Fj62 shell on a 80 series? (1 Viewer)

[thinkbox26]

First time poster
Is it possible to put a fj62 body onto a 80 series? I’m not just talking about swapping the chassis from the 80 to the 60, I’m talking about just the body of the fj62 and taking off the 80 body and leaving everything there such as driveshaft, engine, fuel system, brake lines and placing down the 60 onto it

I know I need to shorten the chassis , driveshaft, probably steering column, piss around placing everything onto the firewall and much more.

The reason why I would like to go this route is because I love the boxy look of a 60 more then the 80 but don’t the love the dated tech I also would have better ac system, master brakes, better fuel system, better engine except if I just got a 3f.

The 60 series in aus is getting expensive to find in decent condition and the 80 sells cheaper most of the time, so if I can get a decent 60 shell then it would work out to be cheaper

I just want to know if this is a dumb route to go down instead of doing the 60/80 chassis swap. I couldn’t find to many threads about this so I’m assuming it’s a dumb idea I just would like to discuss why exactly

 

[Brindleboxer]

To add to your "thought experiment". You want to place just the body of the 62 on an 80 frame but keep all the newer amenities. I would think it could be done but cost might be the prohibitive factor.
If going this route, I would take measurements of the dash width of each and determine how close they are and how much modification would be required to make them fit. Possible way to execute might be to cut the 80 at the belt line to utilize the dash and floor components. You could then trim and /or add as needed once you get all your measurements from the 62.
I foresee a lot of fab work hence my cost statement earlier. There are a few that come to mind with doing a swap like this or similar and may have some insight to what to expect, they are @MANUCHAO; @Waggoner5 and @peteFJ60. If you do a search there are many more builds that you can read through.

 

[thinkbox26]

To add to your "thought experiment". You want to place just the body of the 62 on an 80 frame but keep all the newer amenities. I would think it could be done but cost might be the prohibitive factor.
If going this route, I would take measurements of the dash width of each and determine how close they are and how much modification would be required to make them fit. Possible way to execute might be to cut the 80 at the belt line to utilize the dash and floor components. You could then trim and /or add as needed once you get all your measurements from the 62.
I foresee a lot of fab work hence my cost statement earlier. There are a few that come to mind with doing a swap like this or similar and may have some insight to what to expect, they are @MANUCHAO; @Waggoner5 and @peteFJ60. If you do a search there are many more builds that you can read through.

Thanks for the reply
I’m starting to realise it really is going to be a tedious task and financial going to be difficult to execute this, might just be smarter to go down the 60/80 chassis route

 

[Dark Knight]

Referred to as a Land Cruiser 142.

It ain’t cheap if contracting out the work.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

You’ve got to really love the 60 series to contemplate all of that work.
Where is your location? 60s are way more prone to rust than an 80.
There are videos online of such projects.
Jonathan Ward of TLC and
Jeremiah Proffitt of Resurrection land cruisers are two examples.

 

[jonheld]

Last time I was in Moab, I wheeled Pritchett with a 60 Series on an 80 frame. Eric something was his name. Cool looking, but he had lots of issues. I had to drag him through some obstacles after shearing off rear hub studs. That was before his winch cables started to burn. Good times.

 

[Broski]

Been done quite a few times !
@FJ40NUT is in the middle of such a project

 

[matzell]

Search over in the 60 series. Lots of them being done. Also I think Trail Taylor is building 80 axle conversion kits for 60s

 

[tmxmotorsports]

@NCFJ

 

[mudgudgeon]

The OP is in Australia.

Sourcing US made parts for a conversion would be expensive.

A major hurdle for anything like this in Aus is finding an automotive engineer to sign off on your work.
Basically you need an engineer to say the work you have done is equal to or better than OEM safety standards for the newer of the chassis, or body.

In the case of a 60 body, onto an 80 frame, everything is assessed against design standards this at the date the 80 series chassis was manufactured. This could be difficult.

Things like seat belts, seats, braking, handling, headlights, modifications to steering or suspension etc will be scrutinised

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Yeah I wouldn't even attempt to do it then.

 

[SNLC]

The OP is in Australia.

Sourcing US made parts for a conversion would be expensive.

A major hurdle for anything like this in Aus is finding an automotive engineer to sign off on your work.
Basically you need an engineer to say the work you have done is equal to or better than OEM safety standards for the newer of the chassis, or body.

In the case of a 60 body, onto an 80 frame, everything is assessed against design standards this at the date the 80 series chassis was manufactured. This could be difficult.

Things like seat belts, seats, braking, handling, headlights, modifications to steering or suspension etc will be scrutinised

Lots of 40’s on 80 chassis over there though.

Cheers

 

[mudgudgeon]

Lots of 40’s on 80 chassis over there though.

Cheers

Yep, true. All would have had engineer sign off.

Not saying it's not doable, but as simple s dropping a body on the frame, and calling it good

 

[thinkbox26]

You’ve got to really love the 60 series to contemplate all of that work.
Where is your location? 60s are way more prone to rust than an 80.
There are videos online of such projects.
Jonathan Ward of TLC and
Jeremiah Proffitt of Resurrection land cruisers are two examples.

Ya i can now see it’s a lot of work, I might just go for a 80 series chassis swap and restore the rest the best I can