FJ Forty Five

[hoyt]

Man the last time I did an actual hard body build was back in 2013. This new build was started a couple years ago but I lost interest and motivation. So it has sat in the box.

I have got the urge once again to try and get back into it.

So that being said I have always been a big fan of the FJ series both 40 and 45. I have been scouring the web looking at pics and some amazing 1:1 builds out there.

Some of the inspiration pics I have found.








This will not be a replica of any 1:1 as I like to add bits and pieces from builds and things that appeal to me.
But what I am looking for is a clean looking truck, big tires, wider stance maybe but staying mostly within fenders and something you might see on the trails.

I do not get to technical in my builds. I usually pic a platform (this being an SCX10II) that performs out of box and roll with it. I do not compete, so I am just looking to build something pleasing on the eyes but will still give me some entertainment while crawling. I am lucky enough to have all kinds of terrain out my back door.

[hoyt]

So we started off with a nice new clean RC4WD Cruiser body.

Gonna be honest the first cut was painful. Mostly just doubting if I could pull this off lol. We will see.






Up next was to start the bed which I am building from scratch.








Thats it for now and hopefully more to come if I can stay motivated here.

[Brake Weight]

TLC love.

[chino63]

Yes sir, it's looking like a 45. I'm a sucker for an fj40 or fj45 too. Keep posting, I'll be watching.

[travis c.]

Originally Posted by chino63

Yes sir, it's looking like a 45. I'm a sucker for an fj40 or fj45 too. Keep posting, I'll be watching.

Me too, the brown one in the pics above is fawkin schweet!

[Highmark]

Great start!

[hoyt]

Originally Posted by travis c.

Me too, the brown one in the pics above is fawkin schweet!

I could fill this thread with just 1:1 pics. Damn things are pretty photogenic.

[Dungas]

That looks absolutely mint! I'm building the poor mans version of this with an RGT poly body and hot glue because the budget wont stretch to a hard body at this stage. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

[Tralfaz Blecht]

Ok, this is awesome. I was contemplating trying to do the same as I could not find an FJ45 body anywhere. I figured people were doing a chop job such as this. I too plan to use an SCX10II. I've found those videos by RC383 on Youtube and decided of the available possibilities, this is the truck I want. I also like how he changes the bed setup or the beds themselves. Big question here... How did you cut it straight and what did you cut it with?

[hoyt]

Originally Posted by Tralfaz Blecht

Ok, this is awesome. I was contemplating trying to do the same as I could not find an FJ45 body anywhere. I figured people were doing a chop job such as this. I too plan to use an SCX10II. I've found those videos by RC383 on Youtube and decided of the available possibilities, this is the truck I want. I also like how he changes the bed setup or the beds themselves. Big question here... How did you cut it straight and what did you cut it with?

Never heard of rc383 so I checked out his videos. Skills way beyond what I can do. That is one hell of a scratch built truck. He says body was hand made in info section. I Could not find a build thread or vid.

Some people use sewing thread to cut the body. I used a deep cut coping saw. Just go slow, mark good lines etc etc... There's other methods/tools around that people use to.

If you want a clean interior you might want to look into aftermarket setups. I'm just gonna hack the crap out of mine to get it to fit with that giant trans. I don't put much focus into interior. Hopefully it will look ok. That's a ways off though.

Good luck.

[Tralfaz Blecht]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not going to get too obsessed with a perfect scaler to begin with. I'm taking baby steps. I want function and I want to run and abuse my truck. I want it to look pretty good too though. I think getting really involved in an interior will be a bit down the road for me. Thanks again for the cutting ideas. Your truck is looking great and I cant wait to see more.

[nwnewbie]

45 is probably one of my favorite rigs, can't wait to see this one finished up! Wish I could muster up half the skills you guys have lol

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[hoyt]

Been able to get some more work done.

What I unfortunately did not get was a picture of the roof after I first got the front and back section together. For those thinking about trying it the back section of the roof did not match up with the cab. Like not even close. There was probably a good 1/4 inch gab that had to be filled and sanded to shape. I used thin strips of styrene and just layered.. Just some info i wanted to pass on.

Anyways still some filling and sanding and repeat left to do but she is taking form.






I guess because of the molding process the back was fairly bowed at the bottom. I had to add some styrene to flatten it out so the bed sits flush. She still looks a little rough here and still working on door lines etc.... Hopefully I can smooth it out.




Bed coming along






And the suspension system I plan on trying first. Going with the dinky cantlever in the rear. I will be running them on the inside of the chassis rails so I am going to try a sway bar and see what happens. If its to stiff I may try to find stiffer springs or notch out more of the sway bar. This thing is pretty top heavy and I think the cantilever just wont be enough. We will see.

[Rickleo]

This rig is coming along great. The body looks awesome. Hope your suspension works out for you.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Awesome work so far, bed came out legit

[madazz]

i remember your red hilux i thought it was cool how it was neat and not over the top, im sure this will be just as good.

[hoyt]

Originally Posted by madazz

i remember your red hilux i thought it was cool how it was neat and not over the top, im sure this will be just as good.

Thanks man, that was a fun little truck. I was surprised how much bigger this cruiser body is.

Worked out the mounting and got it on.
Wheels and tires are subject to change.
I am liking the tire size though

I am pretty happy with it so far





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[lonleycreeper]

Looking good. I am collecting parts for a FJ build of my own, but a 40, stock body.

What size tires are those? The axial 4.6 bfg's?

[hoyt]

Originally Posted by lonleycreeper

Looking good. I am collecting parts for a FJ build of my own, but a 40, stock body.



What size tires are those? The axial 4.6 bfg's?

Thanks

Yeah they are from the scx10 ii kit. 4.6-4.7 something like that.
I had to add 9mm to rear links so wheelbase just over 12 1/2” i think (tad longer then stock).


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[hoyt]

Have not posted in a while but slowly making more headway. Hoping to get some primer on the body and see how its looking.

Some extra detail in a few spots



Cut the interior to fit and had to make a couple nee points to bolt it in but thats done.



And finally picked up some emblems along with new ssd dif covers to get rid of the red



Thanks for looking
Hopefully next pics are with some paint on