The project idea and concept arose after returning from a trip early 2010, from the Murchison area in Western Australia and finding that the old petrol 4.5L engine wasn’t up to the task anymore. With the desire for remote outback travel the idea of a turbo diesel wagon was more a necessity than a want.
The new wagon had to meet the following criteria:
1. Turbo Diesel and automatic
2. Must be able to carry 2 adults and 4 kids comfortably
3. Live axles front and rear
4. Coil springs all-round
5. Part time 4wd
6. Easily available spare parts and accessories
7. Fit down any track in Australia
8. Cost no more than $40-45K for a complete touring 4by with all the bells and whistles (could be dreaming)
I started looking at several different options, selling the FZJ80 and buying a HDJ80, finding a HDJ wreck and doing a conversion, upgrading to a TD 100 series and finally the 6.6L Duramax conversion into an 80 Series.
A few Duramax conversions in Patrols had now been completed by this stage (Heath...) and the output figures were very impressive. I managed to get a pretty sweet deal on a new LMM and 6 speed Allison with all accessories so the decision was made to buy a salvage FZJ80 and do a full conversion and rebuild.
In July last year I purchased a 96’ FZJ80 from a salvage auction, as can be seen in the below pic it had front left accident damage, all superficial panel damage, no structural damage.
Now the fun begins…the strip down. The front end was stripped off and engine and trans removed.
Damage was LHS inner and outer guards, radiator support panel, LHS headlight, Lower indicator panel and front left hand edge of bonnet, the bonnet can probably be panel beat straight.
The new wagon had to meet the following criteria:
1. Turbo Diesel and automatic
2. Must be able to carry 2 adults and 4 kids comfortably
3. Live axles front and rear
4. Coil springs all-round
5. Part time 4wd
6. Easily available spare parts and accessories
7. Fit down any track in Australia
8. Cost no more than $40-45K for a complete touring 4by with all the bells and whistles (could be dreaming)
I started looking at several different options, selling the FZJ80 and buying a HDJ80, finding a HDJ wreck and doing a conversion, upgrading to a TD 100 series and finally the 6.6L Duramax conversion into an 80 Series.
A few Duramax conversions in Patrols had now been completed by this stage (Heath...) and the output figures were very impressive. I managed to get a pretty sweet deal on a new LMM and 6 speed Allison with all accessories so the decision was made to buy a salvage FZJ80 and do a full conversion and rebuild.
In July last year I purchased a 96’ FZJ80 from a salvage auction, as can be seen in the below pic it had front left accident damage, all superficial panel damage, no structural damage.
Now the fun begins…the strip down. The front end was stripped off and engine and trans removed.
Damage was LHS inner and outer guards, radiator support panel, LHS headlight, Lower indicator panel and front left hand edge of bonnet, the bonnet can probably be panel beat straight.
