Stretching a 40

[Skim]

Anybody ever stretch the body of a 40? And keep it streetable, no buggies.

I am thinking about streching the body and putting it on a FZJ-80 Frame.

Need 22" added.

Anybody got any pics of streched 40s ???

 

[TJDIV]

Why not buy the 45LV body TLC was selling and use that?

 

[CruisinGA]

22" would look pretty goofy-kinda like the heep unlimited.

If you really want to have it on a 80 frame-do what Tom suggested-a 45LV body would be nice.

I would just extend the wheelbase and slap 80 series running gear under a 40. (5 spd of course).

 

[VTFJ40]

Isn't that 6 wheel thing in the SOR catalog a stretched 40, or is it a hacked up troopy?

 

[Skim]

I agree, the 45 LV would be by far the coolest body to use. But the cost of one is not appealing right now. I think the 80 has a loner wheelbase than the 45lv. So I would have to stretch that body, which would be alot more difficult. Kinda like Rod Millens. I got a chance to see Rods 45 up close, that thing is saweeet. It is done so well that it looks factory. Plus it had some trail scratches in it....very cool.

I think the 40 body would be the easiest to work with, I think.

The FJ55 is my other consideration, although wheel base would have to be adjusted also.

Shorting the 80 wheel base looks to be difficult, because of the links.

Hmmm, got to figure this out.

 

[bustanutley]

Just hack the frame after the coil buckets and add a cross member. The rest of the frame doesn’t really serve a purpose other than supporting the ass end of the 80, plus you would have badass departure angles.

 

[CruisinGA]

I don't see (from my convient computer chair vantage point) any issue with shortening the 80's overall frame length behind the links?

 

[Skim]

HAHA- thats funny.

Yes, chopping the frame after the coils will happen, but shorting the actual wheelbase, the space between the axles could be very difficult.

I am not worried about actually cutting the frame, the issue is where?
The frame does one of these / \ between the axles. The frame is much wider in the back.

Also plan to cut the front over hang after the new body is on.

 

[CruisinGA]

Haha yeah saw my typo.

 

[nuclearlemon]

this guy did...

 

[theferg]

It's all possible, just mostly depends on how much work you wanna do. I've been plannin' something like that for a while, but I've been introduced to a new plan that is going to solve my dilemma. Anyway, I think it would be awesome however you do it.

IIRC, that green one is on a chevy blazer frame. It was extended lengwise a bit and widthwise a bit as well.

-Ferg-

 

[folsom50]

this guy did...

That looks kewl, looks like he stretched his bezel too, that don't look as neat.

 

[Skim]

Is that a pic of a 40 widened and streched on a 80 frame?

I think I see a rear floater and it looks to be about the right dimensions.

Do you have any more information on that rig !!!!!!

 

[TJDIV]

It was for sale at one point.

My opinion of it: It's pretty fricken ugly and won't go places the 40 "would've" gone originally. Lengthening is one thing, going wider???...don't understand that.

 

[CruisinGA]

Is that a pic of a 40 widened and streched on a 80 frame?
I think I see a rear floater and it looks to be about the right dimensions.

that green one is on a chevy blazer frame. It was extended lengwise a bit and widthwise a bit as well

 

[theferg]

It's not on an 80. It's on a Chevy blazer. It was for sale a few times. It was right up the way from me in Ogden for a while. Wish I coulda checked it in person.

-Ferg-

 

[Magoo]

cool pic ige, i havent seen that one

 

[Skim]

I agree, I really dont want to widen the body of the 40.

I am just not sure how much re-engineering is going to be involved.

Lengthing it seems not that bad, but I am concerned about how wide tha axles will stick out at that point.

Anybody got 80 axles under a 40?

 

[HI^C]

what is the wheelbase on a fj80?
my guess is just over 100 -110" cut the frame say 6" in the middle, hack the ends, cut the fenderwells of the fj40 body nicely not all crappy hack off corner crap, call it done. Should take less then a week to finish, YOU got pics yet?


SO you would extend the length body of a 40 but worry about how much tires sticks out?

lost me.

thing i would be worried about is how stiff the springs are with only a fj40 body on them, runner springs?

 

[Skim]

The 80 wheelbase is 112". 40 wheelbase is 90"

I am more thinking about the street legal aspect of tires that are to wide.
Has to be able to drive to the trails.

Spring rate I have been thinking about, I think at that point a custom set will have to be made to account for the significant loss in body weight.

But I think the 40 body will allow for larger tires, I'd like to fit 35s or 36s.