Extreme built max tire size

[Waggoner5]

I need some opinions here. Christo, feel free to jump in. With an extreme built 95-97 80 chassis hypothetically wieghing around 4k, what is the largest tire that can be extreme wheeled with stock drivetrain. In drivetrain I mean regeared, 80 axles with factory lockers, transfer case with stock or low gears, and stock engine. Is the basically stock chassis on a diet, up to the task of buggy like performance with no to little carnage, as long as the driver has skills with the skinney pedal? I know Christo wheels the crap out of short bus, but what does it wiegh and what are the weak areas that can be modified? I am talking buggy stuff here, not a fully loaded wagon. I am so impressed with the 80 series chassis and especially the short bus that I really want to build something that I can take out and really wheel. My 60s are cool but I am ready for something that I don't mind beating on somewhat.

 

[sleeoffroad]

29"'s

Weak point first is birfields, then front inner axles, then front diff, then rear axles. If it is about 4k lbs I think you can run 40's but be prepared for some breakage. We have a friend with a modified taco with 40" MT/R's and runs a 80 front axle. Couple of birfields, but nothing like the shortbus. If you spend the money and have a set of new Toyota oem's treated by Bobby, you should be good. I broke the rear axle and twisted the splines on the other side, but I am pretty sure that was due to weight, more than anything.

 

[Uglibus]

Any way to reduce the weight of an 80 to lessen extreme breakage with the large tires and harder wheeling? I know that Short Bus isn't any lighter than a built 80 wagon but is there a way to shed some pounds in a dedicated 80 rock rig without sacraficing the wagon body?

 

[Waggoner5]

I was thinking about losing the wagon body.

 

[cruiserdan]

Any way to reduce the weight of an 80 to lessen extreme breakage with the large tires and harder wheeling? I know that Short Bus isn't any lighter than a built 80 wagon but is there a way to shed some pounds in a dedicated 80 rock rig without sacraficing the wagon body?

What comes to mind is tossing everything that is not absoultely essential overboard. This is, of course, easier said than done as most of us add armour plate and extra bits here and there.

 

[Waggoner5]

Christo, I am hooked up with Copart to buy a wrecked 80, but if you come across a locked 95-97 with normal miles, let me know. I am looking for rolled or t-boned or whatever.
Gary

 

[bjowett]

My old 86 4-Runner with 80 axle/suspension held up VERY well. That thing was a good 1500+ lbs lighter than my 80... and it showed, everywhere!

Drop an 84 - 89 4-Runner body on an 80 chassis and call it a day.

 

[Uglibus]

Gary do you plan to loose more wagon body than Shortbus? I am excited to see what you do with an 80 since you 6x creations are so very cool. Brian, It would be hard for me to imagine gains like 1500 pounds from reducing the body alone. Mind you still having something to protect the driver. Anyone ever weight an 80 body separate?

 

[bjowett]

Although the 1st gen. 4-Runner body without top is probably a good bit lighter than an an 80 series body, many more weight differences exist! The 22RE Turbo engine was light, along with the 5 speed R series trans with dual cases... The 8" FF rear axle... the list goes on. If an FJ80 and FJ40 were to have a kid, it would probably be a 1st gen. 4-Runner... Comfy enough yet open enough.

 

[Waggoner5]

I am going to lose the body all together. It will be a difficult task, but I am taking my 65 FJ45 LWB pickup and putting it on an late model chassis. I am widening the whole body, lengthening the cab somewhat for comfort , and shortening the bed for little if any overhang. My goal weight will be >4k lbs and run 39-40 Iroks on custom suspended 80 axles. I want to run with the big dogs and do the more difficult stuff in something that I won't make me want to put a gun to my head if I scratch it.
OK now before being raked over the coals, let me say this. My pickup is a bag of crap. It was originally Brazillian army issue and is rusted up pretty bad. The frame and axles are rusty but could be salvaged. The body needs allot of work, the engine has a spun bearing, etc. I already have it mostly torn down and have the chassis truck, but am going to try to buy a later model wrecked 80. 95-97 preferably with lockers. It will be a big project, but after ICBM I have decided to really get going on it, hopefully for Moab 2005.

 

[Uglibus]

That would be one cool LC pickup. Can't wait to see it at the next Moab.