Not sure where to start.... Have had "Lilly" for 16 years now, 1989 FJ62. Since I have owned it, it has had every 60 series transmission installed (A440, H41, H42 and presently H55F), installed full float rear, and converted to 2H diesel with AXT turbo and intercooled. It's been wheeled all over Utah, southern California, Rubicon Trail, and parts of Washington and Oregon.
Obviously the next logical step is cutting it in half and adding another axle, right? Well, with some rust issues needing to be taken care of and an itch to do something unique, I somehow worked up the courage and decided to make it an extended cab 6x6 with a utility flat bed of some sorts. Do I have all the fine details worked out? Of course not, a lot of this is figuring it out on the fly.
THE VISION
Powering the third axle is the big question, have been researching options, have yet to decide on solution. I am sure that will come down the road. The axle I am using, stock rear 62 axle and springs from my "Mini-me" trailer, will not be the final axle back there. The powered axle will be swapped in its place when I decide what to do. This will remain a dummy or lazy axle for the time being.
I have chosen to spring over the 3 axle for two reasons. First, spring mounting location is much better up near the frame, vice making a lower front spring mount that hangs low. The front mount for rear springs is positioned lower due to the frame dips down as you head towards the front of the frame. After seeing a few pictures of that option being done, i did not like it. Second, I am not going to be carrying huge amounts of weight back there. Adding another set of OME heavy springs back there will make that back end ride like no suspension is back there at all. Springing it over and using a stock-ish spring will aid in the wight handling but also aid in third axle flex.
I have yet fully decided on how to enclose the body. I have seen many variations. I am leaning towards using the rear hatch frame and window, and using the stamped flooring of the cargo area and using that as the lower part below the window. Of course plans will undoubtedly change as I progress. Would like to use the rear door quarter windows as the "extra cab" portion.
The utility bed as of now will be made out of steel and wood flooring. Originally wanted to do a aluminum drop side bed similar to the home depot rental trucks, but from what i have found they are pricey. Maybe a used one will turn up down the road.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR
I have extended the frame 16" to accommodate the rear spring hangers. The now rear axle's suspension is inboard the middle axle's suspension (factory) so not to have a huge gap between the tandem tires. The extended frame is boxed 4x2" 3/16" steel, also cut it in a way to box in the rear C-channel factory frame remaining to add strength. Third axle is in place and everything heavily tacked in place to see how things work before fully welding everything. Rear shackles are place keepers until new bushings and shackles are installed.
Was able to pull her out of the garage this afternoon and see how she rolls with her new rear end in place. First observations: looks sweet! Turning is, well going to suck. I read a little about tandem axles dragging around sharp corners....and yeah this does too. I was taking it really slow and cautious, but maybe it will be less noticeable with more weight and a but more speed. Not sure, but I foresee this as the only downside to this mod. The spring over rear works very smooth. I don't have shocks mounted yet, but I believe I made the right choice with this setup. Of course, driveway and street cup de sac tests aren't the best testing areas for this yet.
Yes she still fits in the garage....barely, literally. My phone won't fit through the gap of frame and door. Once I get the frame fully welded up and brakes, shocks and stuff done, I will turn attention towards the cab.
Pictures and video to follow shortly.
Obviously the next logical step is cutting it in half and adding another axle, right? Well, with some rust issues needing to be taken care of and an itch to do something unique, I somehow worked up the courage and decided to make it an extended cab 6x6 with a utility flat bed of some sorts. Do I have all the fine details worked out? Of course not, a lot of this is figuring it out on the fly.
THE VISION
Powering the third axle is the big question, have been researching options, have yet to decide on solution. I am sure that will come down the road. The axle I am using, stock rear 62 axle and springs from my "Mini-me" trailer, will not be the final axle back there. The powered axle will be swapped in its place when I decide what to do. This will remain a dummy or lazy axle for the time being.
I have chosen to spring over the 3 axle for two reasons. First, spring mounting location is much better up near the frame, vice making a lower front spring mount that hangs low. The front mount for rear springs is positioned lower due to the frame dips down as you head towards the front of the frame. After seeing a few pictures of that option being done, i did not like it. Second, I am not going to be carrying huge amounts of weight back there. Adding another set of OME heavy springs back there will make that back end ride like no suspension is back there at all. Springing it over and using a stock-ish spring will aid in the wight handling but also aid in third axle flex.
I have yet fully decided on how to enclose the body. I have seen many variations. I am leaning towards using the rear hatch frame and window, and using the stamped flooring of the cargo area and using that as the lower part below the window. Of course plans will undoubtedly change as I progress. Would like to use the rear door quarter windows as the "extra cab" portion.
The utility bed as of now will be made out of steel and wood flooring. Originally wanted to do a aluminum drop side bed similar to the home depot rental trucks, but from what i have found they are pricey. Maybe a used one will turn up down the road.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR
I have extended the frame 16" to accommodate the rear spring hangers. The now rear axle's suspension is inboard the middle axle's suspension (factory) so not to have a huge gap between the tandem tires. The extended frame is boxed 4x2" 3/16" steel, also cut it in a way to box in the rear C-channel factory frame remaining to add strength. Third axle is in place and everything heavily tacked in place to see how things work before fully welding everything. Rear shackles are place keepers until new bushings and shackles are installed.
Was able to pull her out of the garage this afternoon and see how she rolls with her new rear end in place. First observations: looks sweet! Turning is, well going to suck. I read a little about tandem axles dragging around sharp corners....and yeah this does too. I was taking it really slow and cautious, but maybe it will be less noticeable with more weight and a but more speed. Not sure, but I foresee this as the only downside to this mod. The spring over rear works very smooth. I don't have shocks mounted yet, but I believe I made the right choice with this setup. Of course, driveway and street cup de sac tests aren't the best testing areas for this yet.
Yes she still fits in the garage....barely, literally. My phone won't fit through the gap of frame and door. Once I get the frame fully welded up and brakes, shocks and stuff done, I will turn attention towards the cab.
Pictures and video to follow shortly.
