1963 FJ45L FOUND! Restoration and Info Thread
- Thread starter dmaddox
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #62
Well, that metal piece doesn't even come close to lining up.
Is it possible there's another part to the hood ornament?
Dallas
- Thread starter
- #63
Thanks man!!!
License plate replication
I was talking to a guy today who's going to lease the shop right next to ours. He showed us a poster with his '68 Camaro on it, then told us the front license plate was fiberglass. He only had one original plate, a '63, which he used as a mold to make the fiberglass one.
He started with a layer of aluminum foil pressed into the back side of the plate, then filled with resin and added a sheet of fiberglass cloth. It came out about 1/4" thick, but looked just like the original, even with the 63 in the corner.
He also said it's legal to repaint a newer license plate to look like an old one, you just can't change the numbers on it. The tricky part is getting the scrolled "California" (<insert your state here) copied through each layer of primer and paint.
Sorry for the hijack, just thought you old-schoolers would like to hear about a new trick.
I was talking to a guy today who's going to lease the shop right next to ours. He showed us a poster with his '68 Camaro on it, then told us the front license plate was fiberglass. He only had one original plate, a '63, which he used as a mold to make the fiberglass one.
He started with a layer of aluminum foil pressed into the back side of the plate, then filled with resin and added a sheet of fiberglass cloth. It came out about 1/4" thick, but looked just like the original, even with the 63 in the corner.
He also said it's legal to repaint a newer license plate to look like an old one, you just can't change the numbers on it. The tricky part is getting the scrolled "California" (<insert your state here) copied through each layer of primer and paint.
Sorry for the hijack, just thought you old-schoolers would like to hear about a new trick.
- Thread starter
- #66
Does anyone know of any Toyota emblems of anykind that were used (even stickers) on the rear of the truck anywhere?
I know that on a LWB, the tailgates not only said TOYOTA, but there was that 4x4 sticker on that embossed oval.
I can't see/find anything that would indicate from the rear that this is a Toyota 4x4.
Thoughts? Pictures?
Thank you guys,
Dallas
I know that on a LWB, the tailgates not only said TOYOTA, but there was that 4x4 sticker on that embossed oval.
I can't see/find anything that would indicate from the rear that this is a Toyota 4x4.
Thoughts? Pictures?
Thank you guys,
Dallas
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2002
- Threads
- 165
- Messages
- 2,105
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Website
- www.mntoyx4.com
Nice find Dallas.
I'll have to come check out the shop someday. Looks like my kind of place.
If you are interested in a later model motor swap I have an 85 2f in the garage. It's actually in an FJ60 in the garage, but there isn't much left besides the motor
I'll have to come check out the shop someday. Looks like my kind of place.
If you are interested in a later model motor swap I have an 85 2f in the garage. It's actually in an FJ60 in the garage, but there isn't much left besides the motor
If repainted, do you know if it has to be with reflective paint like a newer plate or can it be non-reflective paint.
- Thread starter
- #70
If they are old school plates (which did not have reflective paint), I would assume they don't have to be reflective.
These originals that came on my truck are definitely not reflective, yet are still legal.....so......
Maybe just give your local DMV a call - they'd know.
Cheers,
dallas
These originals that came on my truck are definitely not reflective, yet are still legal.....so......
Maybe just give your local DMV a call - they'd know.
Cheers,
dallas
Herte is a company that can make you what ever plate you want, with any state.
USA / State Plates - Custom Replica State License Plates, Embossed Metal
If you already have a valid plate that is damaged, this would be a great choice.
USA / State Plates - Custom Replica State License Plates, Embossed Metal
If you already have a valid plate that is damaged, this would be a great choice.
- Thread starter
- #72
I was given a 1bbl Aisin carb by SteveH here in the Springs area. For whatever odd reason, there was a matching rebuild kit in the glove box. (I am guessing the P.O. bought a rebuild kit and when starting to compare the pieces to his carter, threw the kit in the glove box).
It was purchased some time ago - the plunger for the accel pump was leather vs. rubber in the new kits.
how funny it's the kit I needed to rebuild the Aisin. Again, lucky.
Into the cleaner for 24 hours:
Now for cleaning and assembly:
More pictures once installed and hooked up. I think I may have screwed up. The intake manifold has been rattle canned black continually over the years. Problem is, when I went to scrape off the old manifold gasket....it was THICK (I didnt realize this). I assume this is that important insulator gasket that helps keep the heat out of the carb. Woops. The black paint built up around the base of it made it look like part of the manifold :-(
More soon,
Dallas
It was purchased some time ago - the plunger for the accel pump was leather vs. rubber in the new kits.
Into the cleaner for 24 hours:
Now for cleaning and assembly:
More pictures once installed and hooked up. I think I may have screwed up. The intake manifold has been rattle canned black continually over the years. Problem is, when I went to scrape off the old manifold gasket....it was THICK (I didnt realize this). I assume this is that important insulator gasket that helps keep the heat out of the carb. Woops. The black paint built up around the base of it made it look like part of the manifold :-(
More soon,
Dallas
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Threads
- 144
- Messages
- 1,530
- Location
- Colo Spgs Colorado
- Website
- www.redlinelandcruisers.com
Awsome find, keep up the pics!!
I will have to drop by some time this week!!
Later
Justin
I will have to drop by some time this week!!
Later
Justin
I see your tailgate doubles as a work bench as well - dual purpose like mine - nice work 
- Thread starter
- #75
swb don`t have one
Based on this ad, it appears that the stock wheels back then were a gloss black. Am I mistaken? I thought the stock wheels were all that gray color......
Just curious!
Dallas
Awesome! You owe it to everyone to keep that 100% stock. Enough trucks are butchered as it is.
I'd have to agree. That one is too nice to Mod/paint. Buy another one for modding
The patina on that one is great... Painting it and lifting it will de-value this rig IMHO.But do what you need to do "cringe" "gasp".
I like what your doing so far... rebuilding the carb and working out current kinks within the systems.
1963 Cruiser rims are all black
https://forum.ih8mud.com/[URL=http:...ad.net/images/081029/g2wdl6zl.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
![https://forum.ih8mud.com/[URL=http:...ad.net/images/081029/g2wdl6zl.jpg[/IMG][/URL]](https://forum.ih8mud.com/%5BURL=http://www.directupload.net%5D%20%5BIMG%5Dhttp://s2b.directupload.net/images/081029/g2wdl6zl.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D){kind=link}
keep this car stock, please
or sell it
Wow...not much more to add, but wow, what a great find!!!
That is a very cool truck you got there Dallas, but you have to ask yourself why so many people are crying out for a restoration.
Yes, you can do with it as you wish, BUT, seeing as how I am a purist, you should really consider putting aside any lift/disk brakes/new carb and all other ideas, and bring her back to the way she was when new. What you plan to do is a rebuild, not a restoration. I don't want to come off as sounding like a jerk, as all of the ideas you put forth are great ones...but not for this '63. Why do I say this...because you would be hard pressed to find such a pristine, mostly unmolested, very rare, 1963 FJ45. Just think of how hard it would be to try and restore any cruiser you would find...not rebuild, but restore (there is a difference) and you as a shop owner know what kind of up hill battle you would have to find parts. Here you are missing so few...it would just be a shame if you changed anything.
Some guys on here still run the single line master, and love their 3 on the tree. You can get your master rebuilt, along with all new 9mm lines, and have the wheel cylinders rebuilt as well. I myself have been on the fence with my brakes for a long time, but seeing as how I am restoring mine, I will go original, as this will not be a daily driver. Just make sure your parking brake is perfect!
You can find an original carb, and those tail lights are same as on an FJ25 (SOR has them in stock).
I don't mind the mods that people do to their rigs. This is what makes each rig unique, but, when you are lucky enough to find such a rig, you should really consider a true restoration VS any mods...especially if you want to resell her...she'll have way more value all stock, than with any of your mods.
Again, very nice find, hope you and your wife really enjoy it either way you go...and please post up more pictures as you do your work...again, either way she'll be a great cruiser
That is a very cool truck you got there Dallas, but you have to ask yourself why so many people are crying out for a restoration.
Yes, you can do with it as you wish, BUT, seeing as how I am a purist, you should really consider putting aside any lift/disk brakes/new carb and all other ideas, and bring her back to the way she was when new. What you plan to do is a rebuild, not a restoration. I don't want to come off as sounding like a jerk, as all of the ideas you put forth are great ones...but not for this '63. Why do I say this...because you would be hard pressed to find such a pristine, mostly unmolested, very rare, 1963 FJ45. Just think of how hard it would be to try and restore any cruiser you would find...not rebuild, but restore (there is a difference) and you as a shop owner know what kind of up hill battle you would have to find parts. Here you are missing so few...it would just be a shame if you changed anything.
Some guys on here still run the single line master, and love their 3 on the tree. You can get your master rebuilt, along with all new 9mm lines, and have the wheel cylinders rebuilt as well. I myself have been on the fence with my brakes for a long time, but seeing as how I am restoring mine, I will go original, as this will not be a daily driver. Just make sure your parking brake is perfect!
You can find an original carb, and those tail lights are same as on an FJ25 (SOR has them in stock).
I don't mind the mods that people do to their rigs. This is what makes each rig unique, but, when you are lucky enough to find such a rig, you should really consider a true restoration VS any mods...especially if you want to resell her...she'll have way more value all stock, than with any of your mods.
Again, very nice find, hope you and your wife really enjoy it either way you go...and please post up more pictures as you do your work...again, either way she'll be a great cruiser