"Undertow" - Twisty's FJ45V Landcruiser Restomod (1 Viewer)

[Twisty]

Actually, that reminds me. Someone else mentioned using a 78 series (i think) cruiser ute chassis, with the solid axle coil front end and disc brakes all round. Then just coil convert the rear and shorten the wheelbase to suit. I haven't really looked into this yet, but might do now.

 

[cult45]

Coil sprung J7's started in 1998, which will require all new ADR compliant mods like intrusion bars. I've always heard it's a complete pain to use the later platform, but maybe it's all talk. Maybe making intrusion bars won't be so difficult after all?

 

[Twisty]

Yep, being that late a model the ADR's will start to cause issues. I've already spoke to an engineer as I originally wanted to use a 120 Prado Chassis, and while it doable to go later model chassis with more ADR's it adds costs and headaches to get it all approved. Easier (and cheaper) to stick to the pre 1994 80 series chassis I think which the approval is easy as.

 

[mderrick]

very cool, cant wait to see what you come up with.

 

[ozcrusier]

Nice score twisty looking forward to this family shopping trolley.

 

[ozcrusier]

How the progress on the wagon mate.

 

[Twisty]

Not much progress at all @ozcruiser but it'll get sand blasted soon and rust repairs will start as soon as Chris at BMV can fit me in. They do awesome work!
Check out their facebook page
BMV Engineering

My wife and daughters got me some "FJV45" personalised number plates for Christmas for when its finally registered.

I also brought my BJ42 "Middy" home after it being in storage at a mates shed for the last 4 years. He built all the tube work on it for me. It's got priority over the V at the moment as I'm keen as to have a truck I can wheel again. Build thread for the middy is here

Aussie MWB 40 series Build - Stretched, Linked/Coiloverd, Caged etc.

 

[Michael B]

Twisty is the Middy finished mate?

 

[Twisty]

So the FJ45V Land Cruiser Wagon is finally getting sand blasted next week. I also fitted some temp tyres/rim close to what I will end up running. They are 285/70R17s on 17x8 0 Offset rims.

I thought I'd share some photos of it in it's current state before I started removing everything. The front panels will be left as is and turned into wall art for the shed as something to remember the cool patina by.

The worse of the work is the roof/gutters and A pillars. I think the rest of the rust repairs is your usual bottom of doors, sills, and rear sill rust repairs. Then fold up a new skin for the tailgate. Hopefully my budget can keep up with the repairs. BMV Engineering will be doing all the work. Here is a link to their facebook page BMV Engineering

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

 

[Michael B]

It's about time mate! I thought you had messed around and fallen off the bottom of the map!!

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

Twisty is the Middy finished mate?

Haven't touched the middy. With the 45v in the shed as well there is just no room to move. Once the 45V goes to blasting I'll be storing it at a mates place in between guys working on it so I can get the middy finished.

It's about time mate! I thought you had messed around and fallen off the bottom of the map!!

Haha, nah just busy with kids, work, and setting up a CNC plasma cutting business to do on the side at home.

 

[Twisty]

Picked up the Fj45V after blasting and a couple coats of epoxy primer. Some pics......

 

[Twisty]

 

[Twisty]

Overall it's came back better than I expected, but still a massive job ahead to fix the rust properly. We took it past BMV Engineering yesterday and while he has happy to fix it, he reckons building a whole new matching body from scratch will be easier and similar $. I was never planning on a full stock resto, so I'm kinda liking this idea.

Question is then do people see it as a brand new FJ45V, or just a replica??

It'll still be on the stock chassis with stock vin number but have coil over suspension, 2uz-fe v8 & 5spd auto.

What do you guys reckon?

Link to BMV's facebook page. He's shop easily has the skills to build a new one.
BMV Engineering

 

[Tancruiser]

Looks pretty good other than the roof, maybe he could just make a new roof.

 

[Pauciflora]

Hey Twisty, If you are sticking with the 'rest-mod' idea go with the new body and a new chassis. Stick the 45V and it's original chassis in the corner of the shed and do an original restoration at some point when you are old and grey. If you didn't want to spend the coin on a new 45V body and chassis. You could look at doing a FJ55 - still a cool truck and you can still cart the family around. Cheers, Ben