Fj45 shortbed LS build

[Builtbybudski]

Figured I’d do a build thread on my short bed build.

pick it up a month or so ago, doesn’t look like much but it was complete minus a drivetrain and front/rear glass.

Quickly put some real meats on and put all the sheet metal together to admire the purchase and my boys immediately hopped in.

Pretty straight and rust free. A lot of metal work has been done but a few things I want to try to change like the flat back of the cab.

another is the tailgate was two half’s welded into one, doesn’t look bad but seeing the bow bugs me.

It’s new heart ready to be torn down for mock-up.

So the plan is basically do the same drivetrain setup as my fj62 as is proven itself and is budget friendly. LM7 with a 4l60e and doing a fj62 splitcase converting it to manual twin sticks.

the frame is already setup for saginaw steering and reverse shackle so I’ll just clean it all up and do the metal work to make us clean before it goes powder coating. Got all my adapter bits ordered and hopefully soon I’ll be able to get this mounted in the truck

 

[archie73]

Figured I’d do a build thread on my short bed build. View attachment 2634868

pick it up a month or so ago, doesn’t look like much but it was complete minus a drivetrain and front/rear glass.
View attachment 2634869
Quickly put some real meats on and put all the sheet metal together to admire the purchase and my boys immediately hopped in.
View attachment 2634870
Pretty straight and rust free. A lot of metal work has been done but a few things I want to try to change like the flat back of the cab. View attachment 2634871
another is the tailgate was two half’s welded into one, doesn’t look bad but seeing the bow bugs me.
View attachment 2634872It’s new heart ready to be torn down for mock-up.

So the plan is basically do the same drivetrain setup as my fj62 as is proven itself and is budget friendly. LM7 with a 4l60e and doing a fj62 splitcase converting it to manual twin sticks.

the frame is already setup for saginaw steering and reverse shackle so I’ll just clean it all up and do the metal work to make us clean before it goes powder coating. Got all my adapter bits ordered and hopefully soon I’ll be able to get this mounted in the truck

Did this ever see the road again?

 

[Builtbybudski]

Did this ever see the road again?

Not yet, got buried in client builds and other personal projects.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Bringing this build thread back. There’s been a bit of progress over the years so I’ll try to get everything posted in order.

First was starting on the metal work of the cab, I almost always build these older tubs with replacing this driver side section with a new other to allows for later brake booster, master and clutch. This one also got a section of fj45lv firewall to fill in where the blower motor was. The truck is getting a vintage air but not the kit that hangs down in the passenger footwell, I had different plans on how it wanted it done.

Next was addressing the hold the last owner cut for a vent, had a section of panel donated and got it installed

 

[Builtbybudski]

Next is plugging all the holes and removing any unneeded brackets.

 

[Tank5]

Sweet build, looking forward to following along.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Next is getting the vintage air unit installed. Personally I’m not a fan of the kits and how intrusive they are. Instead of having it look like some aftermarket bolt in I decided to try to make it look factory. First was to cut out the glove box so I could tuck it up as high as possible and not have it intrude the passenger’s space.

Then grabbed a later year heater box and mounted it then added a blower duct that I cut to mask the HVAC box making it look somewhat factory.

Now the fun part. I didn’t want to cut holes in the dash for the vents so I took the heater box and sealed it up where it would come out the top vent when switched to vent mode and floor when switched to floor mode. Defrost will come out the factory defrost vents.

 

[Builtbybudski]

The finished result is having ac while keeping it somewhat factory looking. I still will need to go back and finish welding on the heater box closing up a few holes like the ones for the defrost duct.

And made a quick glove box, it isn’t much but worth the sacrifice

And a quick plugging of the holes in the dash. Since I’ll be running a later column and cluster the holes for the ignition and turn indicators aren’t needed. I ended up deciding to layout my switches and additional hvac knobs different so welded up the old holes too along with whatever else was unused.

 

[cruisermatt]

Wow, that is really cool with the AC.
Later brake booster firewall skin and pedal bucket makes everything so much easier.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Wow, that is really cool with the AC.
Later brake booster firewall skin and pedal bucket makes everything so much easier.

Yep, any build I do on an early tub I do it. Trying to squeeze a booster on the early firewall is a lot of work and never looks right or give clearance issues with the intake/air cleaner. You do have thinner metal with the grafted section but it’s easy to blend it in.

 

[clrussell]

I’ll second what Matt said. Well done on the ac.

Following along to see what else magic happens

 

[Builtbybudski]

I’ll second what Matt said. Well done on the ac.

Following along to see what else magic happens

Thanks! I’ve been building 40/55’s with @Voodoocruisers for about 8 years now so I have a good vision in my head of how I want the truck when labor costs aren’t involved. There’s still budget constraints, but I hope to pull off what I have in mind.

 

[clrussell]

Thanks! I’ve been building 40/55’s with @Voodoocruisers for about 8 years now so I have a good vision in my head of how I want the truck when labor costs aren’t involved. There’s still budget constraints, but I hope to pull off what I have in mind.

They definitely build some cool rigs. Looking forward to this build.

I’m not even too far away to stumble across it in the wild one day.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Now to get the drivetrain placed where I want it.

First was cutting out the homemade(?) Saginaw setup and get my suspension sorted so I can measure pinion angles. I decided to leave the shackle reversal, which is flipped 180 to move the front axle forward, and run a stock 40 spring up front giving me roughly 2.5” lift and had Alcan spring make me a fj45 rear to match.

Next was getting the drivetrain roughly placed so I could mount the steering, radiator support, and tub for clearances. @Voodoocruisers you should get a tractor…

The setup is a 2002 LM7, 4l60e, and fj62 split case converted to manual 4wd. Nothing to crazy, but I’ve got the same setup in my fj62 and it’s been a great even though it’s a fat pig.

Really only needed the tub, hood and fenders but wanted to see it somewhat looking like a truck again. Still torn on tire size between a 33x10.5 or what’s currently on these rollers which is a 35x12.5

 

[Builtbybudski]

Next is the Saginaw install, I wanted to stuff it as far back as possible because I want to run a bumper with an 8274 plus all the plates and hooks that mount to the end of the frame horn.

Little tight on the steering shaft but it will work. The engine is still tacked into place and I have some room but I want to run stock accessory drive and stock oil pan so I’m limited.

Bumper and 8274 placed. The winch was actually bought new in 1978 for $400, it will be restored and should be the cherry on top

Next is the intake and ac compressor, I really wanted to run the stock gm compressor but vintage air talked me out of it. After getting their kit a regret not going with my original plan. Hate their 10pc bracket and don’t like it sitting up to, rather have it tucked lower and not chilling right on top. Good chance I’ll address this once the truck is done and it still bothers me.

so far everything fits how I want it. I’ll complain again on vintage air, because of how their hvac box is designed the constraints where too tight to run a bulkhead for the ac and heater lines, so holes has to be drilled for them to pass through on firewall. I spend way too long thinking and trying different options to make it cleaner. If I could tig weld I would have put new ends off the box to place it where I wanted. Unfortunately this is one of the few times I had to yield and go with what just works.

 

[clrussell]

What was vintages reasoning not to use the OEM compressor?

I don’t want their accessory bracket/ compressor. I have all the OEM stuff.

 

[Builtbybudski]

What was vintages reasoning not to use the OEM compressor?

I don’t want their accessory bracket/ compressor. I have all the OEM stuff.

Because that compressor is designed for their systems. I’d assume it’s a warranty thing and using a different design might affect performance. I’d run the oem