Thoughts? Future 79 build, but which chassis can to build on? (1 Viewer)

[landcruisin92]

Hello everyone, new to the site.

I’m planning on doing a 79 series build in the near future.
Nothing sourced yet, just brainstorming for now.
I live in California.

I’ve seen a few threads of other members doing a 79 build with a series 80 chassis and a v8.

I’m not too informed yet but why is the series 80 chassis the preferred chassis for the 79 build?

would it be more difficult retrofitting a 79 body onto a gen 1 sequoia chassis?

I saw on one website selling the 79 bodies state you can even put the body onto a Chevy/dodge/ford chassis?


Any help is appreciated thanks!

 

[coldtaco]

Depends on what you want for suspension. The 80 series would keep the solid front axle vs an independent front axle like the Sequoia. For wheeling the solid front axle would be better, but if you don’t plan on wheeling or only light wheeling then the independent front suspension would probably be more comfortable and better handling on road.
Anything is possible but what would fall into your skill level? Most likely you will have to extend or shorten the frame of your choice anyway to fit the wheel base of a 79. Would be cool to see a 79 with independent front suspension. Lots of people going the 80 route put in a Toyota diesel like the 1HD-FT or 1HD-FTE.

 

[Behemoth60]

why is the series 80 chassis the preferred chassis for the 79 build?

would it be more difficult retrofitting a 79 body onto a gen 1 sequoia chassis?

I saw on one website selling the 79 bodies state you can even put the body onto a Chevy/dodge/ford chassis?

80 Series chassis is often considered to be one of the best offroad chassis of all time, ever. Fully boxed frame, solid axles, disk brakes, coils, links, and lockers, all with some of the finest Toyota Land Cruiser quality of all time. So, they tend to get used for all manner of body swaps.

But, the question you are asking... 'would it be more difficult...' is kind of the wrong question. They don't belong together. It's all difficult. The proper question is, can *YOU* make part A fit to part B by inventing adapter C. Then it's a matter of what do *YOU* want? Anything is possible. None of it is a good idea. Trust me, a smart person will go buy an Ineos Grenadier and be out on the trials next weekend.

But, I am not one of those smart people. I *WANT* a modernish 5.9 Cummins with a manual transmission and I love 70 series. So, I have embarked upon a scheme to put a 79 series cab onto a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Chassis. Does it fit. Nope. I've had to shorten the frame by two feet, move the engine backwards by 6 inches, and I've replaced all the factory coils and leafs and links and shocks and stuff with my own airs springs, bigger links, and bypass shocks.

 

[landcruisin92]

Depends on what you want for suspension. The 80 series would keep the solid front axle vs an independent front axle like the Sequoia. For wheeling the solid front axle would be better, but if you don’t plan on wheeling or only light wheeling then the independent front suspension would probably be more comfortable and better handling on road.
Anything is possible but what would fall into your skill level? Most likely you will have to extend or shorten the frame of your choice anyway to fit the wheel base of a 79. Would be cool to see a 79 with independent front suspension. Lots of people going the 80 route put in a Toyota diesel like the 1HD-FT or 1HD-FTE.

Hi coldtaco,
I would do some occasional light off-roading but mostly will be used for city/highway use.

 

[landcruisin92]

80 Series chassis is often considered to be one of the best offroad chassis of all time, ever. Fully boxed frame, solid axles, disk brakes, coils, links, and lockers, all with some of the finest Toyota Land Cruiser quality of all time. So, they tend to get used for all manner of body swaps.

But, the question you are asking... 'would it be more difficult...' is kind of the wrong question. They don't belong together. It's all difficult. The proper question is, can *YOU* make part A fit to part B by inventing adapter C. Then it's a matter of what do *YOU* want? Anything is possible. None of it is a good idea. Trust me, a smart person will go buy an Ineos Grenadier and be out on the trials next weekend.

But, I am not one of those smart people. I *WANT* a modernish 5.9 Cummins with a manual transmission and I love 70 series. So, I have embarked upon a scheme to put a 79 series cab onto a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Chassis. Does it fit. Nope. I've had to shorten the frame by two feet, move the engine backwards by 6 inches, and I've replaced all the factory coils and leafs and links and shocks and stuff with my own airs springs, bigger links, and bypass shocks.

I see, I’m edging towards ease of parts.

Once I get the cab kit, Ill have to figure it out.
Another option I’m weighing is if the cab and front wheel well can match decent to the frame, maybe I can fab up a custom made bed so I don’t have to cut into the chassis.

 

[rick_d]

I built up a single cab 79 from a shell (from Proffitts). Took me many years to get all the parts and I would not do it again- and I have contacts.

Whatever you build it on make sure it is California legal to begin with.

SOLD - Feeler.. 1998 FZJ 75

Hello all. I am putting a feeler out for this 75 I have coming in next from Dubai. 1998 142,000 miles 1FZ-F duel fuel tanks 5 speed manual transmission part time 4WD ARB front snorkel manual windows no ac/heat Hella off road spots This vehicle was acquired from a local Police department upon...

forum.ih8mud.com

This would be faster if you can register in California..

 

[landcruisin92]

I built up a single cab 79 from a shell (from Proffitts). Took me many years to get all the parts and I would not do it again- and I have contacts.

Whatever you build it on make sure it is California legal to begin with.

SOLD - Feeler.. 1998 FZJ 75

Hello all. I am putting a feeler out for this 75 I have coming in next from Dubai. 1998 142,000 miles 1FZ-F duel fuel tanks 5 speed manual transmission part time 4WD ARB front snorkel manual windows no ac/heat Hella off road spots This vehicle was acquired from a local Police department upon...

forum.ih8mud.com

This would be faster if you can register in California..

Hi Rick,
Thanks for the link,
I’m leaning to purchase one of the lhd double cab bodies. It’s a newer model (2020 I believe), from what I understand they’re engine was a v8 diesel so should be a bit more room for a 4.7 v8 project.

Regarding registration- if I do go the sequoia chassis, then It would already be in the system and case closed.

If I ever do get an out of country import, I’m thinking registering in Montana would be best option.
I’d rather do that than run through the hoops of the ca system.

 

[pawnthatdude]

Early 79s are now importable into the US if you can find one (they started in August 1999). You can get the front coil springs with the more powerful coil pack 1FZ-FE than the US 80 has.

 

[joekatana]

Early 79s are now importable into the US if you can find one (they started in August 1999). You can get the front coil springs with the more powerful coil pack 1FZ-FE than the US 80 has.

Not the crew cabs , those are still way to new

 

[cruisermatt]

before you purchase anything I would recommend you sit in and drive around a 70 series Cruiser and make sure the seating position/overall package is what you actually want.

 

[rick_d]

If that double cab is just a shell good luck on finding all the parts.

 

[Broski]

SOLD - Feeler.. 1998 FZJ 75

Hello all. I am putting a feeler out for this 75 I have coming in next from Dubai. 1998 142,000 miles 1FZ-F duel fuel tanks 5 speed manual transmission part time 4WD ARB front snorkel manual windows no ac/heat Hella off road spots This vehicle was acquired from a local Police department upon...

forum.ih8mud.com

This would be faster if you can register in California..

Not going to happen

 

[Meshal]

i have fzj79 pickup powered with 1fzfe and front coil springs for sale , 1999 plate . can be exported as soon as you want.

 

[sr5pickup]

The 80 chassis is just about the perfect chassis for this type of project besides the one it came with even then i personally think the 80 is the best. It’s a bit wider than a factory 79 chassis so it gives the truck a good wheel width imo. The sequoia chassis will be too wide in both chassis rails and axle/wheel width, The other chassis you mentioned I wouldn’t even consider. The only other I would consider is a 60 series chassis.