Building A Four Door FJ40

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For some reason, I've found myself thinking of re-building a 1981 HJ47; with a 3UZ-FE VVTi V8, 6 speed Tiptronic auto-tranny adapted to a transfer case, 80 series diff-lockable axles with four-link mounts, air-conditioning, heating, power steering, power windows and electric mirrors...run it on 33 inch tyres with diff locks engaged in high-range 4wd...and snarl at Porsche owners at red traffic lights.

I know...absurd, right?

Almost as absurd as building a four door 40 on 42 inch wheels. :)



The "Manchurian Candidate" under consideration, currently.
 
If anyone can it's you! Wish we could find those trucks sitting around.
 
Thanks for the kind words, mate. Actually, this truck is one of TWO that are sitting around, begging to be bought and saved. This time, though, no four doors. Or perhaps there might be. Or not, after all. Maybe a king-cab. Or perhaps I MIGHT opt for four doors, regardless.

Dammit. I used to think I was indecisive in such matters, but now I'm not so sure. ;)
 
FouadHafeez said:
For some reason, I've found myself thinking of re-building a 1981 HJ47; with a 3UZ-FE VVTi V8, 6 speed Tiptronic auto-tranny adapted to a transfer case, 80 series diff-lockable axles with four-link mounts, air-conditioning, heating, power steering, power windows and electric mirrors...run it on 33 inch tyres with diff locks engaged in high-range 4wd...and snarl at Porsche owners at red traffic lights.

I know...absurd, right?

Almost as absurd as building a four door 40 on 42 inch wheels. :)



.
Click to expand...

Please do build this truck. It would be awesome
 
Sir, go for it. It would be an awesome project. I would love to see this one coming back to life.
I think you could make a great four door crew cab out of it as well.
Just one suggestion from me. Do whatever you want to do with engine, gears, differentials, suspensions etc., But please don't modify the body.
 
I say............... go for it!

Rudi
 
Go for it. If it's anything like you and your craftsmen did here it will be fantastic.

I must tell you I've found this thread very inspiring. I show it to several people outside the LC community and they are awe struck. I have been nothing but impressed with this build.

I would like to do something very similar. In fact searching for a 4 door fj40 is how I came across your thread.

Please keep the innovative builds coming.
 
Please do not make any turns on pavement with those axles locked and that much engine power. You will break birfields.
 
fjgoober said:
Go for it. If it's anything like you and your craftsmen did here it will be fantastic.

I must tell you I've found this thread very inspiring. I show it to several people outside the LC community and they are awe struck. I have been nothing but impressed with this build.

I would like to do something very similar. In fact searching for a 4 door fj40 is how I came across your thread.

Please keep the innovative builds coming.
Click to expand...
Inspirational words of encouragement. I'm very seriously considering this build, since the original car is in fairly good shape for its age, 40 series bits and parts and odds and ends are plentiful, and I stand better-educated because of the "Phantom" experience. Perhaps a "new" four-door might still be a good idea, as well. When we're going to redo the body, might as well do it up with an additional pair of doors...AND add those things that I'd wanted to do with the Phantom, but never did get around to.

As an aside, I'm glad the build resonates with non-LC folks, too. I'm chuffed at how I've received nothing but positive vibes from people all around the world because of the truck. A testament to the outreach and readership of this site too, I guess.

Cheers.
 
Found some 4 door and a 6 door pictures.
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166394_487372663542_55756113542_5970216_832011_n.webp

167608_487372913542_55756113542_5970219_1596823_n.webp

IMG_8733.webp

toyota hardtop club bandung_facebook.webp


Rudi
 
I'm not jealous...MUCH! Wish we had more 45's here in the US. Hope your build goes well, look forward to the end result. You could always send the other 45 that you don't choose here, I'll take good care of it ;)
 
Will be paying a visit to the place sometime today, to see if it's worth the effort.
 
So...practicality (and being a family man) wins out, after all. Turns out, we WON'T be building a 45 pickup with 8 cylinders. And it won't be having four doors, either. But it will be having six wheels. :)

Phantom II isn't going to be a rock crawler, or a pavement shredder, or a mud-basher, after all. It's going to be...a caravan. Think of it as an RV40, rather than an FJ40. :)

In discussions with "The Team", we've chalked out a basic plan of action...

1) Purchase a derelict / donor FJ40, with a decent frame, front, doors, windscreen frame and bumper.
2) Extend the wheelbase to approximately 120 or so inches.
3) Add a pair of diff-lockable 40 series axles.
4) Extend the rear frame by about another 50 odd inches. For the rear caravan-space, this should give us about 15-16 feet length. Possibly, 7ft or so width.
5) Add another 'dead' axle aft of the rear live axle.
6) Mount wheels and tyres, all round.
7) Add a 1HZ / 1KZ engine, with the choice of either auto / manual transmission
8) Build the remainder of the cabin around the frame, joining the cabin and the rear living area. This should incl insulation against cold and heat, a loo, a kitchenette, a water-reservoir, a sewage tank, a crawlspace sleeping area, seating area, heating, air-conditioning, LED-based lighting, an invertor-based source for electricity, a small portable generator-set, TV / Mobile Theatre, storage spaces, and whatever else comes to mind.

I go to purchase the donor car from the Sacred Graveyard of 40 Series Trucks (also known as City Saddar Road, Rawalpindi) on Saturday. Wish me luck, everyone! :)
 
Meanwhile, back in Gotham City...

 
Been absent for a bit. Reason being I was busy with another build, which I was wondering would even be acceptable on 'Mud, or not. :)

Anyways...here goes. Meet Phantom's cousin, everyone.

Pegasus is the name of the handsome creature you see parked in front of Phantom. Some of the thoughts on THIS very page are being added to the truck's build. While the styling is very much 1942 Willys, this king-cabin and pickup combo isn't anything Willys ever built (to the best of my knowledge). Appearances are deceiving, though. The frame is that of a CJ, that's been extended to 80 series length (118 inches, rather than the 74 inches of the Willys). The suspension is Toyota: coil-sprung 4.88 lockable diffs front and rear that ride on 37 inch "tall-skinny" tyres. The planned powerplant is also a Toyota --- a 3UZ-FE VVTi V8 mated to a 6 speed Tiptronic, that will be coupled to a transfer case driving all wheels (2H, 4H, and 4L). And of course, every panel is being beaten out on the truck by hand, as you can see from the tailgate and bonnet. :)

Wolf in sheep's clothing? Maybe. We'll only be able to tell once it's eaten up a couple of Grand Cherokees. Fingers crossed! :)



 
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