Builds Build #2 - 45 Extended Cab, 80 Frame, iForce 5.7 3UR

[mrboatman]

Very nice . Glad to see it up and on the road.

 

[Honger]

I fell behind on this one... caught up now. Loving it.

 

[UZJ40]

Well, after 5.5 years, all of the body panels are painted and installed. It actually looks like a complete vehicle now -

Crazy how big it is next to my Tundra -

Front door weatherstripping and windows need to go in. Getting closer though...

 

[Tank5]

That looks great with the top on! Door weather stripping will make a big difference in noise when you get it installed.

I can only imagine how fun it must be to drive with that 5.7 in it.

 

[UZJ40]

Thanks Dennis... It completely changed the look.

The 5.7 is a beast of an engine in something this light.... And it sounds great too.

 

[Mike Shull]

Thanks Dennis... It completely changed the look.

The 5.7 is a beast of an engine in something this light.... And it sounds great too.

This think looks beautiful! I like your tagline, too. I’d like to think that this stands for original equipment modified—they are more fun this way

 

[UZJ40]

Just wrapped up an awesome road trip through Utah and Idaho... Not much progress on the 45 lately, but returning to this hot weather, I think the AC is next on the list!

Here's a quick drive away video my wife took to get an idea of the exhaust note -



700 miles on it so far and a blast to drive!

 

[thatcabledude]

Trying to get the last couple small things done before my last batch of painting. I've been thinking about what to do with the cowl vent.

On my last 40, I just used a block off plate so I wouldn't have to worry about the drain tubes. On this build, I was going to use the OEM vent, but there isn't really a ram air effect like the kick vents. Also, I'm not crazy about the open slats that let pine needles and other junk in.

I decided to make my own that is a block off plate when its closed, and has a ram air effect when its open.

Starting out -

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Adding flat bar stock as reinforcement -

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Building the rest of the hinge mechanism -

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Cross brace installed and test fitting -

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Attaching the lid and lining everything up -

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Back in the closed position -

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Tomorrow, I'll hook up the push/pull for the FRESH PULL, which will pop the vent open. I'm really happy with how it came out!

OMG. I want! Awesome idea and great execution!

 

[UZJ40]

Well, hit 1,000 miles the other evening on the way home from dinner. I'm extremely happy with how it has performed so far. No break downs, no overheating, no trailers or tow trucks home. Still some stuff to do on it, and look forward to tackling those projects when it cools off in about a month or so.

Favorite things about it so far -

The looks. I love 40's, but I really like the uniqueness of this one.
The suspension is plush and smooth.
The sound is awesome.
I still love the Dakota Digital products.
Plenty of power!

 

[Tank5]

That looks great! I hope to see it in person someday. I missed it earlier in your thread but if those are 40 inch tires they look like they fit the rig nicely.

 

[UZJ40]

Well, still having a blast with URJ45. I did a couple small modifications in the past week.

First one was a 1" coil spring spacer lift. I wanted a bit more up travel before hitting my bump stops, but didn't want the firmness of an aftermarket lift spring, so I put on some 1" Ironman 4x4 spacers. They fit and did exactly what I wanted. Until now, I haven't ran the front or rear swaybar. Being that its a bit higher now, I installed the OEM rear 80 series sway bar and the handling and ride is fantastic.

I was also not super enthused about the sound of the exhaust with the cutout open. It was definitely louder, but not a good loud. It sounded more like a high school kid running open headers on a Camaro.

I put in a couple 45 degree bends as well as a 12" resonator off of the cutout. I can't believe how much it improved the quality of the sound. The rasp is completely gone, and the rumble I want is there. It sounds similar to the TRD exhaust on my Tundra, just a bit louder.

Kinda hard to hear on a phone or computer speakers, but anything with a subfoofer and you'll be able to hear the lower pitch -

 

[Mike Shull]

Sounds great!

 

[Broski]

Beautiful build, perfect blend of modern technology and old school classic Looks !

You hit it OUT OF THE PARK !!

 

[RevISK]

You built my dream truck

 

[matzell]

I may have missed it and can not seem to find it.

What size tires?

FJ Cruiser steel wheels?

Gear ratio in axles?

Thanks

 

[mtn biker]

Well, still having a blast with URJ45. I did a couple small modifications in the past week.

First one was a 1" coil spring spacer lift. I wanted a bit more up travel before hitting my bump stops, but didn't want the firmness of an aftermarket lift spring, so I put on some 1" Ironman 4x4 spacers. They fit and did exactly what I wanted. Until now, I haven't ran the front or rear swaybar. Being that its a bit higher now, I installed the OEM rear 80 series sway bar and the handling and ride is fantastic.

View attachment 3752062

View attachment 3752063

I was also not super enthused about the sound of the exhaust with the cutout open. It was definitely louder, but not a good loud. It sounded more like a high school kid running open headers on a Camaro.

I put in a couple 45 degree bends as well as a 12" resonator off of the cutout. I can't believe how much it improved the quality of the sound. The rasp is completely gone, and the rumble I want is there. It sounds similar to the TRD exhaust on my Tundra, just a bit louder.

Kinda hard to hear on a phone or computer speakers, but anything with a subfoofer and you'll be able to hear the lower pitch -

I can't wait to see it in person.

 

[UZJ40]

Sounds great!

Thanks Mike!

Beautiful build, perfect blend of modern technology and old school classic Looks !

You hit it OUT OF THE PARK !!

Thank you! I'm pretty happy with it!

You built my dream truck

Thanks! I was lucky enough to be able to build my own dream truck too!

I may have missed it and can not seem to find it.

What size tires?

FJ Cruiser steel wheels?

Gear ratio in axles?

Thanks

37x13.5's
FJ steelies
4.10's

I can't wait to see it in person.

Soon!

 

[UZJ40]

Almost forgot to post pics of the first time hooking up a trailer to the 45... No better thing to try it with than my new Kei truck! These pics are pre-spacers.

The truck is a 1994 Daihatsu Hijet. It is a 4x4 with low range and rear locker... and the best part - a hydraulic dump bed!

 

[Vossie]

What was the trailer for? Looks like the K truck would have fit in the bed

Looking awesome man.

 

[Travis 76]

Your build is totally awesome.