Builds "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta (5 Viewers)

[Tank5]

Hacked 6 inches off the the back of the Tank. This is what it looks like inside.

Then opened up more space in the recessed top and made a whole to fit and weld the 80 series sending unit ring on.

Fitting the sending unit which I will need to extend about a half inch. I think I will also install a drain plug before I take it in to get it welded up.

 

[Tank5]

I got the tank back from the welder. Filled it with water and no leaks, so it is good to go. Lengthened the sending unit a half inch and fits well. I swapped out the fuel pump for one from a 4runner 2uz. It uses the same plug and fits just like the 80 series 1fzfe pump.

I also shortened the tank straps to fit the tank.

I am going to keep it like this until I have it fitted and the frame mounts figured out. I plan to get it linexed when it is ready for the final assembly.

 

[Tank5]

The rear crossmember had been removed by a PO, so I started working the replacement. The base of the rear bumper/crossmember will be a piece of 4x4 5/16 angle iron. This should be plenty stiff and provide a good foundation for the rest of the build.

I wanted a little bit of protection for rear of the bed as well as a step. I had these bumper ends that were from an old school aftermarket bumper available back in the day for SWB 45s. I had already cut out the center of the bumper, so these are the ends I am working with.

The bumper ends enxtended about 6-7 inches from the crossmember, so I slimmed them down some to about 4 inches of overhang on the back. This cut extended the bed side protection which I like.

I clamped it togerther toget a preview. More to come.

 

[Tank5]

I got a little time this weekend to weld the rear crossmember/bumper together. I still have work to do on it but here it is taking shape.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Love this build, nice work!

 

[TARTOOSH]

NICE WORK .... I AM WAITING TO THE END

 

[Tank5]

I wanted to add a receiver to the rear bumper. I had an 80 receiver sitting around. I figured I could use it and add some support to the rear bumper. I cut the ends off and added some supports so it would sit level. I built some sleeves to slide over the rear frame and tie the bumper and receiver together. This doesn't look like much but it was about 6 hours of work to get it all fitted together.

 

[4Cruisers]

Looking good. You were probably right in the middle of the project when my wife and I passed through your neck of the woods at about 3:15 on the scenic drive home from Albuquerque.

 

[Tank5]

Looking good. You were probably right in the middle of the project when my wife and I passed through your neck of the woods at about 3:15 on the scenic drive home from Albuquerque.

I sure was. You should have stopped by. I still have that 40 series cowl vent for you sitting in the shed. I understand you may want to play it safe with all the crazy Covid crap going around.

 

[4Cruisers]

Next time we're in the area for sure.

 

[Tank5]

I fin ished welding up the bumper and drilled the mounting holes as well as the corresponding mounting locations for the bed. I will drill two more holes on each side of the underside when I flip the frame over, so the rear bumper will be secured with 8 bolts total.

I am considering adding a supportfor the bumper wings and need to pick some revers lights to place in the round holes on the corners.

Any suggestions for lights there? The existing holes measure right at about 3 inches.

 

[4Cruisers]

I am considering adding a supportfor the bumper wings and need to pick some revers lights to place in the round holes on the corners.

Any suggestions for lights there? The existing holes measure right at about 3 inches.

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I'd consider early FJ40 lower front bib lights (parking lamps), they're right at 3 inches. Looks like they're still available from Cruiser Outfitters or SOR with reproduction clear lenses.

 

[Tank5]

I'd consider early FJ40 lower front bib lights (parking lamps), they're right at 3 inches. Looks like they're still available from Cruiser Outfitters or SOR with reproduction clear lenses.

View attachment 2495920

I have a set of those lights. I will see how they fit. My only concern is that they may not hold up well to abuse on the bumper corners. I will see how they would look if I recess them in the bumper.

 

[Dizzy]

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I'll get measurements on mine, if needed.

 

[Tank5]

I started playing with the fuel tank placement. It is going to fit well. It will hang down 9.5 inches below the frame closest to the axle which was expected. I am going to order some .25 by 2 inch flat bar to build some support for the top side of the tank.

Edit: I was looking at the tank and recognized I could use angle iron to form the upper craddle for the tank and make mounts to allow the lower straps to bolt to the upper craddle. I will ponder this and other options for a few days before start buying materials.

 

[Tank5]

CCOT Exclusive Part ~ Taillight Rock Shields

Taillight Rock Shields - "Developed by CCOT" ~ ABS Taillight Protection "Rock Shields" protect & extend the life of taillights Protect back-side of taillight assembly from flying rocks, mud, sand and salt Direct Bolts-on part, Color Black Sold in pairs, complete with Stainless Steel nuts, bolts...

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Thanks, I have some of those guards here to play with but was already thinking I would build a cover that covers the entire open section behind the light.

 

[Tank5]

I am waiting on materials to build the mounts for the tank, so I decided to start looking at the wheel wells. I really dislike the idea of cutting the wheel wells but it has always been the plan with this build and a must because I moved the rear axle back 7 inches. I also have to drill a bunch of spot welds to modify the inner fender wells and I don't enjoy drilling spot welds.

I got busy with the my CAD program and mocked up the wheel well to get an idea for where to cut. This what I have settled on at the moment. The cardboard edge is where I want the finished edge of the wheel well to end up.

 

[Tank5]

I got some time to cut into the bed. I took the rear half off the inner fender wells then measured and measured and measured before settling on where to make the cut to move the wheel well back.

I cut off what was left of the wheel well edges, so I can reuse them later.

Then after a lot more measuring , marking up, mocking up, staring at it then measuring again I the cut the fender wells.

I will clean up the front later. For now this is all I needed to do to be able to set the bed on the frame, so I can roll it and determine placement for the missing bed mounts. I was able to use the cardboard to confirm the tires wont rub.

 

[cbmontgo]

What a cool build so far! So wish I had these fabrication skills.

 

[Tank5]

The gas tank is now in and sitting on the tank straps. I built some "L" shaped brackets that were tacked on the rear suspension crossmember and to the back of the receiver attached the bumper for the straps to bolt to. I still need to create some sort of brace accross the top of the tank, so it is secure. I am happy with the placement of everything. The lowest part of the tank hangs 8" below the frame.