Builds El conquistador = 4 door fj45

[ready]

Well Paul, I think you are right about the difficulty of the B-pillar. My son and I have just completed the dolly/jig for the cab and we will be posting some pics here soon. Our plans are to complete the welds on the doors and rockers tomorrow as well as mount the cab on the dolly.
By Wednesday we should be ready to mark and cut the cab. We will take as many pictures as possible so that you guys can give us your thoughts (do's and don'ts). We value the opinions and advice of Mud members so please chime in. This is our first attempt to create a 4 door fj45 and any advice is welcomed.

 

[ready]

photos

 

[lomusass]

inside a 4 door 45

a shot inside, we made the window handles and fabbed up the mech so it would look stock, weeks if not months to get that door looking right, also note the rear corner and rear window postition..

 

[ready]

Paul, how would you adjust the inside hinge on the b-pillar for the back door? I'll be cutting up the cab tomorrow and putting in the a-pillar,rocker and b-pillar as one unit for more stability for the back door but I'm thinking about leaving a 1" x 3" opening on the inside of the new b-pillar around the area where the bolts hold down the hinge for easy access/adjustment. Do you currently make the mechanism and handle to replace/repair the broken ones on those doors?

 

[ready]

I like the look of the back windows lining up but maybe just a little more work and time consuming then what I want to put into it! I've been looking at a few photos of Banderaites and I'm pretty sure I will be going with the side and rear windows just as they sit on the 45. The rear door will be a little larger at 30 1/2" wide so that the rear window will be one piece and fully functional. I will need to source a new or newer window mechanism though.

 

[tucker74]

Looking good so far man, can't wait to see this come along. Hopefully I'll get to see it in person since you're right down the road

Tucker

 

[ready]

Thanks Tucker74, I just got in from working on the cruiser and I've got a good amount of pictures to share with you guys and gals.

 

[ready]

Pictures

fj45 :: VIDEO0020.mp4 video by playinb3yond - Photobucket

 

[waiting for time]

Fantastic job, looks like you guys really thought this through.
You make it seem so easy.

 

[Eco 45]

You could incorporate an internal roll cage as part of the B pillar and extend it towards the rear of the cab to create additional strength in the B pillar to support the door and take the abuse of being a striker for the front door. Plus it would help keep any one in the cab safe as the old Toyota's didn't handle roll overs very well. SOR has new window cranks for the old style trucks and I would stay stock as one-off parts are fine till they brake. Then you are stuck trying to create another one of a kind item which can be a real if you are on the road.

 

[lenross1]

Looking great guys!

I agree with Eco 45 about adding an internal cage. It just makes sense to incorporate it into your build at this point.

It would add the needed stability for the doors and adds a higher level of safety.

Hell I think all vehicles should have some sort of interior cage

 

[ready]

Scott & Lenross1, I've been giving the b-pillar a lot of thought lately and what i've done is attached a 2x2 sq. tubing 16 gauge to the back side of the original pillar from the bottom to the top. Now this is welded directly to the b-pillar on the outside and inside and has a slight angle to match the straight line from front to back starting at the 2x2 and going back to the rear cab.

I'll be working on the cruiser today and taking quite a few pictures of what i'm talking about. I've also re-inforced the bottom part of the b-pillar with 4x2 14 gauge steel and it feels a lot better than what I had originally fabricated.

Should have pictures up by 11 or 12 tonight.

 

[ready]

Pictures

 

[bikersmurf]

Supper cool keep the pics coming.

 

[ready]

Thank you Bikersmurf, We will be back at it again on Thursday to complete the passenger side. I hope to have it completed in two weeks and off to the media blaster.

I will have plenty more pictures then.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Your doing great. Keep em coming.

 

[waiting for time]

Great job can't wait to see more of it.

 

[lenross1]

Yall definitely added some strength to the B pillar !

I would still consider doing a roll cage, especially since you have access to the frame. would be a lot easier to work on now then when the floor is in.

May solve the issue of seat mounting locations as well. you can just tie it all into the roll cage.


just my 2 cents.

Its going to look great no matter what you guys decide!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Wow... awesome fab skills !!!
Mo pics plz !!!

 

[ready]

Thanks MANUCHAO, I have to give credit to Frank the welder. Between the three of us including my son Justin, we feel like it's coming along pretty good.

I have been giving the chassis some more thought and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a 60 series frame with 3.73:1 gears with a 4" lift on 35's. The power plant is gonna be an '04 or '05 Tundra 4.7 v-8 4x4 motor. I've found one at the local salvage yard for $800 with 50k miles from a '05 Tundra. Do you guys think that will be enough power to push the truck?