Builds My 45PU has an LV for a friend... (6 Viewers)

[c2dfj45]

This has absolutely zero relevance to Land Cruisers(other than that it funds them....so maybe a little) but this is a really special wheel. A full carbon wheel for a new Porsche. Amazing build process on these things. Might be the future of high performance wheels. This is the aftermarket version(exposed carbon) but this manufacturer supplies Ford for their option Ford GT wheels as well as wheels for the GT350R. Really an amazing piece. I think the rear(19x12) comes in at 17.5 lbs.

 

[c2dfj45]

In a selfish move(no customer work the last 2 days....just work on my toys), we started on this part of the project. My lead guy is a whiz at this stuff. He makes it so easy, I almost think I could do it. Doubtful though. It's amazing to watch....very very methodical. He knows where everything is going, what stays, what goes. It's fascinating actually. It's shocking to see how few wires actually make that 3FE work. He deletes a lot of stuff out of the harness. I question every deleted wire like I know what I'm talking about. Just being the boss I guess.

My harness for this build came out of an 91 or 92 FJ80. The motor came with the engine harness, cowl(front body harness) and the main body harness. Toyota put wires for one of the 02 sensors in the body harness...that's all we needed from that. I think. Super important to get all of the harnesses(not just the engine) if you are doing one of these conversions. Having to chase after connectors is a pain and costly.

 

[c2dfj45]

He is going to make one bundle of wires for the motor harness.....it will go thru the firewall at the grommet above the master cylinder. A little tricky under the dash on the LV because of how much stuff there is....switches, AC, the damn wiper assembly(!), fuse box, etc. We are also running the Dakota Digital gauges and that requires a bunch of control boxes. It is going to be packed up there.

The body harness to power the lights in the front, horns, the brake booster, etc., will be run very low on the frame and out of sight. Very clean setup.

 

[c2dfj45]

Got some weatherstripping in today on the doors.....finally got to use the last bit of the kit we've been selling.

 

[c2dfj45]

Also found a really nice weatherstrip for the rear door.....I had some 5/8" x 5/8" D shaped adhesive backed stuff from a project leftover. Works PERFECTLY

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[cppilot]

Getting closer......looks fantastic..

 

[c2dfj45]

Thanks cppilot.....it's so close....I don't even want to look at it when I walk by it. Talk about being like a kid at Christmas. We won't have it done until mid-late January though....we have a lot going on for the first part of the year. I think it would be running if my guy had 5 full days on it.

Wonder if it's too late to take back being closed next week.....

 

[JLawson]

Awesome job and I am so glad you are ahead of me so I can learn. Keep it going! Momentum is key!

 

[c2dfj45]

Too bad momentum gets interrupted by things like paying jobs. Ha. Once that engine harness is done, it's pretty downhill from there I think.

We use the EZ Wiring harnesses in the trucks and once that has been picked thru and circuits we won't use deleted, it's pretty cut and dry where it goes and what gets hooked up. Simple truck....very few things to hook up. Maybe I'll take over at that point. Probably not.

 

[JLawson]

I have the EZ harness as well looming ahead. Farm Fresh is at Kyle's for a little metal work so I will not see her for a bit. But then there is wood to be worked! A little more attention to the paying jobs is not a bad thing as I will have to pay Kyle when he is done! When he is done, then I should be starting downhill! I did get a chance before I took it over to him to seal the insides of the 1/4 panels. Used the Eastwood Internal Frame Coating in black and was pleasantly surprised. Frank made up a stiffener out of scrap 5/16" steel tube so he could point the flexible wand. Came at it from the taillight opening and the rear wheel well. Also used his trick of warming up the can in hot water before spraying. Makes big difference in the atomization at the tip. This stuff is runny and hot! You need lots of ventilation, just read the can! But it does flow down into the cracks. I tried to get a couple pictures. I will be doing this for the pillars as well.

 

[JLawson]

Didn't get any pictures from underneath but I will when it comes back. It is like working on a new vehicle! The frame is all shiny black and the bottom of the body is all shiny black. It is awesome. I ended up going with a small body lift because I needed a bit more room under the hood after leveling the engine to clear for the driveshafts and, looking at other LV's with the same suspension, it seemed tight in the rear with 10.5 wide tires. I made my own from a urethane block I bought at McMaster-Carr. It is the same hardness as the energy and a lot cheaper! I learned you need to cut it with a metal band saw as the wood saws are too fast and melt the urethane. I cut 1" blocks so I figure I gained about 3/4". I will have to add some metal to the fender stands and drill some new holes but I think it will be worth it. Got the tub on and bolted down. I will fit the front when I get her back from Kyle. You can just barely see one of the front mounts in the picture.

For all those looking for parts, I am on it! I mention it every time I see him. I will keep pushing to see if he will come up with some prices.

 

[c2dfj45]

And the battle goes on....

 

[cppilot]

Quality build. Your work is impeccable. I can't wait to see it completed.

 

[c2dfj45]

Thanks cppilot. I'm really looking forward to being able to drive this old girl around. Should be quite a bit of fun.

 

[c2dfj45]

Tucked the LV into a corner out of the way...won't be revisiting it for a week or so.....forcing myself into a nice long week without work but with fishings. Sneaking in for a quick exhaust build may happen if the fishing isn't so good however......

 

[JackA]

What's the story with the other LV?

 

[c2dfj45]

Its going to be for sale in January I think. Really nice truck but needs a little work to make a roller out of. Has no front springs. No idea why. Very complete truck.

 

[cruisermatt]

Awesome, keep it up. Glad to see someone else shares my appreciation for the 3FE. Awesome tip on the MR2 FPR by the way.

 

[c2dfj45]

The dog is so anxious to get her wet nose on those super clean windows that she was willing to lend a paw today. As a joke, I sent this pic to my wiring genius asking him if the long wires go to the back and where the black box goes .........he wasn't so happy. Ha.

 

[c2dfj45]

So after a full 10 of no work on the 45(or on anything for that matter), we got back on it today. Exhaust stuff being built today as well as sorting out some deliveries that came in over the break. Got in these sweet new plugs for the injectors(they tend to get brittle and break). The black one is for a temp sensor I believe. 2 more coming in later this week for idle control valve one other sensor. So cool you can still buy all this stuff....if you know where to look.