Custom forklift

   / Custom forklift #1  

4shorts

Elite Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2008
Messages
3,217
Location
Bay Roberts, Newfoundland
Tractor
Kubota 5740,BX25D
Last summer I purchased an old Toyota forklift to use around the shop. It was rough but I got it at a good price compared to everything else around so I spent some time, OK a lot of time restoring it.

Basically everything had to be done. I had to remove all the paint, rust and crap others had done with it over the years before I could even begin to start the rebuild. the first thing I had to do was build a new engine hood for the beast. Toyota wanted over $3000. just for the hood so I fabricated the one you see on it now out of 1/8th plate. This one will be awhile before it rusts out.

I went right through the complete machine. New rings, bearings, lapped the valves and installed new valve stem oils seals. I rebuilt the mast. all new bearings in it as well and had to rebuild some of the hydraulic cylinders because they were leaking. Some of them had to even be re-chromed due to the pitting on them.

After all that was done I sand blasted, primed and painted it. I fabricated the custom stuff such as the headlamp guards. Custom built the rear light bar and all the lights you see in it are strobes. I built sun visor as well and added some more aluminum plate to the sides to pimp it out a bit. The top have a plexy glass top in it now. I added all new gauges and even fabricated new sections of the dash because it was in pretty bad shape. It even has air horns now along with chrome duel exhaust stacks. I had to design some custom adapters to get them to work on the lift but they sound nice so it was worth it.

I removed the old Toyota charging system and it's external voltage regulator and installed a GM alternator with a built in regulator. Of course that's harder than it sounds because I had to make up new brackets to get it to fit. I also added a cool hook up to the engine cover that I can just plug my booster cables into so I don't have to pull up the lid to do it.

Anyway there's much more to this story but I'm sure you'll see by the pictures there was a lot of work involved. One thing I did learn out of this. Never try and rebuild a forklift unless you have a forklift to help. These buggers a very heavy. Only after I bought the forklift I bought my L4240 but I'm glad that I got the lift now. I think it will be handy to have around.
 

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   / Custom forklift
  • Thread Starter
#2  
The completed lift.
 

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   / Custom forklift #3  
Nice work! You'll have to start a tv show "trick my forklift"

Good job on the custom fab work.
 
   / Custom forklift
  • Thread Starter
#4  
More pics!
 

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   / Custom forklift #5  
Very Impresive 4Shorts , Thanks for showing . I have a feeling I Should have Sold Mine Before I seen this though, :D . That looks similiar to my Hyster , it weighs 12 thousand Pounds , 8000 lb lift capacity . Workd great for Pulling Trees & Telephone Poles out of the Ground. :eek: . Nice Job . Bob
 
   / Custom forklift
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Very Impresive 4Shorts , Thanks for showing . I have a feeling I Should have Sold Mine Before I seen this though, :D . That looks similiar to my Hyster , it weighs 12 thousand Pounds , 8000 lb lift capacity . Workd great for Pulling Trees & Telephone Poles out of the Ground. :eek: . Nice Job . Bob

That's a nice like you have there. Could have a lot of fun doing that one :D. I put a video up on YouTube if anyone is interested in seeing it. Kind of shows a little of the process. Thanks guys.

YouTube - Toyota forklift restoration
 
   / Custom forklift #7  
4Shorts,
That is the coolest fork truck I've seen. I especially like the chrome exhaust stacks. Good work!
 
   / Custom forklift #8  
Wow, A true craftsman.
How did you attach the diamond plate to sides of the roof pillars?
 
   / Custom forklift #9  
Looks great nice work, I would have painted it green, but other than that looks great..
 

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