Builds Cummins 6BT install in FZJ80 (3 Viewers)

[Project FJ80]

Hello

To all those out there who don't know me, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Ron and I am a LCH. (Land Cruiser-Holic).
It has been 7 years 1 month and 12 days since I last drove a Landcruiser.
I first joined the support group "IH8MUD" 17 years ago, and I have been unable to live without a Cruiser in my possession since then.
Some people call it a sickness. some call it an addiction, others call it madness.

I try to explain it to them, but they just don't understand; the passion, the thrill of the ride, the enjoyment of exploration.
I really do think Arnold expressed it best. The feeling you get as an owner, and the feeling you get while driving a Land Cruiser.. well its like... www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mzRm3USgmo&list=PPSV


It does seem like I am a glutton for punishment, but for what ever reason ... I really love the Landcruiser. Even though I ripped out its heart, and drivetrain.

Soooo.....

Its been a few years since my last update,
A lot lot has happened since then.
Unfortunately... nothing much has happened with the 80 since then.
Now that I am an old man, .. it seems I still haven't learned my lesson. 2 Landcruiser's and 17 years later ( and a lot of in the middle). the dream has only been a nightmare.

The current situation is that my Landcruiser is in Phoenix Arizona sitting in the back of my Tire Shop, while I am out working in LA.
My Birthday present 06/18 and Fathers day present 06/19 are to get the Land cruiser in running condition. this year. 2022
Unfortunately I can not do everything myself. and will have to find a place the can finish the project for me.

As it sits, I have the Cummins 6bt engine mounted, the Toyota transmission and Transfer case are mounted. however I never received my engine wiring harness back, the compu-shift transmission controller or the custom machined throttle plate converter for the Cummins from Dustin with Diesel Adapters.

Because I already have a built and ready to go dodge transmission, I really didn't want to spend another 1-3K to make Dustins kit work by buying another half sent kit from someone else when I already have the heavy duty parts that I was going to use anyways.

Also, as much as I wanted to keep the full time 4wd system, even looking into swapping a LT230 transferase from a land rover. There just no options out there for adapter plates that match up to an automatic 29 spline 47RE diesel transmission. and I already have an Atlas 4 speed transfer case that was built to match.

At this point. I will need to remove the Toyota Transmission and Transfer case, and have them replaced with the 47RE and Atlas.
I think I will also need to replace the transmission adapter plate, flywheel and starter (which I have) to match 47RE vs the Toyota

I will need custom drivelines,
Custom fuel tank, and diesel fuel pump (airdog) to be installed and routed.
Transmission lines made or adapted to the transmission cooler.
Custom linkage for the transmission so I can use the OEM shifter
Custom transmission and transfer case mounts
Atlas transfer case levers installed
(I already have a transmission controller for the ATS 47RE )

I think that's it for the under side...
the engine compartment side...

Adapt Toyota throttle cable to Cummins P-pump
Custom line for air compressor (possible reroute of dryer)
Custom power steering hose
Downpipe and exhaust line
Toyota wiring harness with adapters for sensors for read outs on the dash. (oil temp, water temp, rpms etc.)
Front radiator fan (possible re-fab required for fan plate adapter and position)
Manual locking hubs
abs brake positioning censor relocation (I can do this myself later)


This would at least let me be able to drive it again,. I'm not interested in selling it when its done.. It will be my new daily driver.
after I get it running, I will be looking into getting the interior redone.

however first things first.

I want, preferably a location in Arizona, that can handle this work. That does exceptional work, and that is willing to put the time into making sure its done right.
I know there's lots of individual fab shops in phoenix/Arizona that do what they do exceptionally well.
I need someone who can bring together each quality item and install it so the end result is an overbuilt Land Cruiser that wont fall apart in the middle of nowhere.


I have called a few places, not all of them.. and most custom fabrication shops are out of business, don't answer or return calls, or have been burned in the past in one way or another. ...
I have also been burned a few times... Portal-Tek... Diesel Adapters...
So it has been tough finding a match.,


I Currently have one recommendation from another shop to use

Tempe Speed and Performance Custom and Classic Car Design. LS Conversion Specialists! - https://tempespeedandperformance.com/index.html

I talked to Tony for about an hour, and he seems to remember doing some custom work on a Land Cruiser before.
It also sounds like he can handle the work as described... He also mentioned that it has become much harder to get the approval for engine swaps and modifications in the city of phoenix. Any one else have any experience or dealings with this shop?

right now, this is all I have. A few years back I was going to have Randy Ellis do the work in Phoenix, however, he has since retired.


If you have any recommendations?...

 

[ARJMN]

PM Sent

 

[Project FJ80]

Greetings and salutations,
It has been quite a while since I have last given an update on Project fzj80..
After much time has passed, the Project has finally started back up..
As always with most projects, nothing ever seems to go as planned.
I last left off with an incomplete diesel transplant kit from Diesel Adapters,
... as of today.. the only item from the kit (of which I actually received)that i will utilize, is the accessory relocation kit, and even that did not come complete..

The new goal was to swap out the toyota transmission and use the 47re that I had previously bought. I purchased North West Fabs Landcruiser Black Box and was able to adapt from the dodge automatic transmission to the Toyota Full Time 4wd transfercase, as I wanted to keep the full time system in place, and the underdrive would provide me with 4-speeds.

This would allow me to complete the drivetrain and get the Project back up and running.
......
Unfortunately this was not the case...
After installing the 47re, NWF box, and transfercase.... it was obvious that the 47re Transmission was in the path of the front driveshaft. The options were, make a 2 peice driveshaft that, in theory, would work.. or go with a low pinion front which would then be running on the wrong side of the ring...

The only other option left, .. would be to abandon the Toyota front axle, the FT 4wd transfercase, The NWF Landcruiser Box, the Atlas 4-speed transfercase (i had also originally bought), and completely gut the whole front suspension system...

That brings us up to today. November 2024.

With the Project once again moving forward...

I will be using a fully built, Ford 9" hi pinion up front ,
An NP205 drivers side drop transfercase ,
An (ORD Magnum) underdrive, (or Titan or Behemoth)
And a 3 or 4-link front suspension unless I can manage to fit a double triangulated 4-link up front.

The rear wil be a double triangulated 4-link setup,
As well as a built 9" high pinion setup.

The fuel tank has already been removed and a custom tank will be installed wherever there's room left.
The body lift has been cut down from 3" to 1.25" for just enough clearances needed and to keep the center of gravity a low as possible.

If all goes as planned, this should all be completed around March of 2025, based off lead times on parts and supplies and build time.

 

[Project FJ80]

I haven't yet pulled the trigger on the underdrive as of yet. Does anyone have any experience using these? Which underdrive would be stronger? As of today.. NWF Titan box is approximately 12-16 weeks out. ORDs Magnum box is approximately 8 weeks out, and I have a source for a Behemoth underdrive on the shelf.
...
Anyone know if the other underdrives listed use a one peice shaft like the ORD unit uses?
Ord also says their underdrive does not need an external oil cooler.


Thank you

 

[Project FJ80]

December Update;

One axle has been shipped for mock up of mounts, brackets, pinion angle, placement, and length. The R&P will be 4.57

The Underdrive has been received and will be installed into an NP205 Transfercase.
This will give me, a 1:1, 1.96, 2.72, and 5.33 gear ratios

40 inch cooper stt pro tires have been ordered,
And will be mounted on Method MR202 beadlocks.

 

[Project FJ80]

For those contemplating using the Automatic transmission from a Dodge Cummins.

Here are a few photos showing the incompatibility with the 47re automatic transmission using a single peice driveshaft.
(3" exhaust pipe used for reference)
This also shows how little space would be left to install a maximum of 3.5" oval exhaust out to the back, let alone a full 4" pipe.

 

[Project FJ80]

Ran into a few issues over the last few weeks while waiting for everything to come in and get assembled.
The np205 transfercase and ord underdrive have been assembled and installed.

The partial axle housing, knuckle and tubes have arrived, and is getting setup for correct placement.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Which doubler is that? I have something similar in my truck (ecobox+205), it's amazing. Nice choice.

 

[Project FJ80]

ORDs Magnum Underdrive,
We'll see how she holds up.

 

[Project FJ80]

Front axle mockup,
Currently sitting at 87" outside tire to outside tire.

 

[Project FJ80]

June Update,
A few changes were made during the setup of the front end and suspension. In order to squeeze out a little more up travel, we needed to push the engine back a little bit.
Unfortunately, in order to push the engine back a little bit, ... it would require going past the firewall,.. which would require... alot more modifications, and more time.
However, on the positive side,... This will help out with weight distribution, Fan and shroud placement, drivetrain angles, and, most importantly, allow for some additional uptravel that is needed to utilize 40" tires.