If you were going to restore a 45 truck, would you go stock or the route of the 6” cab extension that Aqualu sells? Opinions?
Aqualu 6” cab extension for FJ45 truck (12 Viewers)
- Thread starter Fedtime
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Depends what you want of the truck and what ‘restore’ means to you.
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Fair enough. My main focuses are 1. Preservation; 2. Reliability; 3. Value; 4. Practicality; 5. Use as a truck.
I guess my main questions are 1. Whether the 6” extension helps or hurts value (I usually restore, drive for a year or two, then sell, and find another) 2. Does the 6” extension overly complicate the build? I can’t imagine it does, but I’ve never done one. For example, does the fuel tank get moved? Do you stick with the stock tank or swap in one from, say, a Tundra and put it under the bed?
The extra 6” can only add to the usability and if done right isn’t noticeable. IMHO Aqualu doesn’t scream restoration so any mods if done clean and well planned can’t hurt.If you were going to restore a 45 truck, would you go stock or the route of the 6” cab extension that Aqualu sells? Opinions?
cruiserkev
3 decades in the same FJ40
I have seen some very tall guys behind the wheel of a 45. Many years ago Ron Null delivered a transmission to me in his FJ45 and I couldn't believe he was remotely comfortable in there driving up and down the West Coast. I don't believe you will have any problems selling, it may make it more desirable to a taller buyer actually. Good luck!
You could start with a fj40 and use a stretched 45 cab and stretched 45 frame from aqualu to turn the fj40 into a 45. But then you'll need a bed. Which I think topnault and aqualu sell. A worn out fj45 is worth a fair penny, a worn out fj40 isnt worth as much. As far as end value, a aqualu body cruiser can sell for a lot if its a clean job.
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That's not entirely true. Now you have to deal with galvanic corrosion.
There are some local mine places that are very caustic in waste runoff from the tailings pile - Aluminium does good against acids not so well against bases. +1 for galvanometric issues. I have seen house windows that will fall out from using galvanized nails threw the aluminium fins. I can sort of weld steel, but aluminium is way past my skill level or tools I have.
I would still rather have my tub/bed be full aluminum. I have seen so many cruisers body rust out. There is a vendor here somewhere using stainless steel. Steel fasteners in aluminum would take incredibly long to rust out a tub.
Depends. You have an anode and a cathode. You mix in an electrolyte and it'll go fast.
Even faster if you use a stainless fastener in direct contact.
It was a constant battle on boats for me with stainless fasteners and aluminum components.
In saltwater, (your electrolyte), it was crazy how fast the aluminum would dissappear.
You'll want to pad everything to keep direct contact to a minimum. Coat everything you can't pad.
Aluminum is better in many regards, but it also has it's faults. It's not a magic bullet.
I researched aqualu bodies quite a bit and feedback for them. Aqualu is in Canada where steel fj40 bodies go to die. I believe aqualu has been making aluminum cruiser bodies since like 1990. You can find guys on here in Canada that have had a aqualu that long. I have never come across feedback for any corrosion issues. However Aqualu does give instructions on basic steps to avoid corrosion. I took those steps, they were not a big deal I thought. The aqualu body is also constructed so that corrosives like road ice melt can't seep between panels like the spot welded construction of the stock bodies.
