Awesome build... Can't wait to see the end product, although from what I know about you, "getting there" is just as enjoyable as when your rig is finished.
I have a question slightly off topic... how hard would it be to do a straight swap of 60 body to 80 frame? Just curious...
Thank you!
Second part;
Not very hard. If you
can't use a tape measure, a level, an angle finder, a mig welder, a sawzall, grinder with cutoff disc or plasma cutter then pretty hard. The 80-series wheel base is about 112", the 60-series is 107". There is a dude or two on Mud who did it with out modifying the wheelbase but it looks kind of funky to me. He has nicer approach and departure angles but again it looks funky to me and requires trimming rear wheel wells. To make it look good you need to shorten the wheelbase about 5". This requires chopping the frame and then welding it back together.
"MANUCHAO" aka Frank did it and he learned to weld while he did it. I personally think that is a true testament to the fact that anybody can do modifications like this!
Check out his build here...
http://forum.ih8mud.com/members/manuchao.html
Besides chopping the frame you have to make new body mounts or modify the stock 60/80 ones. It is not a project for the average guy/girl but if you have some confidence, brain cells, few tools and the will it is doable for way less than TLC or similar charges to do these mods/builds. Taking your goods out of your diesel Cruiser and swapping it into an 80-series chassis is going to cost a butt ton of cash at TLC, Profitts, Slee or elsewhere. Doing it yourself and you will save about 60-70% in build costs. All you really need is a donor truck, some tools and a place to work plus some time!
No offense to the shops mentioned, but this is the reality of paying for a build or doing it yourself. If you have no tools, no place to do the work and so forth the cost to do it yourself increases. However, in my mind money spent on tools and skills is always money well spent.
All up, shortening wheelbase and making new body mounts is the bulk of the work. You will also have to do up new engine/gear box mounts and or cross member. On top of this you have driveline work. In the end though doing it yourself will net less dollars spent!!
cheers
