Buggy out an FJ80?

[sleeoffroad]

Damn, Christo. Why you gotta curse this one, too??

I really don't wanna give you ANOTHER opportunity to say "I told you so" considering the epic nature of the last, so you pretty much sealed the fate of the project as planned.

Why not, it is fun.

Believe me I tried to build trucks out of wrecked trucks and kicked myself everytime due to extra cost.

Don't want to deal with dual VIN registration and accessible donor body is a '93 with no dash, anyway.

Is it outside the realm of feasibility to use the '93 donor body and graft to the existing firewall/dash/floor, left on the frame?

Get same generation. Don't go early truck (93-94) to (95-97). PITA to get the dash to fit etc. BTDT when I bought a 1991 cab for the ShortBus and swapped in a 1993 dash.

Also, you don't need different VIN. Cut the VIN sticker from the door and also the VIN from the dash and take to your friendly Toyota dealer, jumps through some hoops and get replacements for the swapped body.

If you are looking for a late model body, I might have one that is available. Might be a little rough. In fact once I pull the axles and some misc other parts you can buy the whole truck with dash etce tc.

Gonna go to the trouble of a body swap, might as well go back to ute 'ing the 70, since it'll be the same scale of operation.

Different kettle of fish.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Taking the body of is easy and a lot less work. Drive in, take out and throw away probably less than 1/2 a day

 

[Delancy]

Why not, it is fun.

Mebbe for you!

Believe me I tried to build trucks out of wrecked trucks and kicked myself everytime due to extra cost.

Not to contradict what you're suggesting, because I am listening.

I closely inspected the entire body since more has been exposed and it could be reduced down to the firewall, floor, and cowl support (structural below cowl, whatever it's called)......because that's all that's straight, besides the DS inner fender, DS radiator support (headlight bucket) upper and lower radiator supports.

And I have a hood that's still bent from the POs piss poor catch alignment.

Beyond that, there's nothing from the fuel pump access cover forward that's usable. All doors, rear gate, rear hatch, are trash.

It was a very violent roll.

My kids will be wrapped up in 80 love.

Point.

I'm concerned about the frame and axles.

DS knuckle hasn't spooged a drop in two years, but now is and the inner seal is leaking too.

Also, you don't need different VIN. Cut the VIN sticker from the door and also the VIN from the dash and take to your friendly Toyota dealer, jumps through some hoops and get replacements for the swapped body.

Huh?

You mean you can replate a donor body?

Had no idea.....

 

[Delancy]

If you are looking for a late model body, I might have one that is available.

You wanna chop the ass off and send on a titled frame?

 

[sleeoffroad]

Yes, they have to be able to do that with body shops fixing trucks. Door one is easy to get. Cut the existing and give it to them for a new sticker. Dash VIN plate has more hoops to go through

 

[sleeoffroad]

You wanna chop the ass off and send on a titled frame?

Call me next week and we can chat.

 

[Delancy]

Yes, they have to be able to do that with body shops fixing trucks. Door one is easy to get. Cut the existing and give it to them for a new sticker. Dash VIN plate has more hoops to go through

Dash is what's important....

If more than one vin are present, then dual registration is required.

If no title exists for donor, it's a complete pain in the arse and well worth trying to avoid.

Call me next week and we can chat.

Will do.

 

[Delancy]

122" WB pushing it with 37s and 4" lift?

39s? 40s?

 

[wv_lx450]

i would say with that WB you would want at least 40s. i know when i was running 37's after my ton swap (at 117" WB) i was constantly hanging up on the sliders and belly. wouldnt have been so bad with a light buggy but when the belly of a 6000lb'er is on the ground, forward momentum disappears quickly. it made a huge difference when i went to 42s, night and day.

 

[Delancy]

More I contemplate this, the more it becomes apparent that it's a novelty build, since wanting to keep the existing running gear in place, just to have a wheeler this year.

Don't know that I'd push more than 39s, considering the estimated weight reduction is only around 900lbs.

 

[Camino]

Here are more pics of our rig. It now weighs 5,500 lbs with 40's

 

[Napster]

Here are more pics of our rig. It now weighs 5,500 lbs with 40's

Can't believe it weighs that much! Did you fill your tires with water for traction? BTW not calling you a lier, I am just interested as to what makes it so heavy!

 

[rusty_tlc]

5,500 does seem a bit heavy, stock dry weight is under 5,000. OTOH 40's ain't light.

 

[RAYJON]

roll cage tubing isn't either...

 

[bugsnbikes]

this 80 tips the scales at 4300lbs like this.......4100lbs with the rear tailgate and side swing downs removed.

IF my goal was a pure wheeler (which its not...yet) i would delete doors- windshield and finish off a proper 2 seat cage (adding to current rollbar) and this would be under 4000lbs. Slippery slope tho because the suspension would need custom springs or coilovers as this wont flex at all at 4000lbs under even stock mushy springs.