FINALLY - '67 FJ45 LPB Resoration Begins

[Kotekaman]

Roll Cage

I had to have a roll cage in the 45, which fitting one in the confined space of the cab isn't an easy task. Proffitts went with a 1.5" x .200" tubing for the cage (with exception of the lower 'A' pillar), small but strong.

Front View:



(Drivers) Side View:



Close up on the 'A' Pillar where it attaches to the dash/door frame. This design was chosen over tubing in order to allow a bit more leg room while still allowing for load transfer from the cage to the frame ties:

 

[Kotekaman]

Body

Still a bit more work to do on the body before it is ready for paint. Seams to fill, holes to patch, but generally, it is in pretty good shape.

The patched-over fuel fill neck. Also note the roll cage 'B' Pillar mounting plate directly below:



The dash:



The only place were there was much rust...filled in and ground down:

 

[Kotekaman]

Rear Bumper

Both the front and rear bumper fabrications are great, but I really like how the rear bumper fits in with the lines of the vehicle, while still providing substantial protection. Has an inset for the license plate, shackle lugs, hitch reciever and cutout for 40-series brake lights/turn signals:





Detail of the side protection/slider. Note how the slider tucks underneath the bed:



All in all, she's shaping up nicely, with a lot of great fab work to showcase.

Next week the plan is for the engine to be rebuilt, and things getting ready for paint...

 

[Kotekaman]

Nice job on the rear bumper!

The more I look at the rear bumper, the more I like it. I'm glad I gave the fabricators free reign on what to build.

 

[Kotekaman]

wow just awesome work

It certainly is. I'm very happy with the direction the project is going. There were a lot of things that I didn't have a strong opinion on, or hadn't thought about, but the Proffitt's guys have been great for giving good advice.

 

[Kotekaman]

3F-E getting assembled

Onur sent a few pictures, Robbie is putting the powerplant together this week.

 

[Kotekaman]

More 3F-E

More Progress!

 

[DeltaT]

Nice, subscribed...

 

[Kotekaman]

More 3F-E

The engine is fully assembled, and getting some bling in the paint booth.

 

[Kotekaman]

And a bit more

 

[2manycruisers]

Awesome rig and awesome work. I wish I had the flow to turn my troopy over to those guys!

 

[v8troopie]

nice job so far, and keeping a toyota power plant but did you ever consider putting a 1uz in it

 

[Kotekaman]

Awesome rig and awesome work. I wish I had the flow to turn my troopy over to those guys!

I'm very fortunate to be able to have Proffitts do the work. I am very impressed with the quality of work, as well as the experience these guys have. There were a lot of hairbrained ideas I had that looked good on paper, but would have been a mistake, and they've done a good job steering me in the right direction.

I know I am missing out on a big part of the cruiser experience, learning the rig inside and out by building it myself. The reality is that the build will be of a quality that I could never achieve, and will get done about 10 years sooner than if I was building it with my current work schedule.

I would not have had the $$$ to make this happen had I not spent 4 years working overseas, and I wouldn't have lasted that long working overseas without some sort of incentive to myself. Between bouts of malaria, food poisoning, and being cooped up in a compound (thanks to bad guys with guns), the thought of getting my own land cruiser and exploring the continent kept me going! (Oh, and the support from my was pretty crucial too)

nice job so far, and keeping a toyota power plant but did you ever consider putting a 1uz in it

To be honest, I only briefly considered it and dismissed the 1UZ. What I wanted for the build was:

• New or completely rebuilt engine
• Proven drivetrain combination
• Reliability
• Electronic fuel injection

Whether right or wrong, I was concerned about the availability of a 1UZ, the reliability of the engine, and mating it to a manual transmission. It looked like to me that the 1UZ was only available in the U.S. in Lexus cars, mated with an automatic transmission. I probably could have sourced one from a salvage yard, and gotten it rebuilt and mated to a manual transmission, however it seemed like a bit more work and uncertainty to deal with.

I know the 3F-E isn't a powerhouse when compared to more modern engines, but when I researched it, I was impressed with the reliability of the engine due to the low rev power band. It seemed to me that the 3F-E ECM is pretty basic, and is a bit simpler to maintain in the bush than a more modern electronically controlled engine. That coupled with the proven FJ 60 drive train made my mind up. Part of the decision was based on nostalgia as well...something about a big, heavy F block sitting in the '45 seemed to be the only right way to power it...

 

[tucker74]

I can't speak to the 1UZ, but having owned, wheeled, and generally driven everywhere a 3FE FJ40 for several years ... you wont be disappointed . Enjoying watching the build!

Tucker

 

[Kotekaman]

Prepping for Paint!

Onur sent a few pictures of the progress....

Frame has been sandblasted



Same with the roll cage and grille guard


And the front bumper, axle housings and crossmember/xfer case support

 

[Kotekaman]

Body

A bit more work to do on the body, but is getting closer to paint, as well as well as the seat mount that ties to the roll cage (yes, it's currently sitting backwards)

 

[Kotekaman]

I can't speak to the 1UZ, but having owned, wheeled, and generally driven everywhere a 3FE FJ40 for several years ... you wont be disappointed . Enjoying watching the build!

Tucker

Thanks for the feedback! What transmission are you running behind the 3F-E?

 

[tucker74]

Thanks for the feedback! What transmission are you running behind the 3F-E?

Stock H42 and one piece case from the '76, it will run 70 no problem on the highway Some people said it wouldn't have the low end grunt of the 2F, I found you can lug it down to 300-400 RPM and crawl in 4-low just like any tractor F-motor ...

Tucker

 

[Kotekaman]

Stock H42 and one piece case from the '76, it will run 70 no problem on the highway Some people said it wouldn't have the low end grunt of the 2F, I found you can lug it down to 300-400 RPM and crawl in 4-low just like any tractor F-motor ...

Tucker

Sounds like a good setup. I'm thinking the H55 and 4.56 gears on 33" tires, mine ought to have a pretty wide range for both crawling and on the highway.

 

[Kotekaman]

Engine Assembly

The engine is getting assembled. Should be mated with the transmission this coming week.