atlas adapter for FJ80 rumor- (Is not happening) (2 Viewers)

[Bikeman]

A Marks Crawler IS the best option at this point, BUT for the price (which is reasonable as far as the actual product IMHO) you shouldn't have to modify so many aspects of the truck.

I have a 2" body lift, but I would sill need to cut around the center console and modify the floor to allow for the Crawl box to fit (with a 2" BL the crawler still sits 2" into the cab).

When you cut the Gas tank, you will only effect your fuel capacity by about 2.0 Liters (not much), but again it is all the work that has to go into it for the amount that you are spending on the Box (I don't want to weld on my gas tank, not easy to find someone who will, but I haven't really searched)

As Christo stated, the best option would be to relocate the Gas tank, maybe make your Aux tank your primary or just add a "fuel safe" or like tank in a different location. The benefit of a relocated gas tank/new one is that you can 4-link the rear and eliminate the panhard, but the rear of the 80 flexes quite well as is.

My opionion above is rooted in how the average 80 owner views the Marks Crawler Box option and as someone said, if the Mods were not so Sawzall friendly, I don't doubt that MANY 80 owners including myself would have made the move already.

My personal position on this topic of a Marks Crawler Box: I'm constantly teased with the "word on the street" that a "bolt on" box is on the way. This has caused my hesitation in buying a Crawl Box. At what point will I just give in? Pending. I would love a blunt YES, NO announcement from the industry potentials/leaders on the matter so that those of us who are boarder line on a Mark's box can get on with life, but I realize that the chances of that are slim. If I hit the lottery I'm just going to Pay for ALL R&D to have a Box made

Well said!

 

[PKP80]

haha, sorry Sam, had to fix it for you.

If that were only the case. I would hate to buy a Crawl box install it and make all the mods, only to find out that an Atlas or box that will fit the application exactly is coming out.

After the purchase, shipping, new gas tank (that's what I'd do), misc. parts I'd be WELL into the $3K range and although that's a few bucks, another big issue for me, probably THEE kicker is that I'd have to spead 2-4 weekends getting a Marks Box added where as if there was a "bolt on" kit available, I'd be lookin at 1 weekend MAX.

Well said!

Thank you

 

[sleeoffroad]

If that were only the case. I would hate to buy a Crawl box install it and make all the mods, only to find out that an Atlas or box that will fit the application exactly is coming out.

Atlas does not fit. Period. It is a center output rear and it will hit the gas tank as well. There simply is not space. The only thing that has a hope to fit is Orion. What needs to be done is the adapter, then you also have to figure out all the shifter issues, as well as the speedo issues. Then when you are done you have a single low speed case and you loose much of what an 80 is.

For a truck like yours, why not take the tank out, put a fuel cell in the rear, or buy a MAF 24 gallon rear tank, make it the primary tank and that is it.

After the purchase, shipping, new gas tank (that's what I'd do), misc. parts I'd be WELL into the $3K range and although that's a few bucks, another big issue for me, probably THEE kicker is that I'd have to spead 2-4 weekends getting a Marks Box added where as if there was a "bolt on" kit available, I'd be lookin at 1 weekend MAX.
Thank you

Bolt on is simply not going to happen. Forget about it.

 

[Dusty]

Christo

how difficult is it to swap in the 3.0 marks gears?

And

why did you go with the marks gears vs the rockhopper gears when you built the blueberry? As I understand the rockhopper gears are lower.

With the 5.86 axle gears I have now I may be satisfied with 3.0 tcase gears but a little lower would be ideal. (3.5-4.0)

 

[sleeoffroad]

Dusty, if you can rebuilt the transfer case then you can put in the gears. Based on your build, I figure you should be able to do it.

I already had the hook-up with Marks so that is why I used their gears.

 

[Dusty]

thanks

 

[PKP80]

Atlas does not fit. Period. It is a center output rear and it will hit the gas tank as well. There simply is not space. The only thing that has a hope to fit is Orion. What needs to be done is the adapter, then you also have to figure out all the shifter issues, as well as the speedo issues. Then when you are done you have a single low speed case and you loose much of what an 80 is.

For a truck like yours, why not take the tank out, put a fuel cell in the rear, or buy a MAF 24 gallon rear tank, make it the primary tank and that is it.

Bolt on is simply not going to happen. Forget about it.

That is probably what is going to happen eventually. I'm just stating the thought process in committing to doing it.

More important that all this Christo, IS what's the next cool build going to be over at Slee Offroad, you've done an 80 and a 100....SAS FJ ?

As always, learning as I go from those who know. Thnks

 

[lenross1]

Oh thank you Slee Offroad for building and drop in tcase with our choice of low range gears .... oh huh what . oh dammit i was dreaming again!

WHY DID I HAVE TO WAKE UP!! AT LEAST LET THE DREAM CONTINUE UNTIL I PUT THE NEW TCASE IN AND WHEELED IT IN MOAB!!!!

WHYYYYYYYYYY GOD WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY !!!

 

[concretejungle]

let's be honest, how many 80 guys are really going to put their money where their mouth is, hack the floor, purchase/add a body lift, hack the gas tank, and then spend the money for the case, and then they still have to install it. Now you are probably going to need a new drive shaft.

I know i won't.

But i would drop coin for new gears for the inside of the existing case. And i would bet that alot more of the 80 owners would opt for this option as well.

 

[lenross1]

I agree that drop in gears are ideal. But if not available then what is the next best thing? Modifying floorboards, dshafts is quite normal when wanting to build a more capable rig. I guess that's not a huge deal for me because I am used to a very limited aftermarket for the vehicles I have !

 

[alkaline747trio]

Why does the mark's box eat into the floor so badly anyways? What about the black box, would it require floor mods?

Gas-tank is easy (just not cheap), driveshaft is easy (again, not cheap), but chopping up your floor isn't at all easy, and unless you know what you're doing or can deal with ugly body work, this isn't going to be cheap either.

Atlas with a Ford 9" and fuel cell? Not much harder than the Mark's box...not that much more expensive either.

 

[PKP80]

Why does the mark's box eat into the floor so badly anyways? What about the black box, would it require floor mods?

Gas-tank is easy (just not cheap), driveshaft is easy (again, not cheap), but chopping up your floor isn't at all easy, and unless you know what you're doing or can deal with ugly body work, this isn't going to be cheap either.

Atlas with a Ford 9" and fuel cell? Not much harder than the Mark's box...not that much more expensive either.

I sent them (Marks) an email asking these very questions and why they developed a crawl box given that so much had to be modified in order for it to work. I will post up what they say once they respond.

My mentality is that if you're going to do ALL the work to make a Crawl Box why not make sure it will fit an application that will bring in a whole bunch of cash for the work that is being put into the project. Unless of course the Aussies have a trick or installation method that we just haven't heard about (that's doubtful).

 

[concretejungle]

i agree Sam, that a bolt up crawler box would be sweet!! If that is all there was to it, then i retract my previous statement that most 80 owners would not do it. They probably will since it's bolt on.

Not being bolt on really shrinks the market a ton. Even if it was close, like say you just needed to make the shifter hole a little larger to add another stick, that would be cool. But right now there is just too much work for that to make any sense to me anyways.

 

[BenMara]

K.I.S.S.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Why does the mark's box eat into the floor so badly anyways?

it is big and there is a rib on the floor that get's in the way.

Gas-tank is easy (just not cheap), driveshaft is easy (again, not cheap),

Marks box - no driveshaft changes.

but chopping up your floor isn't at all easy, and unless you know what you're doing or can deal with ugly body work, this isn't going to be cheap either.

You don't have to. You can also drop the crossmember for the tranny a little and gain clearance that way. Also sink the tranny mount into the crossmember.

Atlas with a Ford 9" and fuel cell? Not much harder than the Mark's box...not that much more expensive either.

I decent Ford 9" is going to be expensive

 

[sleeoffroad]

Sometimes you just can't make an elephant fly. To heavy for any sort of bolt on wing. Believe me we have looked at this any which way, but the platform just does not allow for it.

As to why the Marks box is that big, it is probably due to design and ability to re-use certain stock Toyota gears etc. Also to make it strong. If you look at the design, it is really pretty clever in how it works. However you simply can not make it small.

You guys are all bitching about how much work it is, without even having tried it. If you really want a crawler box, then it is a pretty simple install.

 

[bustanutley]

Gas-tank is easy (just not cheap), driveshaft is easy (again, not cheap), but chopping up your floor isn't at all easy, and unless you know what you're doing or can deal with ugly body work, this isn't going to be cheap either.

I think I spent like $120 or $150 for my fuel cell from summit, I don’t classify that as expensive.

If you are wheeling your truck hard enough to need a crawler box, why do you care about a little sheet metal?

An 80 is a poor choice as a platform for a rock crawler, way too big, way too heavy, you should reevaluate what it is you want to do. If you want to build the truck to run hard trails, you will destroy it in the process. If that is what you want to do, a crawler box should not be your first concern, you are going to need some real axles.

 

[PKP80]

Sometimes you just can't make an elephant fly. To heavy for any sort of bolt on wing.

LoL, that does sum up what the goal is and the reality of the situation even though 80 owners refuse to believe it.

 

[alkaline747trio]

it is big and there is a rib on the floor that get's in the way.

Marks box - no driveshaft changes.

You don't have to. You can also drop the crossmember for the tranny a little and gain clearance that way. Also sink the tranny mount into the crossmember.

I decent Ford 9" is going to be expensive

Cutting the rib isn't the problem, raising the floor up and getting the console to fit is what worries me.

You're right, but I was concerning the blackbox also.

I don't think there needs to be more stuff hanging down low on the 80 than there already is, but good options none the less.

9" is cheap down here in the Southeast.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Slee, any idea why anyone hasn't pursued swapping in an LT230 case from rovers? It seems like a no-brainer to me. It's got a lower low-range than stock 80-series(with deeper gears readily available from the aftermarket), reduction in high-range(negating the need for lower diff gears with large tires), it's got offset outputs to the passenger side, all-wheel drive case w/ CDL, has a t-case mounted e-brake factory, and has been compared to the atlas strength-wise.

It seems like exactly what everyone wants without making any compromises...

Am I missing something other than the requisite adapter(s) that would have to be made?