2fpower
SILVER Star
Amazing.... just so well executed.
Builds "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tank5
- Start date
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Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #562
The transmission and transfer case shifter are in place. The shift indicator plate on the selector is set right about flush with the top of the console. I may have to space it up a little to be flush with the cover but it shouldn’t be an issue. There is not a lot space inside the console with everything in place.
I attempted first to use the stock 80 series tcase selector but even after I built an adapter to move it forward and lower it was too tall under the cover and the shifter lever was short where it came through the console (I do have an extension for it though). Because it would have come strait up it would have crowded the transmission shifter, so I decided to go with option B.
I had some shifter parts from a FJ60/FJ40 not really sure, that I thought could work. After some drilling, cutting, and bending I was able to fit the shifter where I needed it. The shifter had an angled bend towards the passenger side that turned out to work well. It opens up space for shifting the transmission, so I may leave it as it but straighten out the top a little. Bonus the 80 series tcase knob screwed right on.
Left it here for the night.
I attempted first to use the stock 80 series tcase selector but even after I built an adapter to move it forward and lower it was too tall under the cover and the shifter lever was short where it came through the console (I do have an extension for it though). Because it would have come strait up it would have crowded the transmission shifter, so I decided to go with option B.
I had some shifter parts from a FJ60/FJ40 not really sure, that I thought could work. After some drilling, cutting, and bending I was able to fit the shifter where I needed it. The shifter had an angled bend towards the passenger side that turned out to work well. It opens up space for shifting the transmission, so I may leave it as it but straighten out the top a little. Bonus the 80 series tcase knob screwed right on.
Left it here for the night.
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #563
I have been working through an idea I have had for this project for a while and I think I found my solution tonight. I want to run 17” steel rims with acorns hubcaps and making the two fit together took a little while to find a solution I think I am happy with. I experimented with a few ideas before arriving at this current plan.
I bought a 17” fjcruiser steel rim to work with. I learned from another post that @cruisermatt sells a ring that is welded to the rim which allows you to bolt the later, non-acorn, hubcaps to. I bought a set of his rings with the hope of finding a way to mount the acorns to them.
After receiving the rings I found out that inner diameter of the flang on the acorn hub caps is larger than the later hub caps, so they wouldn’t sit flush on the ring mounting surface.
After a solo brainstorming session I found that I could enlarge the inside diameter of the rings and attach oem 40 series hub clips to the hubcap edge, so they would catch on the ring. This is the ring before modified.
I took the rings to a machine shop and had the ID elarged. I got them back today and and mocked up the one rim I have.
The hubcap sits flush and holds well enough that I can pick the rim by the hubcap. With a couple good shakes the hubcap will come off. I am not sure how tight it needs to be. I may add three more clips, so there would be 6 per wheel to make it stronger.
I need to order 4 more rims add rings and probably have them powder coated grey. I think the grey would look good on this 45.
I bought a 17” fjcruiser steel rim to work with. I learned from another post that @cruisermatt sells a ring that is welded to the rim which allows you to bolt the later, non-acorn, hubcaps to. I bought a set of his rings with the hope of finding a way to mount the acorns to them.
After receiving the rings I found out that inner diameter of the flang on the acorn hub caps is larger than the later hub caps, so they wouldn’t sit flush on the ring mounting surface.
After a solo brainstorming session I found that I could enlarge the inside diameter of the rings and attach oem 40 series hub clips to the hubcap edge, so they would catch on the ring. This is the ring before modified.
I took the rings to a machine shop and had the ID elarged. I got them back today and and mocked up the one rim I have.
The hubcap sits flush and holds well enough that I can pick the rim by the hubcap. With a couple good shakes the hubcap will come off. I am not sure how tight it needs to be. I may add three more clips, so there would be 6 per wheel to make it stronger.
I need to order 4 more rims add rings and probably have them powder coated grey. I think the grey would look good on this 45.
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Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #565
Thanks! That is a great compliment. I have no intention to sell this one. Generally I believe everything but family and dogs are for sale for the right price. That said, I doubt anyone would pay enough to overcome my time investment to build it. There is not another land cruiser option that I would rather have to replace it either, so not for sale. This is my life cruiser I hope.
A10Driver
SILVER Star
Hell yeah, enjoy the build and be proud of your creation
whitey45
SILVER Star
I think I am on my 6th life cruiser, with no help in sight!! I have followed your path( really relate to it) this build has you totally invested both with time and money! I think this rig will be your swan song! Cant wait to see it drive!!!
Vossie
#thecrazycruiserman
Haha, glad to know there are others with this disease too! Number 3 for me, promised the Mrs this is it, my forever cruiser, and I do plan to at least try and stick to that 
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #570
Not sure if I shared earlier but the inner fenders were roughly cut out when I received the truck. I knew I would have to come up with a way to mount them since the primary support was gone. Here is what I came up with.
I will probably add a bolt on each side of the tube support but want to wait until I decide how I want to recreated the inner finder skirt
To make sure I built the fender supports correctly I had to bolt the cab down, so I put the bed on as well to see how it all lined up. I need to play with the body mounts a little more but this is the most complete the truck has looked in a while, so figured I would share.
I will probably add a bolt on each side of the tube support but want to wait until I decide how I want to recreated the inner finder skirt
To make sure I built the fender supports correctly I had to bolt the cab down, so I put the bed on as well to see how it all lined up. I need to play with the body mounts a little more but this is the most complete the truck has looked in a while, so figured I would share.
2fpower
SILVER Star
I still love those rims...
2fpower
SILVER Star
put me in line....
You driving this thing yet or what??
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #575
I took a couple weeks of to visit HI on the big island, I just got back. I am stalled on a couple parts of the build. I am waiting on Matt to send me switches for my dash I ordered in January, I don't understand what is taking so long. When I have them I will finish the dash layout and start building the wiring. I also decided to have the top plate for my shifter console machined and am just waiting to hear it is ready.You driving this thing yet or what??
The weather is warming up here, I am planning to get back after it on a regular schedule starting now. I have more parts ordered and hope I can start making some good progress worth posting soon.
Seems like builds go in spurts... it's hard to keep momentum going through the entirety of a project, especially if you have to outsource anything. Stuff always comes up, and sometimes its hard to jump back on the project when you've been off it for a few weeks.
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #577
Agreed, It is easy to focus and carry momentum on the build when you have everything you need to work through specific areas of the build. The parts and material delays slow the pace. It is almost always exciting when packages arrive. They are almost always parts or dog food!
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #578
I sorted my pedals out today. I wanted to keep an original look, so I did something similar to what @UZJ40 did with his throttle pedal. I took apart a later 40 series pedal and used it with another bracket I built from a 60 series pedal. I kept the upper arm of the gas pedal, so a throttle cable could be added if I can find room for it.
Before mounting.
I built the bracket to use the stock bolt holes on the firewall.
Bracket mounted
I bent the gas pedal over a little farther from the transmission cover to get a little room. To accommodate it I bent the bottom of the brake pedal strait then cut the pad off and welded it back straight.
Before mounting.
I built the bracket to use the stock bolt holes on the firewall.
Bracket mounted
I bent the gas pedal over a little farther from the transmission cover to get a little room. To accommodate it I bent the bottom of the brake pedal strait then cut the pad off and welded it back straight.
Tank5
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #579
I managed another win tonight. In general I expected my engine ecu would have to be mounted in or near the glove box because that was where the harness came through the firewall. I considered a number of options after I mocked it up with card board this is what I did.
I had a sheet 16 gauge stainless steel left over from another project. I drew the piece out first.
Then drilled my mounting holes, cut it out, and bend it up. I welded capture nuts to the feet to make installation/removal easier.
ECU mounted
Mounted in the glove box. Since it is up off the floor and tucked to the side I still have room to use the glove box if I want. I confirmed the glove box door arms clear, so everything fits.
I had a sheet 16 gauge stainless steel left over from another project. I drew the piece out first.
Then drilled my mounting holes, cut it out, and bend it up. I welded capture nuts to the feet to make installation/removal easier.
ECU mounted
Mounted in the glove box. Since it is up off the floor and tucked to the side I still have room to use the glove box if I want. I confirmed the glove box door arms clear, so everything fits.
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Vossie
#thecrazycruiserman
I like that idea a lot, better than having it sit on the floor in the glove box. Something to consider though, I mounted mine on the outside side of the glove box with the plugs facing down. The ECU is a great fit for the side, its tucked up out of the way and no one will ever accidently pull on any of the plugs either.
