Build Fj45 shortbed LS build

[Builtbybudski]

Starting the tear down on the engine to regasket and notice it was running 706 heads! Not a big upgrade but a good bonus and explained why I was seeing paint pen inspection marks on some of the bolts. Looks like someone’s been in this engine before at swapped heads. Maybe some speed parts hidden inside?

Valve cover off and win #2 discovered. Super clean, I mean really clean for 175k. It’s becoming more obvious someone’s been in it, with how clean it is and the paint marks someone who cared about what they were doing.

Alright hit the lottery on used engines. GM crate engine! Did some digging on the donor truck and was super clean minus the damage from the wreck. Someone really took care of the donor truck, and spend the money for a crate engine. Doing the math it’s a good chance this is a sub 50k mile engine. Hell of a win that I’ve been needed with the setbacks.

Little paint on the transmission and bolted back to the splitcase

 

[Builtbybudski]

And finally at the moment to unveil the color.

Fashion green, classic look but to me gives a modern vibe. Ideal for what the truck is going to be.

With the liner sprayed the floor and firewall give the results of all work and it definitely paid off. Couldn’t be happier with the results.

Now to spray the body

First time outside and loaded on my flatbed to bring back to the shop. Still have the rest of the truck to get painted but I can get a lot of assembly work done with the cab.

I couldn’t be happier with the results. Our painter has been painting all of our voodoo cruiser builds for years and has perfected it adding to the quality of the trucks we build.

 

[Jdc1]

And finally at the moment to unveil the color.View attachment 4153910
View attachment 4153911View attachment 4153912

Fashion green, classic look but to me gives a modern vibe. Ideal for what the truck is going to be.

With the liner sprayed the floor and firewall give the results of all work and it definitely paid off. Couldn’t be happier with the results.
View attachment 4153913
Now to spray the body

View attachment 4153914
First time outside and loaded on my flatbed to bring back to the shop. Still have the rest of the truck to get painted but I can get a lot of assembly work done with the cab.

I couldn’t be happier with the results. Our painter has been painting all of our voodoo cruiser builds for years and has perfected it adding to the quality of the trucks we build.

Great work- interesting to see each painters preference. Mine prefers bedliner last.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Great work- interesting to see each painters preference. Mine prefers bedliner last.

I know this stuff gets messy so I assume he does it first to avoid getting it all over fresh paint

 

[Jdc1]

I know this stuff gets messy so I assume he does it first to avoid getting it all over fresh paint

He actually prefers to sand any bedliner off the paint rather than get paint on the bedliner. Every painter I know has a different way they do things- that’s what’s so hard for beginners to pick up as there’s no ; step one , step two….

Youtube has helped tremendously though - my advice to the newbies is pick a process and stick to it while ignoring the others.

Hijack over, can’t wait to see this rig on the road.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Finally have a roller again. Still hung up on 33x10.5 or 35x12.5, I have both so we’ll see which looks better in the end but for now it’s on 33s

Drivetrain is in and starting to get all accessories bolted on. I always prefer black on my engines but there will be the aluminum and burnt bronze cerekote mixed in.

Anyone who knows my builds I tend to focus a lot on engine bay #unnecessarysexiness. I think it was chip foose who said the engine bay is like a jewelry box, so it’s gotta be impressive when you open the hood.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Had one more modification that needed to be done for the last part to head to the painter. While I do have the correct wiper dual wiper motors for the truck they would need some attention and in the end they still don’t work that great. So the plan was to run the later upper wiper setup, but I wanted to keep the lower windshield vent setup vs swapping windshield frames. The problem is on the fj45 the top is secured by latches vs bolts you’d normally see.

It’s a super tight fit but moving the assembly over about 3/4” to the right I’m able to squeeze it in there. Now it’s off to paint for it and I can get back to assembly.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Installed the GM AC compressor, it’s a tight fit and that’s with the engine slid over as far as I could get it. I’ll need to set the tub on and see if my steering shaft clears, then square the drivetrain up, and hopefully the compressor will fit. It looks so much better this way and I don’t really want to run that vintage air setup if I can make this work.

Tub is temporarily placed, I’d forgotten to notch out to clearance the splitcase after I’d welded floor section is so that needs to be done and touched up before it’s bolted down to the frame.

Couldn’t resist mounting the shifter and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted at first glance to have it look factory as possible despite being an automatic. The shifter is about 1/2-3/4” longer than the 4 speed shifter, but looks close enough to pass.

And this bring me up to where the fj45 is currently. The plan is to have it done and drive it to southern Illinois truck show this coming Labor Day weekend, so I’ll have plenty of updates. You can also follow progress and other builds on instagram at Builtbybudski and Voodoocruisers

 

[clrussell]

I love my 35-10.5 on my 40.

However limited options in 15” or requires stepping to a 17” wheel

 

[Builtbybudski]

I love my 35-10.5 on my 40.

However limited options in 15” or requires stepping to a 17” wheel

I think 35x12.5 is what it will need for the stance that I’m going for plus the tire contact for the LS.

 

[clrussell]

I think 35x12.5 is what it will need for the stance that I’m going for plus the tire contact for the LS.

I think 12.5s will be great.

I often want to put that back on mine.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Kills me to have to cut the floor. I was planning on having the truck fully assembled and sorted before paint but my window to get it in the booth came a lot quicker. Hopefully not too many more surprises.

Done for now so I can set the cab fully in the frame.

Been doing a few odds and ends while waiting for my steering column to come back from powder coating. Once I have it I can check to make sure the GM ac compressor will work and clear the steering shaft, then square up the drivetrain, lock it down and get the front end on.

Till then it’s transmission line, fuel lines, and getting the engine harness in and ecu mounted.

 

[fireflyr]

Looks great. It sure is gratifying when everything starts coming together.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Looks great. It sure is gratifying when everything starts coming together.

Definitely. Especially when I’ve tried to put a lot of thought into this one ahead of time.

 

[Builtbybudski]

More paint progress. Saw ace hardware had yeti on sale so I figured I might as well have a matching coffee cup, which made me realize I didn’t put any cup holders in. I’ll see what the interior guy comes up with for that.

Got the steering column parts back from the powder coasters, so it’s finally time to get it assembled and installed to finally see if running the GM AC compressor will fit.

It’s close but it fits

Might be a pain to change the compressor out in the future. Now to order a new compressor, the adapter for #10 and #6 lines and build new AC lines.

 

[Builtbybudski]

Picked up some of the front end parts and couldn’t wait to put them on after getting the ac condenser and dryer mounted first.

Still need the bib hinge and start squaring up the tub so I can gap the panels, but damn it looks good!

And of course the money shot. I’ve had this vision in my head for years and it’s finally coming true. Aside from the missing heater and ac hoses, little bit of wiring for the lights, and the brake hardlines that I’ll route tucked instead of across the top of the firewall this is what the engine bay will look like when the truck is finished. Shaved and clean keeping the engine as the center piece.

Inside is coming together too. I need to repair the cracks in the steering wheel and get it painted after seeing what really nice ones go for on eBay.

 

[cruisermatt]

I need to send you one of my brake pedals as a sample to try out, they're way more ergonimic for the automatic. I'll get one made and shipped this week for you James

 

[clrussell]

Stunning

 

[Builtbybudski]

I need to send you one of my brake pedals as a sample to try out, they're way more ergonimic for the automatic. I'll get one made and shipped this week for you James

That would be awesome, I’d be up for giving it a try. Anyone who’s driven a fj40/45 know pedal position could be better and being automatic there’s lots of room for it

 

[Builtbybudski]

Been bouncing all over the place in the truck but made some progress.

Time to start knocking out some brake lines. This flare tool is one of those things I should have bought a long time ago given how many lines I’ve had to build on client builds.

Rear was pretty straightforward, only struggled is making tight radius bends

Got the prop valve mounted, wanted adjustment to dial in brake pressure since the weight, suspension and brakes have all been changed.

And this came in the mail from @cruisermatt which I’m pretty excited to try out, and have two more automatic builds in the works and this could be a must have for them. Till then it’s off to powder coating.