1970 Toyota FJ45 Land Cruiser Custom Cab V8

Description

We call this truck Frank, short for Frankenstein, as it is a combination of MANY different vehicles! It started life as a 1970 FJ40 that I cut in half, stretched the frame and built the extended cab. The bed is a stock FJ45 short bed. The truck is legally registered in California as an FJ40 "Pickup" and the custom black plates will go with the truck. I'll highlight some of the features below, but if you are interested it would be best to talk on the phone or in person....this was a very extensive completely custom built truck. I have a Google photo library I can share and an IH8Mud thread documenting the build. I have two Land Cruisers and the other one is just a better fit for family use, so with much heartache this one is for sale.
The drivetrain is a 2009 Chevrolet LY6 6.0L "LS type" motor from a 2500 series pickup. Next is a 6L80E automatic 6-speed transmission. Then is an NP203 range box and finally a Toyota "split" transfer case. The front axle is from an FJ60 but modified with IFS hubs, LSD, 4.56 gears and a Redline big brake kit so this thing STOPS. The rear axle is from an FJ62 with an ARB locker and 4.56 gears. There are Corvette exhaust manifolds dumped into a single 3" pipe through a resonator and muffler. There is a functioning check engine light and a functioning OBDII port along with both EVAP solenoids. There are no catalytic convertors, but room to add them if you wish.
The brakes start with a rebuilt GM hydro-boost and new GM 1-ton master cylinder. The front brakes are Toyota 2014+ 4Runner calipers on huge rotors. The rear brakes are rebuilt FJ62 drum brakes. All the lines are new.
The steering is an FJ40 column and then U-joints and a collapsible column connected to an FZJ80 steering box. The tie rod and rag link are .25" wall tubing with FZJ80 tie rod ends connected to Marlin high steer arms on 25mm trunion bearings. The steering is over built for 37" tires.
The rear suspension is 63" Chevrolet spring over with new Bilstein 5100 shocks. There is a traction bar in the rear to eliminate axle hop. The front suspension is outboard FJ60 springs with new Bilstein 5100 shocks. The spring over ride is very nice, I did the cut and turn of the knuckles and there is no wander on the highway, it's one hand at 65mph.
Some of the pictures show green wheels, but with the wider front axle I had to change them out. The wheels stuck out too far and those wheels are gone. The black wheels are what will come with the truck. The tires are in really good shape, and have maybe 1000mi on them.
The electrical system started with a universal hot rod wiring harness. I replaced the fuse block with an extra large version so I could incorporate the engine fuses and the body fuses in the same box. All the lights are LED, including the front signals which have LED bulbs in the stock housings. The rear backup lights are large LED lights under the bed which can be turned on with a foot switch for trail lights or any time you need them. The Speedhut gauges all have back lights in them and work great at night. The truck is wired for dual batteries with a Blue Sea charge controller, but only one battery is installed. I have a switch bank that fits inside the center console for the locker, compressor and lights, but it's not installed. There is a basic radio with Bluetooth and 4 speakers, I'm not a stereo guy so I usually just listen to the V8.
The cab and interior is all custom. The rear section is 2x2 steel frame with 16ga steel. The full roll cage is built down into the rear cab forming a 360-degree cage. The front seats are Corbeau Moab with tan neoprene and seat heaters. I built flip and folding rear seats covered with the same material. There is a locking center console. There is a combo heat and A/C box but the A/C is NOT hooked up yet. The transmission shifter is from an FJ62 and there are three shifters for the 2 transfer cases. The gauges are all from Speedhut and have "Frankn45" in the gauge face. I also run a multi-gauge hooked to the OBDII port for extra information. The full soft top was built from scratch as the dimensions for this truck are completely custom. Both sides and rear of the soft top can be rolled up, or detached. The top "bucket" is independently attached to the roll cage so the top is modular. It was constructed from premium convertible fabric so it should last for many years.
The bad! There are a few small things that need to be finished. I get to them when I have time, but it's drive able so we have just been using it. The biggest issue is a whistle that starts at 45mph, I suspect it's a seal at the windshield somewhere but haven't found it yet. The A/C condenser needs to be mounted and the lines crimped. The ARB locker compressor needs to be mounted. There are a few spots where surface rust has started and I try to kill these before any real rust forms. The NP203 is sometimes tough to get into low range, it takes finesse. There is one snap that came off the top, I will get the guy who built that to fix it before the truck sells. There is only a 19gal Jeep tank and the Jeep fuel level sender doesn't cooperate with the Speedhut gauge. The multi-gauge is much better at giving a fuel level reading. The front drive shaft needs to be a little longer, I had planned to replace the rear shaft with a DC shaft and cut down the rear for the front.
Other stuff! Both the full and half doors are included. The bed rack with the awning are included. There is a full size spare included. I have 2 spare sets of rear axle shafts and a full housing if you want it. Spare set of front springs. Spare front hubs and a box of spare small stuff like wiper motors that will go with it. I have a 25gal steel weld together gas tank kit that will go with the truck, and was planning on using a Chevrolet fuel pump/sender module on it.
This truck drives great on the highway, aside from the whistle, and even gets 17-18mpg...ya 2 over drive gears in the transmission.