Phantom II - Say Hello To Godzilla

[uted]

I say go for it But be prepared for lots of problem solving, but then thats what makes it fun

Here's my efforts so far. be no where near as quick as a skyline based one, has injected 3.8 v6 and 4sp auto, but shouldn't be no slouch either

chopped 3" channeled just over 2"

 

[FouadHafeez]

I say go for it But be prepared for lots of problem solving, but then thats what makes it fun

Here's my efforts so far. be no where near as quick as a skyline based one, has injected 3.8 v6 and 4sp auto, but shouldn't be no slouch either

chopped 3" channeled just over 2"

This is absolutely incredible. I love what you've done to it. And yes...my plans are something fairly similar to yours...so I'll be looking forward to a lot of input from you, if I may say so.

The Skyline engine and drivetrain are what MAY have precipitated my sudden 'need' to build such a rat rod...but that in no way means I'm not going to build it, regardless. IF (and only IF) the Godzilla parts are up to par (like I mentioned earlier...I haven't actually seen them)...this 40 series chassis I've already seen is going to get them. If not, then perhaps a 2JZ-GTE (inline six, sequential twin turbo, with a six-speed box from a Toyota Supra) I have. Or a 1UZ-FE VVTi (4.0L, V8) with a tiptronic tranny I have lying around.

Just...wow. I'm not the only one with a medical condition out there. Kudos on the madness, mate!

 

[BEE-JAY42]

If you're keen on keeping it an all Toyota affair (and if it's not already to late) check out at Toyota 2JZ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_JZ_engine as an alternative to a RB26, they are an equivalent engine and are capable of massive horse power with a massive amount of aftermarket performance products available for them.

 

[FouadHafeez]

If you're keen on keeping it an all Toyota affair (and if it's not already to late) check out at Toyota 2JZ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_JZ_engine as an alternative to a RB26, they are an equivalent engine and are capable of massive horse power with a massive amount of aftermarket performance products available for them.

Ta, mate. The suggestion - and the link - is appreciated.

It isn't too late, in that I already HAVE a 2JZ-GTE lying with me. The RB26DETT simply has the option of AWD, which, I think, would be a terrific option in an FJ40 based rat rod. If the RB26 deal doesn't seem viable cost-wise (time will tell...in a couple of weeks, at most)...the 2JZ-GTE is probably the route I'm going to venture down.

 

[uted]

This is absolutely incredible. I love what you've done to it. And yes...my plans are something fairly similar to yours...so I'll be looking forward to a lot of input from you, if I may say so.

The Skyline engine and drivetrain are what MAY have precipitated my sudden 'need' to build such a rat rod...but that in no way means I'm not going to build it, regardless. IF (and only IF) the Godzilla parts are up to par (like I mentioned earlier...I haven't actually seen them)...this 40 series chassis I've already seen is going to get them. If not, then perhaps a 2JZ-GTE (inline six, sequential twin turbo, with a six-speed box from a Toyota Supra) I have. Or a 1UZ-FE VVTi (4.0L, V8) with a tiptronic tranny I have lying around.

Just...wow. I'm not the only one with a medical condition out there. Kudos on the madness, mate!

mate Thanx.
Would have really liked to go with the 1UZ myself but the V6 was what i had available at the time, so thats what it got. Ah well maybe later on down the track

My wife wondered about my sanity when i told her what i was going to do But she has come around now, and can't wait to take it for a squirt

Subscribed

 

[FouadHafeez]

mate Thanx.
Would have really liked to go with the 1UZ myself but the V6 was what i had available at the time, so thats what it got. Ah well maybe later on down the track

My wife wondered about my sanity when i told her what i was going to do But she has come around now, and can't wait to take it for a squirt

Subscribed

My pleasure. Truly. And just saying it as I see it.

The latest update is that the GTR drivetrain turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, after all. The engine and tranny had been clearly hammered around far too much, for it to have been of any real use to me.

So...the sacrilege that I was ABOUT to commit (Nissan powerplant in a Toyota), has been averted, after all. We'll now be building around a 3.0L 2JZ-GTE, instead. As BEE-JAY42 mentioned above, this is an equally good solution, 'cept for the AWD of the Godzilla drivetrain. The 2JZ-GTE is dual turbo (sequential, as opposed to the simultaneous twin turbos of the RB26DETT), larger in displacement (3.0L as oppsed to 2.6L of the RB), and is also incredibly 'tuneable'. So that way, I'm not TOO disappointed with having to fall back on it.

Onwards, then. Next up...finding the right donor frame.

 

[user42]

At the end of the day, something similar-ish to this, perhaps....

Oh hell ya!

 

[onemanarmy]

^ getting power to those front wheels would be a bit tricky. Obviously going with the 2jz and RWD the build will be a bit easier, and can be lower to the ground

 

[FouadHafeez]

^ getting power to those front wheels would be a bit tricky. Obviously going with the 2jz and RWD the build will be a bit easier, and can be lower to the ground

Agreed, completely. Perhaps this 2JZ may actually be a bit of a blessing in disguise for that very purpose; in that it removes focus from the AWD setup, and allows it to remain on powering the rear wheels only. Money that would have been spent on the elaborate suspension, can now go to upping the 2JZ-GTE to nearer its potential of 600 horsepower on stock internals. And yes...as you said...it makes lowering much easier.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Mods...could you shift this to the hardcore section after all, please?

This FJ40 rat rod build MAY evolve into a Willys Pickup / Willys Jeep rat rod build, after all.

 

[Vossie]

Mods...could you shift this to the hardcore section after all, please?

This FJ40 rat rod build MAY evolve into a Willys Pickup / Willys Jeep rat rod build, after all.

NOOOO!!! keep it a 40 as cool as that pic of the lowered rat rod jeep is, imagine it with the iconic 40 hood, bezel and tub

keep it toyota, and the results will be epic

 

[BEE-JAY42]

There was some one who recently posted a thread about installing a 2JZ into their BJ40, I had a search but couldn't find it. Might be of some help to you.

 

[JohnnyC]

If you keep it toyota... You should make it vintage toyota... Like this Toyota 4V engine... Used in the toyota century in the 70's

See link>>>> https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/526311-ultimate-v-8-swap-40-a.html

 

[winnie]

I say go for it But be prepared for lots of problem solving, but then thats what makes it fun

Here's my efforts so far. be no where near as quick as a skyline based one, has injected 3.8 v6 and 4sp auto, but shouldn't be no slouch either

chopped 3" channeled just over 2"

sweet ride … keeps the classic 40 look, but adds to it … very nice …

 

[FouadHafeez]

NOOOO!!! keep it a 40 as cool as that pic of the lowered rat rod jeep is, imagine it with the iconic 40 hood, bezel and tub

keep it toyota, and the results will be epic

Today, was a good day for the very reason you mentioned, Ross.

I spent an evening with the fabulous bunch of builders who crafted the Phantom. Much heated discussion ensued over exactly WHICH avatar we'd end up choosing. There was talk about a Willys Jeep rat rod. A '55 Willys Pickup. A '55 Willys Panel Van. A '65 M38. After we discussed all options threadbare...we still stuck to the FJ40.

So...here's how the plan of action is, for now...

First off, the frame. The first possibility we're going to look into is a "frame flip"...that is, simply flip the frame over, and perform an upside down SOA. For want of a better term - and lack of how to describe it better - this would involve mounting the spring stack upside down over the frame. In theory, this should drop the frame considerably. The engine and tranny will be mounted, thereafter.

The diffs. Thus far, we've settled for the diffs from a Toyota Hilux. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, over here...we have a pretty wide choice of these marvellous rear ends. We have a diverse choice of diff-gear ratios, which would enable us to find the best possible combo to put all of the 2JZ's considerable power to the tarmac. Secondly, a limited slip diff would be very welcome indeed...in making sure wheelspin is minimised, and traction remains top-notch. Lastly...nice big disc brakes - front and rear - would be a welcome addition to stop the thing we're visualising.

Shocks are going to be custom mounted, which is something we'll come to when we sort out the rolling chassis.

Finally...the body

I'm inclined to keeping this a custom built affair. We're going to mount the iconic FJ40 grille and bezel...possibly from an early model FJ40, with front mounted indicator lights. However, it's quite possible that the Phantom II keeps in line with the Phantom; and gets an '84 front grille, with 70 series indicators. No front fenders. No engine bay sidewalls. No hood. JUST the sight of that twin-turbo screamer; sitting in the engine bay.

We're going to use a cabin / firewall from an FJ45. In line with the build philosophy of its bigger brother, this 'baby Phantom" will have a removable roof, removable doors, pipe doors, a removable rear cowl, and a fold down windscreen. While it's still too early to decide on just how much we're going to channel it...it is definitely going to be very low, indeed. Of course, a roof / window chop is also on the cards.

Tomorrow, we start with practically checking out what we can do with the frame. This investigation should be interesting, to say the least.

 

[FouadHafeez]

There was some one who recently posted a thread about installing a 2JZ into their BJ40, I had a search but couldn't find it. Might be of some help to you.

Thanks mate. We're pretty well-versed in 2JZ-GTE swaps over here...since they're bunged into everything from CJs to Hiluxes to vintage Cressidas. Any help, though, would still be very welcome.

Where we're going to be at ease, is the fact that we'll be mounting everything onto the frame from scratch...so we'll be choosing the best possible position from a practical viewpoint, as well as from an aesthetic one. The engine, is pretty much the focal point of the entire build...so it's mounting, placement, and performance will definitely be taking centre stage in the build design, too.

 

[JohnnyC]

Another ... Please!!! Put the bezel on correctly ... Ok

Link>>> https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/226211-hot-rod-45-pickup.html

 

[FouadHafeez]

If you keep it toyota... You should make it vintage toyota... Like this Toyota 4V engine... Used in the toyota century in the 70's

See link>>>> https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/526311-ultimate-v-8-swap-40-a.html

Great link, and that WOULD be a terrific swap, too. Unfortunately, I have about as much chance of (economically) laying my hands on such an engine, as I have of finding a pristine E type Jaguar in a barn here (read: non-existent).

What I DO have, is the drivetrain from a modern Toyota Century...the mythical 1GZ-FE V12.

I'm saving that for something special, though...so the rat rod is going to have to stick with the twin-turbo, I'm afraid.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Another ... Please!!! Put the bezel on correctly ... Ok

Link>>> https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/226211-hot-rod-45-pickup.html

ANOTHER great input! The more I look at it, the more I like the rectangular bezel of the later year models. I agree with some of the remarks on the thread you linked, too...the mil-spec tires look wrong-ish. A set of deep-dish Cragars, with some honest-to-goodness meaty rubber (I have a set of Goodyear Eagle Nascars in 275/70/15 rear, and 245/65/15 for the front) would probably complement the hot-rod / rat-rod look much better.

 

[JohnnyC]

If you use two stock bib hinges you could make all hinge forward and come off... Two people doing it of course


Or have it all hinge back ... Bib and all