1965 panels on 1980 body??? possible or not?

[califanojon]

Soooooooooooo...

here's the deal: I have a 1965 FJ40 in pretty nice rust free condition...but, no PS, drum brakes, old tired engine but looks great mostly

today I found a 1980 FJ40 from Japan that is super rusty being from Japan and the Oceanside...however

it has a diesel engine, has PS, has discs and runs wonderful

I am thinking of getting it as it has all I want and using my current one as a panel donor...however, can I do this considering different model years? I am sure not all the panels would be the same, but I have zero idea how much so

Any and all input into this idea is very much appreciated! Thank you all

Jon

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

What about swapping the engine, ps, and axles from the rust bucket into the 65? It's be a shame to cut up a good 65 to fix an 80.

The metal they used in the 79 and newer 40s was not nearly as good as in the pre 78 rigs. Plus a nice 65 is much rarer and in my mind cooler than the 80.

Get a minitruck ps box, LHD tie rods, and you are good to go!

 

[califanojon]

That was my actual other thought..problem is the space to do so...of course I'd have that issue doing it the original method I suggested

I am a super noob and this is all a learning curve for me

 

[jim land]

X2 build the 65 with the 80 drivetrain

 

[darwink1]

^this. If the body is that rusty what will the frame look like?

D

 

[tjhaga]

Several years ago I made my 65 fj45 mostly a 79 fj40. To make things easier I carefully cut out the entire firewall on both vehicles and with a 79 firewall was able to use basically all the 79 components, wireharness, engine, transmission/transfer as well as the axles. I kept the original dash and interior intact.
I carefully cut the 65 firewall several inches from the edge and the 79 only and inch or less so there was good overlap. I used a rope type caulk and self tapping screws to seal and attach the 79 firewall. After I was sure of correct alignment I tack welded it in place. If I remember correctly I had to modify the vertical reinforcement support on the drivers side because it didn’t line up.
Once transferred I stripped the 65 down and sandblasted the frame and built back with the 79 components from there.
It was a big job but my 79 was totally rusted and the 65 was just a rolling chassis.

 

[65swb45]

X4 on swapping new parts onto the old frame.

No smog!

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Post pictures so we can accurately give you advice, but I'm 99% sure you'd be better off in the long run swapping the newer driveline into the older frame. Lots of people have done it and it is not hard. Plus you have all of us to help!