Replacement body panels and tub from China

[NeverClean]

Hi everyone,
Its been a while. Things have become more complicated since I last did a build, and there are a lot less parts for FJ/BJ 4x cruisers available now.

I have done a search on mud, but I can't seem to find any posts about this. If there are any threads on new 4x series body replacements please let me know.

I'm looking at a full build using an 80 series or 105 series chassis and running gear and putting a 40/45 series body on it.

Has anyone used the panels or full body kits available from Alibaba (https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...JNFq&priceId=d6ce686d480f4af290d569538bd40359) or Juncheng (Custom REPLACEMENT DOUBLE-ROW,DOUBLE-CAB 4 DOOR,1968-1984, FOR TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ45 Suppliers, OEM/ODM Factory - Jiangsu Juncheng Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd. - https://www.carbody.com/product/land-cruiser-fj40-fj45-parts/replacement-doublerow-doublecab-4-door-19681984-for-toyota-land-cruiser.html).

If so, I'd be interested to know of the quality and any issues you had.

 

[Terrax]

I visited this place back in 2014 and to me, these are the best tubs I've seen anywhere. Fabien the owner was making them in Steel, Aluminum and Stainless Steel (he even made a brass tub for himself). TESEVEN | France | Teseven Toyota Classic - https://www.teseven-toyotaclassic.com/teseven-autobody?lang=en

 

[Unimogguy]

I’d go Aqualu. I’ve got a Aqualu 3/4 tub for a ‘79-84 FJ40 and a Aqualu 45 bed. It’s what I plan on using when I do a 45 beater build in the future. They’re really solid and well built.

 

[Dragos80]

We got about two threads on this topic. It turns out the Chinese ones are s***. What a surprise.

 

[Dragos80]

Chinese bodies - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/chinese-bodies.1318689/#post-15078744

 

[Dragos80]

Topnault Reproduction Bodies - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/topnault-reproduction-bodies.1381692/#post-16333737

 

[sneaky]

I have a Chinese roof and rear panel for my 45. They are made for the later model vehicles, and as such I have had to modify ( replace) the locating pins on the rear panel that drop in to the lower tub on my '72. I've also had to open up just about every hole in the roof in order to be able to mount it to the rear panel , plus locate the tie down clip points for the windscreen. And I had to cut something else off the roof to make the windscreen wipers fit.

I'm not building my 45 as a show car, and I knew these panels wouldn't be perfect, but I had expected them to be better than they are and I thought two panels, designed to work together, made by the same company, would fit better than they have been.

If you are planning on putting it on a 80 frame anyway, I'd look at the Aqualu ones that are designed for that frame.

 

[NeverClean]

I visited this place back in 2014 and to me, these are the best tubs I've seen anywhere. Fabien the owner was making them in Steel, Aluminum and Stainless Steel (he even made a brass tub for himself). TESEVEN | France | Teseven Toyota Classic - https://www.teseven-toyotaclassic.com/teseven-autobody?lang=en

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look at these - I'd never heard of them before.

 

[NeverClean]

I’d go Aqualu. I’ve got a Aqualu 3/4 tub for a ‘79-84 FJ40 and a Aqualu 45 bed. It’s what I plan on using when I do a 45 beater build in the future. They’re really solid and well built.

Thanks I'll check these out. Do the panels fit with existing 40 series panels, or do you just have to get a whole set from Aqualu?

 

[NeverClean]

We got about two threads on this topic. It turns out the Chinese ones are s***. What a surprise.

Thanks for the links. It made me nervous that the Chinese manufacturers showed full bodies but there were no unique codes/SKUs for each body type etc. Thus my question.