fj40 body on tacoma or?

[ken_79-fj40]

Starting with a 40 would be a LOT easier I know. And chassis-wise I don't think there's a huge difference in weight. I've had both torn right down to just a frame moving the pieces around by myself. Obviously cruiser axles are stronger and a little heavier but even that has to be minimal. Body weight is probably about the same too. The reason this appeals to me most is cost. I have the truck that's essentially worthless but would make up about 70 percent of a future build. Around here really rough 40's are still a few grand. And cruiser driveline parts cost more. Honestly though with the amount of free time I seem to have lately I doubt I could pull this off. I'll probably just pick up a beat V8 FJ40 and put a LS-based engine in it and make it nice again. And I love the coil-spring idea. 80's are cheap now. But this minitruck/40 idea has always intrigued me and I've never seen it done.

When I bought my last cruiser I was 28 and by the time I was 35 it was pretty well sorted but that's also right about when my daughter was born. My goal was to make it to Rubithon by the time I was 40. Sold it on my 40th birthday. Now I'm 42 and potentially might be able to swing another cruiser sometime in the next year or so if my house sells for top dollar and I can get into a smaller place. Maybe I'll make it by 50.

 

[rusty_tlc]

So where would the 40 body parts come from?

 

[ken_79-fj40]

From a junk cruiser. I figured all I would really need would be a cowl/windshield frame and a hood. Rest I could probably make. Still would be a lot easier to start with a cruiser. Thinking I might fix up the 89 a bit, make it roadworthy again, sell it, and buy a project 40.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I've done both - body on another frame and adapt suspension to an existing frame. While it seems easier to swap frames, it's actually a huge step harder. But let's talk hours - if you're just clipping the front, expect that a pro will take between 40 and 200 hours to complete the swap. If you're putting an aftermarket suspension under a frame, expect around 40 hours (30-50). If you're doing a suspension swap under an existing frame - hours are 40 - 120 depending on show level (meaning, whether it's a rock bouncer or a world of wheels contestant).

but here's the rub, I've yet to see a professional-quality clipped or re-framed vehicle. All of the ones I've seen, built, or heard of look like someone raided a wrecking yard (and not in a good way). Add to this the pitfalls that body mounts can add to the problem (classic fail is not bracing the body enough then welding in mounts that aren't right).

So here's some pictures of ones I've done (so Mace doesn't have to continue warning others about me).

clipped a 2003 Lincoln town car suspension in a 50 Buick


s-10 frame under 54 Studebaker


prior, same 54 Studebaker with a 3/4 ton chev 4x4 frame


my garage art - but it's a 79 Fiat spider with a cadillac cts motor and twin turbos - the suspension is mostly aftermarket mustang 2... this one is probably most relevant because of the mistake I made - that is, I should have simply cut the entire firewall, floor, trunk and frame rails out of the car before I ever started.... I probably have 1000 hours in it, and would have only had about 200 if I'd simply started with a tube frame and hung the body on it like artwork.

and there are lots more....

 

[rusty_tlc]

From a junk cruiser. I figured all I would really need would be a cowl/windshield frame and a hood. Rest I could probably make. Still would be a lot easier to start with a cruiser. Thinking I might fix up the 89 a bit, make it roadworthy again, sell it, and buy a project 40.

Kind of depends on what you want.
The 89 would make an awesome trail rig, with a lot less expense and time than building a 40. If you just want a trail rig that is the direction I would go. BTW if Rubithon is your goal the truck will be a great rig, they are made for that trail. And you will be greeted in it the same as if you were driving a 40 or 60 or 55 or 80 or 100 series LC. Rubithon is about the TLC community not what you are driving.

If you want to build a 40 that is an emotional decision. It is not practical, it does not make economical sense. You can build a Jeep in half the time for a lot less money that will perform just as well as a really well built FJ40.

It is the same decision I had to make.

Logically, and economically, for what I want to do and the trails I want to run a Mini truck or Jeep would have been a much better choice. But, my first car was a FJ40, and I had one sitting in the driveway. I had an emotional connection to the FJ40 series that influenced my decision.

It's not wrong to make a decision based on emotion rather than logic or economics. Just go in with your eyes open.

 

[watrob]

The reason I went down the road of placing 80 series suspension on a 40 series chassis & axles was:-

1. I wanted to extend the wheel base to match a FJ43 for an extended tub
2. I wanted a smoother ride (as coil & shock combinations are easier to match) and better steering & disc brakes
3. I can jack up a corner and pull the coil spring out and replace the coil in 15min, coils are $80 a set, don't rust like leaf springs
4. I have a ride height of a effective 3" lift with standard 80 series oem springs
5. Be able to bolt a 40 series body back on easily.
6. 80 series suspension parts are easy to find and are a lot cheaper than 40 series suspension parts.

Yes it would cheaper to do a jeep, but in Australia we have heaps the fJ40's and plenty of 60, 70 & 80 series in the wreckers, also 40 series axles parts like bearings, disc brakes & pads, seals etc, are used across the 40, 60 & 70 series range. But as mentioned in other posts, you need a 40 to start with and a donor vehicle for the suspension parts you want to use.

If the FJ40 is your passion go for it but it will not be cheap, it will be time consuming, and it will take you a year at least, unless you have the funds to pay someone to do it for you.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

My first 4x4 was a 77 FJ40 I bought for $150 in 1991. It was mechanically excellent but incredibly rusted out. My friends and I patched it up and I wheeled the crap out of it until I blew the engine. Even rolled it and patched it back together after that. My 79 I built from the frame up in my home shop. It was actually really nice. Like street show truck class nice and I barely wheeled it at all. I want to build something nice but I want to build it to actually use this time, not sit behind it in a lawn chair. I've thought about building the 89 for years but it's a regular cab and I have a kid. That really won't work. I actually am far more familiar with minitrucks than cruisers and I've had/modified 10-12 of them. But they aren't open like a cruiser. I've considered CJ's too and the parts availability and prices are tempting. Just don't think I can go there.

 

[DrivingMissRosey]

Try this 80 with an aftermarket 40 series body.
http://rsoperformance.com

 

[Mace]

or
http://redlinelandcruisers.com/product/fj-ute-4-door-40-series-body-kit/

 

[barberjd]

I know it’s an old post but me and a buddy are starting the swap!

 

[Bripars40]

I know it’s an old post but me and a buddy are starting the swap!

View attachment 1626007

View attachment 1626011

Better start your own thread so we can all watch.

 

[jacubillo]

Any news on this body swap? I'm interested in seeing details on how it went or any setbacks you might have found.