jim land
SILVER Star
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It seems pretty difficult from the builds I've seen to get the proportions correct with a 40 body on a 80 chassis. Getting a fj44 frame from aqualu and then swappping the suspension from the 80 right over might make it significantly easier to make the proportions right. The 80 suspension is pretty basic and easy to swap over. It's a strong and simple suspension that rides nice. The 80 axles have a lot of great parts on them. If u use a LS motor, over 300hp with fuel mileage in the low 20s should be easily attainable. Maybe the reason u may have spent so much time on engine placement is that many of the toyota Z series motors are fairly big and bulky. LS motors are more compact and lighter, they are also a bit easier to work on.
Like I said in my first post, there is nothing I would have changed about UZJ40, but I did learn a lot, and there are things I want to do different with this one. In no particular order-
Keeping the cost down. I planned on spending around $10k on the last one. I far exceeded that. It was one of those 'might as well' things. It got so nice I was afraid of it. I didn't mind using it off road, but it depended on the trail, the weather, the trees, etc. I just didn't want to hurt it because it was too nice.
Stock fuel system. For some reason, I had a lot of issues with my last fuel system. I used a factory tank, 100 micron filter, inline fuel pump, 40 micron filter. The problem is that the sheet metal in a 40 gets so hot that especially on a hot day, the fuel would get HOT. The sheet metal gets hot, the fuel tank gets hot, the fuel gets hot, the fuel pump gets hot, the fuel pump gets loud, the fuel smells bad, etc. I had two instances where the fuel pump got so hot it shut off. This was all made worse when the fuel level would get below 1/2 tank. I realize an in tank pump would solve some of that, but I don't want the fuel that hot in the first place. I want a stock pump, stock tank, stock lines. I'm just gun shy about it at this point, and I don't want to mess with it again. I think the factory 80 plastic tank and pump will be great.
Fuel capacity. Using the stock 16 gallon tank wasn't that fun on road trips. I really had to sit down and plan where I was going to get fuel.
Ride quality. I could never get the ride I wanted off road without airing down to 8psi or so. The tires really had to absorb everything. If I didn't air down, it was unbearable. Especially out here in the rocky desert... it was way too choppy of a ride and I couldn't go over 5mph. I want a nice, factory ride on coil springs and linked suspension.
Appearance. I loved the look of the last one, but I'm after something different now. I want a stock look. Stock dash. Stock switches and knobs. No LED's. Nothing modern here.
Space. I ran out of space in my 40. I want a bed on this thing, so the cab will be transformed into something more 45 ish. Still thinking about cab length, but it will be between 4" and 24" longer than a stock 45. I have yet to see an extended cab 45 that looks 'right' to me though. I think it's the windows in the extended part that I'm not in love with yet.
Handling. This goes with ride quality, but the linked suspension, coils, and sway bars will fix the body roll and overall sloppy handling of a 40. The steering should also feel more crisp using an 80 box and linkage.
A/C. I'm not sure I can fix this one, but the last A/C was never as cold as I wanted. It moved a ton of air, but the temp drop wasn't great as the sheet metal in the cab would get hotter in the summer.
No Swing Out Bumper. I won't have one anyway since it will have a bed rather than wagon, but I got really tired of the tire and cooler swing out. On camping and off road trips I just got tired of opening 2 sides to the carrier and 2 doors to get in the back.
Height. I want it shorter this time. Tall looks cool sometimes, but you give a lot up for that.
Those are some major things, and I'm sure I'll think of more. I'll add them as I remember.
The 4.7L in my 100 is a night-and-day difference from the 4.5L in my previous 80. In a lighter 40/45/80 hybrid, a strong running 4.5L might be awesome and a whole lot easier than the 4.7L swap. Maybe not for you, as you've done it once already, but the 4.5L is a good motor that produces great torque when it's not blowing head gaskets and worn out. Have you decided what the drivetrain will be? I scanned quickly over this again, but I didn't see it.
A/C. I'm not sure I can fix this one, but the last A/C was never as cold as I wanted. It moved a ton of air, but the temp drop wasn't great as the sheet metal in the cab would get hotter in the summer.