Purchased a 1994 FZJ80 that has been in a wreck by previous owner. Front left fork on frame is bent and so I took it in to see what the estimate would be to get it fixed. Local frame shop said that my whole frame is bent. I have a 2.5 ome lift and wondered if this might possibly be the reason why the frame shop figured my whole frame was bit. My rear tire sticks out a bit more on passenger side and my front tire sticks out a bit on drivers side. A friend of mine and I inspected everything and do not see anything bent on the frame (except front left fork) and figured I just needed adjustable panhard bars in front and back to fix the shifted axles. What do you think?
bent frame or not?
- Thread starter Rev FZJ80
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NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
Do you trust the frame shop?
If no then take it to another frame shop for a 2nd opinion.
Your description leads one to speculate a bent frame. Look at all the body mount bolts, are they all perpendicular to the frame where they mount? Any of them look bent? Radiator support mounts too.
If no then take it to another frame shop for a 2nd opinion.
Your description leads one to speculate a bent frame. Look at all the body mount bolts, are they all perpendicular to the frame where they mount? Any of them look bent? Radiator support mounts too.
- Thread starter
- #3
We did look at everything and didn't notice anything tweeked or bent. We measured from front driver tire to rear passenger tire and vice versa other side and everything also measured out perfect.
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
2nd frame shop
A couple years back I had a truck with a bent frame that someone tried to straighten. I thought it was too bad to mess with but I still had two frame shops look at it to verify my thoughts before I went shopping for another frame.
A couple years back I had a truck with a bent frame that someone tried to straighten. I thought it was too bad to mess with but I still had two frame shops look at it to verify my thoughts before I went shopping for another frame.
- Thread starter
- #5
I have contacted a few other frame shops around town and as soon as I mention it being a Landcruiser FJ80 they tell me they do not have the equipment strong enough to repair that frame. then they refer me back to the frame shop I originally went to lol. I will go back to frame shop tomorrow and ask them to show me the points and signs they see in the frame that makes them think it is bent. I will get back to you.
inkpot
SILVER Star
Explain to them that the lift affects the axle centering?
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Axle offset is normal on a lifted rig. Measure the frame yourself then you will know. On an assembled rig, will need some plumb bobs, washer on a string works.
http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/framedims/80-frame1.jpg
http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/framedims/80-frame2.jpg
http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/framedims/80-frame1.jpg
http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/framedims/80-frame2.jpg
This Is a very good way to get answers to his frame problem. It sounds like the left front took a hard enough hit to Ladder Rack the frame, In essencs the frame Is an odd shaped ladder and now Is out of square. A racked frame can cause several geometry Issues. Good Luck..!
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
X2 park it some where level and measure diagonals from points in the frame. Too many variables to rely on measuring to tires.
Ideally measure diagonally from points close to the front and the back. The further apart, the greater your accuracy will be.
Good luck straightening it if it's been racked!
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
What was damaged on the rig when it was crashed?
There most likely would have been significant damage to sheet metal, lights etc if it was hit hard enough to bend the frame.
Can the PO show you pics of he damage?
There most likely would have been significant damage to sheet metal, lights etc if it was hit hard enough to bend the frame.
Can the PO show you pics of he damage?
If the frame is bent it will probably stay that way. As Tools R Us said the best way to tell is to measure it yourself.
Unfortunately 80 frames are a different animal than say a Ford F250 where the main frame rails run straight from the front to the back.
Good luck. I would start with a competent alignment shop. I think that that might shed some light on your issue.
Unfortunately 80 frames are a different animal than say a Ford F250 where the main frame rails run straight from the front to the back.
Good luck. I would start with a competent alignment shop. I think that that might shed some light on your issue.
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he says in second post "We measured from front driver tire to rear passenger tire and vice versa other side and everything also measured out perfect." sounds like the second opinion shop is definitely needed
- Thread starter
- #13
Took it to a local alignment shop and they see nothing wrong with alignment or anything bent. The tech that looked at my cruiser understands why my axles are out of center due to lift. He said everything lines up visually and technically.
Just thought I would chime in because this is my wife's old Cruiser. It has been at least 3 owners ago who bent the frame. It only appears that the horn is bent up and in on the front drivers side. We have measured diagonal and everything looks good. We will use the plumb bob trick and get a good measurement from the front to the back to get a exact number and compare them to the chart. I am fairly confident its just the front horn that is bent.
- Thread starter
- #15
Update on my cruiser. The only part that was bent was the front forks and the rest of the frame is square. Repaired and ready for a new bumper.
So I have been trying to figure out what bumper to get. Slee short bus or 4x4labs? Or is there another bumper out there I havent considered? Looking for something for all around wheeling like dunes, rock, and snow.
So I have been trying to figure out what bumper to get. Slee short bus or 4x4labs? Or is there another bumper out there I havent considered? Looking for something for all around wheeling like dunes, rock, and snow.
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Yep, the horns bend pretty easy, have straightened a few where that was the only problem.
OK, I can't just leave you hanging on this bumper thing. First off, grab a 12 pack of your favorite beverage, order pizza, and turn off your phone for the weekend and start perusing ALL the bumper threads on here. I'll do you a favor and short cut it. There are many excellent bumpers being manufactured out there right now and it's really a matter of opinion. If your only requirement is for general wheeling just pick one that looks good in your price range. The stock bumper is great for that as well. If you have other specific requirements read through ALL the bumper threads (did I already say that?) And if you're still not sure I'd recommend starting a new thread. You might check the vendor's section also.
Now, for my opinion. I bought my truck with the ARB winch bumper already installed. It's big and clunky, but my last cruiser experienced death at the hands of my teenage driver and I personally believe it would still be on the road today if I had that ARB bumper on it when he hit the barrier. Nobody can prove one way or the other so I'm clinging to my biases. BUT, if I were buying just the bumper there are about 4 in circulation right now I'd consider. Read ALL the threads, then start your own, and if you still want to know I'll tell you. If I don't there are lots of others that will.
Enjoy your weekend inside!
mypancreasbroke
SILVER Star
Im thankful for those pics! Just got in a wreck in my 80 today, and am hoping Ill just need a new driver fender and maybe hood, though the hood may be workable. I tried to straight the hood some when I got home, only to realize that the ARB was bent enough to keep the hood from closing, so had to beat it back in a bit. I'm hoping theres no frame damage, and will start checking measurements this weekend.
