Hilux body onto 80 Series Chassis

[bimbo]

I am going to upgrade from my single cab hilux to a dual cab in the not to distant future and figured it is prime time to build up a beast I really like the size and shape of the 90-97 lux's and plan on using that body. Going to go for a 1uzfe engine and was planning to coil it using 80 series front diff and patrol rear diff. However when I spoke to the engineer I was told that I could do it but would require an abridged brake test, unless I could fit standard hilux brakes which he agreed was a backward step but you can't bring logic into RTA rules. Would also mean that I would be stuck with the tyre size rules applicable to the hilux.
So thinking about my next move I spoke to him again about a complete chassis swap and it is easy as to get engineered as long as the braking system is all standard from the 80 series or patrol (whatever the chassis is from), also means tyre size is easier to get approved.

Now my main motive for the project is to end up with a car that is comfortable enough to take the misses and tidler on long trips but also handle itself out inthe rough stuff.

I know that the 80 series chassis is slightly shorter than a dual cab hilux but has anyone done a similar conversion? I have searched a fair bit and only found a handful of single cab builds.
Also does anyone know if their would be any advantage to using a patrol chassis instead?

Cheers
James

[dirty harry]

my mate done a 1985 4runna / a 80 series back in 2000
wasn't to hard he did it in his driveway.

[samdumbert]

my mate done a 1985 4runna / a 80 series back in 2000
wasn't to hard he did it in his driveway.

Got any photos? sounds sweet.

[DUDELUX]

I know you wanted dual cabs, but DAZ on here has a single cab Lux, on an 80 chassis running a 350 V8, I think on 35s, and its engineered, its in Vic though.
Have a peek into his build thread in the members section.

[georgey]

patrol chassis would be too wide to put a hilux body on i think.

why not just ute chop an 80?its alot easier

[tozook]

patrol chassis would be too wide to put a hilux body on i think.

why not just ute chop an 80?its alot easier

there not to wide one i done a few years back

[bimbo]

Thanks, while I could chop down an 80 series into a dual cab it would still mean that I end up with and 80 series dual cab not a dual cab hilux I really like the ln106 body shape and luv the phat look it gets by having diffs that are approx 150mm wider than the standard hilux items.
The main thing I think is that the dual cab body is almost too long - big wheels will hit the back of the cab but I am unsure how close it is.
Also I think that the patrol and cruiser chassis are similar in dimensions but the patrol rear diff isn't offset (same as hilux) where as the cruiser rear is.

Cheers
James

[TheBigBoy]

Why wouldnt you just convert the 80 to dual cab?

[bimbo]

Why wouldnt you just convert the 80 to dual cab?

See above answer, I could also just drive on the black top and not worry about a 4wd but that is not what I want.

Has anyone got any helpful information in regards to this build

Thanks
James

[slosh]

However when I spoke to the engineer I was told that I could do it but would require an abridged brake test, unless I could fit standard hilux brakes which he agreed was a backward step but you can't bring logic into RTA rules. Would also mean that I would be stuck with the tyre size rules applicable to the hilux.

What does the abridged brake test involve? Costs? IMO it is better to stick with the Hilix chassis the you can set up custom link arrangement on rear and or front as you go, any you won't need any body lift.
Pretty sure if you look around you will find an engineer who will pass tyre size based on the donor diff size, not the vehicle model. Years ago one enginner said to me he would pass the 6" lift I had but only with the 29" tyre size. I rang around, there were several engineers who would pass the same setup on 35"tyres. AFAIK they have not introduced new laws since then (2004).

If you stick with the lux chassis, you could use 80 rear by using the 80/105 transfer case from the r151 box giving you the offset rear output.

[Frankenyota]

Check out thrashlux's build of a gen1 lux on 80 chassis.
What is the wheel base difference of the two?
Sounds like a good build.

Matt

[bimbo]

Looking on Wiki is says the 80 series wheelbase is 2850mm and I measured the hilux at work (97 solid axel dual cab) and it measured about 2830 so both are pretty close. I also had a good look at the dual cab and there is approx 100mm at the rear of the cab which could be cut away without too many dramas. I also need to check if the cab would need to be moved back to fit larger tyres at the front - usually you move the diff forward 30-50mm to stop biger tyres scrubbing. But with a bit of trimming here and there it is looking like it ill fit.

What does the abridged brake test involve? Costs? IMO it is better to stick with the Hilix chassis the you can set up custom link arrangement on rear and or front as you go, any you won't need any body lift.

Brake test involves hiring a race track and an engineer. I think that they do a number of stops from set speeds with the front or rear brakes disconected so something like that, approx cost is $2K - I'd rather a full set of lockers.

If you stick with the lux chassis, you could use 80 rear by using the 80/105 transfer case from the r151 box giving you the offset rear output.

Any idea if the r151 to a 80 series transfer is a bolt up affair - can't find any kits/adapters. I am pretty sure that the LJ70 Bundera came out with this setup though.

Cheers
James

[Frankenyota]

R151 came behind the 1HZ in the 79 series cruisers.
Not sure of the strenght of this box, as it is a weak point in these trucks.
Maybe look at the H series box.

Matt

[bimbo]

The R series of gearboxes seem to be a pretty common swap behind the 1uz so should be fine. The H series are stronger boxes but they are physically much bigger than the r series.