Dang was just thinking about going to the Jemez to test out the Tacoma !
Build "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta
- Thread starter Tank5
- Start date
Member Build Threads
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Well that’s a shame was hoping to do some shed hunting soon, just finished up a ton of work on the Tacoma , haven’t even put it in 4Lo yet
- Thread starter
- #1,064
I have been grinding pretty hard literally and mentally to build a cargo system for the The Milk Truck. I decided I didn’t really like the rack I built and it turned out I don’t think I need a rack like that at this time, so I pulled it off.
I opted instead to build a cargo basket that would mount on top of the spare tire. I built a single post mount that is secured to a plate under the spare tire built from .25 DOM with a big freakin 7/8 inch fine thread nut and bolt.
The basket was built out of 1x1 1/8 inch tube, some corners I made out of 1/4 inch 4x4 tube, and the pictured panels from Hot Metal Fab that came with the rack I decided not to use. In process
Almost done.
I opted instead to build a cargo basket that would mount on top of the spare tire. I built a single post mount that is secured to a plate under the spare tire built from .25 DOM with a big freakin 7/8 inch fine thread nut and bolt.
The basket was built out of 1x1 1/8 inch tube, some corners I made out of 1/4 inch 4x4 tube, and the pictured panels from Hot Metal Fab that came with the rack I decided not to use. In process
Almost done.
- Thread starter
- #1,065
I wasn’t a fan of the HMF logo cut into the rack which got me thinking it would be cooler if I had my own brand of sorts. After playing with some ideas I came up with a TEQ inspired version of TMT (The Milk Truck).
I reached out to @bluehawk who was kind enough to cut me some plates with this logo in 1/8 steel. He turned them out pretty quick and they turned out awesome!
I cut the HMF logo out and welded in the new plates.
Installed
I should get it painted this weekend and it will be ready for the trip.
I reached out to @bluehawk who was kind enough to cut me some plates with this logo in 1/8 steel. He turned them out pretty quick and they turned out awesome!
I cut the HMF logo out and welded in the new plates.
Installed
I should get it painted this weekend and it will be ready for the trip.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #1,066
In addition to the cargo basket I built a slider tray to carry a cooler and gear box. I didn’t get a bunch of progress pictures but after toying with a number of ideas I ordered some custom bent c-channel that runs the length of the cargo box. The full length allows me to bolt them on using the lift points I installed and gave me mounting options for my fuel can mounts.
After some cutting, drilling and welding I installed 20 inch sliders on the channel, with mounts to attach a cargo tray I bough of FB. It bolts in nice and tight.
The tray sits high enough to clear the bed but the slides will only extend out if the tailgate is down, so if the slide got unlocked on the trail it can only move about 4-5 inches.
I will have to get more pictures up after it all gets painted and assembled this weekend.
After some cutting, drilling and welding I installed 20 inch sliders on the channel, with mounts to attach a cargo tray I bough of FB. It bolts in nice and tight.
The tray sits high enough to clear the bed but the slides will only extend out if the tailgate is down, so if the slide got unlocked on the trail it can only move about 4-5 inches.
I will have to get more pictures up after it all gets painted and assembled this weekend.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #1,067
I finished building the cargo system this weekend and after painting it, it is reinstalled.
The basket I built to fit my tent cot which I will be trying out for the first time soon. The slider tray fits a cooler and gear box. The fuel can carriers will fit up to 5 gallon cans, the rest will have to fit in the drawer or in the cab.
The basket I built to fit my tent cot which I will be trying out for the first time soon. The slider tray fits a cooler and gear box. The fuel can carriers will fit up to 5 gallon cans, the rest will have to fit in the drawer or in the cab.
Those new side panels welded in look awesome. Thanks for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to make them for you.
DeskJock
SILVER Star
Badass! Nice job!
- Thread starter
- #1,070
Thanks for the nice comments on the rack. I got it all together in time to make the trip to Moab. I drove it there and back without any issues. It will handle 80 on the Highway just fine although it sounds like I am driving through a hurricane. It has all new seals and I made some teaks and adjustments to seal it but I don’t think Toyota designed the 45 to run quietly down the road at 80mph, so I may just invest in noise canceling headphones and call it a day.
We ran Lockhart Basin Trail Thursday and Friday then finished on Chicken Corners before driving out through Hurrah Pass on Saturday.
We passed a group or two from the CM event and stopped at the fairgrounds but it was almost empty by then. I met a few people there before we headed out to run a trail that over looked Castle Valley to camp.
The 45 did great and was a blast to drive. I can’t wait until the next trip which is most likely SAS unless something else happens in between.
Thanks to Joanna who took pictures of the trip for the group, some which are below.
We ran Lockhart Basin Trail Thursday and Friday then finished on Chicken Corners before driving out through Hurrah Pass on Saturday.
We passed a group or two from the CM event and stopped at the fairgrounds but it was almost empty by then. I met a few people there before we headed out to run a trail that over looked Castle Valley to camp.
The 45 did great and was a blast to drive. I can’t wait until the next trip which is most likely SAS unless something else happens in between.
Thanks to Joanna who took pictures of the trip for the group, some which are below.
RevISK
SILVER Star
Cuddly
DeskJock
SILVER Star
I’m guessing you weren’t banging the cookware to scare him away! 
Which burn scar? Thompson Ridge, Cerro Pelado, El Cajete, or Las Conchas?
- Thread starter
- #1,077
Nope just enjoyed seeing it and left it be. No reason for us run it off where we were.I’m guessing you weren’t banging the cookware to scare him away!
Thompson Ridge
- Thread starter
- #1,078
Looking over the 45 in preparation for the upcoming SAS trip I had noticed the front panhard bar was contacting the differential cover. Just not enough room for the 9.5 diff. using a panhard design for the 8 diff.
My solution was to cut a significant slice out of the panhard bar. Then I sacraficed a second panhard bar by cutting a bend out of it which I sliced the pictured banana shaped piece out of.
I welded it up against the crown of the bend, so I could weld it along the center all the way out to the edge on both sides. After cleaning up the welds and a few test fits it will clear the diff. cover. I just need to add paint and reinstall now.
My solution was to cut a significant slice out of the panhard bar. Then I sacraficed a second panhard bar by cutting a bend out of it which I sliced the pictured banana shaped piece out of.
I welded it up against the crown of the bend, so I could weld it along the center all the way out to the edge on both sides. After cleaning up the welds and a few test fits it will clear the diff. cover. I just need to add paint and reinstall now.
A work of art Dennis , much like the rest of the truck!
Nice solution to an uncommon problem. The joys of custom work. However, it seems to have been a "one bananna" job.
Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks my friend.
Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks my friend.