Questions about body swap between 80 series 1FZ-FE generations (1 Viewer)

[CharlieS]

Hi Mudders,

I have a question about early ('93-94 OBD1) drivetrain swapping into a later ('95-97 OBD2) body.

I have an opportunity to pick up a '96 body in good condition, and I'd swap everything from my '94 under it.

I seem to recall reading some of the guys here that dismantle them saying that it isn't an easy swap. But I am not having any luck finding those threads tonight.

If you have any insight, can you elaborate? What about it makes it difficult, are there any showstoppers? Can you link any threads you've seen or posted?

I imagine that I'd need to move the entire '94 under dash harness and computers over to the '96 for this to work?

Could I instead turn my '94 1fz-fe into an "OBD 2" engine and use the '96 wiring harnesses and ECUs? Seems like I'd be dealing with different generations of transmissions (isn't the '95-97 transmission electronic controlled) that might complicate things.

I don't want to go down this road if it is a bad idea. Instead I'll keep looking for a clean, rust free, accident free '94 body.

Any and all advice, guidance, mockery and jeering welcome.

Thanks!

Background - I have a 1994 80 that came from Colorado and has a really clean drivetrain with aftermarket lockers and a rust free frame/components. The body is rough though - like every panel has damage, most of the bolt on parts (doors/fenders/hood) are from other vehicles and poorly resprayed on the exterior only. I mostly use it on trails and dirt roads, so I don't mind it much - it makes it less stressful on trail because it is pre-dented. It is also cloth interior, no airbag, no abs, no lspv, no cruise control, no egr, RCV axles, etc. Perfect for trail use. But, I often wish the body was nicer and am always on the lookout for a body to swap onto my running gear.

 

[TheBussman]

what's worng with the 95-97?

you can swap the motor and re-use most accessories, sensors/ manifolds from the newer one and run it on the older OBD1 engine. you don't want to use the OBD1 computer and FI system.

 

[CharlieS]

Nothing wrong with the donor '96 body, the owner is going to use the frame etc for other projects, and I only need a body, not frame/running gear. It is a perfect match if we can make it work!

 

[TheBussman]

Nothing wrong with the donor '96 body, the owner is going to use the frame etc for other projects, and I only need a body, not frame/running gear. It is a perfect match if we can make it work!

i meant what's wrong with the 96 engine. I think it would be alot less work to move the motor parts around and convert to ob2 if those parts are available but i don't know if they are in your situation.

If those parts are not available you could swap all the wiring and go back to obd1 but its alot of wiring work. Both 94 and 96 are electronic controlled transmissions but they are different transmissions that need different modules.

 

[CharlieS]

Gotcha. Thank you. I need to confirm details, but my assumption is that the '96 engine and associated bits stay with the frame, and what I would get is the rest that unbolts from it and is lifted off.

 

[White Stripe]

I think it would work fine. Wiring Harness would need to be swapped under the dash I believe.

 

[Billy Goat]

If you wind up not using the the clean 96 tub, send me a DM, I too am always on the lookout for a clean body form my white 96.

 

[CharlieS]

Hopefully I haven't made a bad choice, but I decided to pass on the '96 and keep looking for a clean '94 body.

Here's my thinking:

I don't think this '96 is going to be ideal for a swap. It is probably doable, but more complicated than I should get into.

It sounds like I would need to figure out how to swap all of my early OBD1 wiring harness into the newer originally OBD2 shell (note: updated dash vs my old style), or have the parts to convert my 1FZ-FE into an OB2 (MAF vs VAF, different engine wiring harness, Crank position sensor, and probably more). Turning my engine into OBD2 would probably be better with a full donor engine and harness.

Then the transmission - my '94 running gear is the A442F and the '96 is the A343F transmission. I'd either need to decipher the wiring in the new shell to keep my trans or source a newer A343F.

All doable, but more complicated than the easy button of putting my running gear under a '93 or '94 where it would be plug and play.

The third (and way more than I'm ready to tackle) option is a '95+ shell, my frame and running gear with a standalone LS engine and transmission. That would be bomber, but complicated and expensive. Way more than I am willing to do at this point when my 1FZ-FE is running great.

Thanks for the info and guidance.

@Billy Goat I mentioned you to the guy with the shell. I'll leave it up to him to figure out next steps. This shell isn't advertised, so I don't feel comfortable sharing his info.

All - please drop me a line if you ever come across a clean '94 roller. Mint, damage and rust free, with a blown engine, selling cheap would be terrific. Bonus points if it has white paint.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[jkeithw]

Here are the photos for clarification (it's a rust-free stripped, but titled, 1996 body shell - that includes rear doors and what's left of the behind-the-dash stuff in the pictures, but no frame, front doors, front fenders, tailgate/hatch, hood, or windshield):

Available if someone needs it for a swap.

 

[matzell]

Would a 91-92 body work? I guess, same thing as the later that the harness would all have to be swapped.

 

[CharlieS]

Would a 91-92 body work? I guess, same thing as the later that the harness would all have to be swapped.

I don't know, but since it has a different engine, I suspect you are right.