HJ60 frame swap advice...

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zander

zander

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Okay so I seem to have gotten myself into a bind here...

I have been driving an 87 HJ60 for a couple years now after successfully importing it into CA. Loved it except for the high end power especially at altitude (which is where I really need it).

I ordered and received a fully reconditioned 12ht including reconditioned turbo AND an A440 extreme transmission all from Rodney in Australia. (~$12k)
http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/extreme.asp

The nightmare began last week when we pulled the engine and found really bad rust on the interior frame rails on the whole back half of the frame (from the rear spring mounts back) and a fair amount of body rust on the lower rear body panels. I assume I did not see this stuff before because it was undercoated, and that has fallen off in the last 6 months or so revealing inner frame rails I can put my finger through for the whole back half of the frame.

So now I have a $12k awesome drivetrain, (sweet built up axles as well), a deteriorating body and a shot frame on a cruiser I had a fair amount of money into.

Does anyone know what frames will be the easiest swap? As I understand it I will have to bring over my engine and tranny mounts. I have a line on an 89 FJ62 frame locally (from this forum).

Any advice appreciated...
 
Bummer on the frame zander!

Nice drivetrain...

I know that early 1980's BJ60 bodies have been put on late 1980's HJ61 frames with success. The only major difference were the engine mounts (and steering box frame gussest from RHD to LHD which you do not need to worry about). The bodies from what I hear simply sat onto the frame with no fuss.

Not wanting to assume too much, however from that experience I would interpolate chances are pretty darn good you will have no issues with the with the swap as far as the body goes.

What about finding a local no rust FJ60 or 62 frame and body with a tired motor...then swaping the drivetrain into that?

hth's

gb
 
I would agree with Greg, and suggest finding a nice rust free 60 in southern CA, and swapping everything into that one. 60s seem to get cheaper and cheaper here-you should get a rust free one for around 3-4k.
parting out your HJ60 should bring some considerable cash to offset the costs.
j
 
Greg_B said:
Bummer on the frame zander!

What about finding a local no rust FJ60 or 62 frame and body with a tired motor...then swaping the drivetrain into that?

gb
Click to expand...

Thanks for the notes on the frames Greg,

The gas cruiser conversion has a number of problems with it as I see it. Starting with registering it here in Cali... Also My engine components are 24 volt. Gas filler different etc etc. This just seems harder, but I am willing to be convinced otherwise.
 
I would still persue the US Option if it were me and just sell the HJ60, but of course your call. I have recently had a frame sandblasted and it turned out very well. You could do that, repair/replace any badly rusted sections using a cutoff wheel and grinder and new plate steel, and that would work too. I would also definetely take care of any body work if you are sinking $12G into it IMO.. Best, Andre
 
zander said:
Thanks for the notes on the frames Greg,

The gas cruiser conversion has a number of problems with it as I see it. Starting with registering it here in Cali... Also My engine components are 24 volt. Gas filler different etc etc. This just seems harder, but I am willing to be convinced otherwise.
Click to expand...


there have been 2 cool threads recently of people swapping out frames, if I recall correctly...
j
 
Many thoughts....

1) like mentioned, use a fj60 frame under it. I thought the FJ frame mounts were very similar to the 2H mounts...???

2? pull the frame and cut and weld up the damage. if only a spots at the back are damaged.

3) sell the HJ60 completely and convert a Fj60 using new drivetrain. Like you mentioned, more work than swapping the 12h-t to your hj60.


Personnally I would get a clean FJ60 frame and install that onto your Hj60 and fix the body issues later. Then your electrics hook right up and you are legally registered. Much simplier......
 
Here's a link to my BJ60 frame swap http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427623
It took about a week to swap and the frame I found in Central America was nearly perfect with factory paint on probably 60-70% and just surface rust from rock chips on the remainder. This way all the VIN tags are completely unmolested and match (unless one wants to look at the frame number). HJ60's are more common than BJ60's in Honduras. I know of wreckers with several HJ60's in Honduras.
Besides, it makes a killer holiday trip too!!
 
cruiser_guy said:
HJ60's are more common than BJ60's in Honduras. I know of wreckers with several HJ60's in Honduras.
Besides, it makes a killer holiday trip too!!
Click to expand...

Boy is that tempting. If it wasnt sucha pain to ship one up I would do this in a heartbeat.

Here is what I found so far:
- The simple solution of rewinding my electrical for 12v if i were to switch to a US FJ60 body is about $1200. on top of everything else.

- If I do that i will still have to mod all the mounts.

- If i go with the frame swap to a 62 frame it sounds like I at least dont have to worry about the automatic tranny mounts.

So does anyone have good recomendations for who sells good frame mount kits?
 
Well it seems I have chosen a path. It will be a frame swap. I just picked up the frame from another forum member down in the South Bay (thanks Andrew!). I will do my best to document the changes required to fit the 2H in. Just from my first measurements it looks like the automatic tranny mounts are in the same spot which should make any engine mount changes easier.
 
zander said:
Well it seems I have chosen a path. It will be a frame swap. I just picked up the frame from another forum member down in the South Bay (thanks Andrew!). I will do my best to document the changes required to fit the 2H in. Just from my first measurements it looks like the automatic tranny mounts are in the same spot which should make any engine mount changes easier.
Click to expand...

Good luck! Should work out just fine. You have the H series MM's in your existing frame to cut off and use. How are your going to prep the frame to maximize life?

gb
 
Greg_B said:
How are your going to prep the frame to maximize life?
Click to expand...

Im going to keep it in California :)

Its in excellent shape, it will likely outlast the rest of the vehicle as is, but I will likley clean it, prime and paint it. (or at least touch up any spots where the paint has come off)
 
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