Builds Aussie MWB 40 series Build - Stretched, Linked/Coiloverd, Caged etc. (1 Viewer)

[Twisty]

This build starts with a mates, Steelart, extremely tidy 1984 BJ42 Hardtop with all factory options (disc brake front, p/steer, aircon, 5 speed). Also fitted with F&R airlockers, and a 13bt turbo diesel engine. One other very cool feature of this BJ42 is a orange QLD modification plate from 1984 for 15x10s and 35" tyres.

Steelart had big plans for it, and when some modification rules were about to change, it was taken to Dale at 2dextreme to get it sorted in time to be approved in QLD. A 300mm chassis extension and linked and coilovered suspension front and rear was completed and mod plated. Body wise the plan was for a 4 door hard top, and Steelart got as far as mocking up 1 side as a 4 door before other projects became more important and the BJ42 was put into storage.

 

[Twisty]

Fast forward to this time last year and Steelart decided he was going to move to the USA. He asked if I was interested in buying the BJ, but as my silver FJ40 https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/123989-aussie-1978-fj40-buildup.html was finally getting close to be finished I said I probably wouldn't be interested. The idea of it kept ticking over in my head, and a few weeks later a deal was struck, a deal too good to pass up actually. Purchase price was high for the amount of work to yet be completed (+$20k), but the BJ would come with a absolute crapload of spares, new parts, tyres, rims, recaro seats, winches and a MWB 70 series Landcruiser.

It took about 3 months, and way too much time cleaning, organising, and packaging parts that were sold on ebay and gumtree, but by the time I sold all bits I didn't need for my buildup, I had paid for the BJ completely and had money in my pocket without even selling my silver 40 yet....Happy days.

Now that I had some room in the shed from selling all the crap, the BJ42 was pulled out of storage and towed up to the Sunshine Coast.

 

[Twisty]

At home in the shed.

After a good cleaup and dropped out a coil to get it closer to ride height.

Stripped all the dash and sold all the bits.

 

[Twisty]

Next a 1967 FJ45 came up on ebay. I've always loved the older style grills with the lights in the bottom on the older 40 series, and the dashes are cooler too with was less stuff fitted to them, and some cool ribs in the middle. I ended up sorting a buy it now price off ebay so I could fit the front grill/bezel and dash to the BJ42. I paid too much for it, but once parted out, it paid for itself anyway.

New old style grill/bezel fitted

The older dash will have all holes welded up except for the gauge cluster and glove box.

Part of the deal with steelart included one of these gauges clusters made by http://www.etbinstruments.com/DD2_Range_Overview.htm

I plan to run it in a billet alloy surround similar to the Icon 40 series with a matching glove box lid. http://www.icon4x4.com/overview/fj/models

Some pics of the Icon setup

 

[Twisty]

Next I seen some 40 series rear quater panels on ebay, advertised by Aussie Resto's on the Sunshine Coast. http://www.aussierestos.com.au/

I sent them a message seeing if custom extended and tubbed panels could be made and if they were interested in fitting them also. Sonya and Mick were keen to give it a go so a few weeks later Mick came out to measure the 40 up, then another few weeks later the panels were done and looked awesome!

Bits of the old tub mocked into place for the measure up.

First test fit.

Both sides now sitting in place.

 

[Twisty]

Then the finished product. Really stoked with how it all turned out and even more so with the quality of the panels and Micks work! Highly recomend them! http://www.aussierestos.com.au/

Love the way Mick done the sills. Cut approx 3" off, but then done a factory style fold on the bottom to retain some strength in the panel.

 

[Twisty]

So now the body was done, there was a deadline looming. Queensland is no longer allowing 6 point roll cages to be approved, but you can get them approved under the old rules if completed by the 30th of April.

The plan for the cage was for it to be a family style cage, with slightly more head room then my last one, have a hard alloy roof, and some other bits different to the norm. This Twisted Custom buggy was the main inspiration for the hard roof look. Another goal was also to be CCDA compliant, or easily modifible to comply if I ever wish to start doing comps in it.

As the cage will be approved by Dave Metcalfe http://xtreme4x4sport.com.au/ we ran our ideas past him and setlled on the design. 40 was then towed down to Brooksys a couple weeks ago. (thanks to Andy for lending me the 100 series, and Jeff for the trailer)

 

[Twisty]

Brooksy and I both liked the little wing seen on the roof of JR's Ultra 4 buggy when we first seen it. So it was decieded to run one similar.

116m of CDS seamless tube (some 1.5" some 1.75") from http://www.performancemetalsaustralia.com.au/ Enough to do mine and Brooksys MWB cages, tube guards, tube flares, and sliders.

Single piece B & C Pillars, and A to centre of rear wing, all in 1.75".

Wing was sleeved with some 1.5"

Next was some corner braces on the top of the B and C pillar. Big thanks to Criddy at http://www.dragtec.com.au/ for allowing us to borrow the Baileigh notcher. This thing works awesome for complicated notches.

 

[Twisty]

Original plan was to notch a small piece of vertical tube off the B and C pillars onto the A to C roof tube to make it look like we used a straight piece of tube vertically. However once Brooksy done the corner bracing first, the more we looked at the B and C upright tubing bending in and not touching the roof tube, the more we liked it, and now its all done, love it!

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Sick bar work man

 

[Tapage]

loving your cage pal ..

 

[Phil in BC]

Very nice, looking great!!!

 

[Twisty]

Sick bar work man

loving your cage pal ..

Very nice, looking great!!!

Cheers all!

 

[jkimmel]

nice work, its looking great

why do I read this entire post like Mick Dundee

 

[kaishred]

Wow, looking really good, your shorty was cool, but this mwb is going to great, how long until this will be on the road?

 

[cult45]

nice work, its looking great

why do I read this entire post like Mick Dundee

Because we all speak like that

 

[jkimmel]

crikey makes sense mate, I'll go have anotha beea