Build Fj45 shortbed LS build

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Now to run the lines from the prop valve to the frame. To keep that firewall looking first is ran down and behind the engine.
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And to the other side to go roughly where the 90 degree junctions where from the factory.

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And whipped out another one for the front axle to match. I have stainless 3/16 tabs to secure everything to the firewall.
 
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Got headlight buckets and rings back from powder coating, I was torn in the beauty rigs so I send a junk pair to see if I’d like them, worst case I’ll swap them out from the polish ones.
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First time in the sun, it been wild to see the vision in my head become a reality.

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Also got the seats frames back, the interior guy will probably cut the springs out for molded foam but I wasn’t 100% sure. Heading to the interior shop this week to get a gameplan and colors picked out.
 
And a few other random things
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Bed is up next, with new sides needed to go in
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The donor Silverado bedfloor worked out pretty well.

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Final result of the yeti, which reminded me I need cup holders…

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And last is the first test run of the vintage air knobs to better match the fj45/40. Still tweaking it but I’m looking forward to no longer looking at those gross knobs that comes in the kits.
 
Builtbybudski said:
well shoot, that’s good to know. Must be fairly recent, few years ago I don’t think they offered this.
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I was going to print some, then found the aluminum ones, and replaced all the knobs with those. Except the headlight one. That one lights up and I wanted to keep that
 
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sogncab said:
I was going to print some, then found the aluminum ones, and replaced all the knobs with those. Except the headlight one. That one lights up and I wanted to keep that
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Ended up ordering them all last night lol. They even offer a glovebox plate with the 4l60e shift pattern which was next on my list to have made. Saves me that headache too

It’s starting to hit the nickel a dime phase of the build, more so given how clean I want the obvious visuals to be.
 
It is nice having them be fairly homogeneous in appearance.

I do wish they had symbols in the ends of the HVAC controls to blend them in with the rest of the knobs.
I wouldn't have put the stupid stickers on the dash if that were the case.
But, it's 2 more setups to do that. I'm not sure if that stuff is just lasered in, or if it's laser plus paint. I haven't looked at them super closely in a while.


You can skip the stickers too. Before mine got painted, I didn't have any. I just remembered STP for the order.
Speed
Temperature
Position

It's certainly cleaner looking that way.
 
sogncab said:
It is nice having them be fairly homogeneous in appearance.

I do wish they had symbols in the ends of the HVAC controls to blend them in with the rest of the knobs.
I wouldn't have put the stupid stickers on the dash if that were the case.
But, it's 2 more setups to do that. I'm not sure if that stuff is just lasered in, or if it's laser plus paint. I haven't looked at them super closely in a while.


You can skip the stickers too. Before mine got painted, I didn't have any. I just remembered STP for the order.
Speed
Temperature
Position

It's certainly cleaner looking that way.
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Pretty sure it’s lasered on, I bet you could have it done
 
Been lacking in sharing progress as I’ve been all over the place on the truck.
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Hood finally was done and got it on the truck, was back and forth on the black but I think it’s perfect for this color.

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Fought the panel fitment some, but it’s 95% there.

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Next was the reproduction LAND CRUISER bezel. There’s an oem one in our inventory but I figured I’d try one of these out.
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It has a noticeable crown to it that I don’t have expectations will work itself out so a good chance I’ll cut slits on the back to release the bend and reglass it. Otherwise it’s pretty good for out of the box.
 
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I got my knobs in from redline and it’s definitely the right move, need to order one more since my vintage air setup runs the 4 knob system.

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Starting to get on some wiring with the LS harness. Only major change to it was moving the MAF wire from the driver side to the passenger side, after that it’s looming it all up before installing. Also got my seals for the transmission tunnel in so pulled it off the tub and applied them.
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Little side project was finally retiring my welding “cart”. Since I upgraded to bigger tool boxes I use one of my old snap on boxes and made it into a new cart that can hold everything and now have drawers for all my welding/metal working tools plus added room for a second bottle for my tig setup.
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Pretty happy with how it turned out, should have done this years ago.
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I’ll get it powder coated probably the same gray to match the boxes. The other snap on box now holds all my wiring tools. I still prefer working out on the shop but my other job is on my property so it’s making sense to setup at home where I can work efficiently. Hopefully no more side projects to distract me from the shortbed.
 
Nice work! Clean and minimalist. Do you have a Dakota Digital instrument cluster to tell you gear position or is it on the shifter in black letters? Cannot tell. Are you starting a business separate from Voodoo Cruisers?
 
ceylonfj40nut said:
Nice work! Clean and minimalist. Do you have a Dakota Digital instrument cluster to tell you gear position or is it on the shifter in black letters? Cannot tell. Are you starting a business separate from Voodoo Cruisers?
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Keeping stock cluster, no shift indicator at the moment since this is a basic 4 speed automatic. If it becomes an issue I’ll add one later. Still working for voodoo, my other job is aquaculture which is in my backyard and seasonal-ish so certain times it’s best to work out of my place to keep things moving at voodoo cruisers while increasing the quality of the final product.
Michael B said:
Nice work! Where did you get the Toyota banner?
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Ace overland
 
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Changing gears again, it’s time to get the evap box in and make new ac lines since I went back to the GM factory compressor. I got the new compressor installed the night before with the #8 and #6 adapters installed.

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New ac lines and heater hose are in, admittedly I want to swap to hardlines so it wouldn’t be a wad of black hoses on the passenger side with the transmission cooler lines in the mix with them. Maybe next time… till then I’ll run to the hose shop and have these crimped

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Engine wiring and hvac wiring is ready to be routed. I’ll make one subharness that hold them plus the fuel pump and electric fan for everything needed to make the truck run/drive. Then the 1976 factory harness will be modified and stripped of any unnecessary stuff for the chassis side unless I get a wild hair and build a new one using factory connectors. Glove box is back in just to make sure I have rooms still for everything.

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I did run into one issue with going back to a GM compressor instead of the vintage air setup. At full flex it’s about an inch away from hitting. This is wasn’t an issue when I did the swap, instead it was the oil pan. Not sure why it’s a problem here except the 2001 vs 2004 compressors mount differently, something I’ll have to look at. Worst case since this is a street truck I’ll extend the bumpstops for the few times it will be taken Offroad.
 
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