PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Spare tire carrier mounted with spare. I know - crappy spare, but it's the correct size and holds air. It's on the list
Dallas
That looks REALLY good Dallas - great job!!!
1963 FJ45L FOUND! Restoration and Info Thread
- Thread starter dmaddox
- Start date
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That looks REALLY good Dallas - great job!!!
You know I cringed ...
...
, but it looks really good, and this is your rig, so it should be how YOU want it 
Speaking of being pure, I would have also painted the firewall, under side of hood, and inner lower front fenders black...just to be pure...but then again I am sick
Looks freaken fantastic Dallas. I am currently looking into getting some original RK3's...I'll keep you posted if it pans out. I will get one complete set for my '64 for sure, and then a second set of DOT approved 700-15 whatevers for regular driving...again...I am really sick
..., but it looks really good, and this is your rig, so it should be how YOU want it Speaking of being pure, I would have also painted the firewall, under side of hood, and inner lower front fenders black...just to be pure...but then again I am sick
Looks freaken fantastic Dallas. I am currently looking into getting some original RK3's...I'll keep you posted if it pans out. I will get one complete set for my '64 for sure, and then a second set of DOT approved 700-15 whatevers for regular driving...again...I am really sick
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #323
Thanks SO much. You know as I drive the 45 around 90% of folks don't even know what it is or even look. I however, am proud as a peacock to be driving it. With that being said, the "fluff" I get from you guys really makes me smile. Thanks so much 
Dallas
Photo's of the completed project soon. And original RK3's??? SaaaaWEET. The reason I have the craptaculor spare tire is becuase the RK3 on there was so rotten, air wheezed out of it as soon as I put it in.
Dallas
Photo's of the completed project soon. And original RK3's??? SaaaaWEET. The reason I have the craptaculor spare tire is becuase the RK3 on there was so rotten, air wheezed out of it as soon as I put it in.
Texican
s-Moderator
Ditto on that my daughter's 77 has vent windows in the hard top. tube tire carrier and no vent at the base of the windshield. basically a 78 without the fine spline diffs......
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
My '78 40 is a Sept '77 build - no fine splines!!!
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #326
More finishing touches fellas.
I went to my local Big R (Tractor Supply/ Farm Warehouse / etc...) to look for a bed liner. This was inspired by Dom's job earlier this summer on his 45.
While I was looking through all of the bed liners (Ford, Chevy, Dodge), nothing grabbed my eye. Then down the isle a little more were some Horse trailer liners. I had never really paid attention to this stuff (Why would I - no horses, or horse trailer) but MAN.....it's STOUT!!! Plus it looks retro - like the material I used for my running boards. Nearly a perfect match! It comes in three sizes, small- medium- or large. Large was 60x120 - just shy of the full width of the bed - but I fell in love with the material itself. So, I took the deal.
Here it is rolled out. The roll weighed a TON.
I then measured 5 times and cut once - then started cutting in the bed supports:
My daughter promptly asked me why I wanted to cut out a castle....I said "Huh?" Then I took a step back and looked at it from her perspective:
Not that I am going to be hauling horses around but I feel that if a piano were to fall in to the bed of the truck, the paint wouldn't see a knick!!
Hope you like!
Dallas
I went to my local Big R (Tractor Supply/ Farm Warehouse / etc...) to look for a bed liner. This was inspired by Dom's job earlier this summer on his 45.
While I was looking through all of the bed liners (Ford, Chevy, Dodge), nothing grabbed my eye. Then down the isle a little more were some Horse trailer liners. I had never really paid attention to this stuff (Why would I - no horses, or horse trailer) but MAN.....it's STOUT!!! Plus it looks retro - like the material I used for my running boards. Nearly a perfect match! It comes in three sizes, small- medium- or large. Large was 60x120 - just shy of the full width of the bed - but I fell in love with the material itself. So, I took the deal.
Here it is rolled out. The roll weighed a TON.
I then measured 5 times and cut once - then started cutting in the bed supports:
My daughter promptly asked me why I wanted to cut out a castle....I said "Huh?" Then I took a step back and looked at it from her perspective:
Not that I am going to be hauling horses around but I feel that if a piano were to fall in to the bed of the truck, the paint wouldn't see a knick!!
Hope you like!
Dallas
Ah man that looks great 
Looking stout
Looking stout
haha i was gonna smack ya
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I will not take them off - but am curious - does this make you cringe?
Doesn't make me cringe. The license plate bolted to the frame does. Since you used the space on the driver's side you may as well put it on the tailgate like a 65 would of had it. 65 is the first year of the rear emblems. FJ25s had a Toyota emblem on teh tailgate
I think if you do a little checking you find the emblems were lower. 75 started the tire carrier on the left. 1/75 was the earliest date of the 1975 models imported. (short production year). The tire carrier stayed on the right side on the few soft top models that were still being imported. Don't you just hate us purist.
Kidding aside it looks great Dallas, keep up the good work.
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #331
I am with you on the license plate. Here is my dilema.
1. I don't want to remove the hubcap in the spare to put it there.
2. I don't want it in the OEM location becuase I bent the heck out of it (hangs out about 2").
3. I refuse to grind/weld drill a perfectly fine tail gate (minus the obvious dent) to put the plate there.
So, um.....not much real estate back there. So I am cringing with you on this one, but my options are few.
Dallas
PS. I have the OEM "TOYOTA" black and white sticker that goes on that rear sill. I am just afraid with the later emblems on there - it'd look cluttered.
1. I don't want to remove the hubcap in the spare to put it there.
2. I don't want it in the OEM location becuase I bent the heck out of it (hangs out about 2").
3. I refuse to grind/weld drill a perfectly fine tail gate (minus the obvious dent) to put the plate there.
So, um.....not much real estate back there. So I am cringing with you on this one, but my options are few.
Dallas
PS. I have the OEM "TOYOTA" black and white sticker that goes on that rear sill. I am just afraid with the later emblems on there - it'd look cluttered.
I dunno how the rear gate plate holder is mounted on your model, but my 64 fst had it like this :
But honestly i think it looks fine where it is
But honestly i think it looks fine where it is
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dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #334
Not sure I am following you on that one. It is ENTIRELY possible I am confused - has happened quite regularly.
This is what I used to as a reference - off cool cruisers site:
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/coolfj40_2070_87713500
and used my '77 as a reference too.
Happy Saturday,
Dallas
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
If you don't like destin's set up how about this one?
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Looks like I was the one confused. It's been years since I was able to find these in the junk yard to strip. I must have been thinking how close the 4WD emblem was to the upper part of the rear channel not the bottom lip. I really miss the days when they were plenty of old 40s in junk yards
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #337
Here is where it was originally:
Now, the major problem with the OEM location and the one your provided above is the overhang. 2-3" of overhang means trouble in my opinion. My OEM bracket had been bent and straightened so many times by the time I got it - it was barely hanging together. Even after I bought it, I caught my pant-leg on it about 50 times. Plus, even lightly wheeling this thing - trees, or any object will fold it in half again or rip it off. I think it was just a poor location. Call me crazy - I don't know, but having things tucked in, and out of harms way is nice.
Take for example late model hard tops. I busted out a rear vent window in my 77 hardtop because I accidentally left it open and a tree shattered it.
I know the location I have it now is not oem, but it's safe and practical - and to be honest i can't think of a better location to stash it. Pretty much at a loss.
If it came to a point where NASA wouldn't launch the next shuttle with my plate where it is, I'd do the OEM setup as you see up there on Destin's. That just means drilling, spot welding, and drilling the rear sill and running a wire up to the light (things I didn't want to do to an otherwise unmolested tail-gate).
I am just thinking out loud and along with you here......I stashed it there as a best quick solution. /shrug I dunno.....
I do however love the updates and comments - 'preciate it fellas.
Dallas
Now, the major problem with the OEM location and the one your provided above is the overhang. 2-3" of overhang means trouble in my opinion. My OEM bracket had been bent and straightened so many times by the time I got it - it was barely hanging together. Even after I bought it, I caught my pant-leg on it about 50 times. Plus, even lightly wheeling this thing - trees, or any object will fold it in half again or rip it off. I think it was just a poor location. Call me crazy - I don't know, but having things tucked in, and out of harms way is nice.
Take for example late model hard tops. I busted out a rear vent window in my 77 hardtop because I accidentally left it open and a tree shattered it.
I know the location I have it now is not oem, but it's safe and practical - and to be honest i can't think of a better location to stash it. Pretty much at a loss.
If it came to a point where NASA wouldn't launch the next shuttle with my plate where it is, I'd do the OEM setup as you see up there on Destin's. That just means drilling, spot welding, and drilling the rear sill and running a wire up to the light (things I didn't want to do to an otherwise unmolested tail-gate).
I am just thinking out loud and along with you here......I stashed it there as a best quick solution. /shrug I dunno.....
I do however love the updates and comments - 'preciate it fellas.
Dallas
coooooo
As long as you not running a hitch you are golden
Truck looks great man.
But that reminds me, i need to drill a whole for the wiring in the new rear sill
As long as you not running a hitch you are golden
Truck looks great man.
But that reminds me, i need to drill a whole for the wiring in the new rear sill
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I agree with you on your stock location. I'll probably only keep one of my FJ25 license plates in the stock location since the rest with be stock too. Here in AZ no light on your rear license plate can get you pulled over. Plus I bend a license plate that was lower than the frame like yours is. You drop off a ledge slowly the bumperettes will just hang you up. The license plate will twist up before you know it happened. I still vote get the pieces and do it like destin's. The early bracket that holds the license plate bracket was bolted to the tailgate not spot welded. Drill six holes and you can put the later stock bracket on and no body work or repainting.
Coolerman
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There is a bracket that is spot welded to the tailgate. There are two tee nuts spot welded INSIDE the tail gate. The top of the license bracket bolts to the bracket that is spot welded to the gate. The bottom of the license bracket bolts to the tee nuts. The attached pic shows the top bracket that is spot welded to the tailgate. I have more detailed pics if you need them.
Oh... and the truck looks beautiful!
Oh... and the truck looks beautiful!
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