My Favorite Color Is Mustard - A Full Restoration (1 Viewer)

[flatlandhj]

I started my project two and a half years ago, and I didn't take the time to post along the way. It's time to make up for it. Hang on. I'll try to bring you up to speed on what I've been doing, and keep up to date from there. Hundreds of pics to come.


Thanks in advance to all on Mud that helped answer questions along the way. You get credit for the good things. I take full responsibility for the mistakes. Here we go...

 

[flatlandhj]

It started with a big search in 2009. I thought I wanted a troopy, and took a few steps in that direction, but one little ad here on Mud caught my attention.

forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale.../280360-hj47-sale.html

It was very had to track down Adam and Jen. I think it was via the registration of his VHF radio license that I finally made the final connections that let me get in touch.

 

[flatlandhj]

Eventually it happened. Things were complicated by the fact that I was living and working overseas. Via email and phone, we made a deal. I got a a few more pics from Adam, and even dug up a couple from back in Oz by doing some searching on the Web.

 

[flatlandhj]

The pic of the bed on back of the tray let me know that I linked the truck back to Oz.

 

[flatlandhj]

Adam took it to the docks in St. Thomas. He sent a few more pics. In case the boat sank, I would know what to look for when I went diving.

 

[flatlandhj]

The entire purchase was completed sight unseen. I was thousands of miles away, but I had some good friends in Florida that were willing to make a road trip. They met the boat when it arrived in West Palm. The shipping dock doesn't look very exciting....

 

[flatlandhj]

But wait!

 

[flatlandhj]

There she is!

 

[flatlandhj]

My friend Ron and Adam figure out the trailering...

 

[flatlandhj]

Whoops! Tongue weight issues. Back it up...

 

[flatlandhj]

There was one more stop. Ron had to pick up the bed which was being stored not too far away. They had some nasty weather to go through driving across the state, but eventually they made it back to the west coast. I was still far, far away, but when I made it back to the US, I had an HJ-47 waiting for me. Good times.

 

[flatlandhj]

Russell liked the enhanced controls on his side.

 

[flatlandhj]

The bed was in fair shape. Some dings and dents. No serious rust. No tailgate either.

 

[flatlandhj]

Soon I was spending more time back in the US. I made a list. Some of the first items were:

1) Switch beds. I loved the utility of the trayback. Really, you can't beat aluminum with removable sides. BUT, I really liked the awkward lines of the steel longbed. A tough decision was made.

2) Rollbar. Not much protection up top. I planned to drive with the top off.

3) H55 transmission. 4th gear was begging for help.

4) Bumpers. Don't get me wrong. I loved the cow catcher, but it was a little rough.

5) Kayak carrier. This was my original justification for the truck.

Let's see how it went...

 

[flatlandhj]

The trayback came off.

I had this spunky look for about a week. Everything was very clean and very dry. I couldn't have asked for a much better truck in terms of condition. There were a couple of spots that needed attention, but compared to some of the starting points I've seen on Mud, I was very lucky.

 

[flatlandhj]

I just had to put the new bed on to see how it looked. Don't mind that taillight configuration officer...

 

[flatlandhj]

Maybe some of my driving then was premature. It couldn't be helped. It was a blast to drive around town. I was a little too far from home one day when I found the cause for that little vibration that suddenly got bigger.

Loose wheel spacers wore through the studs.

 

[flatlandhj]

Like many others on Mud, I occasionally search for "landcruiser" in craigs list. It was right about this time that I drove home with these. Original with hub caps. They had been sitting for a long time.

 

[flatlandhj]

One day I got a box from CCOT.

Right about this time I realized I was going to spend a lot more than I planned. A LOT more than I planned.

I love the tailgate. Paul Pilgrim's shop? I can't remember, but it looks great. Perfect fit.

 

[flatlandhj]

Let''s see... rollbar.

This was really tough. Anyone reading this knows cab space is really tight in the 45/47 trucks. I made models and drove around for a long time with many weird variations tucked in with me...