Builds 1975 FJ45-Running Rebuild

[Taha32]

Finally got around to making up the pto shaft for my FJ45. The winch gear is out of a 60 series so I cut the three piece shaft down to two. Had to adapt the mount under the radiator but that's fine.

Tonight's job is to mount the winch properly, it needs lifting by 8-10mm and the mountings reinforced.


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[Taha32]

"Tonight's" job turned into next weeks job

All mounted, not perfect but don't think it's going anywhere in a hurry.

A new door lock turned up from the U.S. This afternoon along with a new gear stick rubber boot.

Been working on my 70 tonight as a mate bent both the tie rod and drag link when we took both on a very short river trip and hit an old pile. So ordered new parts from Toyota, the "old" ones were only 3 months old, they still had the part number stickers on them......

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[lostmarbles]

....
Been working on my 70 tonight as a mate bent both the tie rod and drag link when we took both on a very short river trip and hit an old pile. So ordered new parts from Toyota, the "old" ones were only 3 months old, they still had the part number stickers on them......

Ouch!

 

[Taha32]

Ouch!

Yea, cost $115NZ last time for the whole lot, price went up now $140NZ


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[Taha32]

New heart for my fj45, might take a while to get it in as the Engine is with me at uni and my truck is at home.....a 9 hour drive plus as 3 hour ferry trip away.

 

[Michael B]

Great work Tom! I look forward to watching your progress.

 

[Taha32]

It been a busy few days, first drove 700km in the fj45 back down to uni, the main reason was the 12ht swap. So the 2f came out today, 12ht in. added a few pictures too. Made lots of proges today, and should get the motor in tomorrow, will be hopefully driving the 500m back around to my place. But will be jump started, front drive shaft and a jerry can for a fuel tank....

Last time this 2f is in my truck, will probably end up in a mates cruiser as it still runs mint.

Took till lunchtime to disconnect everything and pull the 2f, lots of finicky s***

Cleaned the engine bay up a bit while the engine was out, a bit of paint on a few places and then added sound proofing behind the engine which should help

The 12HT and 5 speed that is going in, had a good mate help me out which speeded things up.

So at the end of the day the engine is roughly in place, gearbox cross member is bolted in. So the job for the morning is engine mounts. Can start to see a few problems I am going to have with drive shafts and possibly the radiator fan. Plus the 12v to 24v switch.

 

[sadam_husain]

Good work mate

 

[lostmarbles]

Don't want to put a fly in the ointment but have you started LVV:
Modifying your vehicle | NZ Transport Agency

I'm told they don't like being presented with a "fait accompli".

 

[Taha32]

Don't want to put a fly in the ointment but have you started LVV:
Modifying your vehicle | NZ Transport Agency

I'm told they don't like being presented with a "fait accompli".

Yea I realised a while ago that I will have to go through cert......got a wof last week which will give me time. Don't think I should have a problem as I am not touching the chassis apart from a few holes for the crossmember.

 

[Taha32]

Not posted for a while, uni has been busy so this project has been on the back burner but still getting things done.
Been for a short drive and its good, hauls ass and the 5 speed helps but lots still to do before truly road legal

Had some clutch problems with the master/slave but replaced both and think I have fixed it, throttle is touché
so I will add another spring. Waiting on replacement water lines for the turbo as I broke one of them which was annoying.

Finished most of the wiring, just got to do heater and wipers which will be 12v unless there is a way to make them 24v? Made a battery
tray to go behind the cab, solid but the cable ties and bailing twine are only temporary

Picked up some 60 series power steering parts, along with the whole column, will end up doing the conversion at some point.
Was trying to find a front drive shaft of the right length and then a mate had a 60 rear ds from an auto was the right length, it saved $160
which is what it cost me to get the rear old fj45 one shortened.

A lucky score from a mate of a mate, 60 series cable lockers. Figured out that it will be tricky to get the front in because of
how narrow the fj45 front springs are. Its a bit of a hassle but another mate has a set of factory 70 series housings and the
front long side long spine axle so i am going to swap all the bits over to the 70 series housings, change the mounts then put
them under my truck. Will take time but I think its worth it, as I would get disks, a handbrake and lockers.

I am making progress, but still lots to do. Its all the small bits that are taking time. Looking forward to when I get this truck finished

 

[Taha32]

Ran my fj45 home last weekend, 750km with 700kg of spare parts on the back and only used one tank of fuel. The 12ht ran mint, but have work to to with a few oil leaks that need to be fixed. Great power up the hills, finally have a truck which I can overtake people uphill and not break the bank every time I use the throttle. Installed a oil pressure gauge before the trip to, 25psi hot idle, 65psi hot 100kph so looks like my engine internals are good.

Its surprising how many spare parts you can build up, I finish uni in November so had to move all of these bits home, most are destined for the 45.

 

[Michael B]

That's why we own trucks!

 

[Taha32]

Been a few weeks since I drove my truck home, 750km and only used 70l But did have a few oil
leak problems.......

Engine ran mint apart from the heater springing a leak a day before the trip, 45's gone back in the shed at home for a few months,
nice and dry

Will be back home early November when a full strip down and continued restomod will take place.

 

[Vossie]

looking great man, love that 12HT conversion. planning on a 1HZ convo for mine

 

[Vossie]

hey man, hope all is well. have a few questions about your 12HT and H55 transplant.

what plan did you make with mounting the gear box and transfer case hump?
did you have to change your drive shafts? if so how?
anything in particular i should look out for?

thanks

Ross

 

[Taha32]

hey man, hope all is well. have a few questions about your 12HT and H55 transplant.

what plan did you make with mounting the gear box and transfer case hump?
did you have to change your drive shafts? if so how?
anything in particular i should look out for?

thanks

Ross

Gearbox was mounted using a 60 series crossmember with some reinforcing on the mounting to the chassis, use a lower
profile gearbox rubber mount get the clearance you need if you have an early tub. A later tub clears easily but you will have
chassis problems with the tube cross member with the later chassis.

Rear driveshaft needs shortening by about 70mm but measure before getting it done.
Front driveshaft - get a rear one out of a auto 60 series or get yours lengthened
You may have some issue with flange patterns depending on what you keep/swap

Mount the engine as far back as possible, makes it easier to mount the original fan if you want to keep it, its a close fit
the radiator needs moving forward to do it.

Make sure you have a manual 4x4 shift t-case otherwise the vacuum shift with hit the chassis unless you have a vacuum
shiftier out of a 40/45 rather than a 60/70

Any other questions just ask

 

[alberta mac]

nice build ! mine was same patina until I painted it ! I have a B in it now. Your thread is inspirational !
Mac

 

[Vossie]

Make sure you have a manual 4x4 shift t-case otherwise the vacuum shift with hit the chassis unless you have a vacuum
shiftier out of a 40/45 rather than a 60/70

so am i correct in assuming you used your original transfer case from your 4 speed box on your new 5 speed box?

 

[Taha32]

so am i correct in assuming you used your original transfer case from your 4 speed box on your new 5 speed box?

No, used a split t-case out of the 60 the motor came out of. Found a 40/45 vacuum shifter for the box. Don't have a hand break at the moment, but will put a 70 ff diff in the back when I get home