“ANV-FJ1” Toyota FJ45 Beach Cruiser is a brand new Precision Build from Blacksmith Garage (BG).

 

Our vision was to create something that Toyota never made from the factory:

​

A ‘Beach-Cruiser’ vehicle with a soft top, 4 half-doors and 3 rows of seating.

 

A vehicle that could easily take all the kids to the beach, go highway cruising or rock crawling in MOAB.

 

ANV-FJ1 is the culmination of 2 years of work to create a ‘multi-fun’ recreational vehicle.

​

As a result, ANV-FJ1 has the looks of a classic truck but it has the build quality, reliability, performance and comfort equipment of a modern vehicle.

​

ANV-FJ1 will run 80+ mph down the freeway with ease.

​

Approximately 350 test miles have been added since completion.

 

Donor

Very little remains of the original donor ... a 1984 Toyota FJ45 Pick Up Truck with US VIN number JT1V0FJ4500810183*.

​

As a matter of fact, about 80% of this truck is brand new including the Aqualu Body, the interior and the rock star of fuel efficient and torquey turbo diesels - the brand new Cummins R2.8L 4BT crate motor matched to a Level 2 new GM 4L65E automatic transmission.

​

The rest of the truck came from the original donor including the frame*, axles and transfer case. All of the original items were disassembled, cleaned, stripped, rebuilt, refurbished, updated (where possible) and refinished to be better than new. 

​

Every nut, bolt, retainer, fastener, clip, screw, and wire has been replaced. 

  

*Having the original frame keeps the original VIN and title and thus avoids the dreaded moniker of ‘kit car’ and should remove registration issues in your home state.

​

An original titled FJ is more desirable, valuable and holds its value better than a kit car.

 

Please see all the work done as follows:

 

Frame

The donor vehicle was completely disassembled and the frame was stripped, sandblasted, sealed, epoxy primered, refinished, and given 3 coats of BASF UNO semi-gloss black paint; code #202.

​

The radiator, motor and transmission mounts were custom fabricated to the frame so as to house/fit these elements in the engine bay/body of the vehicle.

 

Motor/Mechanicals

We chose the best diesel motor on the planet that would fit the engine compartment … a brand new Cummins R2.8L 4BT crate motor.

​

At a little over 500LBS the R2.8 is the lightest and smallest of the Cummins turbo diesels.

​

In classic Cummins fashion the motor produces 161 hp and an impressive 310 lb-ft of torque at only 1800 rpms (Source: www.cummins.com) all while getting excellent fuel economy at 22-23 MPG (Source Motortrend.com).  It is a great marriage of compactness and power.

​

The R2.8 was picked as the official ‘Ultimate Adventure (UA)’ engine every year 2017 through 2020 and usually if a product is used on UA and it does well eg. Powering through the desert in 130 degree heat … it will do well anywhere!  

​

It does all this while using a third less fuel that its gas-powered counterparts.

​

The R2.8 has been proven over the roughest terrains. (check out: https://www.motortrend.com/events/cummins-repower-ua2020-video/)

 

The Cummins is matched to a Level 2 new GM 4L65E automatic transmission built by Monster Performance transmissions (Brookville, Fl) and painted factory colors and mated to the engine using an adaptor kit provided by Advance Adaptors.

​

Full stainless steel exhaust utilizing a Magna Flow muffler.

​

New Aluminum 4 core radiator and a high performance electric fan for cooling.

​

The original bullet proof Toyota axles and the transfer case have been stripped, cleaned, sandblasted, sealed, rebuilt with all new components, then painted and installed. 

 

A brand new Blacksmith Garage custom built 26 gallon fuel tank is neatly nestled between the frame rails which should provide the new owner with close to a huge 600 mile range.

 

Body

We purchased a brand new Aqualu all aluminum tub and fenders, matched with a new old stock FJ 40/45 steel hood.

Hundreds of man hours were expended refinishing the body into perfect/better than the factory’ condition. The Paint is show quality.

​

The entire underside and inside of tub is coated in a textured semi-gloss black "Raptor" coating (similar to rhino lining) while the body was painted with coats of BASF Toyota White paint; code #045.

​

New side steps, shock towers, windshield, weather-stripping, door stoppers, door handles, door straps, wiper motor/arms, sun visors, rear view mirror, side mirrors.

​

Custom soft top frame painted black with a black canvas marine grade upholstery shade.

​

A Blacksmith Garage custom built roll cage extending from just behind the front seat to the tail gate to protect passengers in all 3 rows of seats.   

 

Suspension/Steering/brakes

All new Old man Emu suspension including springs, shocks, tie rods, knuckles, steering column, steering wheel, and a Saginaw power steering conversion kit.

​

New 4 wheel disc brakes at all 4 corners, with new master cylinder, brake booster, and of course all new lines and fittings. 

 

Wheels and Tires

Wheels are 16" Stain Black Mickey Thompson's wrapped with BGF Mud Terrain 315/75R16 Tires. 

 

Interior

Dakota Digital custom built instrument panel RTX-62T-FJ. Numerous color lighting options and configurations.  

​

4 custom buckets seats/seat frames and 1 rear bench seat with custom chocolate brown vinyl and tan stitching, along with custom built and matching door panels. 

​

We fitted the Fusion Apollo SRX400 audio system with wireless/bluetooth with Fusion Link controlled from your mobile device with a custom built and leather wrapped speaker enclosure.

​

Signature Toyota rubber flooring.

 

Electrical

New Infinity can bus wiring harness' and connectors: body/engine/trans every inch or wire is new.

​

LED headlights, new marker, turn signal, and brake lights.