Building A Four Door FJ40 (2 Viewers)

[bj40green]

Great thread!

Subscribed!

Rudi

 

[FouadHafeez]

A last post...for the present...which might be out of place here, but I'm going to post it, nonetheless.

My country, Pakistan, has been in and out of the news in recent times for all of the wrong reasons. The terrorism (which we're struggling to defeat), the internal strife and conflict, the stories of how we're supposed to be this-or-the-other. I'm not going to offer counter-arguments, and I'm certainly not going to initiate (or participate) in a debate, here.

Which is why I'm going to take a different tack, and stick to stuff pertaining to the forum (and the site), instead. From an off-roader's perspective...Pakistan is all about beautiful places, a vastly rich diversity (both cultural, and in terms of flora and fauna), exciting journeys, and splendid adventures. Deserts, mountains, glaciers, rivers, forests, swamps, mangroves, wetlands, rock formations, salt flats, floodpans, dams, high-altitude passes, sinkholes and tarmac alike..we have it all. And then, there IS the fact that we tend to do weird, crazy, unimaginable things to (and with) our FJ40s.

On a parting note...some pictures of some of the incredible places that this Phantom is going to see - and conquer - in days to come. Enjoy!

Shangrila...which in the local dialect means "Heaven on Earth". No wonder, huh? (Gilgit-Baltistan)

Sheosar Lake, the Northern Areas of Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan)

A shot overlooking Muzaffarabad (Kashmir)

Another shot of the Northern Areas of Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan)

Kaghan (Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa)

Kallar Kahar Wetlands (Punjab)

The Nushki Desert (Baluchistan)

Derawar Fort (Punjab)

Deosai Plains...the highest plateau in the world, at the confluence of the Himalayan, Hindu Kush and Karakoram Mountain Ranges (Gilgit-Baltistan)

Another shot of Deosai.

 

[FouadHafeez]

...and after that, we bring you back to our regular programming, comprising of talk about Cruisers, beer, football, rugby, cricket, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing...and more Cruisers.

 

[FouadHafeez]

on second thoughts...let's stick to Cruisers.

 

[cult45]

Wicked, wicked truck mate. I see you also have a '65 Impala with a Toyota donk! Sounds controversial - I like!

I was in India a while back, awesome place. Where are you from, originally?

 

[spotcruiser]

Thank you for sharing those amazing photos, Fouad. Pakistan is a beautiful place.

That's a sweet truck you're building.

 

[RockTactics]

Wow! I have never research, or looked at any photo's of your country. The only photos I have ever seen are what is shown on the news. I am absolutely amazed at the beauty. That reminds me of here in Oregon. We have Lakes, Rivers, Mountains, Desert, Sand Dunes, Marshes, farm land, and Larger Cities all at an arms reach. It is amazing to go and run the different terrains, and see the different sights. The only downfall is a lot of our beautiful lands are closed to offroading.

Thank you for sharing.

Keep up the good work!

 

[boozewz]

Fuad

Thank you sir for sharing. What a beautiful country you have!

Subscribed

 

[duffontap]

Amazing!

What an amazing and inspiring project--not to mention the photos of your beautiful country.

I am seriously impressed (dumbfounded actually) with the fabrication of the custom doors. Is that all hammer and dolly work?!

Thank you for all the great pics. Cheers, JD

 

[allan man]

Thank you for taking the time to share.....Beautiful Country! Beautiful Cruiser!
I think after this we will be seeing more 4 door Cruisers......That Beast is definetly a conversation piece no matter where in the world you may go......

We want more pictures please!!

 

[pbgbottle]

amazing work , and beautiful pics of the country . thanks for sharing.
i've always wanted to stretch my rig .

 

[millas]

Now this is definately one sweet wicked ride!!

 

[lostmarbles]

I first spotted your build in the "what have you done this week thread" Fouad. So, being massively impressed by what I saw there, I immediately searched on your username to find this thread.

"Oh to be a hotrod builder in Pakistan." Thanks to you, I'm now continually dreaming of what I could accomplish if I was to learn just some of the skills of those amazing guys you have working with you.

(Of course I'd also need to own some sort of workshop and have more spare time ... but I find it doesn't pay to think in too much detail because that always acts as a dampener.)

Many of us ordinary folk here in NZ can't afford flash machinery/tools/equipment so we need to use similar improvising-skills. But your mates in Pakistan are on such a tremendously high-level!

And coupled with your personal good eye and articulate way of describing exactly what you want.... Well the Phantom shows the end result.

Different cultures can certainly be bridged by common interests like we all have here in our love of Japanese-designed 40-series landcruisers.

I'm hanging out for engine-bay pics.

Also, how's the turning-circle going to end up? Is that going to be a significant downside to those humongous tyres?

 

[cbelgard]

Rear doors are amazing. Great pictures of your country, so beautiful! Keep the build pictures coming.

 

[V8FJ4078]

Different cultures can certainly be bridged by common interests like we all have here in our love of Japanese-designed 40-series landcruisers.

True! Coming together, rather than dividing. The pictures are amazing, they don't show those on the news reports! Would love to travel around the world to see these amazing places in my FJ40! Meeting so many great people along the way! "Who Needs A Road?" was a great book!

Would love to build a 4 door cruiser for my family too! On my list, but never quite figure out how to cut, shape the rear doors so they look nice. I like this look! How did you do the window tracks and rubbers?

Craig

 

[FouadHafeez]

Wow...I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the positivity I see on here!

Thank you, everyone.

And I think each person on here, deserves a separate reply...so here goes nothing!

 

[twoyotas]

world peace through Land Cruisers!

 

[FouadHafeez]

Wicked, wicked truck mate. I see you also have a '65 Impala with a Toyota donk! Sounds controversial - I like!

I was in India a while back, awesome place. Where are you from, originally?

If this wasn't a strictly Toyota haven...I'd love to show you some pictures of my Impala (the '65). To say the least, the 1UZ-FE VVTi is a terrifying engine. And I do mean truly scary. We've tinkered around with the suspension and drivetrain and brakes too, to put all of that power to use. One of these days, we should have a tete-a-tete about American muscle!

And to answer the latter part of your question, I grew up in England, and spent most of my early years there.

Thank you for sharing those amazing photos, Fouad. Pakistan is a beautiful place.

That's a sweet truck you're building.

Thanks for the kind words. During the course of this thread, I hope to be able to also incorporate (and showcase) some scenes from "everyday" Pakistan, too. The people, the traditions, the cultures, and yes...the off-roading, too!

And thanks for the appreciation of the truck, too. Appreciation makes it that much more gratifying.

Wow! I have never research, or looked at any photo's of your country. The only photos I have ever seen are what is shown on the news. I am absolutely amazed at the beauty. That reminds me of here in Oregon. We have Lakes, Rivers, Mountains, Desert, Sand Dunes, Marshes, farm land, and Larger Cities all at an arms reach. It is amazing to go and run the different terrains, and see the different sights. The only downfall is a lot of our beautiful lands are closed to offroading.

Thank you for sharing.

Keep up the good work!

Fortunately for us, the rules that restrict off-roading in other parts of the world aren't really applicable to our neck of the woods,although most off-roading is organised in regular clubs that are VERY conscientious about the environment and public good. In fact, MOST off-road club activities in remote areas also invariably incorporate some charitable work; free medical camps, distribution of alms and consumer products, educational activities etc.

Thanks for the kind words, mate.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Fuad

Thank you sir for sharing. What a beautiful country you have!

Subscribed

It's truly my pleasure, boss. Thanks so much for the appreciation and kind words.

What an amazing and inspiring project--not to mention the photos of your beautiful country.

I am seriously impressed (dumbfounded actually) with the fabrication of the custom doors. Is that all hammer and dolly work?!

Thank you for all the great pics. Cheers, JD

Thanks for the interest and the appreciation, JD.

Yep. All of that is hand-crafting. I have a couple of surprises for you pertaining to what else has been crafted by hand, but I don't want to jump the gun, prematurely. Rest assured...ANY FJ40 enthusiast would like what's in store!

Thank you for taking the time to share.....Beautiful Country! Beautiful Cruiser!
I think after this we will be seeing more 4 door Cruisers......That Beast is definetly a conversation piece no matter where in the world you may go......

We want more pictures please!!

It's truly my pleasure, Allan.

To be honest, when I was initially planning this project, I was almost about to buy a Unimog and resto-mod it as a "Doka" (double cabin). Whilst that would have been an interesting project too, for sure...I don't think it would've been even comparable to this one, for the simple fact that save a couple dozen, possibly the world over, there are hardly ANY double-door 40s making the rounds.

Once again, mate...thanks. The overwhelming appreciation by enthusiasts such as yourself, makes this rebuild and this thread, all the more satisfying.

 

[FouadHafeez]

amazing work , and beautiful pics of the country . thanks for sharing.
i've always wanted to stretch my rig .

Ta, mate.

Stretching FJ40s is done on a ridiculously regular basis here, because nearly all of the public transport that travels to those beautiful, rugged, remote, inhospitable terrain you've seen in those pictures, is by means of stretched FJ40s! Perhaps that's because no other vehicle is as hardy, as tough, and as dependable as this beast. My rig has been stretched by about 3 feet...while it's not uncommon for a 4, 5, even 6 foot stretched builds on Troopies. Sooo...FWIW...it CAN be done!

Now this is definately one sweet wicked ride!!

Thanks for the kind words

I first spotted your build in the "what have you done this week thread" Fouad. So, being massively impressed by what I saw there, I immediately searched on your username to find this thread.

"Oh to be a hotrod builder in Pakistan." Thanks to you, I'm now continually dreaming of what I could accomplish if I was to learn just some of the skills of those amazing guys you have working with you.

(Of course I'd also need to own some sort of workshop and have more spare time ... but I find it doesn't pay to think in too much detail because that always acts as a dampener.)

Many of us ordinary folk here in NZ can't afford flash machinery/tools/equipment so we need to use similar improvising-skills. But your mates in Pakistan are on such a tremendously high-level!

And coupled with your personal good eye and articulate way of describing exactly what you want.... Well the Phantom shows the end result.

Different cultures can certainly be bridged by common interests like we all have here in our love of Japanese-designed 40-series landcruisers.

I'm hanging out for engine-bay pics.

Also, how's the turning-circle going to end up? Is that going to be a significant downside to those humongous tyres?

Thanks, Tom. Coming from an enthusiast like yourself, those are high words of praise!

You might have noticed, that I never refer to the craftsmen that are re-birthing the Phantom, as anything other than "Maestro". And truthfully...that's a simple, honest-to-goodness fact. It's absolutely fascinating seeing them work...almost like a sculptor creating an art-form; hewn from granite...except these blokes use sheet metal and steel, instead.

I'll definitely be sharing pictures of the engine bay with you and the others...and once again, as an enthusiast, I suspect you'll be as pleased as punch, with the way the 1HZ fits like a dream in the FJ's bay

You're so right, you know. We're a bunch of people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicity, and countries...and yet, we're nattering away like bosom buddies because we share a similar passion/penchant for Japanese automotive art! What can I say...other than...BANZAI!

The steering is good. I had some serious problems initially with death wobble, but we spent a lot of time on the steering geometry, the steering stabilization, and fine-tuning all the connecting rods, et al...so now we're good. A new power steering pump and steering box have also been added, so the Phantom can literally be turned on a penny, using your little finger!