80 series axles/ suspension under 60 build

[Briano]

I also think swapping the whole frame is the hardest way to go about it.
It is way faster to fab up a few suspension brackets then a dozen body mounts, powertrain, fuel tank, etc.
@braino is showing what’s up. Nice work.

Now I just don’t get if you’re going to effort why limit yourself to the 80 series suspension that uses the front axle as a sway bar and has a 4-link rear without any of the benefits of a 4-link rear..

I agree with you on this! I’ve done a lot of suspension fab to all extremes, the purpose of this rig is a solid driver that can handle mild trails! As far as the front goes I love the 80 setup for this purpose, and I think it’s a lot easier than trying to setup a 3 link, I also love shocks and springs over coilovers for a mild trail rig/ driver. There is a lot that goes into seting up a coil over properly to do what you want it to do, my first gen 4 runner is on custom 1 tons linked with 14 inch coilovers, it keeps up with tube chassis buggies, but I wouldn’t take it up the highway on a trip! The rear is a different story, only because of the 60 fuel tank, I think the 80 rear handles great for an all purpose trail rig/ driver it would be nice to triangulate it and get rid of the track bar, but that doesn’t solve the tank issue and spring buckets..... i might have to get creative for that.... thank you for the compliment and I also understand everyone has there own opinions!

 

[tmxmotorsports]

To be truthful none of it is easy.... i have built a ton of trucks from slammed to 24 inches of lift along with pro mega mudbog trucks most of the are ok i have these parts now how can i put them all in this. I see no issue with doing it the way you are we us that are fabricators do things differently to achieve the same goal

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

I agree with you on this! I’ve done a lot of suspension fab to all extremes, the purpose of this rig is a solid driver that can handle mild trails! As far as the front goes I love the 80 setup for this purpose, and I think it’s a lot easier than trying to setup a 3 link, I also love shocks and springs over coilovers for a mild trail rig/ driver. There is a lot that goes into seting up a coil over properly to do what you want it to do, my first gen 4 runner is on custom 1 tons linked with 14 inch coilovers, it keeps up with tube chassis buggies, but I wouldn’t take it up the highway on a trip! The rear is a different story, only because of the 60 fuel tank, I think the 80 rear handles great for an all purpose trail rig/ driver it would be nice to triangulate it and get rid of the track bar, but that doesn’t solve the tank issue and spring buckets..... i might have to get creative for that.... thank you for the compliment and I also understand everyone has there own opinions!

I’m all about this! What you’ve described is exactly what I want for my 60. It’s a daily driver and weekend warrior. Really want the benefits and reliability of the 80 suspension/axles. I would love to follow in @FJ60Cam ‘s footsteps but I don’t have the time or ingenuity to figure it out. I’m still holding out hope that one of our awesome Mud vendors will create a kit.

Anyway, watching with great interest!

-Ed

 

[NCFJ]

I have no dog in this fight, I think both ways are enough work to keep all but the confident from attempting it. In regard to the fuel tank, this was a part of the decision process on my current build. Part of the reason I went with the full 80 frame swap was the availability of either a 27 or 42 gallon tank designed to mount to the 80 frame. I re positioned the filler tube and it was almost bolt in. My customer wanted a long range tank either way so this just made it easier.

I am looking forward to seeing this project come together. I constantly read build threads, on other forums too, so many little tricks that seem so simple once you have seen someone pull it off. Always a better way to skin a cat!

 

[CaptClose]

I’m a little late to the party, but it’s looking like a great project man. Jimmy just bought a 60 frame that had been modified with 80 series suspension brackets. It’s a beautiful thing. They retained the leaf springs in the rear though. I’m looking forward to seeing how you tackle the rear.

Good luck brother. I’ll be watching this thread.

 

[Briano]

So I broke my phone and lost some pics unfortunately.... but front axle is fully mounted, just need to fit my sway bar, and shorten my steering shaft! Running the fj80 steering box, which I had to relocate forward a bit. I will also have to run an adjustable track bar to center the axle. Next up I will rebuild the front axle with 4:88 gears, button up all of the odds and ends up front, then hopefully move to the rear next week! Also already installed castor adjustment bushings and factory rear control arm bushings up front.

 

[CaptClose]

Wow ! Looks great Brian.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Which springs are you running? The 4* castor plates worked well for me when I had the OME low-lift front springs w/1” spacer.

I have OME mediums now, which raised it up another inch, and lightened the steering a little more than I’d like.

 

[Briano]

Which springs are you running? The 4* castor plates worked well for me when I had the OME low-lift front springs w/1” spacer.

I have OME mediums now, which raised it up another inch, and lightened the steering a little more than I’d like.

Running OME 3 inch springs up front right now with ome castor adjustment bushings, angle looks great right now! Hoping 2 inch rear springs make it sit level!

 

[Briano]

Limited on time today, but got the front axle stripped down and started the tedious process of cleaning up a 250k axle in between running my shop..... as much as I love these axles, can’t say I love the greasy sloppy mess it makes rebuilding one.

 

[Briano]

Busy week, but made time to finish up the front end, brake lines hooked up, full axle rebuild with 4:88s done! Waiting on adjustable track bar and we r ready to roll! Plan to start tackling the rear Monday.

 

[Briano]

Because of my scare of commitment I will temporarily leave the leaf spring perches in place, getting ready to start chopping up the 80 frame section!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Because of my scare of commitment I will temporarily leave the leaf spring perches in place

I'd call that "Plan B"........
Thinking ahead, you are...........

 

[Raven361]

Project looks super fun. Keep the updates rollin!

 

[Briano]

Quick mock up, I’ll need to brace the back but this is the tighter of the 2 sides! Think it will work just fine! I’m starting to have less commitment issues

 

[Briano]

Extremely rough test fit, because the frame is 4 inches narrower I tipped the spring perches out hoping to compensate for it.... it’s not quite enough so I’m going to cut my tack welds and try to tip them out a few more degrees! If that doesn’t make me happy I’ll be moving the perches on the axle as far in as I can without interfering with the upper control arms.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Extremely rough test fit, because the frame is 4 inches narrower I tipped the spring perches out hoping to compensate for it.... it’s not quite enough so I’m going to cut my tack welds and try to tip them out a few more degrees! If that doesn’t make me happy I’ll be moving the perches on the axle as far in as I can without interfering with the upper control arms.

I moved the perches in on the axle. I may have also rotated them to better point at the upper bucket, since it’s hard/impossible to get them oriented perfectly squared like it was in the 80.

I also moved the lower control arm mounts over a hair so the bolt didn’t rub on the spring.

 

[Briano]

Alright cut out/ retacked, much happier with spring perch location, though I will need to move/ the perches on the axle to make it right.... done for the night, I’ll tackle the axle perches tomorrow and hard weld the frame perches!

 

[cruisermatt]

What size/brand tire is that? In that last picture in your previous post (Post #36), is the rear axle centered under the truck? I am about to swap to 80 series rims and am now reconsidering with how far out past the side of the truck the tire is sticking in that picture.

Looks like you're pretty committed to the rear suspension but if you decided to go back to leafs my trucks is pretty much exactly the same ride height with 3/4 ton Chevy springs SOA and everything frenched.

Is this your truck or a customers? Looks like you're still rocking the 2F?

 

[Briano]

What size/brand tire is that? In that last picture in your previous post (Post #36), is the rear axle centered under the truck? I am about to swap to 80 series rims and am now reconsidering with how far out past the side of the truck the tire is sticking in that picture.

Looks like you're pretty committed to the rear suspension but if you decided to go back to leafs my trucks is pretty much exactly the same ride height with 3/4 ton Chevy springs SOA and everything frenched.

Is this your truck or a customers? Looks like you're still rocking the 2F?

Those tires are a 315/75/16 Toyo at, basically a 35/12.5. I don’t have a track bar in there yet and the axle is sitting slightly to the passenger side in that pic, I’d say when centered it will stick out about 1 inch, but if you are running the 60 axle they won’t stick out at all, the 60 axle is much narrower! I’m pretty well committed now, honestly going smother than anticipated in the rear, this is a customers rig, still running the 2F