Toyota Land Cruiser BJ44V

[adamsfly]

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.



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.





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



Cutting it down the middle with the band saw.



And now we have two identical frame rails.



More to come.
Thanks for looking.

[joe122]

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

[penneyma79]

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

[adamsfly]

Originally Posted by joe122

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

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

Originally Posted by penneyma79

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

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

[adamsfly]

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.





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



Thanks for looking!

[rdearolf]

Great start. Nice fab work! Gonna watch this build

[Jeepfixer1]

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

[adamsfly]

Originally Posted by rdearolf

Great start. Nice fab work! Gonna watch this build

Thanks! I'm looking forward to building it.

Originally Posted by Jeepfixer1

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

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.

[adamsfly]

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



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.





And now all spring hangers are brazed on.








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

[meatmonkey]

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.

[adamsfly]

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

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.

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.

[adamsfly]

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.





Fabrication of T-case and tranny mounts.





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.











Thanks for looking!

[adamsfly]

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







Thanks for looking!

[penneyma79]

Wow! :-)

Sent from My Galaxy using the Force

[R.Billy Rob]

Truly a thing of beauty! 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. The frame looks great so far. I really love a full on scale build!

[adamsfly]

Originally Posted by penneyma79

Wow! :-)

Sent from My Galaxy using the Force

Thanks!

Originally Posted by R.Billy Rob

Truly a thing of beauty! 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. The frame looks great so far. I really love a full on scale build!

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.


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.













And a skid Plate.







Thanks for looking!

[chino63]

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

[Bananaclip]

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

[THUG LIFE]

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

[adamsfly]

Originally Posted by chino63

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

Thank you for the kind words.

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

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

Thanks!

Originally Posted by THUG LIFE

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

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