Builds 80 series where to start! Again.... (3 Viewers)

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^^^^ this. If you have seen Ryan's other builds this one is going to be just awesome and the perfect person to pull it off.


This must be an AWESOME distraction from med school!!

;)
 
Ha you guys give me too much credit. I am just a cruiser dork like everyone else. I just happen to have a hole where my sports cars were. And I had already started down the big turbo 1FZ rabbit hole so instead of buying something cool here we are. lol.
 
Hmmm another box of cruiser junk.

This might be the first box of stuff I am questioning wether I am moving forward or not. lol.

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Went and got my pre-weight. Man sports cars wish for a 50/50 weight balance. Lol

This truck is about as stock as you can get. The only difference is 285's instead of 275's. I also had a spare sunroof on the floor in front of the backseat. Nothing else was in the truck. No tools, people, fluids, nada.

A far cry from Toyota/Lexus's 4890lbs. But I would say 5200lbs with an equal 2600f/2600r. Going to be pretty impossible to hit 4500lbs but maybe 4700-4800lbs. Guess we will see.

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Oh I am going that route I bought all the parts I am committed. Lol

Curious to see how the manual window conversion comes along, if you choose to go that route.
 
What is the weight difference between the 2 window mechanisms?
Removing the sun roof and replacing it with carbon fiber insert. I believe you will save some weight.
Molding a carbon fiber hood you should drop some weight.

When is the motor build starting?
 
Yeah window mechs will save a little weight. The biggest savings is just going to be pulling all 3 rows of seats and replacing them. Pulling the spare tire and mechanism, pulling the receiver, replacing the sliding windows, just removing all the unneeded stuff, etc. I would bet there is close to 300lbs of weight savings but that is about it.

Engine build won't be for a while. I was shooting for Dec, but doesn't look like it is lining up. I still don't have the manifold in my hands, and it will need to go out to coating etc.

What is the weight difference between the 2 window mechanisms?
Removing the sun roof and replacing it with carbon fiber insert. I believe you will save some weight.
Molding a carbon fiber hood you should drop some weight.

When is the motor build starting?
 
Are you going to do most of the work yourself?
Is a roll cage going in?
You could drop the fuel tank and protective plates for extra weight.
Move fuel to rear cargo area.
Where are you going to start?
 
Yes all of the protective plates will be coming off, but really that isn't much they are just stamped sheetmetal. I have thought about moving the tank to the rear where the spare was but I think having the weight centered likely a little better. I will relocate the battery somewhere in the back as I will need that part of the engine bay for intercooler routing and the intake.

I will not be doing most of the work. I will be doing very minor little things but the heavy lifting will be done by the pros. i.e. the painting will be done by a local hot rod shop, but I will prepare the truck for paint. I will be cutting springs, forming springs, laying out the model for the brake hats and spacers, having them cnc'd, but will have a shop do the swap. The engine pull and build will be the professionals but the parts and plan will be on me.

I go back and forth on the cage, I was just going to do harness bars, but if I want to do any kind of hillclimbs, fun poker run, etc they require roll cages so I might begrudgingly put a cage in.

The start is still getting all the parts. I don't have the swaybars from Whiteline yet, been waiting since July. I would like to get the suspension in, get the sway bars on, get all of the bushings replaced, get the wheels on, pull the interior, pull the body cladding, pull the roof rack, get it to the hot rod shop and let them work their magic on it. Plan was to have it to them already but again still waiting on parts.
 
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Ryan,
As you plan on moving your battery to rear and you wish to save significant weight have you considered replacing your L/A battery with an LiFePO4?
The battery in our 'new' 80 was DOA so I had no choice but to replace it with a 'normal' heavyweight but as soon as our dual bat parts are assembled I'll be using twin LiFes, just as I have in my extended families caravan, motor homes and boats.
The weight saving/performance gains are significant, I believe there are drop in 12v auto packs available but I've always assembled my own from cells.
No affiliation with anyone, I just know from experience the weight savings, performance and safety gains are real.
I have read and enjoyed ALL of your threads and only make this comment because I believe it will fit with your stated aim of weight reduction with other benefits in performance from a longer cable run.
Cheers,
Paul
 
Hey Paul,

Thanks for the advice on the battery! I was just planning on an off the shelf lithium battery of some kind but truth be told I really don't know much about them. I do know there are some reasonably priced and some just crazy like $1400. Like I said I really don't know much about them, but plan on doing my research when I do buy, but if you have some info please post away!

I do appreciate the inputs! I know some of my ideas are not well received but I do like to hear what everyone has to say, since I really am not a professional in any sense of the word. Lol


Ryan,
As you plan on moving your battery to rear and you wish to save significant weight have you considered replacing your L/A battery with an LiFePO4?
The battery in our 'new' 80 was DOA so I had no choice but to replace it with a 'normal' heavyweight but as soon as our dual bat parts are assembled I'll be using twin LiFes, just as I have in my extended families caravan, motor homes and boats.
The weight saving/performance gains are significant, I believe there are drop in 12v auto packs available but I've always assembled my own from cells.
No affiliation with anyone, I just know from experience the weight savings, performance and safety gains are real.
I have read and enjoyed ALL of your threads and only make this comment because I believe it will fit with your stated aim of weight reduction with other benefits in performance from a longer cable run.
Cheers,
Paul
 
Hi Ryan,
I've been away from the world at large for the past few years due to health issues but I am back now and fast catching up on what I have missed.
I only mention this because my data on LiFeP04 prices and packages is a little dated but I don't think my knowledge of the tech is. LOL
As I am researching a dual install for our FZJ80R and one for the camper trailer I will add US prices for cells or vehicle batteries and post them for you.
In short you get approx. a 40/50% weight reduction, faster charge rate, use your current alt. etc, longer more stable rate of discharge, no acid in the vehicle, higher usable capacity for the same volume or the same usable capacity ie. output in a smaller lighter form. Forgot to mention the self discharge rate is miniscule compared to l/a batteries.
I posted [along with many others] for a few years on nautical tech. forums about the real life performance of LiFeP04 and got so sick of the lead acid lobby and their misinformation that I stopped posting altogether.
IMO the tech is much, much safer than acid filled batteries and is my pick to install both as a starting and storage/winch battery for efficiency, safety and significant weight savings on my vehicles.
The cost should be reasonable and nowhere near the $1400 you've seen!!! Not even in that ball park.
Here's an old marine link I used to refer sailors to. Lithium Batteries
They're using bigger than what you'll need but it may be useful to you to see how simple and safe the batts are and for weight/output comparisons to various l/a types.
The cells are usually regarded as storage but they are equally adept as starting batteries.
General information: Liberty Batteries Why LiFeP04
This is the short version as there are thousands of pages of info out there from users and I'm trying to save you time in getting the basics. LOL LOL
Cheers,
Paul
 
Dont go for 1500hp.

 
Haha that is pretty crazy! I wonder what happened. I will see if I can read the comments/description when I get home. I almost bet a fuel injector died making that cylinder go lean. Because from what I understand 1500hp isn't a big number for Subzero.
 

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