'Nuther FJ45LV resto thread, '67 Central American model!

mderrick · 08-29-09, 12:36 PM

let me know if you come across any h55f 40/45 series crossmembers.

cruiser_guy · 08-30-09, 07:41 PM

Here's my FJ45LV with the old axle removed. I'll be getting the new axle in in the next few days.

Also, my NOS front bib

cruiser_guy · 09-22-09, 05:25 PM

Well the new axle is under the FJ45LV and I'll be getting the axles and all that back together in the next day or two. Then the doors and whatever else will get put back on temporarily and then I'll be flat towing the LV down to Costa Rica.

Why you ask?? We've had an emergency that means we MUST leave Guatemala at this time. I have no place to store it in Guatemala and no desire to flat tow it from Central America all the way to Canada with the BJ60. Paul will be getting the body and paint down and then I'll head down for the rest of the work. This will get the truck finished MUCH faster but will blow the budget out of the water and probably force me to sell either this truck or the FJ55 shortly after completion. I'm not happy about it but I don't have too many options either.

Watch for more frequent updates (and maybe a shot or two of the BJ60 hauling the FJ45LV through Central America).

merbesfield · 09-22-09, 06:40 PM

I hope things go well for you. Keep us all informed.

DanS HJ-45 · 09-22-09, 09:17 PM

Travel safely bud!

Does this mean you are hauling the LV to Costa Rica and then heading back north with the 60? You are sure putting a lot of miles on the trucks this summer!

If you need a place to stop in NM don't hesitate to ask. We can certainly make room in the shop if you need to do some maintenance after all that.

Dan

cruiser_guy · 09-23-09, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanS HJ-45

Travel safely bud!

Does this mean you are hauling the LV to Costa Rica and then heading back north with the 60? You are sure putting a lot of miles on the trucks this summer!

If you need a place to stop in NM don't hesitate to ask. We can certainly make room in the shop if you need to do some maintenance after all that.

Dan

For sure. Yep, the '60 is the tow vehicle to Costa Rica. It won't be a fast trip.

The "wheel's kinda fell off" once we got back and now we find ourselves leaving for at least the next year.

cruiser_guy · 09-25-09, 05:52 PM

Well the wheels are back on the LV and I'm about to go give it a $30 paint job so I won't have hassles at the border crossings. Watch for photos of a $30 paint job coming soon to a website near you!!

cruiser_guy · 09-25-09, 07:46 PM

Well, the $30 paint job is a sight for sore eyes (not that I was expecting anything wonderful)!! So long as it keeps the border officials off my case I'll be happy. Here's the "before" and "after".

Kief · 09-25-09, 08:07 PM

At least its a two tone

.

cruiser_guy · 09-25-09, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

At least its a two tone

.

That's what the title says so that's what it need to be when crossing borders. Do you think it will work?

Kief · 09-26-09, 11:09 PM

I suppose. I thought Costa Rica had really high import tariffs on vehicles.. I suppose that is only if you are staying tho' ..

cruiser_guy · 09-30-09, 08:47 AM

What a day yesterday was. I got rear-ended by my LV when the hitch ball came off the tongue (the only damage is a bent up licence plate mount on the tire carrier). I had a local guy weld it back on because the bolt was missing and the hole was ovalled out. The border crossings have been a little more interesting than with just the one truck. Lot's of folks looking at the combination. The Honduras border is as corrupt as ever. Everyone looking for some cash from the "rich gringo" for some cooked up "permits" that probably are not needed and do not exist. Hopefully the crossing into Nicaragua and Costa Rica will be smoother now that I have a local 'Cruiser head along for the ride.

merbesfield · 09-30-09, 06:17 PM

Sounds like quite an adventure. Good luck and post some pics. Will you be bringing the sills back with you?

cruiser_guy · 10-03-09, 07:04 PM

The Penas Blancas crossing into Costa Rica is the WORST bunch of crooks I have ever had the misfortune to encounter in 5 years of living and crossing borders in Central America! No problem leaving Nicaragua but the crap we had to endure and are still going through with these idiots at the Penas Blancas crossing is incredible especially given the fact that I am attempting to bring work into the country!!

I'll post pics, including a tramitador that you DO NOT want to use when crossing into Costa Rica.

I hope to bring at least a few of the sills back up when I go up in a few weeks. We'll see how many Paul has finished.

Kief · 10-03-09, 09:33 PM

Dang, supplication for divine intercession in progress.

merbesfield · 10-04-09, 12:51 PM

that is great news. i am cutting my rear qtrs off as we speak. i have all solid steel now,

under my rockers. again, good luck with the crossings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

The Penas Blancas crossing into Costa Rica is the WORST bunch of crooks I have ever had the misfortune to encounter in 5 years of living and crossing borders in Central America! No problem leaving Nicaragua but the crap we had to endure and are still going through with these idiots at the Penas Blancas crossing is incredible especially given the fact that I am attempting to bring work into the country!!

I'll post pics, including a tramitador that you DO NOT want to use when crossing into Costa Rica.

I hope to bring at least a few of the sills back up when I go up in a few weeks. We'll see how many Paul has finished.