Project X

Gumby · 02-16-05, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waggoner5

Hey Gumby, its 1:00 get back to work.

Internet was down at work all day today. Thought I was going to go nuts during my study hall. Can't wrench, can't surf, can't engage in self-lovin'. it sucked.

I'm fixin' to go roll my 80 so I can do one of those cool project X deals.

Waggoner5 · 02-16-05, 03:29 PM

This is funny. I was calling Texican Gumby, not you Gumby. You Gumby.

Waggoner5 · 02-22-05, 06:07 PM

Well I'm back to work on the truck. As of today I got the tub sitting on the frame where I want it and have made all the measurements to mount the steering column and the brake/gas pedal assembly into the tub. The steering column will have to be shorthened about 3 inches to fit correctly, and give me lots more interior room than the 45 initially had. So far it is working out. Tomorrow I want to set the bed on the frame and see what will need to be modified to make it sit on the same level as the tub. It looks as though I will have to cut out the bed slightly for axle and suspension clearance. After the bed is mocked up I will pull the tub off and weld in all the brackets for the above permanently, weld up all the unecessary holes, then put the tub back on, to weld on some alignment tabs to hold the body where I want it until the mounts are fabed up. The plan is to have the tub done by early next week so it can go to the metal rehab guys to strip it. The bed will have to be lengthened in front of the wheel well and cut down behind the wheel well, in order to have 90 degree departure angle, but it still looks like the total length will be about 5' long. Heres a few pics of todays stuff.

wngrog · 02-22-05, 07:20 PM

Sweet

Texican · 02-22-05, 07:22 PM

Gary have you mocked the front fenders up yet? Cause in the pic it sure looks like the tire is sitting too far back to look right in the well..........

Waggoner5 · 02-22-05, 07:53 PM

I have only measured for them. Where the cab is now is where the fenders fit with the grill assembly in the correct posistion, but I haven't set the bed on the frame yet. . I noticed that the wheels are back some and after I get the bed on, I will look at it again. I may end up pushing the cab back some, putting the bed wheel wells in the correct position, then modifying the front fenders accordingly. It will be easier to do them, than lengthening the bed. It will also keep the steering column the stock length and move the F&R weight ratio back some. I am trying to keep the COG as low as posible. I may need to borrow some tire & wheel combo for a trial fit. It doesn't look like the cab is going to be too narrow though. It fits the frame really well, so far.
G

Texican · 02-22-05, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waggoner5

I have only measured for them. Where the cab is now is where the fenders fit with the grill assembly in the correct posistion, but I haven't set the bed on the frame yet. . I noticed that the wheels are back some and after I get the bed on, I will look at it again. I may end up pushing the cab back some, putting the bed wheel wells in the correct position, then modifying the front fenders accordingly. It will be easier to do them, than lengthening the bed. It will also keep the steering column the stock length and move the F&R weight ratio back some. I am trying to keep the COG as low as posible. I may need to borrow some tire & wheel combo for a trial fit. It doesn't look like the cab is going to be too narrow though. It fits the frame really well, so far.
G

I have my bling 35" sitting if ya need them.....don't think the 15" will clear the rear discs though.....

What are you thinking of running on it?

BTW don't call me Gumby.....

Gumby · 02-22-05, 08:07 PM

Seems to me I looked up the wheel bases once for 3 Puppies. The wheel base on the 45 is longer than that of the 80 by just a little bit. It does seem like it would be easier to hide it in the front as the wheel arches tend to really accentuate any offset.

15s won't clear the rear discs without grinding. The one that I saw done was not too cool. The grinding went into the slider pins and caused gunk to get in there and lock up the caliper.

and don't call Texican Gumby

Radd Cruisers · 02-22-05, 09:43 PM

Looks like spagetti....................

Should make for a cool build, really diggin the full toy build.

the shed guy · 02-23-05, 05:32 AM

Hey Mr W5,

gonna cut a section out of the 80 floor to make the trans tunnel in the 45?

And will the 45 have elec mirrors, windows, demister etc etc out of the 80? [like working form the 80 swithces, not transplanted windows from the 80.....]

Waggoner5 · 02-23-05, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the shed guy

Hey Mr W5,

gonna cut a section out of the 80 floor to make the trans tunnel in the 45?

And will the 45 have elec mirrors, windows, demister etc etc out of the 80? [like working form the 80 swithces, not transplanted windows from the 80.....]

The floor in the 80 is not tall enough to adapt to the 45 tub for clearance. I am going to make my own tunnel from sheet metal. As far as the door electrics go, at first I had decided to take the whole door wiring out of the harness, but then decided to leave the wiring there just in case. This truck will have a soft top on it with soft doors most of the time anyway, so the locks and windows wouldn't be an issue.

I plan on running 37-40" tires on a 16-17" rim depending on tire selection. I am hoping to run just the apron with a custom tube fender similar to Charles Kims, but thats still up for debate. I will see how it goes today.

Thanks for the tire offer there Gumby, not you Gumby.
G

Waggoner5 · 02-23-05, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

Looks like spagetti....................

Should make for a cool build, really diggin the full toy build.

No this is spagetti. This was me removing some of the unwanted stuff out of the harness. It is strange but the truck seems to start faster without some of the crap. Impossible right?

euclid · 02-23-05, 09:46 AM

Better get moving if you are going to finish by the Roundup! Guess not, hugh?

Kewl project, looks great.

Radd Cruisers · 02-23-05, 09:51 AM

Yep, that was the spagetti I was refering too.

Funny how a skematic and all those nicely coloured wires makes the job so much easier.

Can`t wait to see this evolve.

Texican · 02-23-05, 03:30 PM

Gary, for reference I measured my FJ45, it's 31.5" from the seam where the running board and fender meet to the center of the front hub......

Butch

Waggoner5 · 02-23-05, 06:31 PM

Mine measures 24" but its not where its going to stay. I moved the cab as far forward as I could get for some cab/bed measurements. How much room is there from the valve cover to the firewall? How about the rear of the valve cover to the front of the radiator? If I line up the bed where it should go the cab can come back as far as I need it to. I am trying to keep the same front end look as close as possible to stock.

SS_Storm · 02-24-05, 09:26 AM

get to work :-p

we need updates!

Looks fantastic wish I had the idea first.

Waggoner5 · 02-25-05, 04:40 PM

Set the bed back on today. This time I put it on centered over the axle and moved the cab back to meet it. In this posistion, the cab is within 1" of the measurement from the fender to the front axle centerline on stock 40-45. The truck looks right and with some mods to the bed, it will sit level with the cab and bolt down to the frame in all the right spots. I am going to mount the bed with 1 mount in the front and 2 in the rear, to allow the frame to flex easier. I am not sure what to do about tire clearance. The wheel well opening on the bed doesn't look like its 37-39" friendly.

wngrog · 02-25-05, 04:57 PM

Keep it on 37s and you will be fine. That is really cool!

jesterb · 02-25-05, 04:59 PM

What are your plans for the suspension?

Panzer · 02-25-05, 05:20 PM

Gives me shivers. That rig rocks!

Waggoner5 · 02-25-05, 08:27 PM

3 link front with some cool new arms and enough spring to have at least 37s, really long travel shocks and adjustable links and arms.

fj40mayo · 02-25-05, 08:46 PM

Thats looking awesome Gary.

bkg · 02-25-05, 09:23 PM

how much does an 80 frame actually flex? I always figgered they were pretty stiff.

66fj40x2 · 02-25-05, 10:47 PM

That's too cool. Keep the pics coming.

Radd Cruisers · 02-26-05, 12:00 AM

I was driving around in my customers 1HZ FJ45 diesel totday and later in my wifes 80 series, gotta admitt that the 80 drives like a Cady compared to the 45 (but I love the diesels.).

Looking real Gooooood.

You prolly answereed this question, what is the wheel base comparisons between the two vehicles?

Rob

Waggoner5 · 02-26-05, 08:56 AM

By the book, the 45 LWB pickup is 116" and the 80 is 112". As far as frame flexing goes. I am not sure how much it will flex with a lighter body and less body mounts but we will see. The 80 probably doesn't flex much with the frame design and
added to that are the 8 body mounts and a very rigid body. I am not looking to make this the flex king, but only to take advantage of everything I can. If it wheels 1/2 as good as Christo's Shorty, then I will be happy.

Waggoner5 · 02-26-05, 03:11 PM

Cut the bed today. I measured for about 3 hours until I decided on this spot. With the tailgate system grafted on it will add about 3 more inches. With 38s, it should be close to 90* departure. I am so tired of dragging my a$$ with my wagons that given the choice, I would do this one where it won't drag. I also cut the bed out for the suspension mods I'm doing. After reading all the threads about 80s articulation and talking to Christo extensively, it looks like really long shocks and removeable sway bar links. I want the rear to work as well as the front 3 link.

marvin82 · 02-26-05, 07:55 PM

Awsome !!!

Texican · 02-26-05, 09:06 PM

Well, Gary, don't think all I am doing is hunting bad things............but the looks of the bed are not aesthetically pleasing to me.....too much in front of the tire, it reminds me of a puller truck that has been stretched to put the rear axle as far back as possible. remember the look you were going for?