My last two projects found good homes in the past two months. So, I am finally getting started on Snowtire's HDJ80 that has been sitting in my garage since March.
My original plan was to do some body work and then drive it, and I got a bunch of front end parts from Back40 during the early summer time. However, the rust is BAD. They must salt the road like crazy in the UK. The last few months I considered just parting it out, which in all honesty is the smart move. But, I don't think I can do it - this truck has every single option that I want in an 80 series. To lay them all out:
Now, for the question I need help answering:
What are the major differences in the frame, firewall, and other physical hardware on the body between a RHD FJ80 vs a RHD HDJxx truck. I have found some great, rust-free FJ80s with clean bodies, triple lockers, and all the options that match up with the truck I have. I could pick up a nice one of these for around $10k. My plan would be to rip out the whole interior, trans, and engine from the FJ80, then migrate the wiring harness, 5-speed, and 1HD-T plus interior from the HDJ80.
It seems like the frame part numbers are completely identical. Engine mounts are different, but if I buy the right mounts it should drop right in? I think all the bolts are the same for the manual trans crossmember, it looks like most of the firewall holes are the same, and the clutch master cylinder and clutch lines might be as simple as bolt-off / swap.
Thoughts?
My original plan was to do some body work and then drive it, and I got a bunch of front end parts from Back40 during the early summer time. However, the rust is BAD. They must salt the road like crazy in the UK. The last few months I considered just parting it out, which in all honesty is the smart move. But, I don't think I can do it - this truck has every single option that I want in an 80 series. To lay them all out:
- 1993 later-year 1HD-T, which is desirable for me
- Internal glow plugs
- New piston design with the fluted cups
- Thicker injector washers
- Less BEB issues than early trucks
- Full float rear, disc brakes
- Front, rear, center factory lockers
- Factory 5-speed transmission
- 1993, once again later years should be free of early-year synchro issues
- "Snow Version" (unmarked, but recognized by the options)
- Fuel heater
- Heated seats
- Third row seats - this is a must-have, I frequently have a full car
- Beautiful oak-color interior, my favorite color, with the striped seats, and absolutely immaculate.
Now, for the question I need help answering:
What are the major differences in the frame, firewall, and other physical hardware on the body between a RHD FJ80 vs a RHD HDJxx truck. I have found some great, rust-free FJ80s with clean bodies, triple lockers, and all the options that match up with the truck I have. I could pick up a nice one of these for around $10k. My plan would be to rip out the whole interior, trans, and engine from the FJ80, then migrate the wiring harness, 5-speed, and 1HD-T plus interior from the HDJ80.
It seems like the frame part numbers are completely identical. Engine mounts are different, but if I buy the right mounts it should drop right in? I think all the bolts are the same for the manual trans crossmember, it looks like most of the firewall holes are the same, and the clutch master cylinder and clutch lines might be as simple as bolt-off / swap.
Thoughts?
