FZJ-45 Build

[Monstercowboy]

Hey ya'll, I'm as green as they come with this forum stuff so forgive my incompetence… I have just started an FJ-45 Restomod. I'm working with Aqualu Industries and their all aluminum FJ-45 body on a 1997 FJ-80 chassis. The body is mounted on the chassis and next step is the power plant! I considered keeping the 4.5L but after turbo and some tuning i was over $10K! Now I'm thinking GM, Duramax or LS. I know there are a lot of Yota purists on here so please don't persecute me but any suggestions are welcome. I look forward to sharing the build as things go along.

 

[cult45]

Pics or it didn't happen..

 

[Yellow Jacket]

Sub'd! I keep day dreaming of this kind of build. Look forward to watching your progress. Feel free to add massive amounts of details and pics.

 

[PG45er]

I'm building a stock 1977 45 but being a Duramax owner, the thought of putting one in a 45 would be off the scale cool !! Welcome to the club!!

 

[Monstercowboy]

Going to look at/measure the Duramax today. Hoping I can fit the 6.6 and Allison then find an adapter to use either the stock FZJ80 T-case or an older 205 to maintain the passenger side drop.

 

[PG45er]

It'll be tight if it fits I'm sure. Looks like another cool project on the go too? Is that Aqualu's shop?

 

[Varty Yo]

While it sounds cool a duramax isnt gonna be a easy fit. the tranfercase tranny combo is long and wide! Long time duramax owner here and i played with the same idea for about a day then stopped. haha. Lots of other cool diesel swaps to throw in there for the time and effort.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Intercooled and Gturboed 1HD-FTE and worked A442?

 

[woytovich]

From the looks of your shop at least you won't have to be working out in the cold

 

[Gumby]

I've done a 1FZ and 2 LQ4 45s.

the 1FZ is a giant pain in the ass for very little gain except that it's Toyota and it feels right with a straight 6. Other than that it has the horsepower of a 4cyl Camry and the wiring harness is fully integrated with the 80s harness. that being said, if I had to stay all Toyota I'd do the 1FZ again over a 1UZ or 2UZ. Ive talked with Toyota engineers about the 3UR. It's pretty impossible without a stand alone engine controller. It's also a very big engine. the dual overhead cams make it very wide on top. A 1GR would be a good choice too. Good power and size. Excellent engine, but I'm afraid the PCM would by unhappy in a retrofit. Almost better to put that Aqualu tub on the FJC chassis with the 80 axles and front links.

LS motors are very simple, very tunable, tons of aftermarket, built to be retrofitted into other things, and are reliable 300,000 mile motors. They are also very over used. Everybody's got one. For good reason, but still its nice to have something unique. The 4L80e and 6L65e are good, proven transmissions with lots of transfer case/ adapter options.

Duramax is huge. The Allison 1000 is also huge. The 6BT is also huge and heavy, and tall. The 4BT is heavy, gutless and tall. GM 6.2 and 6.5 are easy but not worth the trouble. I've done one of those too.

 

[Monstercowboy]

Thanks for the info Gumby! Very nice to have some pre-experienced builders. So I've committed to the LS-2 and had a 4L80e completely built and upgraded from a local shop. Now for the T-case… I'm really hoping to at least retain the Toyota diffs. So far the options i've found are a very high priced AA adapter plate to utilize the Yota T-case (worried this maybe turn into a grenade) or Using an Atlas (also pricey) or 205. Then the question becomes whether the rear driveshaft will be ok with horizontal offset?? or if I will end up removing and centring the rear diff to line up with the centre rear output.
I agree Gumby i would be better off to drop the tub on a different (complete) chassis but i think i m too late… And I'm working with AQUALU to try and make swaps that work on the FJ80 chassis for other builders out there. thanks again for the help

 

[bigtreads]

Here's 58 pages of inspiration for you Project X . I am building the same truck except on a standard drive train. I'm at the same point as you at the moment. I just picked up my 383 from Pendozi Machine on Friday . I have an LS2 in my sand rail - you will love it. I'm in West Kelowna and I know your brother

 

[Monstercowboy]

Here's 58 pages of inspiration for you Project X . I am building the same truck except on a standard drive train. I'm at the same point as you at the moment. I just picked up my 383 from Pendozi Machine on Friday . I have an LS2 in my sand rail - you will love it. I'm in West Kelowna and I know your brother View attachment 1196705

Wow, small world! By the looks of your shop I may have partied there one year at New Years?? Thanks for the info, reading it as we speak. When I get home for more than a day we will have to get together and discuss our builds!

 

[bigtreads]

don't think my shop has ever been clean enough to have a party in . It would be great to compare notes when you get back. Oh and welcome to MUD - the customary greeting

 

[bigtreads]

the 40 series section has the most traffic here on MUD but tons of info everywhere here. Here is a recent top ten build thread you might have missed to fuel your build excitement some more Top Ten FJ40 MUD Buildouts... your opinion counts!

 

[Monstercowboy]

don't think my shop has ever been clean enough to have a party in . It would be great to compare notes when you get back. Oh and welcome to MUD - the customary greeting

Ah ok, It looked like a place in Glen Rosa we sledded to from my Bro's one time. Definitely would love to hook up. I'm in my Monster Truck season now so on the road lots but usually home mid week. Thanks again for all the info. Definitely a "noobie" on here but finding lots of good stuff. I'm picking up my tranny this afternoon and probably stopping at Aqualu later this week to discuss some stuff with Todd. I will try to get some more pics up and keep reading through the threads. I'd like to nail down the T-case this week and start building mounts.

 

[Michael B]

Where did you guys find the fiberglass tops?

Both trucks look great!!

 

[Varty Yo]

Aqualu sells the tops!

 

[bigtreads]

Yup and wow are they not cheap

 

[Monstercowboy]

Yes 76 FJ40 mine is also from Aqualu and no they aren't cheap but way cheaper and better quality than trying to cut, modify and refab one from existing parts or building from scratch. And with how $#itty our CDN dollar is right now you save a bunch!! Everything AQUALU does is top quality IMHO and fits well. I'm on my way down there today and will try to get some more pics of the build.