Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V (Scratch Build)
 

I really want to try and build a machine from scratch. I’m talking chassis and body. I’d like to do an FJ60, because I own a 1:1 and I like them. However, there is much more to learn in building a body with the curves and lines associated with that model. I love the rugged looks of the 40 series and it has straighter lines so thats what I’m going to attempt to build. At first I was thinking An Fj40 but there are plenty of those then I thought a 45 Troopy, but something else caught my eye. The mid wheelbase Land Cruiser. The 43,44 and 46. So I’m going to attempt a BJ44V.


Build items:
Chassis: Handcrafted.
Transmission: RC4wd R3 single speed.
Transfer Case: RC4wd Hammer.
Front axle: RC4wd Yota II ultimate scale.
Rear axle: RC4wd ultimate scale bruiseruptor edition.
Springs: RC4wd TF2. (Because I don't know how to make them)
Servo: at the moment, whatever is on hand.
Motor: In the end, an HH of some sort.
Body: Handcrafted.

Inspirational image.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e114zosh77...copy.jpg?raw=1

I started off with some frame specs and built a jig. My first attempt was made of wood but that was a failure so I ended up making one from some steel plate. This worked out much better.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l0nalik1qa...rame.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/40lb6fz1gy...copy.jpg?raw=1

After a little heat from the torch and bending around some dowels, voila! a frame is born.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ayoudcx5z...copy.jpg?raw=1

Cutting it down the middle with the band saw.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dg5b26dqin...copy.jpg?raw=1

And now we have two identical frame rails.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pf5gka86wf...copy.jpg?raw=1

More to come.
Thanks for looking.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Wow, impressed with the frame, can't wait to see more.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Keep up the good work! Need plenty more of this around here! How about a hint on what medium you intend to use for the body?

Sent from My Galaxy using the Force

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Glad you like the beginnings. I have high hopes for the chassis.

Thanks! My plan is the old fashioned way, images, drawings and polystyrene.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Ok! I was able to get some cross members brazed in today. Im feeling pretty good about the chassis even though it's been quite awhile since I have done any brazing. And, I don't remember ever doing anything this small.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ry4frhgc4...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pgqcwljivz...copy.jpg?raw=1

I also made some shackle hangers. I didn't want to just weld some tube to the frame rail it just seemed wrong.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ksmcxpssau...copy.jpg?raw=1

Thanks for looking!

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Great start. Nice fab work! Gonna watch this build

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

"thumbsup" Awesome work, digging the scale spring eyes. The frame jig is really cool too! "thumbsup"

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to building it.

Thank you. The jig seems like a lot of work for one frame but it was worth it. Besides, maybe someone else will want me to bend up a frame for them.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

I was able to make some shackles this week. Man, these tiny parts are difficult to make.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yi2l9ex7hb...copy.jpg?raw=1

With the shackles cut out, I also fabricated and bolted up the remaining spring hangers. Just wanted to make sure everything was square before brazing.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0u84ka28rv...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/31t7oioh4c...copy.jpg?raw=1

And now all spring hangers are brazed on.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eqef96e4rz...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2wmpsjsngp...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8g7xpeqttx...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p29eaxjurw...copy.jpg?raw=1

Next up! Front shock mounts, T-case and tranny mounts.
Thanks for looking!

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

I really like where this is going. Eagerly awaiting updates...

I've never even heard of a mid wheelbase FJ40, guess you learn something new every day.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Thanks!
In my research i found the BJ44 was only sold to the Japanese Domestic Market and was sporadically imported to Russia, Australia and New Zealand. I wanted to do something different and I found it.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

So the show goes on. I thought I would make some rubber bushings for the springs to take up the slop and possibly add some flexibility. I figured a 1:1 would have rubber or poly why not a 1:9.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lc3s15llf1...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ermwc8gha...copy.jpg?raw=1

Fabrication of T-case and tranny mounts.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3zzhg65qm...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qmz2lp5i7r...copy.jpg?raw=1

And, front shock mounts.
Now, I know non of this is exactly like a 1:1 frame, I just want to make it a reasonable representation.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4q7qlu29qk...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0cnlkxjin...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rc49ijy6tb...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ynn7mu8a8h...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w5i9hd00qn...copy.jpg?raw=1

Thanks for looking!

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Just a couple images of the chassis with all the cross members.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kiezso6h0k...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjtb8rjtvo...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u5h3rj3xdo...copy.jpg?raw=1

Thanks for looking!

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Wow! :-)

Sent from My Galaxy using the Force

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Truly a thing of beauty! "thumbsup""thumbsup" I have to say I love Toyota's, and I have a special place in my heart for the 40 series. I learned to drive when I was 10 on my dads '73 FJ40. 8) The frame looks great so far. I really love a full on scale build! "thumbsup"

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Thanks!

Thank you. I too, love Toyota's. I've been exclusively driving them since 1984 when I purchased a used '79 4x4 pickup which I regretfully sold in 1988. My personal vehicles are '85 FJ60, '88 4x4 pickup, '97 4runner and a '99 4runner. "thumbsup"


And now for an update.

As usual, I got ahead of myself and forgot to take many assembly images. Anyhow, I mounted the servo, fabricated tie rods, upper transmission mount, drive shaft modifications and a place to hold a receiver and ESC.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4uiin88vtv...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n97ndvr78r...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fz9lud191e...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nuc3ocjz8a...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vsja4ltmcv...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cgvn6nl4xc...copy.jpg?raw=1

And a skid Plate.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1s52ikjjdm...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ri06lja6v...copy.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1moiu50afk...copy.jpg?raw=1

Thanks for looking!

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Very nice work sir! Keep up on all the details, it's looking great so far. "thumbsup"

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Your chassis just sits nice! Good work on this so far"thumbsup"

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V
 

Build is looking awesome and great job on all the detail. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V (Scratch Build)
 

Thank you for the kind words.

Thanks!

Thank you. I am glad I am able to share.