.
I actually bought the engine before i bought the ute because its taken me ages to find a straight un butchered example of a ute 100% rust free and in my price range.(checked out over 30 utes) I got the 12HT off a family friend with a fully rebuilt bottom end for $5000 and the other day i was lucky enough to see a 89 FJ75 on ebay with a starting bid of $1500 with no pics so we drove the 80 or so kays from Caboolture where i live down to Ipswich to check it out.
This 75 looked a bit ruf from afar with it's beige paint but once we went through everything it seemed a real honest truck that had sat in a shed for 9 years (still had the 2001 rego sticker on it) totally rust free and straight with a buggered 3f engine. I offered him $2000 and he snapped it up. Wished it was a HJ but hey im not to worried and it actually has a few benifets. So now with the tray off and the 3f out and the cab stripped i finally have something to work with. First thing im doing is fitting the 12HT but first i have to cut out those petrol engine mounts and weld on a couple from a hj chassis, find some 2h parts and bung the whole lot together. Will keep you posted and look forward to any tips and ideas from anyone with experience doing said conversion. I am a diesel fitter so it should be pretty straight forward but hey i dont mind asking sometimes
