- Thread starter
- #81
Thanks! Still feels like a long way to go, but hopefully I’ll be able to drive it this early fall
Build Fj45 shortbed LS build
- Thread starter Builtbybudski
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #82
We finally have a top on. Had new back glass cut and installed, NOS corner glass is on the way, and new glass is currently being cut for the windshield. I temporarily put the top on to check a few things before it comes back apart and realized I’m missing a few windshield vent parts so those are on the way.
Next is the fuel tank, since I didn’t have the correct one and dozens of the newer style I’m going to run that and hopefully the tank cover if it clears the seat brackets.
The only real challenge is routing the full neck which I was able to accomplish with cutting up another fill neck to make the turn I needed.
Picked up the seats from the interior to test seating position and see if it clears the tank, unfortunately the cover doesn’t clear so I’ll have to run without it. Double check how the seats felt and seeing if it’s possible to run a bolster and still be able to fit a person in the middle still. I won’t give away the seat color just yet but will tease the carpet. Hope to wrap up a few more things this weekend so it can head to upholstery next week.
- Thread starter
- #83
No big updates, just little piddling odds and ends like wrapping up brakes, finishing fuel systems, etc. I did get the NOS corner glass in though so I can finish installing the glass.
The bed is the last major hurdle, it’s been a massive mess to undo and get things looking right, hopefully it should be done and painted by the end of August.
- Thread starter
- #84
Exhaust time. Doing stainless pre bends, vibrant clamps and resonator, and magnaflow muffler. Hope to have a good sounding exhaust without the highway drone which was an issue when I built the exhaust for my fj62.
2.5” to a 2.5” y then 2.5” the rest of the way. Tossed in a driveshaft temporarily just to make sure I cleared it.
after this exhaust I’ve talked myself to finally teaching myself to tig weld, this fj45 has had a lot of excuses to tig.
All finished, dropped it off to have it cerakote to match the headers
I have really been thinking about adding a resonator to my LS40.
There’s days I love how it sounds, days it’s too loud.
Drone doesn’t really exist because you can’t hear anything over the tires and 40 noises.
There’s days I love how it sounds, days it’s too loud.
Drone doesn’t really exist because you can’t hear anything over the tires and 40 noises.
- Thread starter
- #86
It wasn’t bad till I did 4,000mi road trip out west with 4 days on the interstate screaming, ended up adding a second muffler lol.
Thats exactly why the rest of my rigs have stock exhaust these days
- Thread starter
- #89
I used the advanced adapters ones, they’re nothing special but do the job
- Thread starter
- #90
Been all over the place on this build, trying to get it wrapped up for the southern Illinois truck show Labor Day weekend with a lot of work left.
Dropped the truck off at the interior shop, fortunate to have a guy who does great work and was willing to get it done asap.
After finalizing the foam fitment he knocked the seat out first. Happy with the results and way more comfortable that those springs.
Top was a quick job too, light color choice to not make it feel too dark inside, ended up with something close to the Cygnus white.
Last was the carpet, I wanted it removable which if anyone has used those rubber floor or carpet kits knows they never fit well. The results was anything but that, and matching floor mats to wrap it all up. This will make a big difference far as heat and noise goes.
Dropped the truck off at the interior shop, fortunate to have a guy who does great work and was willing to get it done asap.
After finalizing the foam fitment he knocked the seat out first. Happy with the results and way more comfortable that those springs.
Top was a quick job too, light color choice to not make it feel too dark inside, ended up with something close to the Cygnus white.
Last was the carpet, I wanted it removable which if anyone has used those rubber floor or carpet kits knows they never fit well. The results was anything but that, and matching floor mats to wrap it all up. This will make a big difference far as heat and noise goes.
- Thread starter
- #91
While the truck was at the interior shop I got on getting the glass installed. Using the template from Spector I got a new windshield cut. It was a tight fit but after a few hours and a lot of cursing it in, after that I got the windshield vent all done so it’s ready to install.
Next was assembling the doors, only thing really noteworthy is having the vent glass and all the latch parts powder coated to match the black accents along with our signature voodoo gray color. There still a few changes that I’ll address once it’s on the truck.
Also rang into a snag with my NOS glass I got, both ended up being left sides. I was about to pull the trigger on another set of NOS glass and saw the Chinese company that stamps out Land Cruiser bodies offer glass. It met US standards and safety and for $215 for the pair I decided to roll the dice. I’ll update once I get the installed about the fitment but they look pretty good out of the box.
- Thread starter
- #92
Got the truck back, won’t show off the full interior just yet. Got my pedal from @cruisermatt back from powder coating (left) compared to the OEM (right) which I can tell will be a nice upgrade for drivers comfort.
Next was getting the fuel tank installed, also powder coated. Feed and return hooked up through a bulkhead on the floor.
Modified filler neck installed. Capped on two vent lines and made one hardline that will run to the charcoal canister under the bed. Decided to run it over the fill neck just in case fuel found its way into the line it won’t gravity drain into the canister.
As much as I wanted a 2much or redium canister I opted to save $220 and went with an OEM replacement. I’ll cap off the purge since it’s been removed from the engine, and just vent to atmosphere.
View attachment 4199005
Also rang into a snag with my NOS glass I got, both ended up being left sides. I was about to pull the trigger on another set of NOS glass and saw the Chinese company that stamps out Land Cruiser bodies offer glass. It met US standards and safety and for $215 for the pair I decided to roll the dice. I’ll update once I get the installed about the fitment but they look pretty good out of the box.
[/QUOTE]
I’ll be watching! I need a pair of rear glass for my 63’ 45!!
Also rang into a snag with my NOS glass I got, both ended up being left sides. I was about to pull the trigger on another set of NOS glass and saw the Chinese company that stamps out Land Cruiser bodies offer glass. It met US standards and safety and for $215 for the pair I decided to roll the dice. I’ll update once I get the installed about the fitment but they look pretty good out of the box.
[/QUOTE]
I’ll be watching! I need a pair of rear glass for my 63’ 45!!
- Thread starter
- #94
Now the bed has been a mess, just about every panel has been replaced. So I wasn’t exactly surprised when mounting the tailgate to discover the hinges were long.
Quick trim and we’re set. At the moment the bed is my biggest wrench in getting the truck done in time. I have about 8 days until I need it to wrap up the truck for the show.
While I can’t do anything about the bed, leaving it in the hands of our bodyman it’s back on the rest of the truck. Back in the engine bay wrapping up loose ends with some voodoo gray valve covers going on and finishing the cooling lines.
Got the windshield on the cab and mirrors installed only to discover the pin seemed to had been cracked for a while and finally failed. So it was a quick rush back to the painter with another one to pull him off the bed so he could knock it out for me and I should have it back tomorrow to continue my work.
- Thread starter
- #95
I’ll definitely update once I get it in this weekend. OEM glass is nice but seeing them go from $1200-1800 a set is definitely hard to swallow unless you’re just trying to flex or have an original as possible build or in my case I couldn’t bring myself to put used glass in. $215 for a set is going to be a game changer for everyone if they fit correctly.
- Thread starter
- #96
Been some long days cranking on the fj45, finally had a moment to update.
First time having the doors on and seats in, I have to say it was money well spent for the comfort. I was just about to put the cap on when I realized I’d forgotten to run my wires for the wiper. So I had to take it back apart enough to lay the windshield down and run the wires.
Seemed like I should probably refresh the wiper assembly and was met with a crack housing.
Fortunately with a shop full of spare I found one that was good for its parts. Didn’t get a finished photo and I’ll add one later but glad to get that check off my list and can finally assemble the cab for good.
First time having the doors on and seats in, I have to say it was money well spent for the comfort. I was just about to put the cap on when I realized I’d forgotten to run my wires for the wiper. So I had to take it back apart enough to lay the windshield down and run the wires.
Seemed like I should probably refresh the wiper assembly and was met with a crack housing.
Fortunately with a shop full of spare I found one that was good for its parts. Didn’t get a finished photo and I’ll add one later but glad to get that check off my list and can finally assemble the cab for good.
- Thread starter
- #97
Pushed it outside for a good clean of the garage and to admire it in the sunlight.
- Thread starter
- #98
Next we getting everything done behind the dash and having the hvac finished. Check my gutted heater box and dummy duct with the carpet to make sure everything was still lining up happy.
Next was the first step getting the ecu flash, since it’s the same drivetrain as my fj62 I had its tune copied to the fj45 ecu which is close enough to start the truck and shake it all down before getting a final tune. With that done it could be permanently mounted under the cowl so I can run my hvac ducts.
Swung by to check on the bed, it’s slowly getting there. Basically every panel was just about replaced and if I’d know it needed this much work I probably would have spend more time doing the metal work myself.
Also got one of the corner glass in. Just my luck I ended up with another set of two left side glasses. The company immediately resent the order and again it was a left glass so now they’re trying to figure out if it’s a wrongly stocked in the warehouse or wrong glass in the packaging, etc. It’s a pain to be dealing with this but they’re at least keeping consistent communication and trying to make it right.
- Thread starter
- #99
Far as fitment, it’s a little off from OEM glass but it works and at $105 each I can’t complain.
Now I’m still bouncing all over trying to keep stuff moving, one item was adding fog lights. So I pulled another bumper out of inventory that wasn’t painted so I wouldn’t cut up the painted one currently on the truck. Ended up with diode dynamics ss1 flood lights. They have a back lit wire that will wires to the running lights and the lights themselves will be wired with the high beams.
Next loose end was the steering wheel, took a shot at polishing some of the plastics as was happy with the result so when I get a chance I’ll refinish the whole wheel.
- Thread starter
- #100
Next was welding up the heater box. I need to preference that I’m not a sheet metal worker or body guy, but doesn’t mean I won’t keep on trying.
Plugging all the openings, this is where the ac/heat will come out when it’s switch to “floor” mode. So I wanted it to come down and out the bottoms.
Not the correct filler for the job, but it should work. Worst case I learn my lesson when it cracks and have to stand blast it to do it all over. Took a few coats, I had two really low spots didn’t catch when I was hammering it out.
Few coats of high fill primer and wet sand. Checking the fitment one last time to make sure nothing was tweaked. The port on top feeds the top vent when it’s in “vent” mode and the one on the side feeds the “floor” mode