The 1974 Surf Wagon...

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Putting the Z in FZJ55...

I have been hatching the idea for awhile but did not want to let the cat out of the bag too soon. I will be putting the pig body on to an FZJ80 platform.

~The Over All Plan~

~The plan is to shorten the frame to the correct Fj55 wheel base. IIRCC 7" has to be removed from the center section of the frame, move/make motor/body mounts, relocate gas tank,wiring, etc etc lets just call it a long laundry list of things to do.

~The cruiser will get a mild lift and some Marlin Crawler Gears stuffed in the T-case then. Tire size will be more than likely 255/85 r16.

~I will do my best to make it as stock looking as possible including the dash and interior

The motor in the FZJ80 has a botched head gasket job and possible a bent valve. I am not sure what I will find when I get in there.




A HUGE THANKS to Deo "Mellowe" who practically gave me the rig. He is a man of many talents. I told him a few weeks ago to keep an eye out and before I knew it, it is sitting in the drive way. Huge Cruiser Karma for sure... Thanks again man!

I have a wicked schedule at the moment but when I get the time I will keep the updates a flowing..

Till then,
-Al:beer:

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And to think, the guy who had that truck was just about to send it off as scrap. Now it will live on, as an Epic 55/80. As far as the free rig thing, it's nice to reciprocate the cruiser karma. It's was pretty rad of you to give me your old wagon back in 09. Holler if you need anything else to get this project going.

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Pulling the wiring harness tonight. I have installed newer motors from Toyota that had nowhere near the amount of wiring the 80series has. I think the amount of wiring must have peaked in the 90s... With cleaner designs of the early 2000s.

In any case moving forward!!!!

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beno said:
Nice Al.

Let us know if there is a wrenching weekend coming up. I'd love to get outta town and work on some cruisers.

:)

:cheers:
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I think Deo is coming back over for the body swap. I can give you a heads up.. Prob wont be for a month or so but when you do bring a bathing suit!
-Al:beer:
 
Y'all can come up to Dittmer. I've got plenty of wrenches, but leave the bathing suits at home, I don't want anybody getting shot at. :)
 
Sick progress Al! Loved your old body swap 80/62. Cannot wait to see this thing come to life.
 
lowtideride said:
I have been hatching the idea for awhile but did not want to let the cat out of the bag too soon. I will be putting the pig body on to an FZJ80 platform. ~The Over All Plan~ ~The plan is to shorten the frame to the correct Fj55 wheel base. IIRCC 7" has to be removed from the center section of the frame, move/make motor/body mounts, relocate gas tank,wiring, etc etc lets just call it a long laundry list of things to do. ~The cruiser will get a mild lift and some Marlin Crawler Gears stuffed in the T-case then. Tire size will be more than likely 255/85 r16. ~I will do my best to make it as stock looking as possible including the dash and interior The motor in the FZJ80 has a botched head gasket job and possible a bent valve. I am not sure what I will find when I get in there. A HUGE THANKS to Deo "Mellowe" who practically gave me the rig. He is a man of many talents. I told him a few weeks ago to keep an eye out and before I knew it, it is sitting in the drive way. Huge Cruiser Karma for sure... Thanks again man! I have a wicked schedule at the moment but when I get the time I will keep the updates a flowing.. Till then, -Al:beer:
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Awesome!

Can't wait to see!
 
Pathfinder said:
Sick progress Al! Loved your old body swap 80/62. Cannot wait to see this thing come to life.
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Thanks man! That was 8 years ago, damn time flys. I've hopefully learned a lot since then and will do my best at making this rig damn near perfect.

For those that might be upset that I am swapping frames to a newer cruiser and not keeping it stock. I saved this from the crusher by a few days so it's one more 55 staying on the road. I gave Deo the whole drivetrain so it will live on in other cruisers!

Thanks everyone that made it out yesterday for the frame swapping extravaganza! It was a blast. I'll try to keep you guys posted!

-Al :beer:

Edit: iPhone changed words on me.
 
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Man, that was alot of work, but does look like fun, when you have a good group to help.

I think it's a great swap, can't wait to see all the mods you have to do, to make it work.

Good Job!
 
I was wondering why there weren't any roof panels on that frame. Will you be training plants to climb it? I wouldn't-not in that climate. This Pig build is gonna be great...
 
There is a Bougainville planted on one side that will eventually cover it. Everything grows in Florida. I probably have over a 100 plant species in the yard. I have been thinking about putting clear polycarbonate roofing over it though to keep the cruiser dry, which will probably happen even though I wanted the "open" feel more. I'm gonna to tile the driveway then but I don't want to get off in a tangent about house projects.
 
Yeah, more cruiser stuff, less pink plant talk :flipoff2:
 
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