crew cab 45 TOYOTONA

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Hows this for to harsh... Your Dumb!
I have been sitting on the sidelines until your comment. Bikerso has been more than decent in all his comments. Get a life!


And then there's that....:popcorn:
 
It seems a bit of explanation is in order.

When I first saw the 4 door build I though "THAT is cool". For a guy that has been around cruisers and has owned as many as I have that is exceptional for me to say. Add to this what I do for a living and it adds another level to that exclamation.

I had thought about doing a similar project off and on for the last few decades but either didn't have the time or when I had the time I didn't have the space... and then I got into 70 series trucks and until I saw this build the idea basically drifted off.

As a fabricator I know how long something like this can take and I also know that there are details that are hidden that must be taken into account as the build progresses. I still don't have the time or the space to do a build like that and I KNOW I can not build it for what Paul is selling them for so I watched and waited.

Then the report comes back from the purchaser. The frame is crap that is obvious to anyone that looks at the pics. I would be frustrated as well getting that one sent to me but ... crap happens.

Now the report on the actual piece I am interested in starts forming. I look though all 100 pics and I see gaps similar to factory trucks I have owned. No biggie. I don't see "heavy coats of bondo" especially on the tub pics. I see misaligned holes for the hood latch. I see misaligned window frame mount holes. I see minor issues with the build but I also take a step back and look at the over all build of the tub and I am impressed. This is a one off build, not mass production so issues will present themselves. We ALL make mistakes.

Then Scott starts shooting off making assumptions and accusations and slanders an entire continent for what we as North Americans have been doing for 100 years. THAT is uncalled for.

I contacted Paul to get his side because I am still interested in purchasing a 4 door 4* tub to build into a HZTI H55F expedition vehicle but I need more doors and space in the cab. His reply was enlightening and refreshing. He did not go into bashing Scott’s comments or Scott himself. He kept it clean and told me the facts as he saw them. After looking at Scott’s pics and comments and reading Paul’s responses I can see there is a concern of "expectation" for money invested. There is a lot that Scott is not revealing about the money invested and that is between him and the readers.

I am getting Paul to forward me the 200 pics that he sent to Scott to see if there is misdirection with them.

I am neutral in this discussion. I am not taking a side but what I am trying to do is to bring reality back to this thread.
This is the reality:
For all those considering buying parts from this individual a few things to take into consideration.

*The stamp/ press work is great
*welds are mediocre some are usable and other need to be redone
*avoid an item that comes with a frame unless you intend to rebuild 80% of it.
* some items have alignment issues.

Add to this that the truck was sold to an individual that was building it for someone else. Embarrassment and frustration resulted when the truck arrived in a condition that was unacceptable. If the frame would have been solid then I could see the minor imperfections of the tub would have not been such a huge issue.
Emotions can cloud a person’s ability to see a diamond in the rough.

Frame issues aside, bang for the buck is there. As I stated before, if a custom shop in North America was to perform this build the costs would have been huge, just for the tub alone.

I do hope that Scott can bring it up to his expectations and can enjoy the ride. It is a head turner and if he sticks his logo on it then excellent advertising where ever he travels.
 
What????

I know I am new to the IH8Mud---but I agree with RustyNailJustin!! What is your deal Crushers??? Here I am paging through what looks to be an amazing project (very slowly with dialup) and what does it end with???? Someone going off as if they had all the answers. First you interrupt the thread with some ranting about a 40’s truck---nothing to do with project but you seemed to want to include it somehow. Being a mere back yard mechanic myself I take offense that someone without the professional shop cannot make a Perfect cruiser!!! In may not be perfect in everyone’s eyes but when you but your heart blood and soul into the vehicle yourself because you don’t have the money to have a shop do it---what you said really hurts! I hope you don’t have kid’s—can only see little junior brining up a school project and you coming down on him telling him that he has no right to even attempt such a project ever in his life. Next you come in trying to make it look like Bikerso is trying to slander an entire continent---now this is total BS on your part! Do you actually read things before typing or just sit on the keyboard and let your opinions come from your intelligent part of your body? And then you come back in to try and explain yourself once more (can we say back peddling) but only to end with trying to jab Bikerso with some more assumptions on your part. I don’t know how Bikerso restrain himself from replying to this thread. But in the end I think it is you Crushers who is embarrassed and frustrated at the appearance you have created for yourself. And I suggest in the future before typing---take some Midol and think about what you say. I want to see a truck being built not some ravings of a crazed man!
 
huh?
best reread the thread.
i am the one defending the original builder.
:rolleyes:
Bikerso is the one tearing the build apart.

newbies need to read and keep their mouths shut.
 
huh?
best reread the thread.
i am the one defending the original builder.
:rolleyes:
Bikerso is the one tearing the build apart.

newbies need to read and keep their mouths shut.

:eek:

I might have to quote that in my sig line,
 
kooooombaiyaaaa.....my lord....koooommmbaiy:lol:

Funny, 1ton.

For the record; I've known Bikerso for a year or so and have had him do some work on a 45 for me last summer (five figures). His work is impeccable and during the entire process I found him to be very honest and straight forward. I recently was ripped off by another LandCruiser rebuilder and Bikerso was the the perfect guy to step in and fix what the other guy either botched, forgot, lied about or stole. I definitely appreciate your coming forward, Scott, to let others know that you were stung so that others can avoid same. We all expect others to be like we are and that clearly was not the case for your customer on this Central American buy.

Not to fuel the fire but I would think that if Aqualu could do something curiously similar, brand spanking new (and you know they aren't going to sell these at $30k) it doesn't seem odd to me at all to expect that for $29.5k the refabbed 4d 45 should be as represented. At least... it could have and should have been. Obviously this isn't exactly the same thing but it's in the neighborhood and illustrates that the basic idea is easily doable for the guy that's set up for it.



10231_133002962339_14112597339_2433265_5150353_n.jpg
 
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EXTREMELY COOL. Good suggestion to compare.
So lets do just that:
$4953 quad cab body. Dash gauges do not sit flush with dash same with the glove box door. No doors, rear door or gate, no glass NO TOP!
http://www.aqualu.com/4540 template master copy.jpg
$640 fenders - needs further work
http://www.aqualu.com/4024 template master copy.jpg
$267 bib – head lights do not fit flush as factory
http://www.aqualu.com/4030 template master copy.jpg
$712 front half doors
http://www.aqualu.com/4033-a template master copy.jpg
$615 rear half doors – no glass or upper frames.
http://www.aqualu.com/4033-c template master copy.jpg
$121 flat tail gate panel
http://www.aqualu.com/4035 template master copy.jpg
$276 side panels – hood hood hold down
http://www.aqualu.com/4031 template master copy.jpg

$7584 USD plus shipping and taxes.
This gives you the basic convertible body, 1/2 doors, fixed panel rear and front clip. It will never rust and hard to dent.
To be fair, it does not have the proper returns the stock setup has. It does not have the proper recesses for fitting certain parts flush.
You still need to do the install, massage the parts to fit, find a 45 series frame and cut it down. You need a full drive-train (engine, tranny, t/case, front diff, rear diff, shafts), electrical harness, interior, exhaust etc etc etc.
and of course paint
Plus, you will need a custom soft top created and installed if you are going to use in inclement weather.

a build like this will be unique so the customer or builder will set the budget.

but still comparing apples to oranges since one is a non removable hart top and the other is a full time convertible.
i might just look at the Aqualu tub in person, if it could be made with a solid top then that is a fine option to consider.
 
EXTREMELY COOL. Good suggestion to compare.
So lets do just that:
$4953 quad cab body. Dash gauges do not sit flush with dash same with the glove box door. No doors, rear door or gate, no glass NO TOP!
http://www.aqualu.com/4540 template master copy.jpg
$640 fenders - needs further work
http://www.aqualu.com/4024 template master copy.jpg
$267 bib – head lights do not fit flush as factory
http://www.aqualu.com/4030 template master copy.jpg
$712 front half doors
http://www.aqualu.com/4033-a template master copy.jpg
$615 rear half doors – no glass or upper frames.
http://www.aqualu.com/4033-c template master copy.jpg
$121 flat tail gate panel
http://www.aqualu.com/4035 template master copy.jpg
$276 side panels – hood hood hold down
http://www.aqualu.com/4031 template master copy.jpg

$7584 USD plus shipping and taxes.
This gives you the basic convertible body, 1/2 doors, fixed panel rear and front clip. It will never rust and hard to dent.
To be fair, it does not have the proper returns the stock setup has. It does not have the proper recesses for fitting certain parts flush.
You still need to do the install, massage the parts to fit, find a 45 series frame and cut it down. You need a full drive-train (engine, tranny, t/case, front diff, rear diff, shafts), electrical harness, interior, exhaust etc etc etc.
and of course paint
Plus, you will need a custom soft top created and installed if you are going to use in inclement weather.

a build like this will be unique so the customer or builder will set the budget.

but still comparing apples to oranges since one is a non removable hart top and the other is a full time convertible.
i might just look at the Aqualu tub in person, if it could be made with a solid top then that is a fine option to consider.

I see the pic of the 4 door lower cab in the upper right corner of the there brochure. Do you know if Aqualu has any any intentions in the near future of producing the hard top and doors for that 4 door crew cab truck body?

Thanks, Matt
 
I see the pic of the 4 door lower cab in the upper right corner of the there brochure. Do you know if Aqualu has any any intentions in the near future of producing the hard top and doors for that 4 door crew cab truck body?

Thanks, Matt


just make them yourself matt.... we know you can do it.... :D
 
Funny, 1ton.

For the record; I've known Bikerso for a year or so and have had him do some work on a 45 for me last summer (five figures). His work is impeccable and during the entire process I found him to be very honest and straight forward. I recently was ripped off by another LandCruiser rebuilder and Bikerso was the the perfect guy to step in and fix what the other guy either botched, forgot, lied about or stole. I definitely appreciate your coming forward, Scott, to let others know that you were stung so that others can avoid same. We all expect others to be like we are and that clearly was not the case for your customer on this Central American buy.

Not to fuel the fire but I would think that if Aqualu could do something curiously similar, brand spanking new (and you know they aren't going to sell these at $30k) it doesn't seem odd to me at all to expect that for $29.5k the refabbed 4d 45 should be as represented. At least... it could have and should have been. Obviously this isn't exactly the same thing but it's in the neighborhood and illustrates that the basic idea is easily doable for the guy that's set up for it.



10231_133002962339_14112597339_2433265_5150353_n.jpg

Or spend $30k for a complete Bandi crew cab body, yes complete will all doors and top.

I see the pic of the 4 door lower cab in the upper right corner of the there brochure. Do you know if Aqualu has any any intentions in the near future of producing the hard top and doors for that 4 door crew cab truck body?

Thanks, Matt

Good to see you around Matt,

Yes and no on your question. There is another manufacture for aluminum bodies and they will have hard tops and doors. It is NOT Aqualoo. Also have not gone public yet, and is a US company.
 
more info please, this is ineresting...
Or spend $30k for a complete Bandi crew cab body, yes complete will all doors and top.

.
 
Yes and no on your question. There is another manufacture for aluminum bodies and they will have hard tops and doors. It is NOT Aqualoo. Also have not gone public yet, and is a US company.


when will this be public?
 
Or spend $30k for a complete Bandi crew cab body, yes complete will all doors and top.



Good to see you around Matt,

Yes and no on your question. There is another manufacture for aluminum bodies and they will have hard tops and doors. It is NOT Aqualoo. Also have not gone public yet, and is a US company.

Hey Shane, I've been around..just been really busy the last couple years. :)

I'm not sure I want to spend 30k...but, I'm sure by the time I'm done I may have that into it? :) It also isn't critical to me that it is Toyota...I am looking for the ulitmate familiy truck'ster, in terms of usefulness combined with cool factor. If it's a combination of Aluminum, steel body parts with a hand crafted frame with some hp behind it...that's just fine by me.

Ultimately the consumer will drive the market, and right now I want a full 4 door crew cab, bottom, top and doors. I know Aqualu is a very good company with a reputation for quality...and I would gladly buy from them, if they had the whole pkg?

Any more info on this U.S. company? Location? Pricing? ETA on availabilty? If you know more, but don't want to go public with that info PM if you could. If I could get some info and maybe a phone # or something? I'm not going to put a gun to anyones head on exact price or the eta...just a general ball park?

Thanks, Matt
 
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