Post 79 Frame question

[missioncruiser]

Sorry for the long winded story but here goes. I have read about some of the differences between the pre and post 79 FJ40's like springs/bushings, tranny hump, gas tank location and body mounts. My predicament is I have a 76 FJ40 project with a rotted frame, stock running gear, ancient lift, decent cowl, rusty floorpan but redone rear tub(someone welded in new sheetmetal, not stock ribbed parts). I noticed an ad for a post 79 rolling chassis that has many other added features like rear locker, SOA done professionally at local shop, redone seals in both axels, motor w/o head but tranny and transfer case plus spare tranny/xcase. I will have a look at it this on the weekend to see the condition but my question is how much work is it to mate my 76 body onto this frame? If money was available could I put my cowl on and bolt up a post 79 aqualu body? Would I be better off just waiting for a pre 79 frame? Will my doors front or rear interchange? I am not in a rush and will be doing a frame off on my 76 either way but I want to think about my options. The price tag is in the 2000 range for this chassis. Any input is appreciated.

[dr_dobro]

I think that is a million dollar question !. I went trough the same since I own a 1980 and 1978 FJ40. Both are in pieces, my 78 is almost complete minus the tub, the 80 i had to chuck almost everything including the frame. I do like very much the newer body style of the 40 , specially being a 6'3" guy, but it will cost me less money and less work to do a 78 . That is how I looked at it. As it goes to mate the older cowl with the new body style, no clue, but I'm sure is possible.
Dan.