FZJ80 body swap onto Dodge 4x4 Cummins Drivetrain?

[epike7915]

Not sure if this post belongs here or in the Hardcore Corner but it is more of a diesel thing so I am starting it here. Just day dreaming & thinking a little out of the box. Has anyone done or know a real good reason of why NOT to do it. Why not take a good running early Dodge (Gen 1 maybe) 4x4 with a Cummins with a rotted out body & shorten the frame & rear drive shaft & mate the body off of 80 onto it? I realize there would be some wiring to mate the two as well as brakes, steering etc. But why not as long as the shortening up of the frame was done correctly. In my personal case I need more towing capability then I can get out of my 93 but I love the functionality of it & would hate to lose all the room I have going to a pickup. (I DON'T want a Suburban or a Excursion.)

Whatcha think?

E

 

[SoCal FZJ80]

Dodge Diesel 4x4 Chassis with FJ80 Body

I have been talking about the virtues of this for years. The trick to keep everyone else happy is two find two trucks that are already problems, like you said a dodge with a bad body. No dodge enthusiasts will give you hard time about that And as long as you find a shell from a cruiser, or one missing a drivetrain- no comments from the rest of us cruiser heads about ruining a cruiser. I actually have three shells sitting here that have no frames under them. I was thinking the same thing as you in regards to a tow rig. When I am a cruiser guy, why drive a diesel chevy, ford, or dodge to tow everything? Why not make a domestic 1 ton look like a cruiser? After all the reason I have the bodies is because I sold the rolling chassis's to guys swapping the elocker 1fz-fe chassis under FJ55 bodies. Why not recycle the body onto a rolled diesel pickup chassis??? I say go for it! Just post up pics to get the rest of us motivated. I'd much rather my tow rig look like a cruiser that is pulling a 30+ foot trailer... how cool would that be???

 

[cody c]

I think there was a thread somewhere (maybe pirate) where someone had a cummins in a bronco with 1 tons or something, then swapped an 80 body onto it.

You can squeeze a cummins into an 80 and use the stock drivetrain or up the axles to 1 tons as well.

There are pro's and cons to both directions, but there maybe less work involved by just putting new motor mounts in the 80, than the many body mounts removed and relocated to use the dodge frame.

 

[epike7915]

Yeah, but if you used the complete 1 ton drivetrain/rolling chassis then you would benefit in the increased towing capacity. The only reason I would think about doing it this way would be to up the towing capability to around 10,000 lbs. (21 ft. two place trailer & two Samurais)

 

[Dougal]

You'd want a decent rear suspension setup too.

 

[roma042987]

Would this be a dually 80?

 

[epike7915]

You'd want a decent rear suspension setup too.

yeah, stock 1 ton rear leaves with air bag helpers when towing (if necessary).

 

[epike7915]

Would this be a dually 80?

Hell no.

 

[Dougal]

yeah, stock 1 ton rear leaves with air bag helpers when towing (if necessary).

I was thinking more 4 link rear end with coil springs and air-bag helpers when necessary. Leaf springs under an 80 body are a bit wrong IMO.

 

[epike7915]

I hear you about the rear leaves, kind of a step backwards but I would take them for the towing (stock setup) to keep money down to start with.

 

[epike7915]

talking to a buddy of mine who has owned a couple Dodges with Cummins was a little skeptical of the shorter wheelbase of 113-115" that I would have and not being able to tow 9K-10K without having issues. (sway, etc) Does anybody have any experience with the wheelbase specifically being an issue?