[Chef]

Drive it, work it, wheel it would be a great plan
Neat troopy...double jump seats are kewl.

[cruiser ken]

Yeah, the 80 seating 8 is pretty good but the troopie at 11 is sweet. I'm definitely going to wheel it, just not sure how serious a want to get with the wheeling, SOA, toybox, sliders etc, or maybe just some r&p gears, lockers and parabolics.

[Chef]

I'd run with your choice of locker/lockers, parabolics, and an h41/early tcase combo, add parabolics from tpi, and call it good. There are plenty of other trucks to make "extreme wheelers" out of, and you have a great moderate/expedition type rig there!

[cruiser ken]

Came from the factory with the h41. I'll probably go the moderate route like you mentioned and keep my 40 for the harder stuff.

[JasonH]

Originally Posted by cruiser ken

My '82 FJ45, currently stock, I've got a fiberglass top for it as well as the factory soft top bows and a new softop. Has the large drum brakes all the way around, the 16" wheels barely clear the drums. I haven't decided what my plans are for it yet.

Hey, I recognize that driver's seat!

[foxfab]

[mallred]

Heres how I found my 63 swb HT It had been sitting behind a fence for over 20 years. I just got done stripping it and the body has 2 bolts holding it until it goes for blasting and metal replacement in 3 weeks, Until then I am pulling the running gear out of a 78 that will replace the origonal It also will have a mini ps, I think I will go with red but seafoam green looks very good , My goal is by the first of the year to be driving it.

[Bruiser Cruiser]

All you guys have had such good info I havn't ever needed to post, just sit back and search, But now I have a question. I just picked up the wagon mentioned in the title and its MUCH less rusty than my '76 55 So I want to take what I need from my 55 or the parts "76 40 I bought for parts to finish the 55.
To make a short question long, let me tell you my story. I bought a rusty 55 out of a snowbank, when the bank melted the little pig looked much worse than in january, plus no powertrain. Fortunatly before the snow melted I bought a wrecked low miles 40 for the powertrain. So the snow melts and I figured I'd make the best of it cause the pig still looked cool. Then I found the 45 lv in wyoming. Its not to bad, front floor is holy, some rust on the rockers and quarters but I've seen alot worse.
So the question I have is what parts of the 40 and 55 are best left behind and what works well? I assume all the drivetrain is a the way to go but didn't know if there were any sacred and untouchable things you never replaced on these.
Thanks for any help you can give me. I just tried to attach pis but they wont go so I will just leave my other info.
brass tag t-66, fj45-23030 originally tan and white

[BDP]

OK, 6 weeks later and I'm done. Here's what was accomplished.
New clutch, rebuilt SM420, mated to a 4 to 1 Orion case via Extreme bends adapter plate, with a disc parking brake. Completely rebuilt 79 FJ40 front axle complete from hub to hub with 4.11 gears and Longfield's. Completely rebuilt 78 1 ton full floater FJ45 rear end with disc brakes, 4.11 gears, and an Aussie locker. Went spring over, shackle reverse using OEM perches. OEM FJ45 springs. I had the front re-arched +2 inches, to level out the truck. The rear is a 7 leaf FJ45 truck pack. Did a Saginaw PS, and boxed and capped the front of the frame (very clean, looks OEM). Using Luke's Hi-crossover steering (4x4 Labs). I kept the OEM column in it. Fabbed up a custom cable shifter for the front diff engagement, to keep everything off of the floor, without using the vaccum shifter. Bilstein 5100's all the way around. I mated a Toyota minitruck brake booster, to a 97 Landcruiser master cylinder to push all 4 calipers.
Just took it up to the Sierra's to test it out in the snow, and flexed it out, in some terrain to make sure everything works as desired.
I couldn't be happier with the outcome and perfomance of this newly renovated rig.

Next on the list is custom front / reaf bumpers, and rock sliders (all bolt on).
I'm still keeping an eye out for some OEM wheels that are widened to 15x8.
This is the only picture that I have, I'll get some really good ones up soon.

[BDP]

OK yeah, for the technical people, I turned the pinion angle up 8 degrees, cut and rotated the axle housing +5 / +5.5 degrees to account for the new pinion angle along with running 35" BFG Krawlers.

[rockcod]

BDP,

Very nice!!!

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by Bruiser Cruiser

All you guys have had such good info I havn't ever needed to post, just sit back and search, But now I have a question. I just picked up the wagon mentioned in the title and its MUCH less rusty than my '76 55 So I want to take what I need from my 55 or the parts "76 40 I bought for parts to finish the 55.
To make a short question long, let me tell you my story. I bought a rusty 55 out of a snowbank, when the bank melted the little pig looked much worse than in january, plus no powertrain. Fortunatly before the snow melted I bought a wrecked low miles 40 for the powertrain. So the snow melts and I figured I'd make the best of it cause the pig still looked cool. Then I found the 45 lv in wyoming. Its not to bad, front floor is holy, some rust on the rockers and quarters but I've seen alot worse.
So the question I have is what parts of the 40 and 55 are best left behind and what works well? I assume all the drivetrain is a the way to go but didn't know if there were any sacred and untouchable things you never replaced on these.
Thanks for any help you can give me. I just tried to attach pis but they wont go so I will just leave my other info.
brass tag t-66, fj45-23030 originally tan and white

The FJ45LV and the FJ55 have very little in common other than the drivetrain. The FJ40 is very similar from the firewall forward and again the drive train is similar. Where are you located? I'd like a look at the FJ55 before you trash it. I'll be through the western states this summer so don't let my location scare you.

[Bruiser Cruiser]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

The FJ45LV and the FJ55 have very little in common other than the drivetrain. The FJ40 is very similar from the firewall forward and again the drive train is similar. Where are you located? I'd like a look at the FJ55 before you trash it. I'll be through the western states this summer so don't let my location scare you.

I am in the Bear lake area of southeast Idaho.
I figured most all that would swap over was the drivetrain, but figured if there were any little gems to be swapped you guys would know. As i got thinking about it It made sense to take all the drivetrain from my wrecked 40 and put under the 45. So I started that last night mostly done now.
the 55 has straight doors and fenders. No cancer on the doors, Probably 1 1/2" rust on bottoms of fenders I can post some pics if I can figure out why my computer won't upload

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by Bruiser Cruiser

I am in the Bear lake area of southeast Idaho.
I figured most all that would swap over was the drivetrain, but figured if there were any little gems to be swapped you guys would know. As i got thinking about it It made sense to take all the drivetrain from my wrecked 40 and put under the 45. So I started that last night mostly done now.
the 55 has straight doors and fenders. No cancer on the doors, Probably 1 1/2" rust on bottoms of fenders I can post some pics if I can figure out why my computer won't upload

The '55 stuff that I'd be interested in is mainly weatherstrip and other small trim type things. I went through the doors on the '55 last year and fixed all the cancer. The '55 is running it just needs the finishing touches.
I'd be by some time in the week following June 19.

[Bruiser Cruiser]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

The '55 stuff that I'd be interested in is mainly weatherstrip and other small trim type things. I went through the doors on the '55 last year and fixed all the cancer. The '55 is running it just needs the finishing touches.
I'd be by some time in the week following June 19.

Let me know what you need and I'll check for it. I'm hurting for space and need to get it gone pretty soon. I'll try to get some pics of anything you need if that would help.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by Bruiser Cruiser

Let me know what you need and I'll check for it. I'm hurting for space and need to get it gone pretty soon. I'll try to get some pics of anything you need if that would help.

I'll PM you!

[jim45r]

Howdy, I'm still figuring out this photo posting stuff, hope it turns out right.
Here's my little project the day after I got her:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.p...id=19497&stc=1
FJ45-272478x5.jpg

Here is my progress to present. I wish I had a nice 3 or 4 car garage to keep it in, but this is currently outside and a fair weather project. http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.p...id=19498&stc=1
TLC bare8x6.jpg

Here the other half, in pieces in the warm comfort of the garage. This spring and summer goal, to get the GM disks in the rear and the mini knuckles & discs in the front.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.p...id=19499&stc=1
The othr half8x6.jpg

I was a gear head in high school and a few years after, but have had a 30 year recess (garageless d*** condos!). Now I have a garage and a driveway to call my own, and am finding out why I've been so cranky for the last 30 years - I'm happiest with a wrench in my hand.

[bowen]

66fj45

[mogwin]

Hey All,
new to the forum, just picked up over at Pirate- name is Edwin, and I bought OrangeFJ45's well orange 1966 fj45 lv. 350,soa,4sp,35"boggers,rr. discbrk.
Post a pic when I have a good one thats mine.
Edwin

[Lito]

I'm joining the party. This is my 45lv, left to me after my cousin passed almost 20 years ago. It's been sitting in a garage for the past 18 yrs. I sent it to TLC 4x4 to get some needed upgrades. I'll be picking it up over the 4th of July weekend. I learned about you guys when I found a picture of my truck posted on treeroot's site while it was being transported to California.

[Owyhee Jackass]

Lito, what "mods" are you having them do? I assume an engine, what else? Did they do the rag-top? I like that idea...

[Lito]

Back in the day, we used the truck for hunting and (I apologize) cut a big hole in the roof for 'spotting' (I apologize). I plan on driving the truck so I had them go thru everything. New dynatrak axles, nv4500 trans, atlas transfer, painless wiring harness, vintage air A/C-heat, basically everything mechanical, but as you can tell no body work. I've spent way too much already, but it's an emotional investment, not financial. I plan on keeping it for a very long time. Someday maybe I'll develop some skills like buckrose and finish it up right, but for now we're off to a good start. I plan on taking it on one more hunting trip in Idaho later this summer, only we'll use a Canon this time instead of the cannons we used to use.

[Owyhee Jackass]

Stop by and say "hi" when your up here. I'm in Boise, Ground Up (67LV) is about 20 minutes west and there's an old-guy with a 45 pick up in McCall, 2-3 hours north.

Don't apologize, I think that the rag top is cool. Buckroseau does good work, but I think a few bomb cans do just fine also.

Dan

[Scoot Jockey]

Lito,
I remember a classified ad several years back for a 45LV that had the top completely removed, sawzall style, for "hunting" purposes, so don't feel too bad.
I'm fairly new here, so I thought I would post a few of my troopy. It is a 1984 HJ47, with a 2H diesel motor, H41 transmission, 411 diffs with rear LSD, full floating rear axle, and 16" split rims. Upgrades I am considering are a bull bar, roof rack, OME suspension and possibly a snorkel. I also have some aggressive rustproofing methods in mind for the near future.

[Lusedekache]

Scoot:

Beautiful rig! Very unique and in great shape. You said you are running OME suspension, did you put them in or did they come with the vehicle? I ask because I am having trouble finding rear springs for my one-ton pickup. I have a pair of basic 2" lifts from SOR but I would love to get OME's. However, I am unsure of their weight ratings and have been unable to find specifics for them online. When you get a minute, can you post up some picks of your rear springs? While you're at it, can you post some shots of the rear cargo area and front seat upholstery too?
Thanks!

[Scoot Jockey]

I don't have the OME setup yet, that is one of upgrades I would like to get in the next few years. I have researched them a bit and know that they have medium, and heavy-duty springs that are made especially for the 45-47 cruisers, with shocks to match. Unfortunately, they are also the most expensive cruiser springs they make. I am still running the factory springs and shackles, with new aftermarket polybushes. I will try and get some shots of the seating today.
Scoot

[Bruiser Cruiser]

I plan on taking it on one more hunting trip in Idaho later this summer, only we'll use a Canon this time instead of the cannons we used to use.[/QUOTE]
What part of Idaho? I am in S.E. Idaho and would love to see another LV in person! Don't feel bad about the top. The beutiful thing about cruisers is most people say if it fits your use and style more power to ya. I thought about a VW camper top on my fj55. I think I saw a 45lv with a poptop in some old safari pics somewhere.

[Lito]

I'm having the truck transported to my uncle's place in Boise. We plan on going late July, early August, then driving it home from there. Might meet up with Owyhee Jackass, too. Maybe meet up in Boise, if not maybe I could swing by on the drive home.

[BionicCruiser]

here's mine. '63 FJ45 SWB nonremovable top. basically restored to stock. had it for about 8 or 9 years now. still makes it out for club meetings occasionally.

[JACKAL FJ45]

BionicCruiser:
Looking for local FJ45 truck owners. I have seen your rig on the http://www.hdcruisers.org site.
I have a 66 FJ45 LWB. Know of any others in town? ABQ