FRAME SWAP (4 Viewers)

[MANUCHAO]

Well, it has been over 3 years since I did the frame swap on this rig... and after quite a few trips on the south west, down south, and up north the frame has not come apart... The engine is pulling as good as it did when it went in, and the rig tracks straight as an arrow...
Other than the fuel mileage going down (due to all the crap that I added to rig) it has been the best upgrade second to the frame swap. The one thing Im looking at doing is upgrading the bushings on the control arms (Im running the OEM bushings.) My rear diff has crapped on me twice now, and it is getting a different housing as I think I got a lemon from JT, or I got a bent axle? I really dont know, but this is the reason Im replacing the bushings on the upper/lower CA on the rear. We'll see.... how things workout.
The TC has been swapped to an FJ62 TC (thanks Georg) and rebuild by Dyno (thanks Peter), and thanks to mud and its members for all the inspiration and advice provided to get my rig where it's at right now...!!!!

Now I gotta go and renew my silver star....

cheers !!!

<----- that's a growler btw......

 

[esh]

Missed out catching you in SoCal, but I'm watching this thread. Appreciate the long term update. I'm considering either an 80 axle swap for front coils (leafs in back), or do a complete frame like yours and just plug in the HZ onto the factory FZJ mounts (same mount), building up the 61 high roof body onto it. Among 4 other projects...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Thanks Ken.
I consider my fab skills to be limited, and with that said. I would highly suggest you do the whole frame swap. I honestly think it is not as hard as it looks.
There is minimal, but crucial measuring / cutting / welding to be done, and you basically keep the same successful and proven geometry of an 80 series rig. An HZ and high roof...that sounds like candy to my ears...
If you ever in town drop me a line.

Frank

 

[dbleon]

My dream! Glad to hear the update.. one of the coolest rigs on mmud IMO!

 

[djawahir]

Dude, you inspired me to get my swap going! My 80-series chassis is at the fab shop getting shortened as we speak!

 

[whothehellisdan]

Hey mate, do you still have the pics for this? I'm stinging to see how it all went and none of the pics or links work.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Wow.. looks like MUD got rid of the personal albums all together...

 

[whothehellisdan]

Well that sucks.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Im not sure how I missed this thread before the pics got removed

I've been dreaming of an 80 suspension under my 60 since lowtideride's swap.

It looks like I'm following in your footsteps with a V8 swap right now. Having done the frame swap and all that it involves... would you go that route again or would you just swap the 80 suspension under the 60 frame à la 88chevota?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Im only a recreational welder, so I still find that cutting the frame, and welding it back together is a lot easier to do than having to weld all the suspension parts into a smaller (dare I say weaker) frame.
Cutting the frame involved measuring one hundred times, cutting once, and welding back together with overkill reinforcements.....
Plus, if I have to to check for any possible cracks I only need to check two spots to know what's going on..
Not having to mess with suspension components was a must for me...
For someone with strong welding skills Im sure this would not be such a big deal....

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

MANU, If I were closer we could've had some serious welding fun with this!

J

 

[OGBeno]

Im not sure how I missed this thread before the pics got removed

I've been dreaming of an 80 suspension under my 60 since lowtideride's swap.

It looks like I'm following in your footsteps with a V8 swap right now. Having done the frame swap and all that it involves... would you go that route again or would you just swap the 80 suspension under the 60 frame à la 88chevota?

Frank's rig is awesome in person. He really did a great job and paid a lot of attention to the small things.

Too bad the pics are gone.

Frank-- are these in the cloud somewhere that you can grant some access for us?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Jason, you sould do a frame swap... with your welding skills ...it'll be short of awesome with what you could do.... judging by them front n rear bumpers you build....

Thanks Onur... I got the whole album on Goggle Drive, Im trying to figure how to share it with everyone.... I'll post the link once I figure it out...

Happy Holidays to you all....!!!!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Jason, you sould do a frame swap... with your welding skills ...it'll be short of awesome with what you could do.... judging by them front n rear bumpers you build....

Thanks Onur... I got the whole album on Goggle Drive, Im trying to figure how to share it with everyone.... I'll post the link once I figure it out...

Happy Holidays to you all....!!!!

I'm about to stretch the frame on my '68 FJ40 20-24", cut down the hardtop and shorten a fiberglass top, then install a full tub... YEAH! I'm a SICKO! Basically an extended cab truck if you will..

HA

J

 

[murf]

Just found this thread. Can't believe I've missed such a sweet build

Bummer no pics but found one in your sig lne at least

 

[MANUCHAO]

Here is the link for the pics....
Hope it works....
Frank
LINK

 

[FJ60Cam]

DAMN

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

That is some superb work Frank. I would have loved to been there through it all. Great project.

Gives me ideas..

J

 

[boozewz]

Holy moly! Awesome stuff! I have turbo'd HZJ80 and I'm seriously contemplating dropping a 60/62 body on it. You've just lit a fire in me.

Bravo.

 

[dsmud4u]

Dude, you inspired me to get my swap going! My 80-series chassis is at the fab shop getting shortened as we speak!

What shop did you use and can do to the fab with out the donor body of a 60 present?