40/45/55 on 80 Frame? (1 Viewer)

[Skim]

Anybody throw a 40/45/55 body on a 80 frame-drivetrain-suspension ?

I am talking about removing the 80 body and replacing it with something older.
If so has anyone got pics, ideas, or suggestions?

I know this is general but I have an 80 and am thinking this might be possible, but I am working through some of the details on paper right now.

What do you guys think? I don't DD the 80 so I really don't need it right now. Might sell the 4Runner to fund the project.

Problems I have been thinking about

1. 80 frame almost 10" wider than 40
2. Wheel base on 80 is 5" per side wider than 40
3. Wheel base is 22" longer than 40.

Just looking for info, pics, concrns, opinions.

Oh-ya, I'm a NEWBIE to posting on this board, but not to reading this stuff.

 

[Gumby]

Very cool idea. I have always thought it would be way simpler than putting an 80 supension and drivetrain in a 40.

80 drive train is long. a 55 or 45 might be the ticket. That or you'd have to ad some length between the wheel wells of a 40. maybe not the whole 22", but probably at least 10-12.

Rod Millen had to widen his 45 8 inches to make it look right, but his looked perfectly proportioned. If you're looking for a cool trail rig, wider axles could stick out some.

It seems to me that a 40 has space under it for a wider frame. Mounts are easy to make. 5" on either side? I'd have to measure mine. Worst case you have to widen the body. It's not like its a real difficult thing. The w/s might be the hardest, even then, not too bad with a couple of w/s to make on big one. The hood would be a bitch. I think that's why Millen did 4" on the hood and 2" to each fenders.

Oh, right...Welcome Newb

 

[cruiserrg]

I personally haven't seen it done, but anything is possible with a welder and some fab skillz (I have a buddy who made a 4 door double wide zuk on a full size chevy frame). Like Gumby said you could widen the body...or you could narrow the frame. If its for wheelin, then I would go the narrowing / shortening route for better clearance in tight off-road situations.

 

[freebornred]

hey man sounds like a awesome idea!, if it was me ill put the fj55 body on fzj80 chassis ... makes more senes dimensionly? some day ill like to put the fzj80 enginedrivetrane in my fj60 ,,,good llok man and be sure to post some pics!

 

[Gumby]

If it's just for wheelin' you could go the hillbilly route and put a 45 p/u cab on 'er and git it awn. I hear compact bodies on full size frames are getting popular down south.