Should I be patient for a "real" 45 or build one out of a 40...

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Mtbcoach

Mtbcoach

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
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Carolina Beach NC
I guess I'm too impatient but I've been searching for an FJ45 (SB or LWB) for at least 5 minutes now and can't seem to find one anywhere. :hhmm:

Well, a bit more than 5 minutes. ;)

I'm getting to a point where I'm considering doing what a couple others have done and make my own out of a 40. I'm considering finding a 40 with a decent frame to build from then finding parts and/or buying one of those expensive aluminum tubs if I had to, fab'n up a pick up bed out of tubing/sheet metal.

I'm looking to make a trail truck, not a buggy, just something I'd want to wheel with a pick up bed to use once in a while around the house. Not looking to do a 45 day build up but wouldn't mind having something rolling by summer if possible. I'm lucky that I have a great club and many members who have great experience and expertise in doing builds.

After reading through the couple "conversions", it seems to make sense for someone like me who isn't looking for a "pure" restoration. I've got a line on a clean 40 frame, a couple axles and a drive train, I've got a nice welder, tubing bender, plasma cutter and some willing helpers (what else are kids for) and I'm not afraid to use them.

I understand the frame will have to be stretched/modified to get things to fit well and finding all the necessary components to complete it won't be easy.

So, tell me to quit whining and be patient or shut up, get in the garage and get busy, being sure to take pictures along with way.

Thanks in advance for the slap down...:beer:
 
A frankenbuilt 45 will cost as much as true 45 in the long run.
Lots of mods and problem solving the roof is only one hurdle you will encounter.
Be patient one will come up if its meant to be my momma always told me.
 
Dieseler said:
A frankenbuilt 45 will cost as much as true 45 in the long run.
Lots of mods and problem solving the roof is only one hurdle you will encounter.
Be patient one will come up if its meant to be my momma always told me.
Click to expand...

You bring up the point I'd be most concerned with...the roof.

I agree that it can't be cheaper nor easier. I guess I'll have to put may patience back to the front and, as you said, if it was meant to be, it will be...:beer:
 
That is not really true.

Dieseler said:
A frankenbuilt 45 will cost as much as true 45 in the long run.
Lots of mods and problem solving the roof is only one hurdle you will encounter.
Be patient one will come up if its meant to be my momma always told me.
Click to expand...


It will cost you about 5 times more when the project is complete. Your time is worth something. Do you want to spend you weekends building and working on your rig or actually using it?

Has anybody priced the Aluminum FJ 45 or the FJ 45 Extended Cab 3/4 tubs lately? They are just under $4k by the time they are in your garage.

A modified FJ 40 is not and never will be an FJ 45.
 
Fortunately, I've got a back up so I will still be able to wheel.

Yes, my time is valuable as is the builder/fabricator's I'd buy one from. His billing rate is higher than mine though and its out of pocket instead of an investment (of time).

Isn't this the age old debate of buying built vs building for oneself? I don't disagree and my wife would rather not have the dust and dedicated space it requires taken up by a long term project. Yet, nor does she want to see the bank account drained of $12-20k for a turnkey rig.

I didn't mean to desecrate the 45's heritage through my suggestion. I guess it would have been better placed in the 40 section or the "other vehicle" section instead.

Sorry...
 
D'Animal said:
A modified FJ 40 is not and never will be an FJ 45.
Click to expand...

That is so true Dan.

Mtb, if interested, PM your email and I'll send the pics of my '65. Paul
 
I wanted an FJ 45 for the longest time.

I made a list of everything I was going to do to it and decided it would be best if I did not hack up a True FJ 45. I did not want to desecrate a True FJ 45, the same as you.

I also road in and drove an FJ 45 for an extended road trip. They are built by little people for little people. LOL.

Mtbcoach said:
Fortunately, I've got a back up so I will still be able to wheel.

Yes, my time is valuable as is the builder/fabricator's I'd buy one from. His billing rate is higher than mine though and its out of pocket instead of an investment (of time).

Isn't this the age old debate of buying built vs building for oneself? I don't disagree and my wife would rather not have the dust and dedicated space it requires taken up by a long term project. Yet, nor does she want to see the bank account drained of $12-20k for a turnkey rig.

I didn't mean to desecrate the 45's heritage through my suggestion. I guess it would have been better placed in the 40 section or the "other vehicle" section instead.

Sorry...
Click to expand...

Mark A from Marks OffRoad is the only person I know of that uses one as a DD and goes everywhere in his. Everywhere as in road trips to texas and back.
 
D'Animal said:
I wanted an FJ 45 for the longest time.

I made a list of everything I was going to do to it and decided it would be best if I did not hack up a True FJ 45. I did not want to desecrate a True FJ 45, the same as you.

I also road in and drove an FJ 45 for an extended road trip. They are built by little people for little people. LOL.

Mark A from Marks OffRoad is the only person I know of that uses one as a DD and goes everywhere in his. Everywhere as in road trips to texas and back.
Click to expand...

We are on the same page. Know that my true daily driver is 2 wheeled except for when I'm to wimpy to drive it when its below freezing and there is a chance of frozen precip. So, my term of "daily driver" really means something I can drive to the trail head, drive when I'm not wanting to drive the HD or the FJC but want do drive down to get some compost or firewood.

I guess the bottom line is that I've gone off the deep end. Where a $700 beater Ford/Chevy/Dodge pickup would meet the same needs, I'd rather have an FJ45 instead...
 
Build it!! You would probably be saving an Fj40 that was otherwise headed to the junkyard, and creating a rig that you truly want. 40's may be rare, but the reality is that they are getting junked all the time b/c everything behind the firewall is so rusted.
 
KillerPea said:
Build it!! You would probably be saving an Fj40 that was otherwise headed to the junkyard, and creating a rig that you truly want. 40's may be rare, but the reality is that they are getting junked all the time b/c everything behind the firewall is so rusted.
Click to expand...

The one I'm considering is basically a parts truck with a desirable power plant (3B) and fair frame. I should have picked my words better and not implied I'd be "making" a 45, just a 40 with a short cab and pickup bed on it...
 
PM me- I'm considering selling my short bed 45.
 
Mtbcoach said:
I guess I'm too impatient but I've been searching for an FJ45 (SB or LWB) for at least 5 minutes now and can't seem to find one anywhere.
Click to expand...

3_puppies said:
Mtb, if interested, PM your email and I'll send the pics of my '65. Paul
Click to expand...

LukeZero said:
PM me- I'm considering selling my short bed 45.
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Shoulda gave it 10 minutes, coach. 3 puppies, LukeZero, and Bikerso all have 45's that they're interested in peddling. There are several more, too.

Several of us looked for years.
 
buy one. you'll enjoy it more and you'll be able to mod it as you go. Unless you like neverending projects that you might never get to drive then do the frankenstein route
 
Mtbcoach said:
Not a big fan of driving on that side of the rig unless I'm on that side of the world...
Click to expand...

Kina at North COuntry Land Cruisers can convert the steering to LHD for reasonable cash. If the mailman can do it, so can you. Don't be a wuss
 
legion said:
Shoulda gave it 10 minutes, coach. 3 puppies, LukeZero, and Bikerso all have 45's that they're interested in peddling. There are several more, too.

Several of us looked for years.
Click to expand...

I guess that was the STFU, quit whining and be patient I needed to hear, thanks...:cheers:

jsaltlick said:
buy one. you'll enjoy it more and you'll be able to mod it as you go. Unless you like neverending projects that you might never get to drive then do the frankenstein route
Click to expand...

jsaltlick said:
Kina at North COuntry Land Cruisers can convert the steering to LHD for reasonable cash. If the mailman can do it, so can you. Don't be a wuss
Click to expand...

No to never-ending projects. Seems like converting RHD to LHD is more work than modifying a frame and bolting on a different tub/bed to me but I've never done either, so I'm speaking w/o knowledge.

Its all good, I'll find one to play with soon...;)
 
Check your email :D

its on the east coast too. Lukes looks nice, they all seem to pop up right after you buy one.
(as well there is a one off extra cab v8 model available that never worked into my budget range)
 
Conversion is basically cutting out a section of the firewall and replacing the steering rack with a LHD model. Not difficult, just time consuming
 
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