Building a Toyota "Rubicon"? (1 Viewer)

[woytovich]

I saw a slick looking, slightly lifted Rubicon Unlimited (the extended one) yesterday and it got me wishing (again) that Toyota would either import a version of the 70 series or build a new FJ40 (let's not get started on the FJ Cruiser please). This led to me thinking about what it woud take to build a Toyota 40 series version of the Rubicon given a budget of $30k, which is about what they cost.

So... pick up a late model LHD Troopie with PS and AC already installed. How much? $10-15k for a good clean one?

Add lockers" (Toyota electric, Toyota cable or ARBs?) $2500?

Resto as needed. Paint + ? $8-10k

New tires, springs and shocks (OME probably) $3,000

What else?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

4:1 t-case gearing-could substitute Marlin Toybox

Coil spring suspension

 

[woytovich]

4:1 t-case gearing-could substitute Marlin Toybox

Coil spring suspension

Staying within the budget?

I'm not trying to build the ULTIMATE 40... just a Rubicon equivalent - that WILL be better than the Rubicon because it's a cruiser...

 

[RHINO]

but thats just it, if you want the rubicon equivalent you need crawl gears, coil susp. lockers, fuel injection, power niceties like windows and door locks ect. your also going to spend a few $$ on sound deadening.

why not stretch a 40 instead of importing a troopie?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Staying within the budget?

I'm not trying to build the ULTIMATE 40... just a Rubicon equivalent - that WILL be better than the Rubicon because it's a cruiser...

Right-as Rhino says it's to make it equivalent. The Rubicon comes standard with 4:1 gears in the t-case. That one thing is what really makes it a great off-roader, despite the legendary Jeep quality.

I think importing an FZJ78 that already has coils up front would get you close, but you still need the low range gear set. I thought briefly about driving one in from Panama, since I have a friend with a brother there who owns a bunch of 70 series cruisers on his ranch/farm.

For a stock vehicle, in my opinion, the Rubicon is extremely well set up. I would not own one, but I think they did a good job spec'ing it out. Good luck with your project, but I think you could easily do it for $30k if you were thrifty and careful.

 

[woytovich]

FZJ78 is a good idea...

http://www5.plala.or.jp/mjm/FZJ78/FZJ78IMAGE/FZJ78DRAW01.PDF

 

[woytovich]

That said I'd want something with USA serviability... Non-USA Toyota engines might be a problem. Maybe we are on to a LHD LWB 40 series with a fuel injected V8 (or maybe a v6 to fuel economy?). A Toyota engine would keep in interesting...

Maybe we are talking taking a Tundra or Tacoma or 80 series and fitting it with a LWB 40 series body?

I'm personally not concerned with coils or not.

I like the idea of an older engine to reduce electronics and emissions issues.

I'm wanting it to LOOK like a 40... maybe even with a soft top option... and before someone mentions it I think the ICON is way too expensive (cause that's where we are headed right?)

 

[alex e]

Oh now that's not very cool.......

 

[woytovich]

Oh now that's not very cool.......

WHAT's not cool?

 

[alex e]

The diagram is frigging cool. I would also enjoy owning the brand new representation therein.

 

[RHINO]

I like the idea of an older engine to reduce electronics and emissions issues.

I'm wanting it to LOOK like a 40... maybe even with a soft top option... and before someone mentions it I think the ICON is way too expensive (cause that's where we are headed right?)

no i dont think me or drew is heading to an icon, thats whole different deal,,, you started the thread with building an equivalent rig, but what i'm reading in your replies is that you just want to build a nice trail rig and the "equivalent" statement was just a ruse to get our attention?. i mean your so far away from it just wanting to use a full bodied rig we shouldnt even be having this discussion.

so whats it gonna be? a rubicon equivalent or just a nice trail rig?

 

[woytovich]

FINE: Rubicon equivalent insofar as it is "modern"... I guess what I would like is what the Land Cruiser community in the US would say Toyota SHOULD build if they were going to do a modern 40 series. Therfore you are right that they would do coils over a solid axle, lockers, low TC ratio, a fuel injected gas or a turbo diesel...

But the other part of this exercise is to keep the busget down... use existing vehicles and technology that is not too esoteric, expensive or difficult to acheive.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

OK then. Here is your drivetrain:


Rebuilt 3FE (or better 2FE) + H41 + Orion


This nets you a modern fuel injected engine with old school DNA


Airlockers in the diffs


Spring over FJ40 with nice paint.


That's as close as you are going to get without heavy fabrication to run a 4 link. It would be a very nice truck. You are going to have to forget about nice stuff like A/C, power windows and locks on that budget, but you could easily do it.


Damn that FZJ78 is a nice truck.

 

[RHINO]

hehe, well i wasnt trying to tick you off.

 

[woytovich]

OK then. Here is your drivetrain:
Rebuilt 3FE (or better 2FE) + H41 + Orion
This nets you a modern fuel injected engine with old school DNA
Airlockers in the diffs
Spring over FJ40 with nice paint.
That's as close as you are going to get without heavy fabrication to run a 4 link. It would be a very nice truck. You are going to have to forget about nice stuff like A/C, power windows and locks on that budget, but you could easily do it.

How about going the other way and getting a locked 94FZJ80 and putting the $ into custom fabbing a 40 series body onto it? Better to get a 5 speed... That way tou get everything modern with the old school look...

Couid probably get the truck for $9000... that leaves enough $ for the bodywork, lift and tires... Oh, and the custom OEM style soft top and bows...

 

[Wayneraintree]

Iron Pig Off Road : Toyota 4WD experts

FJ40 Unlimited? - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

Is there something that has not been done? LOL..
Hey Mark : )

 

[woytovich]

It's not a matter of doing something that no one else has done it is just an exercise in wishing Toyota would build us a new 40 series....

I like these both. Get IPOR to do it in 4 door or have them put the rear seats in (with provision for getting into them through the front doors) and we are talkin'! I'd still like to see it in 5 (or 6) speed manual.

I wouldn't have such big tires though... I'd stick with more streetable MTRs maybe in 35-35... and then have a custom soft top made in OEM style...

Gotta give them a call!!!

 

[TEPUI]

It's not a matter of doing something that no one else has done it is just an exercise in wishing Toyota would build us a new 40 series....

I like these both. Get IPOR to do it in 4 door or have them put the rear seats in (with provision for getting into them through the front doors) and we are talkin'! I'd still like to see it in 5 (or 6) speed manual.

I wouldn't have such big tires though... I'd stick with more streetable MTRs maybe in 35-35... and then have a custom soft top made in OEM style...

Gotta give them a call!!!

Have you seen my J**p inspired illustration on the "I wish Toyota had done this" thread?

 

[Fast Eddy]

How about a stretched '40 body on an '80 series chassis? You get fuel injection, coil springs and e-lockers right out of the box.

 

[RHINO]

hey slow eddy, do ya read anything when you make a reply or just reply to a threads title? open the IPOR link.

waytovich, i'm with ya man, i always thought it would be cool to stretch a 40 and drop it on a 60, then take it far as you want. but of course i'm a 55 guy at heart and i still really want to build an FJ55 extra cab pick-up truck.