The Sleipnir of City Sadar Road

[hayzin]

@fouadhafeez I have a friend in Karachi who has 3 LS1 engines up for grabs. If you are interested I can forward you his contact info. He also built a one-of-a-kind FJ40, built for drags only. If nothing else, he might be a good source of experience and information for you.

[fouadhafeez]

@hayzin

Thanks mate. I'm not personally searching for an LS1...I was just replying to someone's query about the LS1's availability. A drag FJ40?! I have got to meet this guy!

I thought I was the only one with these sorts of aberrations!

[hayzin]

@fouadhafeez

Copy that Sir.
I will WhatsApp you contact details of the guy. Swapping notes on such projects is always helpful.

[fouadhafeez]

Some more progress, without pictures.

The suspension graft goes along swimmingly. We've moved the front suspension about 8 or so inches forwards, and have also managed to mount the control arm mounting points about 6 inches lower than they would normally sit on a Surf. All of this is splendid news, since it'll enable us to keep the frame nice and low, in addition to stretching the wheelbase up-front, to achieve that classic 'street-rod' look we're aiming for, with the wheels well forward of the engine and radiator.

In other news, we've found the complete front suspension from a 2000 model Surf, which is just perfect for the frame mounts we're grafting on. Control arms, springs, diff (in case we do get around to making it AWD), shafts, shocks, steering box et al, will all be culled from this half-cut specimen.

For the rear, we're using a centre-diff tube from a 2007 Surf. This comes with a limited slip diff, and all the other goodies mentioned above. The rod is going to have all-round disc brakes, which should be handy for stopping in a hurry.

The next items to report are somewhat less performance-oriented, but are certainly more pocket-friendly. I have a 'spare' 1UZ (3rd Gen) lying around with its automatic tranny. This engine came fitted in a '73 Mustang I own. Now, whilst the prospect of the 1GZ is certainly mouth-watering, it does represent extra expenditure. This expenditure can be easily avoided by using the 1UZ that is already present, and would save approx PKR 350K (a substantial amount). Another idea I've dropped is purchasing the wheels and tyres from the market (which were a whopping PKR 100K). To this end, we'll be using a set of Goodyear Eagle NASCAR tires that I already have, which will be used with six lug, 15 inch, deep-dish chrome wheels (second hand) that are almost identical to the rims of the Phantom. The happy thing with these wheels is that they'll sit right on the Surf hubs, without any need for modifying the lug pattern of the rim, or adding any spacers. This should again cut down on cost, and make sure that performance remains stellar.

So...thus far (since everyone wants to know about these things, even if they don't ask) the breakdown of expenditure is as under:-

1) 1984 FJ40 frame with voucher 50K.
2) 2000 SSR-G frame (Kabuli) 20K.
3) 2000 Surf complete front suspension and 2007 Surf complete rear suspension 150K.
4) 15 inch, 6 x lug wheels (set of four) 10K
5) Nascar Goodyear Eagle NASCAR tyres (275/70/15 rear, and 245/65/15 front) - no expenditure.
6) 1UZ-FE (3rd Gen) with transmission, wiring, ECU, and all engine accessories - no expenditure.

Grand Total thus far 230K.

I reckon that the body parts should cost me an additional 150K or thereabout. All told, charges for labour and workmanship (denting, electricals and mechanicals) should be in the 100-125K range. For a total of about 275K.

Sooooo...all told, a from-the-pocket-expenditure budget of 500K for a genuine homegrown hot-rod. Not too bad, I think.

[waqqasnasir]

Sir

Thanks a lot sharing the cost , this will be much help full the begnieers like me.

[fouadhafeez]

The first few pictures of the project. Pardon the poor quality...it was dark, and rainy at the time. The way we're grafting the Surf mounting points and control arms onto the FJ40 frame should be visible, though.

[fouadhafeez]

Well done Pakwheels! The IOS app for accessing the forums was long overdue.

[s.ahmad.khan]

Wow, that's completely out of budget, but thank you for the knowledge.

[fouadhafeez]

Another tip for anyone planning to use axles from a late model Toyota Surf in a project (which I've learnt the hard way): 15 inch rims will NOT fit the hubs (since the disc callipers prevent the rim from sitting properly), unless your rims are extreme offset ones...or you have enormous spacers to go along.

Ask me how I've learnt this.

The Little Phantom is going to be needing a set of those huge spacers, if it gets the 15 inch rims I purchased for it.

[shahab71]

Yaar bohat aalaa Bhai. So it seems that I need to start making some parking space in my driveway, as something is bound to be moved my way :-). Best of luck with the build, lemme know if you need anything from Lhr !

[fouadhafeez]

Yaar bohat aalaa Bhai. So it seems that I need to start making some parking space in my driveway, as something is bound to be moved my way :-). Best of luck with the build, lemme know if you need anything from Lhr !

Glad you approve, Bob.

And yeah...make some space in the driveway, already. Get rid of those awful rotary engined cars you're driving.

[capsat]

FH keep camera handy always .. ! keep updating please

P.S please share procedure & documents required for registration of Military auction vehicles.

[fouadhafeez]

Some more pictures. These show the front suspension almost completely grafted onto the frame.

This has come along very well indeed, Masha Allah. The shock tower mounts are sturdy, the turning radius is exceptional, and we have a very nice and low stance. Happily, it would appear that we'll also be able to go 4WD, too...albeit with some more modifications to the chassis' cross-members up front.

Next step: the rear suspension. Let's see how that turns out.

[doc.tarzan]

Rat Rod Jeep Death-Wish Trip! - Roadkill Episode 15 - YouTube
a must watch for you .... jeep rod as they say it

[yaserag]

@SK, take note!!! this is what needs to happen to the concordia

[fouadhafeez]

To be honest, Yaser...I disagree. For building a custom rally rig (like the Concordia), instead of grafting the suspension of a Surf/Hilux onto the frame of an FJ40, I'd be more inclined towards using the frame of the Surf / Hilux itself, bolting on the engine, beefing up the suspension, designing the floorpan, building a roll cage, and crafting body panels out of fiberglass around that.

One thing that I have noticed with this build, though, is the ease with which you can 'optimise' things during such a 'totally from scratch' build. Having moved the front shock towers and control arms forward (and leaving the rear wheels in their stock position), we have complete liberty of action to design the rest of the car. The FJ40 cabin is going to be intentionally positioned as rear back as would be aesthetically feasible. Following this, we'll mount the engine, tranny and transfer case, as close to the firewall as we can. The radiator/front grille would also be pushed backwards considerably. We won't have fenders, or doors, or a hood, or sidewalls, so this should keep weight down, as well. Theoretically speaking, thus, the end product should be an almost mid-engined car with good weight distribution, and very little flab. The wheels will have lovely amounts of travel, there should be no rubbing / chafing, and the handling should be razor-sharp. Four-wheel traction (high/low range), along with the limited slip diff, should give it the flexibility needed to really launch from a stop. The track should be approximately a foot wider than the average Hilux, due to the wheel spacers we're going to inevitably use, and big offset of the rims chosen. Its low slung stance, and low centre of gravity should keep it very stable at speeds, and around corners. The big-beefy disc brakes of the Surf should ensure it stops equally well.

Of course, all of this is in theory. How well it actually turns out is going to be dependent on a number of variables, but I've come to this conclusion already; this build is certainly going to push every single limit of the skills of the miracle-workers who're engaged in building it!

[capsat]

To be honest, Yaser...I disagree. For building a custom rally rig (like the Concordia), instead of grafting the suspension of a Surf/Hilux onto the frame of an FJ40, I'd be more inclined towards using the frame of the Surf / Hilux itself, bolting on the engine, beefing up the suspension, designing the floorpan, building a roll cage, and crafting body panels out of fiberglass around that.

One thing that I have noticed with this build, though, is the ease with which you can 'optimise' things during such a 'totally from scratch' build. Having moved the front shock towers and control arms forward (and leaving the rear wheels in their stock position), we have complete liberty of action to design the rest of the car. The FJ40 cabin is going to be intentionally positioned as rear back as would be aesthetically feasible. Following this, we'll mount the engine, tranny and transfer case, as close to the firewall as we can. The radiator/front grille would also be pushed backwards considerably. We won't have fenders, or doors, or a hood, or sidewalls, so this should keep weight down, as well. Theoretically speaking, thus, the end product should be an almost mid-engined car with good weight distribution, and very little flab. The wheels will have lovely amounts of travel, there should be no rubbing / chafing, and the handling should be razor-sharp. Four-wheel traction (high/low range), along with the limited slip diff, should give it the flexibility needed to really launch from a stop. The track should be approximately a foot wider than the average Hilux, due to the wheel spacers we're going to inevitably use, and big offset of the rims chosen. Its low slung stance, and low centre of gravity should keep it very stable at speeds, and around corners. The big-beefy disc brakes of the Surf should ensure it stops equally well.

Of course, all of this is in theory. How well it actually turns out is going to be dependent on a number of variables, but I've come to this conclusion already; this build is certainly going to push every single limit of the skills of the miracle-workers who're engaged in building it!

highlighted above, I'd love to see it perform as anticipated. However i believe such grafting & adding spacers moving drive train & engine is bit disproportionate to frame & " MAY " result in high drag slow reaction to throttle & "Heavy" on brakes when in high speed momentum. please ensure you add right ABS setup & test righ on & off road with extreme caution.

subscribed.

[fouadhafeez]

highlighted above, I'd love to see it perform as anticipated. However i believe such grafting & adding spacers moving drive train & engine is bit disproportionate to frame & " MAY " result in high drag slow reaction to throttle & "Heavy" on brakes when in high speed momentum. please ensure you add right ABS setup & test righ on & off road with extreme caution.

subscribed.

You're quite right. All of this is in theory...and of course, has the potential to go horribly wrong. But then, that's what makes it so interesting...and so challenging.

I haven't understood how it is likely to have a slow throttle response, though. The primary means of driving the vehicle (the rear wheels) are actually going to stay largely unchanged vis-a-vis engine placement. I've also failed to understand the "high drag" you mentioned. Please do share a little more of your views on how the drag is likely to go up. Thanks.

[capsat]

imagine a baby with loaded pamper legs wide slow walking... thats' what i mean with drag & slow to throttle response when expanded either ways.

[fouadhafeez]

imagine a baby with loaded pamper legs wide slow walking... thats' what i mean with drag & slow to throttle response when expanded either ways.

Please tell me you were kidding with that example?

Let me hasten to reassure you that such concerns are quite unfounded. A pamper-loaded baby is an absolutely incorrect analogy, if you pardon my being blunt.

In the case of cars, a wider track will mean better lateral stability. At the same time, stretching a wheelbase by a few inches isn't likely to place a strain on a well-powered car, the way a soiled pamper does on a baby who's hardly able to walk/waddle anyways. Throttle response is an engine-related action, and isn't connected to the length or breadth of the wheelbase. Its only connection to the drivetrain, is by means of how you transfer the power to the wheels. Hopefully, the drivetrain, gears, transfer case (if applicable), shaft, diffs, etc will be efficient enough (Insha Allah) to make sure that all of the power makes its way to the wheels well enough. In automotive terms, "drag" or "drag co-efficient" or "drag resistance" is usually counted as the frontal "wind resistance" of the body, which, in an SUV, doesn't really factor in anyways.

I've had some experience with such matters when I was building the Phantom (mostly through trial and error). That car was lifted two feet, was stretched by three and a half feet, and is about twenty odd inches wider than a 'normal' FJ40. It still manages to run.