1966 FJ485 PU Build
I just purchased a very rough 1966 FJ45.
The condition is pretty bad the pics will tell the story but what I'm looking for is some ideas of what kind of build you would do with this basket case. Since there is nowhere near enough good metal to restore this girl I won't feel bad cutting her up.
I'm thinking of making it an extra cab or maybe even a 4 door(4 doors are coming with it). I'm also 6'5" so the extra room is needed. I'm even contemplating fixing the bed to the cab and doing something like the Avalanche where I can add or remove a section to open it up all the way or close it off like a truck bed.
Next would be the engine, I'm thinking 1HD-T(HP 162 and TQ 267 seem a bit low?), Torfab says he has one with an a442f. I like the idea of the 2uz-fe with the 5 speed auto out of the 100 series. I'm even contemplating an LS2 6.0 (actually an L96)with an Allison transmission behind it(I work for Allison and would love one in a rig)
Next is the frame and axles, the original frame is shot and the back half past the wheels has been cut off. I'm thinking an 80 series frame and axles from a locked rig so I could use the harness and switch for the electric lockers.
Next is the suspension, very likely I'll be moving to CO and this will be my wheeler, but also see street use. I'm thinking linked & coil overs maybe even up through the bed like I've seen on 80 series.
Really the only useful parts are the front quarter/cab and the truck bed sides.
I think that is the basics so throw out some ideas for:
General direction for the rig, where to start?
Engine & Trans
Frame & Axles
Suspension
Pics are always helpful, links to built 45's
I just purchased a very rough 1966 FJ45.
The condition is pretty bad the pics will tell the story but what I'm looking for is some ideas of what kind of build you would do with this basket case. Since there is nowhere near enough good metal to restore this girl I won't feel bad cutting her up.
I'm thinking of making it an extra cab or maybe even a 4 door(4 doors are coming with it). I'm also 6'5" so the extra room is needed. I'm even contemplating fixing the bed to the cab and doing something like the Avalanche where I can add or remove a section to open it up all the way or close it off like a truck bed.
Next would be the engine, I'm thinking 1HD-T(HP 162 and TQ 267 seem a bit low?), Torfab says he has one with an a442f. I like the idea of the 2uz-fe with the 5 speed auto out of the 100 series. I'm even contemplating an LS2 6.0 (actually an L96)with an Allison transmission behind it(I work for Allison and would love one in a rig)
Next is the frame and axles, the original frame is shot and the back half past the wheels has been cut off. I'm thinking an 80 series frame and axles from a locked rig so I could use the harness and switch for the electric lockers.
Next is the suspension, very likely I'll be moving to CO and this will be my wheeler, but also see street use. I'm thinking linked & coil overs maybe even up through the bed like I've seen on 80 series.
Really the only useful parts are the front quarter/cab and the truck bed sides.
I think that is the basics so throw out some ideas for:
General direction for the rig, where to start?
Engine & Trans
Frame & Axles
Suspension
Pics are always helpful, links to built 45's
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