The time has come to share pictures of my Landcruiser FJ45 build. The Landcruiser is a 1982 ute.
Short Story
The build started off being just a panel restoration job. The roof was rusted out in the corners allowing water to leak in and rust out other parts. The initial build involved rust repairs to the roof, front window frame, below window panel and extended to repairing other miscellaneous rust spots and dents. The doors were an absolute nuisance, hrs upon hrs were spent trying to fix the doors. The steel is so thin on these old cruisers that they distort so easily, also they need to be stiffened to restist flexing.
Anyway following 4 months of intense rust repair and body repair, priming I had the body in a state ready for final painting.
Then one Saturday I was driving through my surburb and spotted a hj60 landcruiser wagon for sale. On inspection I found the car had 308 V8 red Holden motor (Australian GM motor) with 5 speed, power steering and front 4 spot caliper disc brakes. Didn't get a price til a follow-up phone call later that day. Think I got the price down to $700 the following day. Following this find I was driven through Welshpool and seen a damaged car wholesaler. I have always been curious to whats on offer at these places. Basically a on seller of smashed up vehicles. When I walked in I spotted the really smashed up vehicle, was unrecognisable. Spoke the salesman and he showed me this vehicle. From the right hand side it resembled a VY SS Commodore 2004 V8 ute. The V8 engine was a GEN III LS1 with 4 speed auto 4L60E box. The interior was salvageable, it included a nice red cloth seats, matching door trims, instrument cluster, metallic door handles and racing pedals. The engine and entire driveline was salvageable. Long story short I bought the vehicle a week later for $4900. I also bought the hj60 series wagon. As you can now guess what I got myself into, major build. Engine conversion, front and rear brake conversion, power steering conversation, roll cage, seat replacement, ARB diff lockers Front/ Rear, steering replacement and body lift.
The post will show images of the build, not neceassary in order as Im nearly 3 yrs into the build.
The reason for the post is to assist others that may get bug to do a complete renewal overhaul whatever you call it and would like to have sample approaches or even advise. Plus I would like repay others who have placed great builds on this site IH8MUD.com
Short Story
The build started off being just a panel restoration job. The roof was rusted out in the corners allowing water to leak in and rust out other parts. The initial build involved rust repairs to the roof, front window frame, below window panel and extended to repairing other miscellaneous rust spots and dents. The doors were an absolute nuisance, hrs upon hrs were spent trying to fix the doors. The steel is so thin on these old cruisers that they distort so easily, also they need to be stiffened to restist flexing.
Anyway following 4 months of intense rust repair and body repair, priming I had the body in a state ready for final painting.
Then one Saturday I was driving through my surburb and spotted a hj60 landcruiser wagon for sale. On inspection I found the car had 308 V8 red Holden motor (Australian GM motor) with 5 speed, power steering and front 4 spot caliper disc brakes. Didn't get a price til a follow-up phone call later that day. Think I got the price down to $700 the following day. Following this find I was driven through Welshpool and seen a damaged car wholesaler. I have always been curious to whats on offer at these places. Basically a on seller of smashed up vehicles. When I walked in I spotted the really smashed up vehicle, was unrecognisable. Spoke the salesman and he showed me this vehicle. From the right hand side it resembled a VY SS Commodore 2004 V8 ute. The V8 engine was a GEN III LS1 with 4 speed auto 4L60E box. The interior was salvageable, it included a nice red cloth seats, matching door trims, instrument cluster, metallic door handles and racing pedals. The engine and entire driveline was salvageable. Long story short I bought the vehicle a week later for $4900. I also bought the hj60 series wagon. As you can now guess what I got myself into, major build. Engine conversion, front and rear brake conversion, power steering conversation, roll cage, seat replacement, ARB diff lockers Front/ Rear, steering replacement and body lift.
The post will show images of the build, not neceassary in order as Im nearly 3 yrs into the build.
The reason for the post is to assist others that may get bug to do a complete renewal overhaul whatever you call it and would like to have sample approaches or even advise. Plus I would like repay others who have placed great builds on this site IH8MUD.com
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