ARCHIVE FZJ40

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EWheeler said:
What did you end up using for a heater? I really like the street rod style directional louvers in the dash, but I didn't see what you connected them to. It looks like you lost the stock 40 blower as the battery is placed where it used to reside, did you use the blower and core from an 80?
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The 80 parts were too big and bulky to fit under the 40 dash. Iron Pig does quite a few AC installs and we're a vintage air dealer. We don't use their off the shelf FJ40 kit, instead we normally use the gen IV magnum, which is what I used here. It gives more modern and reliable controls and allows more options with the vents too. (there are also underdash vent pods that can be used with the magnum)
 
Hmmm, I have no desire for AC so I don't think that unit will work. I did just spend some time cruising their website and may be able to find something that works. My decision on which unit I go with will ultimately comes down to cost and I believe they are quite pricey, but I will try and find something that will work for me and send you a PM for a quote. Thanks for the info,

Evan
 
EWheeler said:
Hmmm, I have no desire for AC so I don't think that unit will work.
Evan
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LOL! Fair enough. I am definitely one to roll with the windows down and the AC on - no worries, I completely understand the normal people who don't!

It's true Vintage doesn't offer discount prices on their products, but what they do offer is options. You can custom build an HVAC system to suit your vehicle - with manufaturer support - it's really hard to find that anywhere else. (their off the shelf stuff is pretty standard, I too would have a problem paying top dollar for their off the shelf kits)

If you're just looking for heat then the factory Toyota setup is actually a VERY good system. If you just want something different you can use a mojave - though they're pretty much a more expensive version of the stock setup.

HTH,
 
IPOR said:
LOL! Fair enough. I am definitely one to roll with the windows down and the AC on - no worries, I completely understand the normal people who don't!
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If i had A/C i would rock it with no doors and no top, gets hot down here ya know!
plus it would be nice in the rain to keep it from fogging the windows up.
 
very cool truck... not sure how I missed this build... but you did a great job.... very different but kept all the classic looks... I love it!!
 
wow

I just spent way too much time reading through this entire thread. This thing is SICK... :steer:
 
Gone through this thread a few times now, i just love this truck.
The vents in the dash are off the chart cool, great work on the whole project.
 
Thanks guys. It should be making the rounds this summer. I plan to be at the Upstate Cruisers' GSMTR, FJ Bruisers' Mud Fling, Gotham Cruisers' CMCC and BBRCs Fall Crawl. Tried to make Spring Tide ride but had a conflict I couldn't reschedule. Hope those guys have fun this weekend.
 
This is a great build thread.. thank you for sharing. lots of great ideas and a great showcase for you guys work.. Love the dash...that is just briliant... You built just about the best fj40 I have seen, combines all the great things of a 40 with the best of an 80...

I was just wondering where did you shorten the frame 8" the only area I can see to do it cleanly is by where the front radius arms mount.. If that is the case did you remove the mounts and then reinstall them after you shortened the frame???

Thanks again
 
RAYJON said:
This is a great build thread.. thank you for sharing. lots of great ideas and a great showcase for you guys work.. Love the dash...that is just briliant... You built just about the best fj40 I have seen, combines all the great things of a 40 with the best of an 80...

I was just wondering where did you shorten the frame 8" the only area I can see to do it cleanly is by where the front radius arms mount.. If that is the case did you remove the mounts and then reinstall them after you shortened the frame???

Thanks again
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I did have to cut off rear control arm mounts and re-attach. It's all metal so it's easy to take apart and put back together with the Miller! I've probably said this before, but I spent more time figuring things out than I did actually executing the game plan.
 
IPOR said:
I've probably said this before, but I spent more time figuring things out than I did actually executing the game plan.
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It shows !!! .....

did you ever build a hard top for it ???
 
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RAYJON said:
It shows !!! .....

did you ever build a hard top for it ???
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Yes, but I haven't done the finish work or paint yet. The FZJ40 lives in my garage so I don't REALLY need the hard top, and I wouldn't have it on for wheeling anyway... it doesn't get THAT cold here in VA... lots of reasons to find something else to occupy my time...
 
Great work Lance. I almost want to ship you my rigs and have you stitch them together after seeing that.

Absolutely fantastic.
 
So what is the wheelbase? I would love to make a 4 door 40 on an 80 frame. Aqualu makes a 4 door 40 body for the fj45, problem is not many fj45s in the states. So I am trying to get em to make one for the 80. Wheel base of an 80 is around 112-13 an Fj 45 is 118 I believe.
 
lenross1 said:
So what is the wheelbase?
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IIRC I set it to 104. The stock 80 is 112. I'm REALLY glad I went to the extra effort to do this. The 80s I wheel with often get hung up on obstacles that I do not with the shorter wheelbase. I get the advantage of the 40s maneuverability and the stability of the 80.

Aqualu can make you any length body you want. After I finished this 40 I called them with specs so that I could order them for customers wanting to have IPOR build them a similar vehicle.

HTH,
 
IPOR said:
IIRC I set it to 104. The stock 80 is 112. I'm REALLY glad I went to the extra effort to do this. The 80s I wheel with often get hung up on obstacles that I do not with the shorter wheelbase. I get the advantage of the 40s maneuverability and the stability of the 80.

Aqualu can make you any length body you want. After I finished this 40 I called them with specs so that I could order them for customers wanting to have IPOR build them a similar vehicle.

HTH,
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Agree with Lance here. The FZJ40 or Coberly's rig really brings together the best of both worlds in terms of wheeling ability.

Now if I could only win the lottery:

I would have Lance build me a HZJ55 (using factory turbo), Proffitt would build me a V8J45 (with Rockwells and 42s), import a 7X troopie and pickup from Australia, have Christo build me a 100 SAS, and I'd do my own HZJ60 (SOA), and buy the PX10 (80 chassis/40 body) from Specter, and I'd have my ideal Land Cruiser fleet.

:lol:

Dreaming....makes the day go by faster.
 
So I bought a Corvette engine today...

Nothing special, just the 300hp-330ft/lb LT1 along with 4L60e. I bought it for my 55 buggy but the 5500 lb FZJ40 is the one that really needs the extra torque.

I would REALLY like to have wicked power on tap in the FZJ40. I thought about a 1FZFE supercharger but that's only going to give me worse fuel economy (currently pushing 9-11mpg).

Opinions?
 
IPOR said:
So I bought a Corvette engine today...

Nothing special, just the 300hp-330ft/lb LT1 along with 4L60e.

Opinions?
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Not very fzj-ish. What's it weigh now? I'd go diesel if I was worried about mileage. 1HD-FTE with an intercooler. If you're going to go to all the trouble to swap in a chevy motor, do an LS-series.
 
IPOR said:
So I bought a Corvette engine today...

Nothing special, just the 300hp-330ft/lb LT1 along with 4L60e. I bought it for my 55 buggy but the 5500 lb FZJ40 is the one that really needs the extra torque.

I would REALLY like to have wicked power on tap in the FZJ40. I thought about a 1FZFE supercharger but that's only going to give me worse fuel economy (currently pushing 9-11mpg).

Opinions?
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Why an LT-1? I know that they can be built but a gen III/IV seems like a much better platform to start with, and with a crazy amount of aftermarket support. A 6.0 from a 2500, Escalade, or H2 seems like a no brainer (some of the gen IV 6.0s have VVT and DOD for mpg and a flat torque curve too). Or an aluminum 6.2 or 5.3 to take even more weight off the front end. Heck you can even buy Kirk's new engine mounts for the 80 chassis, just weld them in and go :)
 
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