1963 FJ45L FOUND! Restoration and Info Thread

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PS...can you take a good picture of your key ring...been looking for one for my '64.

Thanks
 
It's always your choice, as it is your Cruiser, just some people sharing some thoughts is all.

I guess the purist asking you to go stock are just people who wish they could find such a nice rig themselves...I know I wish I could...very nice Cruiser...the non stock faults you mentioned are really not that bad, and easily fixed!

I looked at your other work, and it looks great...plus you have a fantastic shop to do it in...very cool!

Dallas, just enjoy yourself....but post more picts...very cool 45 either way you go :cheers:

BTW...Now you've got me looking specifically for a '63 short bed...my wife would like a 45 short bed once I am done with the '64, and I really like the tailgate, and FJ25 style lights on your '63...once again great find :)
 
Thank you so much Dean. I appreciate the kind words and am going to update tomorrow evening with several more pictures. I am again, VERY excited to have this cruiser in my ownership. Yesterday I went and got a new title, with new plates. That felt good to see my name as the rightful and lawful owner.

Again, thank you all for the encouraging words and kind remarks. SHE IS STAYING STOCK.

Man, A.Greenspan - in that last photo of the 63 cruiser - I'd love a set of those tires. Does anyone re manufacture them? I guess I can check Coker or whover it was that made original white walls for my 50 GMC.

See ya,

Dallas Maddox

PS. Also in that ad, I noticed a PTO winch....but no floor shifters? How did PTO winches work on the 63 column shifted cruisers?
 
There's a couple of threads on tires...no pun intended. One of them is called 'army tires' in the 25 section.

That I can understand from those who have had these NDT military tires, they are pretty slick when wet, and I've read some pretty negative comments on them, so, I am still looking for a vintage looking tire that can look like the Dunlop RK3.

Cruiser_Nerd has a set by Primex on his FH25 that look pretty vintage, and Jim seemed quite please with them.

Hope this helps!
 
I don't have a horse in this race but I would URGE you to not do anything that can't be easily reversed in order to make it "right".

That truck is just plain too sound and complete to modify.
 
Dallas-

Cut it up and make a truggy!!!!

All joking aside, I can not express how stoked I am for you. How and what you do with your rig is your decision and I know the people here are expressing their views because that's what this great community is about.

In my opinion there is plenty of good and bad info on the site, it's up to you to pick through it all and determine what works for you. If I too was in your situation I would be struggling with what to do. How nice would it be to have the comforts of disc brakes, maybe power steering or a 4 speed (or 5 speed for that matter)? Will you be driving it daily? On the freeway? With your kids? Will the wife drive it? Completely stock and original would be nice, but... is that what YOU want? I hope to be struggling with those decisions myself someday.

In a perfect world I'd have a 45 bone stock to go with my built cruiser, along with a built 45 to tow whatever I want. For me this is not reality. Coming to terms with what works for you with the understanding and support of our MUD community is ideal. There are those that want a rare truck to stay stock and I see their point.

I hope someday I can scoop something nice up like you've found and do what I want to do to it. Probably a few modifications that can be "undone" if I am unfortunate to sell it before I go.

Have fun and enjoy it. Whatever you choose to do will be the right thing for you.


And please keep sharing...

:)
 
1. it your truck, build it the way you want...........you are gonna be alot more comfortable riding in a OME suspended rig with fresh bushings and shackles.
2. Contact J. Ward at TLC iin Van Nuys or Marv Spector about the rear window r ubber
3. My 64 from San Digo had a similar trim in the cab.
4. We Californians want that returned to our state...........keep the plates if you can.

Nice truck
 
Red.. white.. ome alcan either way it will be nice. I agree on the suspension the springs on my 64 are shot. Any big bumps and the springs hit the bump stops and it's a rought ride. I'd either upgrade to the ome light or get some stock or slightly above, like 1" alcans. looking forward to your resto. I agree all your previous cruisers were done well. I think people get frustrated with the early stuff and upgrade it. I think once you get used to the early stuff it'll be fun working on it. It's just as robust.
 
It is your vehicle do what you want to do, the only thing you really have to do is get it back on the road!!!
 
.
SHE IS STAYING STOCK.

A.Greenspan - in that last photo of the 63 cruiser - I'd love a set of those tires.

See ya,

Dallas Maddox

ride with these military tires is not comfortable.
handling, braking stability, safety, ect ( it`s 50`s)
would not be my choice


good tire (look) for your stock- baby :)


michelinXS.jpg


Michelin 7.50 R 16 (Sand-tire)

Cooper have 7,50 R16 too (street-tires)
bought them last year,
good ride, comfortable, saftey, handling,...., it`s a modern tire,
looks vintage. see pic
(better than the michelin 7,50 R16 (street tires) I had before on my truck.



Cheers
Peter
 
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Seeing how its "worth so much" sell it to a purist for 2X what you bought it for. Then I'll tell you where there's another for $1750 ....and its in CO ;)

JMO

I'll take the "tip" via private message anyway!!! /hint /hint /nudge /nudge ha ha ha

Thank you ALL for your comments. /group hug


see ya,

Dallas
 
There would be lever on the floor to engage the pto.

3 on the tree is really no different than 3 on the floor other than the linkages.

Ad picture doesn't show a lever on the floor and may not be the same rig as the others pictured.
 
Oh, of course. They'd have to say "look at the floor room" in one picture with no shifters, but show the winch in other pictures too. GRRRRR. I was hoping there was some other cool method, oh well.

LATEST on my 45 (pictures soon).

1. Fuel filter rebuild.
2. Front license place bracket found and fixed.
3. Wiring cleaned up.

Oh, and why is it....if you don't have a CHEVY 350....none of the parts stores have a dang thing? Why do they even call it an auto parts store? Why not a Chevy 350 parts store? When it comes to any Toyota, 40/60/ or my 80, it's either not available, discontinued, or special order.

Ok, now that I am done swearing off Checker Auto Parts in Falcon, Co - It's time to go to church.....lol

see ya,

Dallas
 
Hello guys!

More updates. First off, I found the license plate bracket for the front in a bucket of rust. Some stuff in that bucket was actually rusted together solid! I was able to salvage the bracket. I soaked in the parts washer, polished it, and painted it for use:

Cruiser001.jpg


I of course had to use hardware from my Toyota hardware bucket! I polished it up too!

Cruiser002.jpg


Next, I hid an inline 3/16" Fram fuel filter underneath the cab out of view, yet easy to get to on a creaper. I cleaned serviced and re-installed the original fuel filter! TEQ even!

Cruiser005.jpg


Cruiser004.jpg


Here is the carb, rebuilt, and waiting for parts to come to install. I am still looking for an earlier carb however. I believe this came off of a 68?

Cruiser006.jpg


Next, the door catch was broken, so time for a repair.

Cruiser007.jpg


Cruiser008.jpg


I had to prep both surfaces:

Cruiser009.jpg


Cruiser010.jpg


Cruiser011.jpg


tacked....

Cruiser012.jpg


Welded in:

Cruiser014.jpg


Cleaned and polished hardware:

Cruiser016.jpg


A shot of primer and now ready for temporary use until I can prep for the paint booth.

Cruiser018.jpg


I pulled off the old horn button too!!!

Cruiser021.jpg


Yuck!

Cruiser019.jpg


Cruiser020.jpg


After a good spit shine:

Cruiser022.jpg


Cruiser023.jpg


and installed until I can get the wheel fixed:

Cruiser024.jpg


Standby for more.

I am still just going through and cleaning up items and getting them all back into use. I just need more hours out at the shop!

I'll keep you guys posted on more stuff as I get to it.

Best wishes,

Dallas Maddox
 
This may be incorrect, as I recall it posted somewhere, (I'm sure somebody here will correct me)
Carbs......
Large glass window on generator equipped trucks, small window on later with alternators.?????

What medium did you use on the horn button?
Came out nice
Butch
 

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