Opinions Sought on project

MiniPigg · 10-07-09, 03:26 AM

I am in the process of buying an older mercedes 190D that gets around 40mpg. This is to become the daily driver and it gives me oldest daughter something to drive. I only need one land cruiser. If I had a million dollars I would have a parking garage filled with cruisers. But I am poor and cant afford the fuel costs.
I have the FJ55 with a Cummins now. And I have an 1994 FZJ80 with OME suspension.

Here are a few options I have been considering and wanted everyones input.

1- Sale the 80 and recoup the money spent on it.

2- Part the 80 out to recoup the money and scrap the rest.

3- Part the 80 out except for the suspension and drive line. Sale the engine and transmission. Then place the FJ55 body on the 80 frame and move the deisel conversion over.

4- Keep the FJ55 as is but swap in the 80 locking axles. Sale the rest of the 80.

I don't feel like cutting and welding the 80 suspension onto the 55 frame. To much work. I have considered selling the 80 outright to another mud member for about 3500usd. I love driving the 80 but the cost of fuel in my area sucks as well as I have to travel over an hour just to do some decent shopping.

jsaltlick · 10-07-09, 05:49 AM

WIll the 55 body actually fit the frame of the 80? I know anything can fit but the engine bay of the 55 is kinda tight. I would swap the 80 axles onto the pig and be done. What are the mpg differences between the cummins and the 80 series? Will you save enough money per gallon to make it worth the efforts?

cruiser_guy · 10-07-09, 06:25 AM

Two options, sell the '80 "as is" or part it out, and I hate parting a running 'Cruiser. No one will want a picked over truck where all the good parts like locked axles are missing or not included.

89GASHOG · 10-07-09, 09:13 AM

Sell the 80 as is. 3500 to a Mud member? It'll be snapped up quickly.

Lil'John · 10-07-09, 11:21 AM

You haven't really stated what your goals are. Are you looking at some sort of a cadillac ride?

What is the goal for FJ80 axle? Width? "Strength"? Lockers? To me, the only "gain" is width and full floater. I only see a minimal strength gain over your old "FJ" axles. The rear locker has a "collar" issue.

It sounds like you want an FJ55 body AND a cummins. At which point, I see no reason to "kill" the FJ80. You've already got the cummins in your pig. You will spend a LOT of effort trying to swap the pig body onto the FJ80 frame or even swapping the FJ80 axles under the FJ55.

I spent 16 hours alone grinding on an FJ80 rear axle to remove all the coil bracket junk so I would get it narrowed and then welded spring pads on.

My understanding is the front axle has some tie rod/drag link issues with leaf springs.

To me, you are down to two choices:
1) Sell the FJ80 out right.
2) Part the FJ80 out.

The deciding factor to me is whether you can hold a carcass at your house for a LONG extended stay. Parting out rigs take a LONG time.

MiniPigg · 10-07-09, 01:36 PM

Looks like Im just going to sale the 80 then. Im a pig man....

Soooo... anyone here in the market for a FZJ80?

I might as well start here before posting it. Giving my fellow pig heads first dibs.

toddslater · 10-07-09, 06:52 PM

Put your daughter in the 80...when the 190D starts crapping the bed, gas prices will seem very reasonable in comparison. My .02. FWIW

CarmMontana · 10-07-09, 07:32 PM

Any pics of the 80?

MiniPigg · 10-07-09, 10:20 PM

If anyone is interested about the 80 just send me a message.... I didnt want the thread to take away from the pig forum.

More then happy to send photo's and all info to anyone thinking about buying it. After everything is said and done 3500 is what I have into it. So Im not asking anything for profit. I also might be interested in trades or partial trades.