Builds "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta (1 Viewer)

[Tank5]

I could use a second set of eyes and opinions on the rear bumper/crossmember. I am considering removing the silly looking safety chain loop on the receiver and welding on the pictured shackle mounts to use for recover and hooking up safety chains when towing. I would weld them in place as pictured. I checked and there is plenty of room to get the retaining pin for the receiver in and out, they don’t hang any lower than what the receiver does, so I don’t feel like it affects clearance any more than what Exists now. What am I missing? Is angle of pull compared to the mounting surface acceptable? Thoughts, good idea bad idea?

 

[2fpower]

The only concern I would have is if you are stuck in a low position and having to pull upward, the cable/shackle would rub quite a bit on the bumper. not sure I would care, or you can bring a soft shakle.

 

[Tank5]

I guess if that was the situation I would use a soft shackle or a receiver mounted shackle. My original plan for rear recovery is still to use a receiver mounted shackle which I would have to stick out past the end of the bumper. The other shackle mounts would be extra.

After sleeping on it I am leaning towards not adding them. I will just use the receiver shackle for recovery if needed and keep the bumper a little cleaner.

 

[FJ40 MATT]

Moving right along looks great

 

[MOTOV8R]

The current chain loops are pretty inconspicuous. Maybe just keep it simple as it is now. If it ends up bothering you, it's an easy thing to change later.

 

[Tank5]

The current chain loops are pretty inconspicuous. Maybe just keep it simple as it is now. If it ends up bothering you, it's an easy thing to change later.

I agree this is my plan as of now. I hope to get it coated today, so I can install it this week.

 

[Vandal FJ]

I agree this is my plan as of now. I hope to get it coated today, so I can install it this week.

The width of the new mount points would really impact and increase the safety chain length needed to make turns, I would think? I agree... leave them and adjust if need be later on.

 

[Tank5]

I ordered tabs and adjustable clevis mounts from TMR for the limit straps. In the front I will use the inside of the lower shock mount for the lower mounting point. In the rear the the adjustable clevis is welded to the lower shock mount which also provides some protection from obstacles. I just need to paint it and put it back together.

I am glad I added the mounts now rather than later.

 

[Tank5]

My harness came back from Lextreme a couple weeks ago. It looks nice and I am looking forward to getting it all wired up. The section that goes to the the starter has to be fitted before the intake goes back on the engine, so I have been reassemblighy the engine to get it all back on the chassis for the last time.

While I have the engine on the stand I painted the block as much as I could. The headers had some red dirt or clay that was baked on, so I took them to get blasted and Cerakoted. I am not impressed with the coating. It has a rough texture - is that normal? I am expecting the rough texture is going to hold dirt and gunk making them look like crap eventually Any suggestions for a DIY aerosol I can spray over the cerakote to smooth it out?

 

[Tank5]

I had planned to linex the fuel tank and straps but when I took it to the shop they told me they didn’t have any product to spray and didn’t know when they would. Their supply chain was being affected by COVID. They also had a very long wait list, so there was no guarantee that I could get it done when they received a shipment.

I changed direction and had it blasted then sprayed it with epoxy primer and some black top coat. After that I found that UPOL was now producing raptor liner in a 2k aerosol can. I have had good luck with their product before and figured I would give it a shot on the tank.

A few years ago I purchased some old welding shield stands from a surplus shop. They work great as the frame work for a small plastic sheet paint booth.

It took 3 cans to get two coats on the tank and straps. This stuff smells horrible, if you use it make sure you use a good respirator. The texture looked good when I left it. I will report back after it cures.

 

[Tank5]

I take it that the steering was not bolted up on the 55 when you bought it? Like, it would be hard to make the stock pig steering work on a 45?

From what I remember I believe it was bolted together and the fj55 steering could probably have worked if that was what one wanted. It was unfinished though, so I cannot say for sure what needed to be done if anything to dial it in.

 

[Tank5]

The aerosol Raptor liner came out a lot thinner than I expected. I installed the tank but had to go back and touch up a few spots. It would seem that the top coat that I sprayed and roughed up before the Raptor liner didn’t hold

The engine and transmission are assembled again and back on the chassis. I still have some things to button up on the engine but I am waiting on parts. I started playing with drive shafts that I have. I have two that are almost perfect length.

 

[Tank5]

I started working on the cab. A PO poorly modified the firewall by hacking it up and welding in a newer petal bracket. I cut it all out.

I picked up a panel from a newer 40 to fit a newer booster and pedal bracket.

The opening in the fire box all gave me good access to get the the back of the door limiters. I took advantage of that and removed the old brackets and installed newer door limiters.

 

[Dizzy]

In the cab, I see what looks like an original F hand-crank?

 

[Tank5]

In the cab, I see what looks like an original F hand-crank?

Yes, that is the one that came with 45. It won’t do me any good but it is cool to see there in the cab.

 

[2fpower]

amazing progress...

 

[Tank5]

I still have a little trimming to do to finish fitting the fire wall panel. I opted to drill the spot welds from the underside on the cowl and side panel, so I can use a spot welder to put those edges back together. I will only have to butt weld two sides. I expect it will be a little cleaner that way. I ordered some 3m weld through seam sealer and will finish this piece up after it arrives.

While I wait on materials I set the cab back on the chassis to start planning the transmission cover.

I had already cut a section out of the floor to create space for the tcase. I repurposed and shaped the cut out section to build a bigger raised section to clear the tcase. This is it taking shape.

I am considering cutting the cast mount for the high low selector off of the transmission to create more space between the cover and transmission. I would have to create a bracket to move shifter location which I believe will have to be done anyway.

 

[samc2447]

Maybe I missed it, but how are you planning on mounting the high/low selector? Are you planning on using buckets or a bench seat? What factors are in play for shifter location?

Progress looks great!

 

[Tank5]

Maybe I missed it, but how are you planning on mounting the high/low selector? Are you planning on using buckets or a bench seat? What factors are in play for shifter location?

Progress looks great!

The shifter location is part of what I am trying to figure out now. I will have two buckets and room for a center console. The transmission shifter location is flexible some since I am using the shifter set up from the 4runner which uses a cable. The high low shifter I think needs to be moved to the side to create some room for the cable shifter console.

My current thought process is to make a relocation bracket for the H/L shifter that will place it off to the passenger side. If I go this direction I won’t use the tower mount on the transmission and am considering cutting it off to gain some space.

 

[Bripars40]

The shifter location is part of what I am trying to figure out now. I will have two buckets and room for a center console. The transmission shifter location is flexible some since I am using the shifter set up from the 4runner which uses a cable. The high low shifter I think needs to be moved to the side to create some room for the cable shifter console.

My current thought process is to make a relocation bracket for the H/L shifter that will place it off to the passenger side. If I go this direction I won’t use the tower mount on the transmission and am considering cutting it off to gain some space.

Good to see you’re making solid progress. I ended up hiring a buddy who is the lead Lexus mechanic in my town to swap the motor into my 40. I dropped off the engine mounts today. Hopefully I can catch up to you soon!