Vossie
#thecrazycruiserman
Hi all, So I had posted this originally in the 40/45 section, but I think it really belongs here, although I'm sure gonna catch grief for the IFS! Guess its more of a soft core build?!
Before you chime in with "better to use an 80 chassis and keep the solid axles", here's the deal: I already have the 4runner, I don't have 5k to shell out on a used beat up 80 chassis (that's what they cost here), plus I really really love the 2nd gen 4runner set up. Its torsion bar IFS, same like on my dads hilux which is over 640,000kms right now and still going strong. We've never needed to replace those bars and we have taken it to some awesome places so I know its perfectly capable, PLUS, I have already owned a 2nd gen 4runner, and what has always stuck with me was just how comfortable that thing was. I regret that sale, almost as much as the sale of my last 45.
So I have had the pleasure of owning and building 2 FJ45s in my life, and I'm about to build my 3rd.
A couple of criteria of what I want this build to be:
1. A modern drive train. I've chosen a 1uz vvti paired with a R151 5 speed manual gearbox.
2. A Comfortable ride. This will be my DD, and although I live in Zimbabwe and do plan to go into the Bush and do some 4x4ing, it doesn't need to be a mad crawler or super mud machine. It just needs to be able to handle what the standard 4x4 of today handles. To this end, I'm going IFS in the front, coils in the rear, courtesy of a 2nd gen 4runner chassis.
3. Its got to look like a 45. I want to obviously retain the looks that we all love. There is more than likely going to be some chassis lengthening on the 4runner chassis as its very short, but it will still be shorter than a true 45. But at a glance, it should be a 45, just one that when someone in the know looks at, you double take and go, there's something different going on here. I'm still undecided whether to add 6" to the cab or not as well.
4. Interior. I'm wanting a mix of modern and classic. I don't want to clutter the dash with too much, but I'm a sucker for gauges and switch panels. This one I'm going to have to feel out as I go. Oh, and I want it to have very good AC. More on that later.
5. This is it, my forever cruiser. I want to make something totally unique, totally my own, that I will never, ever sell. This is going to be mine for all time, a cruiser that will never be done and I can always tinker and fettle with.
So, here's the plan. I'm going to take this 45 body...
Mount it on the chassis of this 2nd gen 4runner...
And then steal the heart and any other interior goodies plus the complete AC out of this LS400
And yes, I have the wife's permission
Before you chime in with "better to use an 80 chassis and keep the solid axles", here's the deal: I already have the 4runner, I don't have 5k to shell out on a used beat up 80 chassis (that's what they cost here), plus I really really love the 2nd gen 4runner set up. Its torsion bar IFS, same like on my dads hilux which is over 640,000kms right now and still going strong. We've never needed to replace those bars and we have taken it to some awesome places so I know its perfectly capable, PLUS, I have already owned a 2nd gen 4runner, and what has always stuck with me was just how comfortable that thing was. I regret that sale, almost as much as the sale of my last 45.
So I have had the pleasure of owning and building 2 FJ45s in my life, and I'm about to build my 3rd.
A couple of criteria of what I want this build to be:
1. A modern drive train. I've chosen a 1uz vvti paired with a R151 5 speed manual gearbox.
2. A Comfortable ride. This will be my DD, and although I live in Zimbabwe and do plan to go into the Bush and do some 4x4ing, it doesn't need to be a mad crawler or super mud machine. It just needs to be able to handle what the standard 4x4 of today handles. To this end, I'm going IFS in the front, coils in the rear, courtesy of a 2nd gen 4runner chassis.
3. Its got to look like a 45. I want to obviously retain the looks that we all love. There is more than likely going to be some chassis lengthening on the 4runner chassis as its very short, but it will still be shorter than a true 45. But at a glance, it should be a 45, just one that when someone in the know looks at, you double take and go, there's something different going on here. I'm still undecided whether to add 6" to the cab or not as well.
4. Interior. I'm wanting a mix of modern and classic. I don't want to clutter the dash with too much, but I'm a sucker for gauges and switch panels. This one I'm going to have to feel out as I go. Oh, and I want it to have very good AC. More on that later.
5. This is it, my forever cruiser. I want to make something totally unique, totally my own, that I will never, ever sell. This is going to be mine for all time, a cruiser that will never be done and I can always tinker and fettle with.
So, here's the plan. I'm going to take this 45 body...
Mount it on the chassis of this 2nd gen 4runner...
And then steal the heart and any other interior goodies plus the complete AC out of this LS400
And yes, I have the wife's permission