My introduction... (1 Viewer)

[AcroSteve]

Hello, my dad has quite the project started, and I have volunteered to help. (He's a young 82) lol

He's got an 83 FJ60 that we de-smogged and re-sealed. He also upgraded the front brakes to T100 or something.

Anyway, it doesn't have enough power for him. So he bought an 6.6 L8T with the 6L90 transmission. And then the appropriate two stick Atlas case.

So now, he thinks he needs/wants better axles. So what better source than another landcruiser- so he just got an 1994 FJ80 with lockers.

Plan is to strip the 80 down to bare frame, sandblast, shorten it for the 60 wheelbase and then start back together with the 60 body on the modified 80 frome.

Shouldn't take much more than a year or so.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Looking forward to seeing y’all’s progress. Sounds like a great build.

 

[sschruff]

Huge props to your dad, absolutely f'n love he bit off a project like this and is ready to grind the axe on it.

Huge props to you for jumping in with your dad - it'll make memories that are second to none. I did the same thing with my 60 purchase but lost my father shortly afterwards. No time like the present, life's short and memories are everything.

You'll absolutely love the driveline/frame/axle/suspension swap end result. Ton of info and build threads available. Ohio - can't be overstated, coat/protect anything and everything.

Looking forward to this build and pulling for you guys to f'n smash it out of the park!

Shane

 

[Gimme a 60]

Wow.

Pretty amazing project! This one might be awhile.

 

[AcroSteve]

I've got high expectations.

My son and I recently rebuilt a 1997 chevy

So, I've kind of got experience

 

[kekione]

Amazing project!
Waiting for the updates already

 

[AcroSteve]

My god...

While searching for suitable (cheap) donor vehicles, we wanted one with factory lockers. Well, over my objections, dad drove 7 hrs to get one from Michigan with "typical Michigan rust". Oh boy.

Good thing we weren't planning on using the body. But I did have some hopes of possibly selling it for a little something...

But it's done now. Gotta work with it. Sandblasting will make 100% difference.

Note the high voltage glove . It, grocery sacks and feed sacks were stuffed in various holes before the "paint job"

 

[AcroSteve]

The 80 had the abs light lit up before we started disassembly.

Ideally, we would like to retain the ABS, but I see so much about deleting it. Is that mostly due to parts availability and cost?

Is the abs self contained enough to survive the transplant?

 

[AcroSteve]

Progress report...

No real surprises. Rotten bolt heads require heat and undersized sockets hammered into place seems to be the theme.

 

[AcroSteve]

Given the significant rust, and after a little consideration, we decided that we were going to be much better off finding another chassis and nearly starting over.


We found a southern state 96 which someone happened to have swapped in a rear locker. The truck was just a parts truck, and never had a locker from the factory.

Even better news was the condition of the rear brake backing plates. Plenty of life left in them.

 

[AcroSteve]

1st batch of parts off to get sandblasted...

Extra font housing,at this point, is the original non locker from the 96. Depending on how well the locked housing from the 94 cleans up will determine if I convert the other one to accommodate the locked 3rd member.

 

[AcroSteve]

And progress on the powertrain. Just mocking up component location and ordering some mounts.

I've got the engine offset to the drivers side about 3/4", as I saw on some of the FJ60 LS mounts.

 

[AcroSteve]

Are there any good threads on the factory toyota lockers?

I've had to rebuild both and wouldn't mind saving a little time figuring out the position switches that are inside them.

I know the center is common, and the others are engaged/disengaged, but I'm not sure if there's something other than trial and error involved?

And I've got the factory FJ80 lock switch and harness, but I'm not sure yet what's involved in making them work on their own.

 

[AcroSteve]

Here's the rear with "typical Michigan rust"

 

[AcroSteve]

So I mentioned the front housings. The locker housing has very rusty knuckles. The non locker housing looks much better.

So I decided it would be either/ better to modify the non locker to accommodate the locker 3rd member.

You can see the red dots where the stud locations are different. I'll wait and actually install the 3rd member and then use transfer punches to locate them. But one of them needs some welding done to increase the flat area.

I'll probably thread some bolts into the two remaining unused holes.

 

[AcroSteve]

Housing done. Paint should arrive tomorrow.

Gonna paint the housings and then start hub assembly.

 

[AcroSteve]

Housings and 3rd members painted. Gonna give Eastwood Rust Encapsulator Plus a try.

Ordered a 33 gallon gas tank. Donor vehicle is 1996 Ford Bronco. Gonna go where original spare tire was. Would have like to trade a few inches in the 14" height for some additional width, but it's a pretty good option I believe. And we definitely wanted the larger capacity.


Decided to get a set of mounts from Cruisermatt. The original 6.6 silverado mounts are just a little bit too big to fit between my framerails.

80 Series Land Cruiser LS / Vortec Conversion Weld-in Motor Mount Kit — CruiserMatt's Off-Road & Performance

This item is on pre-order. Current lead time is 2 weeks. These brackets utilize the commonly found mounts found on all GM Vortec trucks and vans from 1999-on. Using a OEM-style setup provides a OEM quality experience that universal-style products can’t match in terms of comfort, longevity, and eas

www.cruisermatts.com

 

[AcroSteve]

Well, I've got concerns with the tank. Maybe someone has some input.

So I bought a 33gallon tank from a 1996 bronco. I never gave the internals any consideration because every tank I've seen in production vehicles had a sump section right under the fuel pump location.

Well, this damn thing doesn't have one. Just one big tank for the gas to slosh around in. Sucks. But I hate to eat the shipping 2x and send it back.

I'm gonna be re working the top of the tank for a chevy fuel pump anyway.

Do I have any options? I can't see how it won't be undesirable to not have the sump section.

 

[87CRUSR]

Heck of a project. Progress co.ing along well.

 

[samc2447]

So I bought a 33gallon tank from a 1996 bronco. I never gave the internals any consideration because every tank I've seen in production vehicles had a sump section right under the fuel pump location.

Well, this damn thing doesn't have one. Just one big tank for the gas to slosh around in. Sucks. But I hate to eat the shipping 2x and send it back.

I'm gonna be re working the top of the tank for a chevy fuel pump anyway.

Do I have any options? I can't see how it won't be undesirable to not have the sump section.

Holley Hydramat