3 days and 3300 miles later

buckroseau · 08-06-06, 08:21 PM

Left Thursday, August 3rd in the evening at 6 pm.......Drove to Hundred mile house, British Columbia Canada. Was at the guys house for 3 hours and then drove home......Just got back today, Sunday, August 6th around 1 pm this afternoon. Had my neighbor and my wife with me, only stopped for 5 hours just north of Merritt, BC because we were all to tired to drive and had to sleep along side the road.

I guess I am now the proud owner of a 78 lwb

But, was a little mis-informed on the condition of the frame by the owner

I saw the pics of the truck before I went, but took his word on the condition of the frame....shouldn't of. I guess I was able to get a pretty good deal on it considering, but the frame is pretty much toast. I have never seen one rusted that bad??? Interior is in great shape, also got a lot of spare parts and the lwb is all there, so that's good I guess?

Had to pick up a 74 FJ40 and a 72 FJ40 project that he had started. He wouldn't sell just the truck, it all had to go. The price was right I guess for just the lwb and figured since I was going all that way, might as well pick up the rest of it. So it all came home.....

Oh, by the way...the lwb hadn't run in 9 years....my neighbor and I put a fresh battery in it tonight after we unloaded it, drained the gas and put fresh fuel in, checked the oil and coolant......turned the key and it popped right off!!! Absolutely amazing...!! Took it for a spin around the neighbor hood for fun.

Anyway, thought I would post some pics and see what you guys think. Wondering what your thoughts are on the frame?? Pretty certain I can fix everything else, but that frame is pretty far gone

In hindsight I wish I would have gotten some pics of the frame before I went, but took the guys word for it. But, I was there so it was coming home with me.

Matt

buckroseau · 08-06-06, 08:26 PM

more

buckroseau · 08-06-06, 08:29 PM

more 2

buckroseau · 08-06-06, 08:31 PM

last 1

warrior_1515 · 08-06-06, 08:55 PM

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Ming89FJ62 · 08-06-06, 09:16 PM

Very cool. Glad to see that you've found something to keep you out of the bars this winter. Look forward to another greate build thread.

Harry

65-fj45 · 08-06-06, 09:43 PM

If anyone can fix that, It will be you. Keep up the great work.

buckroseau · 08-06-06, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65-fj45

If anyone can fix that, It will be you. Keep up the great work.

The sheet metal doesn't scare me

But the frame does

I didn't post any pics of the frame because I'm kinda embarressed that I didn't get more details on the frame before I drove out there

Needless to say......I'm amazed that it hasn't collasped

Kinda off topic, but anyone ever use a matkins economy or level I frame? Price? Quality? Also, do they make one for the lwb, website just says FJ45?

Thanks, Matt

cruiser ken · 08-06-06, 10:34 PM

I've heard that all the lwb 45 frames are the same. My '82 troopie frame looked really close to a 45 lwb pickup frame. Never compared either to an LV though. Also, I'm pretty sure Toyota just spliced in a section of the frame to make the lwb frames. You might be able to make your own from the 40s you got.

fjwagon · 08-06-06, 10:57 PM

too cool

. You just graduated to the next level so it should be a big deal for you.....right? Hopefully you will post more pics.

AZkick-n40 · 08-06-06, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior_1515

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

chrisbcruisin · 08-07-06, 12:38 AM

Hey Matt

Looks like you scored, sorry to have missed you on your
trip through. Matkins does not have frames for 45's as of yet.
apparently he's waiting on a good one to base a jig on. I did
however find out there will be frames available soon here in B.C.
WILL keep you posted.

AATLAS1X · 08-07-06, 01:51 AM

40 frames were available the last time I checked from Toyota. 45 Still available? Owens export import one maybe??

Owyhee Jackass · 08-07-06, 08:11 AM

The difference between an LV and an lpb frame is the bed mounts/body mounts.

Ken is correct on just stretching the frame of a 40.

65-fj45 · 08-07-06, 08:13 AM

I know three or four months ago TLC in California had a 45 frame for sale, it was listed on there web site. they have since changed the site, but it might be worth a shot to call them.

MDH33 · 08-07-06, 10:27 AM

Right on Matt!!!

Looks like a great project. That extra 72 FJ40 frame could come in handy if the 45 frame is shot. That 74 FJ40 looks pretty nice too. (more pics please!)

I can't wait to watch the progress.

Rhinoliner · 08-07-06, 12:01 PM

Very cool, I figured it was just a matter of time before you found one. That was quite a load you pulled behind that red truck. What would you guess, around 15,000 Lbs?

I've been suffering from Buckroseau withdrawal for weeks and it finally looks like there will be some relief soon. Thank you! I can't wait until you get started.

Oh, BTW............bezel

Landpimp · 08-07-06, 01:01 PM

don't get me wrong, I love the canadians, but their version of rust is WAY different than folks in the US......

man that 45 looks sad, the interior looks good....and so does the winch cover

Landpimp · 08-07-06, 01:02 PM

and a few more ft.........I thought the LV frame was the same(or darn close) to a 45 shortbed frame......no way its the same length as a LPB(long bed) frame

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owyhee Jackass

The difference between an LV and an lpb frame is the bed mounts/body mounts.

Ken is correct on just stretching the frame of a 40.

MDH33 · 08-07-06, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landpimp

...man that 45 looks sad...

Not for long I'll bet.

Marcfj-45 · 08-07-06, 05:46 PM

I stretch my frame to fit a Stout box, It will probabily be the same stretch add 3'( or maybe less cauz the fj-45 box got the axel near ,from the cab ,then a stout ) to a fj-40 frame if you have one good.Cut after the (i don't realy know the name) tube beam cross member thing,and it will easily fit. I came from Canada too (Quebec) and the rust eat all the fj-45 and a lot of fj-40 i think i will be the only one in my province to have some kind of fj-45 .Good Luck.

Marc (the-X project)

buckroseau · 08-07-06, 08:45 PM

I'm trying to wrap my head around this frame thing........neighbor was over tonight as we were pulling a tape measure around with the 40 frame next to it.

I think others have mentioned that the lwb frame was stretched, if yes..I don't see the weld on the frame if it was stretched? IMOP, it looks like 1 solid piece from the front to the rear, but I might be missing it underneath all the rust?

If the rear frame curve above the axles is the same (which I think it is) I believe you could graft a 40 frame on. You would also have to graft more channel onto the rear and make a few other parts, but doable........I think????

The frame is absolutely shot from the cab back, I honestly don't believe any of it can or should be salvaged. The only options are 1 - find a different frame or 2 - graft a 40 frame onto the rear. Obviously the 1st option would be the easiest, but probably more difficult to find. The 2nd is doable I would imagine, but all depends how hard I want to work and I want it to look absolutely like nothing ever happened, which I think might be possible, but not sure yet at this point.

I guess I'm not going to be starting on it tomorrow so I have some time. I might really try to think about fixing the frame, but start praying that I find a new one???

The cab and interior are actually in really good shape? You would think the floot would be totally rotted out, but it isn't? It had an undercoating sprayed underneath that is flaking off and everywhere it has came off it is just like it is new?? Odd? Box......not sure on that yet.....might be some panama steel coming in on that?

Also a pic of a 12 volt light that was in the glove box, I'm assuming it is stock?

Thanks, Matt

buckroseau · 08-07-06, 09:11 PM

Few more pics of the fun in B.C.

buckroseau · 08-07-06, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhinoliner

Very cool, I figured it was just a matter of time before you found one. That was quite a load you pulled behind that red truck. What would you guess, around 15,000 Lbs?

I've been suffering from Buckroseau withdrawal for weeks and it finally looks like there will be some relief soon. Thank you! I can't wait until you get started.

Oh, BTW............bezel

I would say it was exactly in the that 15,000 lbs. The truck is rated for 15,500, so we were a couple under

.

The Cummins Turbo diesel did damm well in that thing, but wouldn't want to make a habit of it.

Matt

fj40forlife · 08-07-06, 10:38 PM

sweet

madams557 · 08-08-06, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landpimp

don't get me wrong, I love the canadians, but their version of rust is WAY different than folks in the US......

Amen to that!

Rhinoliner · 08-08-06, 07:34 AM

Hi Matt,

I have my frame quite handy and totally naked right now. If you need any pictures or measurements, just let me know.

Marvin

Landpimp · 08-08-06, 08:04 AM

light is stock/OEM

I was never under the impression that the 45LPB used a streched frame, I thought they had their own unique frame. I just don't see Toyota saying........."hey,lets cut this in half and add a foot or so" but i might be wrong

crockett · 08-08-06, 08:49 AM

Matt, a few years back another land Cruiser guy had only a frame and box for a fj45,,not sure of condition but I could try to contact him. Possibly you could graft on rear section of frame. Dave in Spokane I sent you pictures about a year ago when you were looking for bezel/headlight assembly for your wagon, Just sold my FJ45 long bed to Dukes in Wyoming... Dave

orangefj45 · 08-08-06, 08:59 AM

congrats matt, looks like you have your work cut out for you.

your wife has to be one of the coolest chicks ever to put up with your hobbies! that's a compliment btw!!!!!