FJ80 + FJ60 advice

[loudbay]

Hello, my name is Matt, and I used to drive a land rover.

We're a cruiser family now. No explanation necessary I presume.

I bought a very well maintained FJ80, but not perfect cosmetically, we scrape branches pretty consistently on our preferred trails here. 260k miles now. Doesnt need much that I can tell, kind of disappointing power, kind of disappointing mpg.

Not two days after finding this truck, and showing it to my wife, and buying it. I struck a deal to trade some work for an old work truck. An FJ60 with a chevy 350 installed with a marks adapter in front of a supposedly rebuilt h42 and supposedly rebuilt splitcase. Supposedly 50k since rebuild. Supposedly all the work done by rocky mountain cruisers, none can be verified, but the trans and case shift nicely. Both tighter and easier than another 60 I got to play with. Much more power than the 3fe, about the same mpg, carbed, bolt on goodies (I've never owned a 350, but manifold and carb and ignition are aftermarket) runs great. Truck is rusty.

The 80 is simply superior offroad and in comfort. The 60 is more fun to drive and much more of a conversation piece.

What do I do now?

Keep both? FJ80 v8 4spd splitcase (will the fulltime case bolt to the h42)? Find a clean 60 body?

I appreciate the insight from the experts...

Cheers,
Matt

 

[loudbay]

Find a 40/55 to put the fun drivetrain in?

 

[loudbay]

Run the sixty til rust, or the wife, or life forces my hand?

 

[1911]

Keep them both if you can afford it. Pretty sure that the center diff on the FJ80 will not mate to any H* tranny. 60 body on the 80 frame will not be an easy fit either.

 

[NM-Frontier]

Id just keep both. Keep one for the rough stuff were body damage would not be an issue (preferably the one with the more rust sounds like the 60?), and use the nicer one(the 80) for milder tips and riding around town. Clean up the body on the 80 and just have fun w the 60. I think you will run in to some compatibility issues trying to combine the drive trains you have now. Ans congrats on getting two Cruisers!:sombrero:

 

[loudbay]

Thanks, I' ve been sorting the drivetrain nuances a bit, I'm far from knowledgeable...

The plan was as you described, dd and mild offroad, camp with the 80, no need for fixing up the exterior, it's adequate, and one day falling into a nicer 60 body. Now the sight of rust free 60s being so expensive, the pipe dream of ever owning one is becoming a pipe dream.

I want to be more creative than nurse along a healthy drivetrain in a dying body... .

At least, I think I do...

 

[RMP&O]

Unless you really want something unique, a project and can do the work yourself I would leave them alone.

Now if you do want that then I would find a good FJ60 body and combine all three trucks. That is exactly what I am doing. FJ80 chassis and axles, v8 motor, Ranger OD box to H42 to split case with an FJ60 body. To do this however you need to shorten the frame on the 80 by about 6" and then make or modify body mounts.

The end result will be....

Coil sprung 80 series suspension, axles and frame, v8 and the coolness of the FJ60 body. if you want to see more go here...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/member-gara...nene-rig-la-trok-1985-tota-chevy-ford-su.html

The rear axle on the 80-series is offset, just not as much as a 60 series axle. I am sure there will be no issues with this, especially if you use a nice CV drive shaft.

my 2 cents

 

[loudbay]

That's dreamy...

 

[loudbay]

I've seen a few 80s go for $500 with bad motors here in CO. Maybe waiting for a second 80 body is smarter than messing with my well maintained truck, and cheaper than waiting for a nicer 60 body.
Thanks again for the insight, I like the idea of two trucks, but the v8 power in a 80 would be fun...