LV on 80 Series Chassis

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landcruisnman

landcruisnman

1972 FJ55 "Iron Giant"
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Jan 21, 2006
Threads
268
Messages
3,086
Location
Carlsbad,CA
Website
www.summitsteel.net
I’m seriously considering putting my LV on an 80 chassis. I don’t think I’ve see it done. Drive ability and ease of maintenance besides the cool factor make it very intriguing. Got the LV. Just need a good running 80 chassis with a bad body to get started. Stay tuned..

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Cool! I am glad to see you keep it! As far as if it’s been done, I know of one that was being built on an 80 chassis. Not sure if he ever finished it
though. He had to stretch the body to make it fit. He lengthened it at the rear doors to make it more comfortable to get in and out of. He had an extra set of doors to cut to achieve this. This will fun to watch your endeavor!
 
I would be modifying the frame only. Not messing with the body and keeping the original frame. It would need a body lift as well to get 35s clearing properly and not have to modify the floor around the tranny tunnel. Just a thought right now, but it's the plan. It's just money, right?
 
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Sounds like a plan to me! The 80 series seems to be the got to frame swap for 45, 55, 60, 62. If it makes the LV more usable and you will ultimately drive it more often then that definitely checks a lot of boxes. Besides the frame swap will be less expensive than a new LC and be way cooler!

There several 80 series on FB for a reasonable price.

This will be exciting to follow along with. Hopefully you document the process along the way so the rest of us can follow along and learn at the same time!

@landcruisnman I don’t know if you saw this thread from ‘06?
Mikesta

Post in thread 'Locked FZJ80 under a 1964LV Body Project'

Cammy said:
Are you planning on quartering the LV through the window frame? Have you considered sectioning just behind the rear door to avoid having to have the glass custome made?
Click to expand...

Cammy, right now my plan is to quarter the LV in the center of the wheel well. This will force me to stretch the glass. I'm still meddling in my thoughts though. I will need a solid 8 hours of time to really figure it all out.

Here are some statistics on wagon axles

Overall Length
45 - 4651 (mm)
60 - 4576 (mm)
80 - 4780 (mm)
Wheelbase
45 - 2650 (mm) 104 (in)
60 - 2730 (mm) 108 (in)
80 - 2850 (mm)...
 
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Cool project! My 45/80 will be getting the frame stretched. Common method in Aus is to remove the rear lower control arm brackets and lenghten the section that is parrallel, and then reattach brackets. Keeps all the rear geometry . Theres even kits available: + 150mm stretch kit to suit 80 chassis - https://www.mckinnonscruisers.com/collections/40-80/products/40-80-150mm-fishplates-set-of-4
Same smethod is also used to shorten the frame.


I think the biggest issue is going to be getting the rear guards to look right with the 80's wider track. This is my 45 on 80 frame with 255/85r16 +6mm offset wheel setup and it sticks out about 50mm, for referance.

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Where would be a good shop to restore the body on my LV? Want to start with a cherry body and interior. Messages Clemson Cruiser no response yet.
 
Well, all I can say is that I feel fortunate that my buddy was willing to take on the project to help me out with the metal repair. Finding someone to take on the LV metal work might be a task itself and/or draining to a budget. Fingers crossed for ya.
 
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