1963 FJ45L FOUND! Restoration and Info Thread

[PabloCruise]

TJ,

Your boy looks like he's having a blast. Love the photo! My youngest is going to be two in November.

Well, this morning was tail-lights. I got one complete and am going to work on the other tonight. I didn't think my tail-lights were in that bad of shape....

Here is one:

Now, it looks like it just needs a new gasket and a cleaning up, right?

Well.....

Total disaster in there. So I had to replace the lamp.

Some of you pro's are probably already a step ahead thinking....Yes, those are the same housings as the bib lights, but have two wires going to the bulb base vs. one on the bib lights.

Well, I just bought bib lights....and then swapped the one wire bulb base with a two-wire bulb base and then reassembled them.

Here is the bracket for reference:

I sand blasted the bracket and painted gloss black.

I then reassembled the lamp assemblies and went to my "red lenses" stash and again, polished the best two. Again, these are not PERFECT, but they are pretty close in my opinion:

Catcha later,

Dallas

How are you polishing the plastic lenses?

 

[dmaddox]

I use 800 grit sand paper on any scratches.

Then, I use 1000 grit rubbing compound.

Then I have a polishing wheel I saturate with 2000 grit polishing compound. (note on ANY motorized polishing wheel when using plastics...have to be VERY ginger and light with it or it will melt the plastic).

Then, I wash with soap and water and polish with a terry cloth.



Dallas

 

[40Flipper]

Very nice!!

 

[destin]

ok i am week in the knees for updates

What is happening man?

Stoked for new pics

 

[dmaddox]

Lol Destin.....thanks bro.

I have been fervently working on the bed, and it is now ready to put back on the frame.

Pictures soon on that project.

This morning I restored and installed the Horns. Pretty much a pain in the butt.....

Here are the Horns:

SORRY for crappy cell pictures......

Brackets re-installed onto the fenders:

Installed:

More soon.....

Dallas

 

[destin]

Horns look great man!

I def need to clean mine up

Where did you get your new hardware for reassembly? ( bolts and nuts for fenders etc )

Looks great man

 

[dr_claw]

that is what that bracket in my parts box is for!

 

[dmaddox]

Tail-lights mounted

 

[dmaddox]

Horns look great man!

I def need to clean mine up

Where did you get your new hardware for reassembly? ( bolts and nuts for fenders etc )

Looks great man

The good ol' rip off hardware store. Bought a bunch of 6x1.0 and 8x1.5 with corresponding nuts, lockwashers and washers. The good ol days of metric by the pound are over. No matter where I checked - filthy things were individually packaged, or .XX cents per.

mmmmm, dinner time!

 

[dmaddox]

Cleaned up the interior. Just need to order a few more items, install the windshield and then I am good to go.

A question for you guys. . .

What can I use to put on my floor to keep from scratching the paint? Keep in mind I have a 77 FJ40 "Toyota" mat that I am going to use, but what is something I can put down first?

This is not going to see a lot of water, so I was thinking some carpet pad? I don't know....

I know cool cruisers sells that insulation stuff, but doesn't that stick on permanently?

Thoughts?

Many thanks,

Dallas

 

[destin]

That looks ridiculously good man

Maybe you can pop in long strip magnets at each end of the rubber matting, avoiding any kind of adhesive?

Just thinking out loud

 

[praetorian]

CCOT has some pre-cut insulation:

Floor Mats FJ40

I put some in my 40 and it helped noise and floor heat a bit. Nothing that couldn't be done more cheaply, but at ~$25, I was happy to have someone else cut the pattern out.

If I were you I wouldn't let damplifier or anything other adhesive sound deadener touch that beautiful floor. I'd rhino-line the firewall before I did that.

Amazing resto, man.

Cheers,
prat

 

[dmaddox]

Thanks Prat - I included it with my order end of last week.

Something I wanted to point out fellas.......

You know last week how I was complaining about hardware? Those little "HILLMAN" baggies with three nuts or 5 bolts per baggie (forcing you to buy two baggies for an even amount) you get at Lowes/Home Depot/etc...

OR

You can go to Ace and pay .30 cents PER washer/nut/bolt, etc.. and they go up in price from there....

RIP.....OFF and it makes me angry.

Well, not only are they expensive they are US spec, meaning the 8x1.5mm bolt has a 13mm (1/2 inch) head on it. Whereas all Toyota's used the 12mm head. I know a minor detail, but frustrating.

What we need is JIS spec hardware. Lucky for us Checker (Just purchased by O'Reilly) now carries a little "grab bag" if you will of JIS hardware for about a 1/3rd the price. It's 9.50 for this case of them and I bought 3 cases, and then proceeded to tell the store manager "Thank You" for carrying these.

NOT common to find JIS hardware in the states.

I apologize for the rant....but restoring cruisers is SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!!!!!! lol

 

[destin]

wow nice!

Can i order some online from these guys?

 

[dmaddox]

You can probably order online, but if you live in Portland, just go to one of their stores bro......

Here is the locator:

CSK Auto, Inc.Stores

Checker aka Schucks aka O'Reilly aka Kragen all the same store.

Later - Dallas

 

[dmaddox]

More updates.....

Ok, so in an effort to restore my rear window rubber, here is what I did. . .

I used black window silicone and used rubber gloves to apply a thin coat to the entire things.

This project was a DISASTER and I am glad it's done. Total mess, as you can imagine.

Then, I had to let that sit overnight. I then installed the glass and a new vertical strip of weatherstripping I bought a roll of at the ranch store.

I put a film of grease around the window opening, used the rope/pull through method and pushed from one side with the other arm. This sucked......

However, I then cleaned it all up with a razor blade and used a strong glass cleaner to scrub the glass clean. Re-applied a TLCA sticker and I was good to go.

Now, your probably thinking looks pretty sweet eh? Well, here let me show you the aging and problems I had to deal with. I had to glue the rubber together in a few areas as shown:

Then, I mounted the Winch control and ran the wires for it as well:

That was fun.....

Well that concludes the last three days worth of work!

See ya,

Dallas

 

[destin]

Man that rig is looking better every day

Nice work man.

Thanks for the link too for the bolts!

 

[destin]

Yo Dallas

How did you handle your frame painting?
I am cleaning up my frame and degreasing as we speak.
Wanted some tips on painting, converting rust etc ( I am not removing my motor etc )
Peep my restore thread when you have a spare sec

Again man, looking dope as hell

 

[Texican]

What exactly is "black window silicone ?"
Got a brand name or a pic of the tube?
I have the same problem as you with my rear windows on my FJ45

I have an independent Auto Parts store here I buy a ton from he handles Dorman, I wrote that part number down and will check with him in the AM>
Thanks

 

[dmaddox]

I"ll check the tube, You can just use a black 3M automotive silicone, or even Toyota FIP Which is a bit pricey but awesome stuff.