Builds Purist Step away. Mint 400 2023 FJ45 (1 Viewer)

[landcrusher909]

So life just keeps getting better. I was accepted into the Ultra4 USA Driver Rookie program. This is Big for me. Over the next few months I will get to pre run, drive and meet some of the top Ultra 4 drivers. Gaining more experance Desert racing. I have to say working with and spending time with my buddy 2 time winner of the King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge Justin Reece 4619 taught me alot. This will give me more seat time and an opportunity to push myself into a better driver.

 

[aztoyman]

Right on! What an opportunity. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts. Congrats.

 

[Michael B]

Congratulations Rob!

 

[landcrusher909]

This week I spent some early hours pulling the Old motor. This 1.5 has taken me a lot of places. 16 years of road trips, camping, adventures I never thought were possible. I knew it was getting tired and this last race we pushed it to the finish. I already have another 1.5 fully rebuilt and stored in the back room. Racing this truck isn't about big horse power its about endurance. Thanks to our sponsors @orangefj45 Valley Hybrids, @cruiseroutfit Cruiser outfitters and Classic cruisers.

 

[landcrusher909]

What a Great weekend, Spending time out at the Ranch in Johnson Valley. Dave Cole hosted our first Rookie weekend. Lots of seat time, class room type enviroment discussing everything from driving, tech and tuning. So much information in a short time. We got lots of seat time and everything from food. lodging and a various number of rigs to drive were supplied. Now that I am back its time to get the new motor installed. The heat has really slowed down my progress. Glad our race season is done until King of the Hammers 2024. I can take my time and get everything dialed in. Thanks to everyone for all the support.

 

[landcrusher909]

Its been a slow build week with all the heat. Our season os over until King of the Hammers 2024. This gives me a chance to really get things dialed in. I have had this rebuilt 1.5 stored it was always planned it would replace the old 45 motor. Thanks to @orangefj45 Cruiser Brothers and Valley Hybrids I have all the new gaskets and seals to replace everything. I spent yesterday swapping the side cover so we can run the FJ60 dizzy and igniter. On the stand I primed the motor making sure we won't have any oiling issues. I will be taking a break next week flying up to SAS7. Spending some time hanging out and wheeling with some of our other sponsors @dogfishlake Bowfin Cruisers and @Classic Cruisers. This was exciting we made page 30 in S&S Off Road magazine S&S Off Road Magazine August 2023 Super Digital edition - https://issuu.com/ssoffroadmagazine/docs/ssor_august2023?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ&fbclid=IwAR2LMPLp4DPWBBQMSEHeswGEgIFrkJlXiERDKUGtpdw7oBz3CmPsPdDir-c

 

[dogfishlake]

Who could have known that a year ago, I reserved the two room cabin for SAS7 so we had a place to stay! I was in a spot time wise this year and need a cabin, and you would fill a carry-on in a hurry with a tent! I suspect Jessica will kick me to the curb and claim the queen bedroom so that leaves the bunk bed room. It will be like camp- plus bourbon! That said, I call dibs on top bunk!

 

[landcrusher909]

Who could have known that a year ago, I reserved the two room cabin for SAS7 so we had a place to stay! I was in a spot time wise this year and need a cabin, and you would fill a carry-on in a hurry with a tent! I suspect Jessica will kick me to the curb and claim the queen bedroom so that leaves the bunk bed room. It will be like camp- plus bourbon! That said, I call dibs on top bunk!

Who would have known 17 years ago this rig would be a full on race truck. And if there's Bourbon involved good luck getting up that latter to the top bunk LOLOLOL

 

[zidaro]

Epic adventure! Thanks for the read. Look forward to following along

 

[landcrusher909]

Long overdue for some updates. We have been crazy busy with life and retirement. Just got back from Cruiserfest and it was Awesome. Yesterday I finished getting the intake and exhaust cleaned up. Were going to run the wider intake and a the same carb I built for the last two races. Reset the valve clearance and today I should be able to start getting everything on the motor bolted up, flywheel installed. radiator is in the shop getting a freash cleaning. If I can get the radiator back by tommorow I hope to to get it fired up this weekend and start the break in process. Perfect build weather right now. Thanks agin for all the support

 

[js0k]

Epic Rob love to see it

 

[landcrusher909]

CruiserFest 2023 getting to meet and share some Race stuff with Jin Won Kim Engineer/Designer of the 2024 Land Cruiser 250. Retirement doesn't Suck LOL

 

[dogfishlake]

So cool about CruiserFest. I suspect the kind of grassroots old school race effort you are running is raising some eyebrows at Mr T central. Those guys on the new Land Cruiser are no fools.
Glad you are back on the truck, it misses you!

 

[landcrusher909]

New motor is in and spent the last two day breaking it in, re toquring everything and checking for leaks.

 

[JackA]

You might want to improve on that wiring next. That's a spiders nest.

 

[landcrusher909]

You might want to improve on that wiring next. That's a spiders nest.

Its already in the works. Everything on the fender is getting re routed. I ordered two external junction boxes to clean everything up and put all the accessories on seperate fuse blocks. The poor 45 was so thrown together before the Mint and the guys worked til the early hours to get things working. I am just happy I have the time to get everything clean and prepped before KOH 2024

 

[JackA]

Good call. Race cars needs easy to deal with wiring.

 

[landcrusher909]

Good call. Race cars needs easy to deal with wiring.

Cleaning up nicely. I need to figure out a good place fall the relays. Motor is still coming together. Next weekend is the Off Road expo so I'll try to get some updates before then

 

[landcrusher909]

Finished cleaning up the wiring and I pretty happy with it. Still a few minor things to take care of. Also the new water pump I bought started leaking so I picked up another one and hope this takes care of the issue. I also noticed with the 8 blade fan I was getting air blowing out the front in the corners so I am testing this out. some air holes cut into the shroud to allow better air flow, So far it seems to be working As a treat for one of my Fellow Cruiser Brothers and Deployed Marine Alistair Howard I still had a can of what we called Howard Gold spray paint. When we did the steering conversion on his 40 I found an old wheel any painted it as a surprise.

 

[landcrusher909]

Thank you S&S Off road magazine for the Great article on the 45. Page 68 S&S Off Road Magazine October 2023 Back to the Desert Super Digital Edition - https://issuu.com/ssoffroadmagazine/docs/ssor_october2023?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ