HDJ80 vs FZJ80 frame/chassis differences (1 Viewer)

[GreenPump]

Also posted this in the 80-series section.

I have recently undertaken a project involving a damaged and somewhat rusty HDJ80 w/ manual trans. I have sourced a very clean and rust-free California FZJ80, with the intentions of painting/restoring the U.S. spec gasser chassis, and swapping over the drivetrain and interior from the HDJ80.

Both trucks are 1993, HDJ80 is RHD, FZJ80 is LHD. I am NOT planning to convert to LHD or use any of the interior parts from the FZJ80, but rather swap these parts from the HDJ80.

I have heard that the frame mounting is already set up to accept 1HD-T engine mounts in 8/92 and later U.S. spec 80 series. Is this true?

Are there any other serious considerations here; I am expecting the firewall and dash internals to be different, but hopefully this can be easily cut/welded from one truck to the other.
I am also hoping that I can re-use the transmission mounting setup from the manual truck and simply bolt it on to the auto FZJ80 truck.

 

[duncanrm]

Consider a body swap instead?

 

[TheBussman]

I have heard that the frame mounting is already set up to accept 1HD-T engine mounts in 8/92 and later U.S. spec 80 series. Is this true?

yes.


a body swap would be alot more work. You would have frame modifications (steering) and almost all the conversion work is on the body side.

swap the motor and trans into the gas truck.

the wiring is VERY different between the 2 trucks, more then you would think. In my swap even though I had the complete 1hdt harness i decided to sell it complete and then cut everything I didn't need out of the gas harness. Next buy all brand new connectors and repair wires for the connections that are different on the diesel.

the engine bay harness, the engine harness and the dash harness are all different. You can't swap the dash harness because it's RHD (without cutting)
but you do have the engine bay harness so you'll have alot less work then me.

you have to decide if you want 12v or 24v start. 12v is a lot easier. But you already have all the 24v parts.

use the 1hdt cruiser actuator

You need to buy is a throttle cable. You can use one from a 91-92 3fe truck (its a little too long but works) a fj62 cable is a little shorter and may also work I know cruisermatt is selling them.