Builds Here we go (FJ-40 getting a 3B/Turbo/H55f)...

[DanS HJ-45]

Thanks for the compliments guys. The whole experience is pretty gratifying right now, after 2 and a half years of work, it's all smiles on this end!

Here's some overview pictures I took of it today. Hubcaps and soft top are the big changes from some of the other pics, but still...

 

[DanS HJ-45]

So, here's how the skid plate goes....

I basically cut some 1/8" angle to fit the frame rails (with slots for the bolts and to clear the rivets), and I then welded 1/4" plate to that to extend as close to the tranny and T-case as possible. Then, I made some 1/4" straps roughly 1" wide that were formed around the T-case.



Then, once tacked together, made some cardboard templates for the rest of the plating...

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Then just cut 1/4" steel to match the cardboard...



And then more plates where you want them...

 

[DanS HJ-45]

A closeup of the beads...


And the skid plate bolted up under the truck...


I still need to add a little more plating to the front of the skid plate, and some stiffeners that run side to side just to make the flat plate a bit more like a girder, but at this point it's pretty much good to go.

Dan

 

[OGBeno]

Looks great Dan.

Awesome work.

Wanna help me with one for the 60? I think you need to make a couple for your stable as well.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Looks great Dan.

Awesome work.

Wanna help me with one for the 60? I think you need to make a couple for your stable as well.

Yeah we can do one. It was easier than I expected. 1 day work.

Dan

 

[Henry James the 47th]

Good work Dan - it's come out very well!!

 

[OGBeno]

Yeah we can do one. It was easier than I expected. 1 day work.

Dan

Nice Dan. We'll square something away when the 60 is back on the road and you are back in town for a few days. Maybe this fall?

 

[Isaacjohnstar]

Dan I love the simplicity of the skid plate! I was waiting for a tube bender to build mine but yours looks so good I think I will go that route. How would you rate the strength? Would it hold up to some hard full weight rock hits? (not that I ever do that but hey)

 

[DanS HJ-45]

How would you rate the strength? Would it hold up to some hard full weight rock hits? (not that I ever do that but hey)

We shall see once I get the ribs on the topside of the flat sections on. I suspect I will be able to lift the truck on the skid plate then without touching the T-case. But, right now, without those stiffeners--not that strong. I'll try to take some pics if I pick it up by the skid plate though...

The IPOR skid plate would be stronger, because it doesn't have the flat plate followed by the section that drops down, it sort of cantilevers the bends directly to the bolt holes on the sides, but it also won't be as compact, and I don't know if it would have worked for our application (because of the slight move of the driveline forward).

Dan

 

[Isaacjohnstar]

Yeah I agree that it most likely will be different. No sense in buying something only to have to mod it. I look forward to seeing how yours holds up

 

[subzali]

Looks great Dan!

 

[tmarx]

Congrats Dan. She looks sweet !

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Thanks guys.

The truck is currently at the top shop, and HOPEFULLY it will be done on Tuesday so I can pick it up then and drive it north...

Dan

 

[kling-on]

Wow thats skid plate it smoking cool

 

[DanS HJ-45]

So, I finished gussetting and plating the skid plate. Pretty confident it can take a hit now with the full weight of the truck and protect the important stuff...



And, the truck is back from the top shop! Soft top is done!



With that, I've got one or two odds and ends to clean up this morning, and then I intend to hit the road to Colorado with it! If all goes well, it should be with me in Idaho Springs tonight!

Dan

 

[TurboDiesel69]

Dan you are so cool you have no idea.

Approximately how far ahead did you move the motor mounts forward, and in retrospect would you have moved them differently... my '86 3B mounts should be going in any day!

 

[Falco80]

She looks brilliant Dan, you've done a great job with it. How far is Colorado from you? I'm guessing the drive will involve some serious climbs? Enjoy that turbo!

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Thanks guys! 400 miles from my folks house to mine in Colorado. I'll cut to the chase: the truck made it no sweat. I'm sitting with my wife enjoying some pear cider with the 40 safely out in the driveway next to Guzzler.

Approximately how far ahead did you move the motor mounts forward, and in retrospect would you have moved them differently... my '86 3B mounts should be going in any day!

It ended up being about 2.5 inches forward. Really, I just marked where the original shift lever centerline was, and moved the 3B/H55f forward to match that. Moving the engine forward is one of the best things I did on this truck. There's TONS of room behind the engine for maintenance, and insulation for the cab, I didn't have to monkey with the crossmember moving, and it keeps the rear driveshaft as long as possible. The only reason I would put it in the stock location was if I wanted some room for an intercooler, and has an earlier body with the transmission cover (instead of the tunnel on this one). Either way, very happy with that move at this point.

I don't know what the fuel consumption is looking like yet, BECAUSE IT STILL HAS 3/8 OF A TANK. I filled up in Santa Fe (so, about 50 miles north of home), but it's got lots left in it. The faux-lux would be on fumes at this point. The previous tank of gas however, if my math is correct, came out to 31MPG! I cannot complain about that!

The open road.... (somewhere in the San Luis Valley)


The thread opened with pics of the truck near the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Almost three years ago we took the 40 on her last trip before we took it apart and got those pics (and one of them even got published in Toyota Trails). So imagine my surprise when I was about a mile from the station in Antonito that I did not yet see the train in the station. A quick look to my left and I could see the smoke plume from the train approaching, so I took off down a dirt road to snap these pics. Seems kind of fitting that it's first real trip after restoration sees the same railroad as the last trip before restoration.



Dan

 

[Isaacjohnstar]

Wow no way... Very cool ending to my favorite build thread. It's like a dimestore western book with the ending and beginning. Nice job Dan! It's a build we can all aspire too.