just another 60 series with an 80 series frame .. (1 Viewer)

[Swissmat]

Morning everyone ..

I started on a journey (like many of you have before) to set a 60 series body (BJ60 1985) on an 80 series (1994) frame. I haven't been documenting the process for all the common reasons (work, time, family) but figured I might as well start a thread for some occasional updates. I certainly can't promise a build thread like some of you guys have been posting (thank you!), so I'm not going to make promises. I'll try though.

Current state of affairs is:
- Body is on a rotisserie and way too much rust work is on the go. I'm in the Pacific Northwest on the Canadian side and body work in a driveway tent is miserable during the winter months
- frame is a rolling 1994 80 series awaiting its shortening in the driveway
- engine is a fully rebuilt OM606 turbodiesel on a run-stand
- proposed transmission is a 4L80 (yet to be purchased)

I'll let some images do the talking below.
cheers
Mat

 

[Swissmat]

 

[Beams37]

This is bad ass!

 

[timexlost]

OHHHH an OM606 swap. I'm in!

 

[dbbowen]

Hell yes

 

[MrMacdugal]

Darn. Now I think I can achieve this.
Subscribed

 

[Swissmat]

body work is ongoing .. currently working on the underside, mainly the trunk floor area and associated structures .. I had to fab up new crossmember end pieces ..

 

[Swissmat]

 

[Swissmat]

I'm trying to replicate the existing structure to the best of my abilities .. so using a press to create little shapes I piece together, grind and fit ..

 

[Swissmat]

​

 

[Swissmat]

Should be alright with some sound deadening and carpeting on top ..

 

[dbbowen]

The body work here is off the freaking charts dude

 

[mcmlxxxv]

Look like you are building my dream truck ! will follow this one

 

[moclakens]

Hell yeah!
Fun build! I'm currently looking at OM606 parts cars now.lol

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Awesome fab work

 

[Swissmat]

So I'm starting to contemplate the work that needs doing on the 80's frame. I've read all the 60/80 builds on this forum. Seems like most guys or companies that do these conversions shorten the frame either by removing the rear radius arm dropbox , shortening the frame in the straight section, welding and plating, then re-attaching the radius arm dropbox.

McKinnon Cruiser even offers a kit to do exactly that ..

Proffitt Landcruisers has a video out where Jeremiah states he made the cut under the forward radius arm dropboxes ..

And Waggoner5 back in 2012, building project X2 cut in the angled section and 'bent' the rails together, re-attaching them with an internal sleeve .. Sleeoffroad commented he was surprised how well it worked out ..

Seems like most recent frames were cut the McKinnon way .. I've never seen anybody describe the Proffitt way and other than Waggoner5 I've never heard anybody else try that way either .. If all the above makes sense and you have an opinion on which way to go, I'd love to hear your input. Waggoner5's way certainly seems the easiest as you're not cutting and re-welding any radius arm dropboxes ..

hey, if you (Waggoner5, Sleeoffroad or Jeremiah) want to chime in and let me know of the pros and cons 13 years later, I'm all ears!

thanks!

 

[cruiserpilot]

Hey, I'm up in Ladysmith. Where did you source the outer rear inner fenders? You up for a visitor?
I'd really like to come down and see what you are doing. I've replaced LH rear outer lower fender and will be doing the
right side next year. I always like to see how people progess and do stuff. I can learn from that.

 

[4runner2FJ60]

Proffitt's Resurrection LC cuts the front where the "Radius Arm" brackets are.

 

[Swissmat]

Hey, I'm up in Ladysmith. Where did you source the outer rear inner fenders? You up for a visitor?
I'd really like to come down and see what you are doing. I've replaced LH rear outer lower fender and will be doing the
right side next year. I always like to see how people progess and do stuff. I can learn from that.

yeah there's no sourcing new ones that I'm aware of .. I found a scrap worthy 62 and started cutting pieces out, replacing what I could and panel beating what I couldn't .. visitors are always welcome, just don't look at me as on of the guys who knows, hahaha, I'm just making this s*** up as I go ..

 

[Swissmat]

Proffitt's Resurrection LC cuts the front where the "Radius Arm" brackets are.

have you seen this described / documented anywhere in somewhat of a detailed manner?