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

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Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Threads
20
Messages
776
Location
Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
So some may have followed my HJ45 build over the last few years. Link here
Twistys Aussie HJ45 Buildup/Resto

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I was stoked with how the build turned out, but over that time we have had two kids, so it just isn't practical for us. I had always dreamt of owning a FJ45V, so we decided to try and buy one and sell the HJ45 to help fund the rebuild.

I had known of a FJ45V that had been for sale for a while, the price was reasonable but it was extremely rusty and had a home made roof fitted. While checking it out in person I hinted at a price I'd be happy to pay, but at the time it was too low for the owner. (A few months later a mate ended up buying it for this low price)
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So I put a wanted add up on a Aussie FJ45V facebook page. A fellow club member of the Classic Landcruiser Club of Qld, Paul Read, aka Mr Landcruiser answered this and said he knew of two FJ45V's for sale in Prosperpine. He runs a business selling complete old landcruisers and parts. Here is a link to his facebook page.
Mr Landcruiser | Facebook

These were the only pictures Paul had available of the 45V's to judge there condition by. Extremely poor resolution.

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They looked saveable in the pics, and even with the 2000km round trip tow job to pick them up it looked like it was worth the risk for the cost. We told the owner we would take them but it then took over 3 months to get him to lock in a date for the towy to pick them up. Started to feel like it would never happen.
 
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Fast forward to this week and we finally picked them up. Craig from CRK Towing did the 2000km round trip for me at a great price. Can highly recommend him for any long distance tow jobs around Qld. Here is a link to his facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1582240975377939/

Craig loaded up and on his way home.
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Looks like you have a long project ahead of you but I'm glad that two old cruisers are being saved from the grave yard
 
Pics from when Craig dropped them off, and my first view of them. Couldn't wipe the smile off my face! So stoked!

The white one is a 1966 and came from out west as a rolling shell with original interior. It was originally used in the snowy mountain project scheme.

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The green one is a 1963 and was owned by the National Museum in Brisbane. It had been there since brand new and was bought around 20 years ago roadworthy and registered, driven for a long time and then parked up in his shed. It is complete with the original f135 motor, 3 speed gearbox etc. Story is the shed collapsed on them and thats when they were moved outside and left to rot.

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While waiting the 3 months for a pickup date to be locked in I got word that a mate of a mate was about to trade in his 2005 LX470. It had the 2UZ-FE 4.7l V8 and 5 Speed auto which I was hoping to fit to this project. I ended up buying it off him for the trade in price.

After a wash and polish it came up mint. I removed everything needed for the conversion and sold the leftovers for $500 less than I paid for it, WIN!!! The new owner of the LX470 will be fitting a Duramax to it.

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Off to its new home.
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That will be awesome with a v8 in it
 
Next part of the resto mod will be a chassis swap. I want a modern chassis with coiled suspension, power steering, disc brakes etc. I plan to run 35" tyres on 17" rims.

Original plan was to fit it to a 120 Series Prado Chassis (same as the Lexus GX470 in the USA). It's basically the same chassis as my 2012 FJ Cruiser and I love the way the FJ handles and rides. It is looking like this might be too hard to get engineered in QLD but due to the ADR's requiring airbags to be fitted. Easiest way out is a 80 series Landcruiser chassis swap, and I think is most likely the way I will go.

Extra wheelbase will be accommodate by moving the rear wheel arch back. I will also need to run rear flares and widened front guards to cover the tyres with the extra track width. I hope the widened front guards and rear flares don't detract from the look of the 45V too much.

Some wheel base and wheel track info comparing the above.

45V
WB = 2642mm
TW = 1405mm

120 Series Prado
WB = 2790mm (+148mm)
TW = 1535mm (+130mm = 65mm per side)

80 Series Landcruiser
WB = 2850mm (+208mm)
TW = 1600mm (+195mm = 97.5mm per side)
 
Twisty I really like the stance of your 45! How wide are your rims?

Thanks. The rims are 17x8.5 0 Offset Method Standards with 315/70R17 (35") MTZs. It's also running IFS hubs to widen the track width approx 3" and match the track width of the 60 series rear diff that's fitted. Without the IFS fitted the tyres rub on the leaf springs due to the low offset.
 
I "guess" I'm subbed to another bad ass build, can't wait to see the progress on the new LV!
 
Sounds like a cool project. Subscribed. Lots of work ahead of you!

The vins you posted in the list do not really line up with the build years?
 
Looking good, Twisty! If you end up with an early front bib left over, I'd be interested ;)
 
Very jealous and will look forward to seeing it all come together. Lots of work ahead but looks like a good starting point.

Have you considered a 90's Surf chassis? Dimensions look a little closer to the V's and a similar suspension setup to the FJ/Prado, and I seem to recall you have experience with v8 surf's.

I'd be interested in some of the front sheet metal ( headlight panel, sides and bonnet) off the green one if they aren't too cactus.
 

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