Builds "Ronin"--FJ45 Build By Mad4wd (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Threads
10
Messages
171
Location
Ohio
Website
www.mad4wd.com
Guys,
Thought I would share some pics of a vehicle we are building at Mad4wd working alongside Crawl Magazine. Since I have a Tech Editor/Writer position at the rag...this has to be a jaw dropper. We will be dragging it all over the show/trail ride circuit so a high end build is in the works :). We will be detailing the build in the mag so subscribe slackers if you haven't already and help support us!
I am a big proponent of more LC coverage in Crawl, so if you have something that we need to be writing about, trail rides, products, etc...contact me or Woody and we will get it going! This is not a customers rig...this is our rig and I have been planning this build for awhile now along with Tim Piele at Crawl (the guy who constantly busts my sack to write, plus he wants unobtainable deadlines:D). Woody prodded me to start the build up thread:grinpimp:. so here it is.....

RONIN--- The Samurai without a Master.

Aqualu FJ45 SWB w/6" stretched cab (extensive mods are planned for the body;))
6.0L HO GM Vortec w/mods
Mad Fab 9" Axles
The rest of the 'poop' is top secret for now:cool:
More detailed pics will be in the photo gallery at http://www.mad4wd.com if you would like to see them.

I will try and post as much as possible, but with our business we get busy and it may be a few days so please bear with me.

Feel free to give your input on the project:)

Larry
FJ45-Frame-Rails-3.jpg
 
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Jeremy at 'Throttle Down Kustoms' built mandrel-bent frame rails per my dimensions. He is a stand up guy and great to work with. The rails were spot on perfect:).
FJ45-Frame-Rails-6.jpg
 
We are starting mockup now. We built the frame table it is on...it weighs 12K lbs, laser leveled and is 13.5' long. We are using tie-down blocks to square the rails to each other and make sure they are true. Everything gets clamped and triple checked. When it was finished, we were within 1/16" as far as we could tell in all directions of being pefectly square.
FJ45-Frame-011.jpg
 
more
FJ45-Frame-017.jpg
 
again
FJ45-Frame-019.jpg
 
The rails are 2" X 4" X .188" in case ayone was wondering.
FJ45-Frame-020.jpg
 
More to come in the morning :grinpimp:

Larry
 
I've been thru the shop a couple times since this project started....all i can say is DAMN.....this will be one sweet ride, and has given me a few new ideas for my own winter project.....

which reminds me...what trans/case are you planning? don't recall that we ever talked on that...

and, what wheelbase?
 
Cool, I was in NWF when he was dialing in the toyota housings for you, will they be under it?

Edit, saw the 9inchers.

Rob
 
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holy balls.


that's all i've got right now...


malphrus
 
:drool:
 
Woody,
Thanks for the kind words:). We have a 4L65E HD Trans, 'Black Box' from Kyle at NWF, T-Case is up in the air right now. We are looking at around a 116" WB.
More Pics, hehehe:grinpimp:

These are the front and rear crossmembers, 3.5" x .188" wall DOM...machined square and beveled for welding.

Larry
FJ45-Frame-031.jpg
 
this is gonna be fun..............
 
Jigged up
FJ45-Frame-032.jpg
 
Another jig shot of front crossmember.
FJ45-Frame-Crossmember-001.jpg
 
More:)
FJ45-Frame-Crossmember-003.jpg
 
Looks fun!!! What are the goals and intended uses of this truck? It is already looking heavy, so I am thinking that you are not building a hard-core trail rig.
 
Fully TIG'd crossmembers.......
FJ45-Frame-Crossmember-011.jpg
 
Frame mounted on rotisserie that we made for chassis table. It spins with 2 fingers:)... Should make welding a lot easier for me...I am too old to be laying on my back on a steel plate...hehehe
Table-Rotis-1.jpg
 

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