What did Toyota get right with the 80 series frame? (1 Viewer)

[ZetheGSD]

Sounds similar to the first gen Tacoma frames. The c-channel area from the rear leaf springs back is usually where the rot starts; usually from the inside out. Although I don't know for sure, Toyota really seems to have been more diligent about rust-proofing on the 80 series, perhaps due to customer complaints on how fast the older trucks rusted, both on the frames and especially the sheet metal as well. Maybe they also used thicker steel to make them more corrosion-resistant.

Ironically the 100 series undercarriage appears to rust more aggressively than its predecessor, at least from what I've seen. I'm not sure on the 200 series.

I couldn’t agree with you more on all fronts. I was with Toyota when they signed the multi-billion dollar frame recall on the tacomas. It was a weird time and Dana was made very aware that they were under investigation for their “galvanization” methods. That’s a whole campfire story in itself.

I have seen so many 60’s around the Midwest and almost all of them have a good scale of rust at the minimum. I am not sure exactly how Toyota managed to increase the corrosion resistance of the 80 so well, but I’d put my money down in saying it’s the most rust resistant Toyota truck frame ever made. The 100 loves to rust right above the rear axle where water pools at the crossmember. The 200 seems to hold up much better as far as a rail rotting, but the damn KDSS valve assembly and all of the bolts that go into the frame love to snap off no matter how careful you are. The 80 is far superior to work on and how well it holds up.

 

[SaturnAscends]

I couldn’t agree with you more on all fronts. I was with Toyota when they signed the multi-billion dollar frame recall on the tacomas. It was a weird time and Dana was made very aware that they were under investigation for their “galvanization” methods. That’s a whole campfire story in itself.

I have seen so many 60’s around the Midwest and almost all of them have a good scale of rust at the minimum. I am not sure exactly how Toyota managed to increase the corrosion resistance of the 80 so well, but I’d put my money down in saying it’s the most rust resistant Toyota truck frame ever made. The 100 loves to rust right above the rear axle where water pools at the crossmember. The 200 seems to hold up much better as far as a rail rotting, but the damn KDSS valve assembly and all of the bolts that go into the frame love to snap off no matter how careful you are. The 80 is far superior to work on and how well it holds up.

Yeah the 80 series has its quirks but in many ways it's the pinnacle of Toyota's engineering and design IMO, at least when it comes to off-road oriented models.

The 1G Tacoma frame fiasco always puzzled me, since the sheet metal on those trucks was greatly improved compared to the older Hiluxes/Pickups when it came to rust resistance, but the frames seemed to be a downgrade in quality compared to the Pre-Taco chassis. Those still rusted out, but AFAIK were still less likely to start delaminating inside the frame rails, and were at least a bit thicker and overbuilt.

I'm not sure what exactly was the cause of the poor corrosion-resistance on the J60 and early Tacoma frame; poor finishing practices perhaps, or impurities in the steel?

 

[kw90surf]

I'll add my anecdotal experience to this thread, as I live in Atlantic Canada and the mix of salty air, humid climate, and road salt (and that nasty brine solution) destroy our cars in short order.

The only 80 series sold here were LX450's in 1996/97, and not many people bough them, so there's not many around. There are still a few original Nova Scotia LX450's kicking around that I've seen, they appear to be in good shape overall but may be winter stored (who knows).

Any Toyota truck from before 2008 that's still on the road here is bound to be in sad shape. The Tacoma rust issue persists well into the 2nd generation. The 90's Toyota trucks and 4runners (2nd and 3rd gen) are all but gone now. The few that remain have been significantly undercoated and are still on their 2nd or 3rd body/frame patch job. My roommate has one that's been undercoated its whole life and had a mid-life rust refit/POR15 job, and he's still fighting rotten doglegs and the frame is a year or two from needing a patch.

I have now had 3 parts 80's.

One that spent its life travelling between Halifax NS and New Jersey (300k miles). No rust preventative or undercoating that I can see. Body was pretty rough, but the frame, except the rear bumper crossmember, was surprisingly decent. A bit of fur, but no holes and no rot.

One had 190k miles and came over from California early in its life and lived out the rest of its days in NS (until 2014 or so). Looked like it had used motor oil sprayed under it at one point. Again, body was rough, but frame (again except rear crossmember) was decent with no holes or rot.

Last one was from Alberta, 330k km, wheeled hard, no undercoating. Doors on that one were toast (holes from side mouldings spread) but body was otherwise good except the upper hatch. Frame on that one was really good, just needed a sandblast and prime/paint.

Finally a friend of mine saved an 80 that had lived 15 years in NS with no undercoating from being scrapped - needed a couple patches in the rear quarters, but the frame was fine. He wired wheeled a couple areas and painted them, look underneath now and you'd never know.

Those four examples have convinced me that the 80 series frame is much better at resisting rust than the other Toyota 4x4 models we got here.

 

[SaturnAscends]

I'll add my anecdotal experience to this thread, as I live in Atlantic Canada and the mix of salty air, humid climate, and road salt (and that nasty brine solution) destroy our cars in short order.

The only 80 series sold here were LX450's in 1996/97, and not many people bough them, so there's not many around. There are still a few original Nova Scotia LX450's kicking around that I've seen, they appear to be in good shape overall but may be winter stored (who knows).

Any Toyota truck from before 2008 that's still on the road here is bound to be in sad shape. The Tacoma rust issue persists well into the 2nd generation. The 90's Toyota trucks and 4runners (2nd and 3rd gen) are all but gone now. The few that remain have been significantly undercoated and are still on their 2nd or 3rd body/frame patch job. My roommate has one that's been undercoated its whole life and had a mid-life rust refit/POR15 job, and he's still fighting rotten doglegs and the frame is a year or two from needing a patch.

I have now had 3 parts 80's.

One that spent its life travelling between Halifax NS and New Jersey (300k miles). No rust preventative or undercoating that I can see. Body was pretty rough, but the frame, except the rear bumper crossmember, was surprisingly decent. A bit of fur, but no holes and no rot.

One had 190k miles and came over from California early in its life and lived out the rest of its days in NS (until 2014 or so). Looked like it had used motor oil sprayed under it at one point. Again, body was rough, but frame (again except rear crossmember) was decent with no holes or rot.

Last one was from Alberta, 330k km, wheeled hard, no undercoating. Doors on that one were toast (holes from side mouldings spread) but body was otherwise good except the upper hatch. Frame on that one was really good, just needed a sandblast and prime/paint.

Finally a friend of mine saved an 80 that had lived 15 years in NS with no undercoating from being scrapped - needed a couple patches in the rear quarters, but the frame was fine. He wired wheeled a couple areas and painted them, look underneath now and you'd never know.

Those four examples have convinced me that the 80 series frame is much better at resisting rust than the other Toyota 4x4 models we got here.

Do you see any 40 or 60 series there in NS? I bet in that environment they would completely dissolve unless religiously undercoated and stored in the winter.

 

[kw90surf]

Do you see any 40 or 60 series there in NS? I bet in that environment they would completely dissolve unless religiously undercoated and stored in the winter.

The only place I’ve personally seen any that didn’t obviously come from away, they were in stages of severe rot in a backyard.

 

[kw90surf]

As well, I should add - my rust-free 80 series has been undercoated in Rust Check and stored the 3 winters it’s been here.

But, I’m trying a new (to me) type of Cosmoline undercoating and going to try running it this winter. It’s a risk, but this cosmoline stuff resists wash-off like crazy and I laid it on thick. If it shows signs of deterioration in the spring, I’ll discontinue winter use.

 

[vegasfj40]

The frame on my 95 80 is still like new! The desert air sure helps!

 

[67cruiser]

Here is some pics of 80 chassis rail to 79-series chassis rail. 80 is the thin rail.

View attachment 3036944View attachment 3036945View attachment 3036946View attachment 3036947


79 is way beefier.

Cheers

Wow that's a significant difference

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Wow that's a significant difference

The 79 is a fairly heavy duty truck and much newer than the 80. I'd like to see a comparison between 80 series and the 70 series wagons.

 

[SNLC]

The 79 is a fairly heavy duty truck and much newer than the 80. I'd like to see a comparison between 80 series and the 70 series wagons.

I cut up a 1993 HZJ75 frame. While not quite as beefy as the 2018 79 it was still more beef than an 80.

And hey I am not saying an 80 frame is weak. Just showing differences on different models.

Cheers

 

[SaturnAscends]

I cut up a 1993 HZJ75 frame. While not quite as beefy as the 2018 79 it was still more beef than an 80.

And hey I am not saying an 80 frame is weak. Just showing differences on different models.

Cheers

The 7x frames must be comparable to a 2500/3500 HD truck here in the US I'd think. It's my understanding that their application is mostly industrial and agricultural overseas. The 80 series seems more lithe and supple off-road though; I've seen videos like the one below at the 18:30 mark, where the 79 almost rolls where an 80 and GU Patrol both walk up with no drama.

 

[Hornd]

Here is the Info on the Frame Fiasco if your Curious:

Dana Supplied Toyota Frames

I live in Maumee which his the Headqtrs of Dana.

Ironically the 70 Series still uses Dana Axles and we all know the Reputation.

 

[OGBeno]

Here is the Info on the Frame Fiasco if your Curious:

Dana Supplied Toyota Frames

I live in Maumee which his the Headqtrs of Dana.

Ironically the 70 Series still uses Dana Axles and we all know the Reputation.

There are no 70 series with Dana axles after CKD production in South America ended. Mid-1990’s.

 

[SNLC]

Here is the Info on the Frame Fiasco if your Curious:

Dana Supplied Toyota Frames

I live in Maumee which his the Headqtrs of Dana.

Ironically the 70 Series still uses Dana Axles and we all know the Reputation.

I disagree that Dana made Land Cruiser frames or axles. Other Toyotas sure but not LC.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

The 7x frames must be comparable to a 2500/3500 HD truck here in the US I'd think. It's my understanding that their application is mostly industrial and agricultural overseas. The 80 series seems more lithe and supple off-road though; I've seen videos like the one below at the 18:30 mark, where the 79 almost rolls where an 80 and GU Patrol both walk up with no drama.

70-series is still rear leaf springs. Front coil suspension stock is also 1-2” (don’t recall exact number) shorter in therms of front shock and coil bucket on the frame, IE less travel in front vs an 80.

Cheers

 

[cruiserdan]

I disagree that Dana made Land Cruiser frames or axles. Other Toyotas sure but not LC.

Cheers

Venezuelan CKDs were fitted with Dana rear axles. We have an FZJ75 troopy and an FJ40 with Dana rear axles.

 

[Hornd]

There are no 70 series with Dana axles after CKD production in South America ended. Mid-1990’s.

Who makes the Axles now? Toyota?

Reminds me of this Post:

Dana 60™ rear axle kit for LandCruiser 70 Series

No more semi-floating! This looks pretty nice. Shipping cost outside of Australia would be terrible though. Dana Performance for LandCruiser - Dana Performance Retains the full-float design; vehicle weight is carried by housing for greater load-carrying ability Original axle centre offset...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[cruiserdan]

Who makes the Axles now? Toyota?

Reminds me of this Post:

Dana 60™ rear axle kit for LandCruiser 70 Series

No more semi-floating! This looks pretty nice. Shipping cost outside of Australia would be terrible though. Dana Performance for LandCruiser - Dana Performance Retains the full-float design; vehicle weight is carried by housing for greater load-carrying ability Original axle centre offset...

forum.ih8mud.com

Toyota has always done that in-house. Danas were used in certain markets to satisfy domestic content requirements.

 

[OGBeno]

Who makes the Axles now? Toyota?

Reminds me of this Post:

Dana 60™ rear axle kit for LandCruiser 70 Series

No more semi-floating! This looks pretty nice. Shipping cost outside of Australia would be terrible though. Dana Performance for LandCruiser - Dana Performance Retains the full-float design; vehicle weight is carried by housing for greater load-carrying ability Original axle centre offset...

forum.ih8mud.com

Dana axles were only for certain markets (as Dan indicated due to local requirements for local parts used for vehicle assembly… These 70’s with Dana axles were installed into CKDs: complete knock-down kits — basically trucks in a crate assembled locally in given markets).

70 series axle housings are manufactured and assembled at the Toyota Motomachi Plant.

 

[SaturnAscends]

Venezuelan CKDs were fitted with Dana rear axles. We have an FZJ75 troopy and an FJ40 with Dana rear axles.

Did those Venezuelan 80s have Dana or Toyota axles? Also were they Dana 60s? Some would say that's an upgrade in strength compared to the 9.5" rear; certainly it would be over the front axles..