Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys, first post here, sorry if this has been covered but I've spent all day trying to find what I'm after but can't find the info I need anywhere, although I have found some other ideas.

Anyway, my next door neioghtbour and I have decided to build up a 40/45 series, because we both like them, he doesnt want to modify the 45 he has, and between us we have the room and the knowledge to do it.

We can get hold of a 45 (not sure if shorty or troopy but prefer troopy) in not running condition from one of the local stations, and a HZJ75 troopy in good runing order but trashed bodywork. (if the driveline isnt any good, its still 1HZ, 5 speed, and disc brakes)

Question is, what parts can we cannabilise from the 75 that will fit into/onto the 45? We can make the engine and box fit, but will the diffs fit easily?
Will it be a better and easier option to fit the 45 troopy body onto the 75 chassis?? as in are the wheelbases close enough to work? If we can do the full chassis, then we get/dont have to modify to fit, crossover steering, dual fuel tanks and a stronger?? chassis. (may also be able to source a 78 for front coils if the body swap is viable.

Any help at all will be appreciated. I have seen a few 40 series onto 80 chassis threads and while good, not exactly what we are looking for, unless the 80 series chassis is long enough for the 45 troopy body.

So Noone knows if a 45/75 hybrid is easier to do than fitting a 40 body on an 80 chassis?

ive heard of a lot of people doing 40 tub on 80chassis, and i can't remember ever hearing of doing it on a 75series. this should answer it self,

I've read a couple of 40 shorty bodies on 80 chassis, Not looking to make tube guards or widen them that much, and also want the wheelbase long enough to suit the 45 troopy body.

There's been a few people who have put a 1HZ motor into a 40, so it's doable, put the H55F gearbox from the 1990-1995 HZJ 75 in as it won't be too long.

Thanks for that, I'm a mechanic and work on later cruisers all the time but the 45s I'm not so familiar with. I knew that one way or the other I'd be able to fit the 1HZ and H55 but was more concerned with fitting discs all round and whether it would be easier to swap axles, swap just brake or change chassis'.

You'll only need discs on the front, the drums on the rear are fine if they're set up properly.

hj 45 wrote:You'll only need discs on the front, the drums on the rear are fine if they're set up properly.

If it will fit, it will just be whatever the 75 has on the back, or maybe 60 drums if the troopy setup is to hard to swap, as long as it ends up with the handbrake on the axle, because the 75 transfer certainly doesnt have a handbrake on it.