I have been thinking of this swap for many years. I have owned and repaired old ford trucks for 42 years, toyota landcruisers for 36 years. I have many, many parts for both. I have in front of me the FSM for my '79 fj 55 wagon which I have owned since about '84, What I'm looking for today is a similar drawing with dimensions for a '47 ford 1/2 ton pickup. For various reasons, a panel truck project I had been thinking about will be shelved for a couple of years. The track width of the 2 vehicles is identical when fine tuned with all the different offsets available in steel six lug wheels from toyota and gm available in wrecking yards. I'd like to use the factory toyota non-usa 16" split rims I bought in a Canadian wrecking yard in the '80s. I have run both 7.50 16s on these rims as well as 235 radials. One thing good about the landcruiser is it was designed off the drawing board as a 4wd, so designers could keep it low. The springs are u bolted to the bottom of the axles. What I'm saying is it could look more 'factory' than some of the 4wd swap trucks I've seen. Ok, well let's see a drawing of the frame. Then I can start to see if this is even feasible, if not I could go pretty much stock, but the ps,pb 4wd is like a siren call to me. I'm recovering from bypass surgery so can't yet do much rolling under the vehicles. Thanks in advance, Gary

 

Dang, Just did some more measurements on trucks. Seems the front axle is 10" further ahead on the wagon in relation to dash, wheel, shifter etc. Could be a deal breaker. Still just thinking out loud on this one. Maybe swap the yota's running gear under the ford's frame. Engine, trans??? As you all can see, I'm not used to sitting on the couch all day with nothing to do. I have a 100 percent rate of finishing every project I have undertaken. Health permitting I WILL drive that '47. In whatever form it takes on.

 

Gary - I looked through my <47 books and manuals this morning, but struck out on a chassis diagram like we have for the later models. I'll keep looking. But seems a course correction has already been factored in which might even prove easier to pull off. Rest up and spend your energy planning it out. Stu

 

The frame widths are different. At the truck's rear and front bumpers I can see what looks like 33". The cruiser is 39 in the rear. The main difference is on the ford, the leaf springs sit alongside the vehicles' frame and on the landcruiser thay are mounted directly under the frame rail. I have moved spring perches on axles before, as many of you have and it's no big deal. Through '79 the landcruiser transmission and transfer case, as a unit was cantilevered off the engine's bellhousing with no crossmember. I do have an '84 transmission/transfer that uses a removeable crossmember If I choose to use that one. Like I said I have lots of parts from both vehicles, so when I finally get this thing underway, I will strip both frames, set them side by side and formulate my plan. I just might slip out and do some quick measurements on Danny's toyota tacoma parked in front of the shop.

 

Do you really get enough mud / snow / whatever to need 4wd?

Could you put the Land Cruiser transfer case behind the stock Ford transmission and do your own sudo Marmon-Herrington conversion?

You know I advocate keeping things mostly stock...

 

And I applaud you for that. My favorite part of the old truck hobby is the creative engineering. Not so much of that in a stock restoration. I like original type steel wheels, bias ply tires, faded paint and maybe an old galvanized gas can in the bed and a loop of manilla rope hanging off the lumber rack. Proper truck-like running gear is important too. Actually being original isn't as important to me. Most of my upgrades have been reversible. A frame swap, if I did it would cross the line for me. I would be sliding down the dark side for sure. But no hotrods, ratrods in my stable.

 

Those are some great looking FJs GB. It would be hard for me to strip one down, especially the pickup version. I'd find a Nissan 3.3 turbo diesel for that gad boy!

 

That's the first of 3 of the fj 45 pickups I have owned. I do however have that 6 cyl. nissan sd33 turbo diesel. Problem is I'd have to remove it from the '80 scout with 73,000 miles that I bought from the original owner last year here on Orcas Island. 4 speed manual, ps and pb. I did check for yuks and the outside of the tires is exactly 68" which is exactly what my '47 1/2 ton is. (don't worry, it won't get this scouts axles) I remember when Ray brought it home from the International dealer in Mt. Vernon Wa. Yes, factory installed nissan, 2 weeks before the assembly line was closed down in Ft. Wayne. The '76-'79 nissan diesel was naturally aspirated. OK, rushing for the ferry to go to my follow up with the cardiologist. I can't keep up with my signature, half of them are sold and many new. Friends call my place 'Gary's Catch and Release Garage'.....

 

Oh, yeah. I wouldn't strip out that Scout, only the last year were turbo IIRC. No real powerhouse even then, maybe 130 hp with turbo. I think some Maxima's had the turbo 3.3 too. I had a friend in Anch. with the Scout turbo half cab, I rode in it many times, not much for a heater in the winter tho.

 

Is that Nissan the diesel that Dodge used in its D150 pickup in '78? I looked at one at the dealer and almost bought it but, I bought a new '78 F150 300 six 4x4 instead.
Mark

 

Not sure, but I know a mechanic in Bellingham, Wa. that as a NA version DEALER installed in a dodge dart. Looks like grandmas' car rolling in until you hear it. In the 80's you never knew what was gonna come out diesel.. Chev citation, toyota corrolla, ford escort, ford courier, chev luv,isuzu trooper, let's not forget the oldsmobile.....

 

The D50 was a 4 cylinder Mitsubishi.
Anyone remember the diesel Lincoln town car? Probably not, I think they only made a few hundred, BMW engine IIRC.

 

A fellow in my hometown had a D150 diesel. I seem to remember it was a Crapsun (Nissan) 6 lunger.

 

i thought the old dodge pickup had a small naturally aspirated perkins diesel in it.

 

The nissan 33dt was primarily used in forklifts. That's still the best place to buy some of the parts. It's a strong engine, but fills my little valley on Mt. Pickett with smoke on start-up. Clears up real nice and you spend the rest of the day driving what sounds like an old concrete truck. So, now we all know of some good US made axles that are just the right width for these trucks. I think they are dana 44s and best of all, 5 lug on 5 1/2. Now we can use stock wheels and hubcaps. The scouts are also sprung low with the springs affixed to the bottom side of the axle. Wonder what the frame width is??? Oh, and '38 No, I don't NEED 4wd. I already have about 5 around here in various condition. My steep, winding 1/2 mile dirt road requires it when towing, or when it snows, and sometimes mud and loose material. Don't worry it will look very close to stock when I'm done. I look for that effect in my modifications. I sought to mimic the look of the '53 flareside f350, when I built my '59 f350 flareside from various parts and pieces. Purists know it isn't stock. Most people don't. I often get asked why I don't mount the outer duals. Can you imagine the rear fenders that would take?