Baja FJ45 Build Thread

[RustyNailJustin]

I started this thread in the Cruiser Forum but thought it may be a nice addition to this forum as well.
After years of looking for the right one I bought a 1963 FJ45 SWB from a guy in Sacramento. I had big ideas from the get go but I was not sure what way to take this little truck. I knew what I was going to be using the rig for and that it had to be very dependable, store a fair amount of gear and be fun to drive. My original thought was 5.3 Chevy, 4L60E, Atlas. To be honest I have done a fair amount of fuel injected conversions and wanted a new challenge. Why not keep it Toyota? Not a week after this revelation a buddy of mine wrecked his 98 Taco with a 3.4 and a stick. I took this as a sign and bought the truck from the insurance a couple days later.
This truck will be taking my Girlfriend (Kelly) and I on many camping trips, and the trip it is really being built for, spending at least a month at a time on the Baja. Plus She loves Toyotas and would love to have something fun to drive in the summer.
Here are some pictures of the 45 and the Taco.

[RustyNailJustin]

The cab is going to be streached 16"
I am using FJ60 front end and a Tacoma rear end.
Factory Taco fuel tank and in-tank pump.

[RustyNailJustin]

The 3.4 fits nice in the 45 engine bay. The tranny and tcase shifter line up just about perfect with the factory holes.
I will be ditching the Tacoma Tcase (Driver drop) and mating a Top shift Truck case to the Tacoma tranny to make it Pass side drop. With the different Tcase and adaptor it will be about 1" shorter than it is right now.
Updates to come:D

[rocknbronco]

Nice build up I look forward to seeing the end product.

[MajorPayne]

diggin the fj, look forward to seeing this done :beer:

[jedrattle]

This and the other fj......you suck!!!:flipoff2: Should be badass!! I am doing a 3.4 swap in my 87 runner right now. Someday I want to pull everything out put it in an fj. Just can't find one for the money I have (or don't have) :laughing:

[wayneraintree]

Build on man:D

One of my favorite threads:smokin:

[rocknbronco]

Yeah kinda makes me want to find a FJ again...

[kiyul4130]

thats awesome your doing a 3.4 in this. its different and isnt done. ill keep watching this.

[Hunjy]

Awesome build keep the updates coming

Are you going to go spring over? :D

[MilspecXJ]

Awesome build. I'll be following this thread.

I saw a pic of a 45 with the flatbed setup for adventure travel before, had me lusting for another FJ.

[RustyNailJustin]

I will be sure to post updates. Been moving slow on it with work and My other cars. It's coming along though

[TachedOutOffRoad]

That is awesome. Really awesome.

When the new crawler leaves the garage under its own power, the DD/ expedition rig will roll in. I need a backseat for the youngin so Im torn between a 45 wagon or a 55. The 55s are so ugly they're beautiful :laughing:
If I was a real pimp, Id could turn a 40 into a 45 without looking like a hack . . . . . .

Im going to put a 4.7L out of a Tundra or a 3.4L in it. It would be cool to get a 5-speed conversions from Dellow Automotive for the 4.7L as I just wont drive an auto :p I have a 3.4 in my DD and had one in a crawler and loved it both times. I actually towed the project Taco behind the Taco with the 3.4L for 1,300 miles! Great motor!

Anyway, enough about me :flipoff2: Keep it up and posts lots of picks and a diagram of what you do to the wiring harness :homer:

[RustyNailJustin]

That is awesome. Really awesome.

When the new crawler leaves the garage under its own power, the DD/ expedition rig will roll in. I need a backseat for the youngin so Im torn between a 45 wagon or a 55. The 55s are so ugly they're beautiful :laughing:
If I was a real pimp, Id could turn a 40 into a 45 without looking like a hack . . . . . .

Im going to put a 4.7L out of a Tundra or a 3.4L in it. It would be cool to get a 5-speed conversions from Dellow Automotive for the 4.7L as I just wont drive an auto :p I have a 3.4 in my DD and had one in a crawler and loved it both times. I actually towed the project Taco behind the Taco with the 3.4L for 1,300 miles! Great motor!

Anyway, enough about me :flipoff2: Keep it up and posts lots of picks and a diagram of what you do to the wiring harness :homer:

I think the wiring should be somewhat easy, the Taco is really a stand alone for the motor.
4.7 would be a sweet swap too.

[Erick561]

thats gonna be a lot of fun when you're done

[fuggy]

that FJ body is in great shape. I'd love to tour the baja for a month! :D

[RustyNailJustin]

Worked on it quite a bit today. Got motor mounts built, and working on some frame plating. I will get up some pictures.

[TachedOutOffRoad]

2.5 weeks . . . . .

are we Bajaing yet? :D

[roscoFJ73]

Worked on it quite a bit today. Got motor mounts built, and working on some frame plating. I will get up some pictures.


I thought you were coming back to Oz:flipoff2:

Nice work:smokin:. The fuel economy and power of the 3.4 will be interesting:smokin:
My brothers have them in their Prados(I think its the same 3.4)and it pulls them around ok

[RustyNailJustin]

I thought you were coming back to Oz:flipoff2:

Nice work:smokin:. The fuel economy and power of the 3.4 will be interesting:smokin:
My brothers have them in their Prados(I think its the same 3.4)and it pulls them around ok

I sure am ASAP. I need to come for at least 8 weeks this time. Maby this winter if I am not done with this rig:D

[RockHard4x4]

cool fuckin truck, cant wait to see some more

[Chainlink]

I love the 45's but dang that flat bed just makes it look more badass, I mean what a pile, I will pay the going rate for steel and take it away for ya....just the kind of guy I am:grinpimp:

Seriously nice score , I am green with envy :flipoff2:.....keep the flat bed tube up the sides and canvas that beast. Keep the original tub in storage as I bet it worth a pretty penny.

[bowtied_micky]

subscribed

[RustyNailJustin]

Been trying to get some updates on this thread. Not to much to report, been kinda slow with work and a few other projects, but I will be cracking again soon :D