Project FZJ80
New member
Hello. How are you all doing? My name is Ron, and I currentally run on IH8MUD, PIRATE 4X4, and am a member with the Copper State Cruisers, all under the name Project FJ80. I just happened to come across this bord by chance while I was looking for things for the 80. I thought this would be the perfect place to extend my write up of my 80, since I am building my 80 to be the ultimate expedition vehicle. My time frame to complete the transformation from a stock Landcruiser to an Expedition, go anywhere FZJ80, is 5 years.
What I have is a 1996 FZJ80. I bought it 2 years ago in August. It came with the grey leather seats and the factory F&R lockers. It wasent white, but I like the Blue. Since then I have added Slee's 6" lift kit, 17x10" Monster style aluminum beadlocks from Allied, 37x12.5x17 BFG Krawlers from Sears, and a 3" body lift from Marks Adapters. I also bought a snorkle, true speed calibration box, and the CDL switch from Slee which I have yet to install.
Currentally, as of 3 months ago, I decided to make the big jump and drop in a Cummins 6bt to replace the gasser. I did this for many reasons. If you want to go anywhere and do anything, you have to beable to fix your rig out in the field. Being that I am a diesel mechanic, I chose to go with a 1997 intercooled turbocharged dodge cummins 6bt. It will run with no electronics, unlike the newer ones. This way I dont have to worry about sparkplugs or computers. or sensors, especially when it comes to water crossings. I can also run bio diesel, allowing me to produce my own fuel at around 50-75 cents per gallon.
When I first decided to drop in a Cummins engine, I was hopeing that everything would bolt right up with an adapter or two. Unfortuantally, that was not the case. After fitment of the diesel, I relised that if im going to do this, I might as well do it right the first time. So, I needed a transmission. Which one to put behind the engine that is said to break everything behind it. Well, after much thought and serching, I came across a dragster that ran an 8 sec. cummins back up behind the 47re which was built by ATS Transmissions. well, I thought, If it will take 1000+ hp and gobs more torque, then it will work find behind my currentally stock Cummins. So, I bought a used 4x4 transmission. bolted it up the cummins, and... found out that the axle pumpkin is off set. Now I knew it was an off set pumpkin, but I was thinking that I can use the toyota transfer case. Just buy an adapter and bolt it right back up. But what about the axles,, Would they hold up to the abuse of the Cummins? Or would I be Shearing Birfelds left and right. Well what to do. Go with a dana 80? Custom axles? well, after reading a few posts on Portal-Tek's axles, and seeing what they had, I decided to give them a call. After comparing prices between them and other companies, theres not much of a price difference. Plus, with an added 5" of lift, there cheaper then getting 2 custom axles and a lift kit. So, after much thought and compairisions with other companies, I decided to go with the Portal-Tek Axles. I am also able to upgrade the axles from stock. I will be going with 16" rotors to help me stop, as the stock toyotas are not really safe to use in traffic with 37" tires and 10" rims. they offer 300M axel shafts, ARB F&R, CTIS, and hydro assist to help me turn the larger tires. Hopefully, when all is said and done, my final drive ratio will be around 4:55:1. This will help me acheave a 75mph rate at 2200rpm's. Since the Cummins will be red line at 3000rpm's. .OK, well, now that I am going with a centered rear axle, the toyota transfercase will no longer work. so, what to replace that with?
Well, I have always wanted more than a high and a low. I found 2 companies who offer this. the Atlas 4-speed from Advance adapters and the 3-speed from Stack4x4. since there both about the same price, I decided to go with the Atlas 4-speed. I got the 1:1, 2.7, 3.7, and 10.5:1 ill probably never need to use the 10.5:1, but at no extra charge,(compaired to stack) there it is. This setup will allow me to run at speeds of 75, 45, 35, and 10mph @ 2500rpm in overdrive.
Well, it has been 3 months since I took my cruiser apart. Ive spend 6 days ( 3 weekends) so far to install a 3" body lift, remove the stock engine, drop in the Cummins strip the inside for sealing (waterproofing) and to clean everything up. (all this was done in front of my house, in an HOA) {home owners association}.
As of today, My 80 currentally sits out side waiting for axles, a transfercase, driveline placement, fuel tank notching, and re-assyembly.
I should have the axles and transfercase by sometime in June, and i hope to have her up and running by July. Untill then, here are a few picts of the transformation she has gone through since being stock. first is a stock picture, second is stock tires and 6" lift, third is lift and 37" tires, fourth is with 3" body lift, and the 5th is with the Cummins engine.
Ron
What I have is a 1996 FZJ80. I bought it 2 years ago in August. It came with the grey leather seats and the factory F&R lockers. It wasent white, but I like the Blue. Since then I have added Slee's 6" lift kit, 17x10" Monster style aluminum beadlocks from Allied, 37x12.5x17 BFG Krawlers from Sears, and a 3" body lift from Marks Adapters. I also bought a snorkle, true speed calibration box, and the CDL switch from Slee which I have yet to install.
Currentally, as of 3 months ago, I decided to make the big jump and drop in a Cummins 6bt to replace the gasser. I did this for many reasons. If you want to go anywhere and do anything, you have to beable to fix your rig out in the field. Being that I am a diesel mechanic, I chose to go with a 1997 intercooled turbocharged dodge cummins 6bt. It will run with no electronics, unlike the newer ones. This way I dont have to worry about sparkplugs or computers. or sensors, especially when it comes to water crossings. I can also run bio diesel, allowing me to produce my own fuel at around 50-75 cents per gallon.
When I first decided to drop in a Cummins engine, I was hopeing that everything would bolt right up with an adapter or two. Unfortuantally, that was not the case. After fitment of the diesel, I relised that if im going to do this, I might as well do it right the first time. So, I needed a transmission. Which one to put behind the engine that is said to break everything behind it. Well, after much thought and serching, I came across a dragster that ran an 8 sec. cummins back up behind the 47re which was built by ATS Transmissions. well, I thought, If it will take 1000+ hp and gobs more torque, then it will work find behind my currentally stock Cummins. So, I bought a used 4x4 transmission. bolted it up the cummins, and... found out that the axle pumpkin is off set. Now I knew it was an off set pumpkin, but I was thinking that I can use the toyota transfer case. Just buy an adapter and bolt it right back up. But what about the axles,, Would they hold up to the abuse of the Cummins? Or would I be Shearing Birfelds left and right. Well what to do. Go with a dana 80? Custom axles? well, after reading a few posts on Portal-Tek's axles, and seeing what they had, I decided to give them a call. After comparing prices between them and other companies, theres not much of a price difference. Plus, with an added 5" of lift, there cheaper then getting 2 custom axles and a lift kit. So, after much thought and compairisions with other companies, I decided to go with the Portal-Tek Axles. I am also able to upgrade the axles from stock. I will be going with 16" rotors to help me stop, as the stock toyotas are not really safe to use in traffic with 37" tires and 10" rims. they offer 300M axel shafts, ARB F&R, CTIS, and hydro assist to help me turn the larger tires. Hopefully, when all is said and done, my final drive ratio will be around 4:55:1. This will help me acheave a 75mph rate at 2200rpm's. Since the Cummins will be red line at 3000rpm's. .OK, well, now that I am going with a centered rear axle, the toyota transfercase will no longer work. so, what to replace that with?
Well, I have always wanted more than a high and a low. I found 2 companies who offer this. the Atlas 4-speed from Advance adapters and the 3-speed from Stack4x4. since there both about the same price, I decided to go with the Atlas 4-speed. I got the 1:1, 2.7, 3.7, and 10.5:1 ill probably never need to use the 10.5:1, but at no extra charge,(compaired to stack) there it is. This setup will allow me to run at speeds of 75, 45, 35, and 10mph @ 2500rpm in overdrive.
Well, it has been 3 months since I took my cruiser apart. Ive spend 6 days ( 3 weekends) so far to install a 3" body lift, remove the stock engine, drop in the Cummins strip the inside for sealing (waterproofing) and to clean everything up. (all this was done in front of my house, in an HOA) {home owners association}.
As of today, My 80 currentally sits out side waiting for axles, a transfercase, driveline placement, fuel tank notching, and re-assyembly.
I should have the axles and transfercase by sometime in June, and i hope to have her up and running by July. Untill then, here are a few picts of the transformation she has gone through since being stock. first is a stock picture, second is stock tires and 6" lift, third is lift and 37" tires, fourth is with 3" body lift, and the 5th is with the Cummins engine.
Ron
Very nice rig, I like the blue also. Seems like you have thought out all the problems with all the different compatiblity issues. I think when all is said and done, you will have one hell of a rig!
