How does one shorten a chassis. (1 Viewer)

[marcusthesavage]

Will start with a little background. I live in Kenya and been looking for a SWB 40 series land cruiser as a project car to learn some mechanical skills, have some fun and ultimately end up with a cool car to drive around.

NOTE: i am not looking at getting this car back to a fully restored classic car with original parts etc... but will end up being a miss match of parts as i will explain.

I have been looking recently for a SWB 40 series chassis (scrap or on a vehicle on the road) and had no luck. I have found a few, but nothing to buy. However, i have been lucky enough to find the LWB 45/47 series chassis and body only. This is ideal, as i can then source an engine, axles etc... However, i really want the SWB!

I know it would be ashame to cut it to shorten it, and also hard work to do well, but has anyone had any experience in this at all? I have been over the various frame dimensions of the 40, 43 and 45, and noticed that this is probably not the easiest task. The cab/front section all the same and have the same dimentions, but as the chassis diverges further down, it is not a simple cut and re-join. This is why i am looking for someone who may have experience in this. I believe i would need to cut out 665mm.

Please, any help would be much appreciated

If i did go down this route, just out of curiosity, what would be a good engine to put in the car (or any 40series). A surf/4runner? Rav4? etc...
would a 60 or 70 series axles work well
what other recommended upgrades are advisable?

I am not super technical so would ask replies to KISS (Keep it simple [im] stupid) which obviously means i would get an expert to cut it for me (if such a person exists out here)

Thanks all

 

[Gumby]

Frame shortening is not too hard in theory. Just cut out the chunk you need gone, weld the two halves together and cover it with a fish plate. In practice welding the frame together creates stresses that were not there from when the frame was engineered and can be done wrong easily. How dangerous it is varies widely on ones opinions and knowledge. Some guys tack crap together and call it good. Others would never touch a frame as the dangers are too great.

I have extended a frame. I think it's far stronger than the original, but I have no way of knowing for sure.
In America you could do it yourself if you had the skills, but most folks you would hire would just refuse to do it. Too much liability.

60 series axles are an upgrade, but have lower numerical gears and are not a drop in part. The springs are spaced further apart than the frame on a 40. I don't know about 70 series. The 4x series is way heavier than it looks. I don't think a Hilux surf or rav4 motor would move it around well. V8s and big I6s are the best bet.

 

[marcusthesavage]

Thank you for the reply.

This is what i have as a frame dimension for the 45 series.



As you can see, the part between the wheels is the only part that can be cut to shorten the chassis, but this section is not parallel. Therefore you cant just cut it and re-weld / rejoin it together. Surely you would need to add in another cross member. Or am i missing something????

 

[Gumby]

They are not the same and will require a considerable amount of fabrication.

I've seen dozens of projects, including a number of mine, where a much harder and costly and complicated plan was undertaken because of the parts on hand. Frequently, saving money by using what you have costs far more and is much harder than just getting the right parts in the first place.

Not that it can't be done. Nissan put a GTR drivetrain in a Juke. Anything is possible with time and money.

 

[marcusthesavage]

Would anybody have any pics to share who has done this in the past or anything similar?

 

[alberta mac]

They are not the same and will require a considerable amount of fabrication.

I've seen dozens of projects, including a number of mine, where a much harder and costly and complicated plan was undertaken because of the parts on hand. Frequently, saving money by using what you have costs far more and is much harder than just getting the right parts in the first place.

Not that it can't be done. Nissan put a GTR drivetrain in a Juke. Anything is possible with time and money.

I agree with Gumby !
For the bother it would be best to purchase one in your country and have it shipped, The amount of time designing, buying tools asking friends for free help and learning the mistakes along the way.
Even selling what you have to buy a 40 and have it shipped in would be a better way to go. Spend now or spend a little every week and maybe in 8 months you'll be done.
Frame cutting I have seen should be cut at a 45 degree angle and yes fish plates as think as the original material about 12'' long.
Most here would kill to get a hj45/47 or have at least '' cut chop and rebuilded '' there own.
For myself I dreamed of a 45 king cab and built one (see below ) It took 8 months and is 95% done 7 yrs ago. Life has gotten busy and the 5% is taking more than 7 years to complete.
My suggestion is it is better to drive any Landcruiser than no Landcruiser so drive it and learn about it and you will likely meet others when out and they may have a 40 they want to sell.

Cheers enjoy the journey !
Alberta Mac

 

[TallCanDan]

^^^No pic attached!
Marcus, try searching hot rod and minitrucking websites, you'll surely find some info there. One that comes to mind is c10forum.com.

 

[maxamillion2345]

cut it and then 45 with some heavy wall box and then fish plate and gusset the hell out of it.