Builds "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta (2 Viewers)

[Scheefdog]

My build had come to point I had to decide what I wanted the dash to look like. Originally I had planned to mix old with new such as the steering column, rocker switches for the lockers and filling holes in the dash to do away with the ash tray. Well after thinking it over I decided to try and keep as much of the old school look in the dash as I could.

The 4runner steering column had to go. I had a FJ55 power steering column with the ignition on the column that I felt would be a better fit. I needed a steering wheel to go with it and recalled drooling over the billet steering wheels that @EmanC made. I lucked out and he still had one for sale, so snatched it. It hurt the teat but I could not be happier with it. I love that I can retain the early horn button and the early style steering wheel in a modern 15” package. Emanc did an awesome job building them!

The steering wheel arrived and I found that the off set from the steering wheel cover and mounting location on the wheel were too close. I took the column apart to figure out what I had to do to make it work. Turned out to be an easy solution. The ignition assembly all rides on a bearing set in place on the shaft by two snap rings. In order to create room for the steering wheel to fit I just needed to cut two new snap ring grooves to move the ignition and column assembly back.

I measured a bunch and decided to move the assembly back 22mm. It worked out pretty easy and everything went together as it should.

The column cover I am using to mock up is broken and does not quite sit right behind the steering wheel. When it does there is an 8mm gap between the cover and back of the steering wheel. I may go back and make another set of snap rings grooves 4-5 mm closer to close that gap. For now I am super happy to see it will work out.

I like the simplicity and that steering wheel looks perfect! Good call on eliminating the cruise control and column switches with the 4runner setup to make the wiring manageable.

Looking forward to seeing the OEM dash switches for lockers.

 

[Tank5]

In order to fit the new steering column I need to shorten or find a shorter steering shaft.

I have this 80 series shaft. I am wondering if I cut it at the weld on one end of the center section can I shorten the shaft and put it back together? I assume the center section is hollow to serve as a crunch zone in the event of an impact.

Has anyone cut into one of these before? Wondering if this could work before I cut into it

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Remove the boot, I believe there are two little plastic pieces that need clearance/breaking, then it is a hollow shaft that telescopes. Otherwise many toyotas have a similar shaft same splines. Can't remember if I used a 62 one or an 80 one on my truck. All pretty similar. One style is a d shape, one is a octagon slip joint.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

The 2 styles. Appears u have the style with the metal boot. Which I have not taken apart yet. The metal boot one was an 80 series, the other 2 were from an fj60. I'd recommend junkyard trip

 

[Tank5]

@tornadoalleycruiser Thanks for the pictures.

Wish I could find a 60 in the junk yard hear. I have the gearbox side of an early 60 shaft, kinda looks like a plus sign. I need the other half and I would be set. The shaft you have with blue tape looks like what I would need.

I am going to cut my 80 shaft open tonight and see if I can shorten it and weld it back together. Pictures of what I find coming later tonight.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

@tornadoalleycruiser Thanks for the pictures.

Wish I could find a 60 in the junk yard hear. I have the gearbox side of an early 60 shaft, kinda looks like a plus sign. I need the other half and I would be set. The shaft you have with blue tape looks like what I would need.

I am going to cut my 80 shaft open tonight and see if I can shorten it and weld it back together. Pictures of what I find coming later tonight.

I think @67azcruizr has. Pinging him.

 

[4Cruisers]

If I'm thinking correctly, you need the section of shaft between the steering column and gearbox, right? But if you need the column itself, I've got one from a 9/84 FJ60 that you can have.

 

[Tank5]

Thanks for the offer @4Cruisers but the part I would need is the upper shaft part between the column and the gear box. If anyone has one they would let go of I would still be interested. I modified my 80 series shaft but if there is a factory part that would bolt in I would prefer that.

I cut one end off the crunch zone on the 80 series shaft and the inside is hollow. The end of the shaft that goes in the accordion like section is bigger than the rest of the shaft, so I couldn’t just cut the shaft end off and weld it back together shorter. I welded the thing back together.

Then I cut the shaft end off just in front of the accordion section, drilled a 3/4 inch hole through the plug and slid the shaft in at the length I needed.

I cleaned up the weld and installed it. It will work but if I find a bolt in option I will probably swap it out.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Consider drilling a couple of holes on the outer shaft and rosette weld holes so that there is another weld point from inner shaft to outer shaft. Like how you would do custom tie rod end threaded bung.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Only problem i see with that setup is there is no "flex" with the frame. unless that lower splined portion is your "slip".
I believe the spline count on the box and the column match 11/16”-36 Spline

 

[Tank5]

Only problem i see with that setup is there is no "flex" with the frame. unless that lower splined portion is your "slip".
I believe the spline count on the box and the column match 11/16”-36 Spline

I wondered about the change in the slip shaft design. The 80 series does not use a slip shaft. I have come across two different versions on the 80 series and one is exactly like what I am using here and the other is just a solid shaft with no crush section. I may find out this won't work but it seems Toyota thought this would work fine in the 80, so I am hoping it will for me too. My biggest concern regarding this shaft is clearance. The crush zone is larger and just clears the shock tower and header on it's way to the column. I am worried with a little flex or drivetrain movement it could contact something.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

if you get closer to running and at the same time i have a spare, ping me. I have one more truck to put together but should have a spare. I think the one i'm using came out of the center of a 60 column i disected for an ignition switch and a turn signal switch. So possibly any tilt toyota column may have what you seek inside it.

 

[archie73]

While there are differences, I used basically the same parts for my steering setups. My solution to the length of the collapsible shaft was to shorten the column and grind the end into a D shaft. I’ve been running it that way for the last 4-5years without issue.

If you are confident in your welds to shorten the collapsible shaft, I don’t see any issue with your solution- some cats loose their skin differently. I may have missed it, but do you have the bottom of your column supported?

 

[Tank5]

While there are differences, I used basically the same parts for my steering setups. My solution to the length of the collapsible shaft was to shorten the column and grind the end into a D shaft. I’ve been running it that way for the last 4-5years without issue.

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If you are confident in your welds to shorten the collapsible shaft, I don’t see any issue with your solution- some cats loose their skin differently. I may have missed it, but do you have the bottom of your column supported?

I had considered shortening the column shaft and Sleeving it in the center under the tube. I wanted to keep the splined end intact to be able to use oem joint parts. I still have this as an option to allow me to move the steering joint closer to the firewall and farther from the header.

I feel good about my welds on the shortened shaft. I ground the welds to clean it all up but I added a lot of extra weld, so I could do that and feel good about it.

At the moment there is no lower support on the column. I have to make a new plate to attach it to the wall. I will also cut some off the end of the steering tube and add a bearing to tighten it all up. I am not done just finished shortening the shaft.

 

[Tank5]

The center console arrived, so I set it in place to get an idea for where the shifter console would go. I have been thinking about the auto shifter console for a long time. I wanted something that looks like it could have been part of the truck in 65 if it had come with a floor shift auto. Months ago I bought two old small TEQ tool boxes with the idea of some how turning them into my shifter console.

I removed the lids and cut the bottoms contoured to the transmission cover. I used some paint stripper to remove the majority of the paint then soaked them in Evaporust for 48 hours with some periodic scrubbing. They came out better than I though they would.

I built a frame for each side out of 1/8 steel and then tacked both sides together. This is as far as I got tonight. Before I skin the ends and make the top cover I need to figure out where the shifter will mount and the tcase shifter will fit.

 

[Vossie]

The center console arrived, so I set it in place to get an idea for where the shifter console would go. I have been thinking about the auto shifter console for a long time. I wanted something that looks like it could have been part of the truck in 65 if it had come with a floor shift auto. Months ago I bought two old small TEQ tool boxes with the idea of some how turning them into my shifter console.

View attachment 2944549

I removed the lids and cut the bottoms contoured to the transmission cover. I used some paint stripper to remove the majority of the paint then soaked them in Evaporust for 48 hours with some periodic scrubbing. They came out better than I though they would.

View attachment 2944551

I built a frame for each side out of 1/8 steel and then tacked both sides together. This is as far as I got tonight. Before I skin the ends and make the top cover I need to figure out where the shifter will mount and the tcase shifter will fit.

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That's looking really awesome!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Saweeet!!!! Good idea!

 

[G-Cat]

Baller

 

[Bripars40]

The center console arrived, so I set it in place to get an idea for where the shifter console would go. I have been thinking about the auto shifter console for a long time. I wanted something that looks like it could have been part of the truck in 65 if it had come with a floor shift auto. Months ago I bought two old small TEQ tool boxes with the idea of some how turning them into my shifter console.

View attachment 2944549

I removed the lids and cut the bottoms contoured to the transmission cover. I used some paint stripper to remove the majority of the paint then soaked them in Evaporust for 48 hours with some periodic scrubbing. They came out better than I though they would.

View attachment 2944551

I built a frame for each side out of 1/8 steel and then tacked both sides together. This is as far as I got tonight. Before I skin the ends and make the top cover I need to figure out where the shifter will mount and the tcase shifter will fit.

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This is the difference between creativity and just making something work. You sir are creative! Thanks for the inspiration

 

[mrboatman]

The center console arrived, so I set it in place to get an idea for where the shifter console would go. I have been thinking about the auto shifter console for a long time. I wanted something that looks like it could have been part of the truck in 65 if it had come with a floor shift auto. Months ago I bought two old small TEQ tool boxes with the idea of some how turning them into my shifter console.

View attachment 2944549

I removed the lids and cut the bottoms contoured to the transmission cover. I used some paint stripper to remove the majority of the paint then soaked them in Evaporust for 48 hours with some periodic scrubbing. They came out better than I though they would.

View attachment 2944551

I built a frame for each side out of 1/8 steel and then tacked both sides together. This is as far as I got tonight. Before I skin the ends and make the top cover I need to figure out where the shifter will mount and the tcase shifter will fit.

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Very Nice work. That kind of detail is what separates this from the rest.