Good move on the newer axle, it's always nice to be able stop.
1963 FJ45L FOUND! Restoration and Info Thread
- Thread starter dmaddox
- Start date
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Need video link to see/hear the Jetta 
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #144
Need video link to see/hear the Jetta
You should just be able to click on the link above. If it is not working for you...
Burnout video by cinez - Photobucket
see ya,
dallas
Not bad at all
Hope don't plan on wringing out the '63 as much
Hope don't plan on wringing out the '63 as much
An idea for your lift.
On my fj45 lwb, I put in the ome 2.5 (same as Dom) but recently for my fj60 I decided to go low budget so I removed the spring packs, separated them, then re-arced them on my 8 ton press. I marked them out evenly, then kept pressing every 2 inches until I got all the leaves with the same arc. I added 1 new leaf to the rear to carry more load. The springs were 5.5 inches higher as chalked out on the floor. After 2 weeks on the 60 they are at about 3 in the front and 3.5 in the rear. I installed gabriel highjacker air adjustable shocks to adjust what I predict will be an uneven settling. The 60 has a weak front tower so I had to weld braces to fix that. I figured I had nothing to loose and would replace the springs with new if it failed but 2 weeks of driving and so far, so good.
Mike
On my fj45 lwb, I put in the ome 2.5 (same as Dom) but recently for my fj60 I decided to go low budget so I removed the spring packs, separated them, then re-arced them on my 8 ton press. I marked them out evenly, then kept pressing every 2 inches until I got all the leaves with the same arc. I added 1 new leaf to the rear to carry more load. The springs were 5.5 inches higher as chalked out on the floor. After 2 weeks on the 60 they are at about 3 in the front and 3.5 in the rear. I installed gabriel highjacker air adjustable shocks to adjust what I predict will be an uneven settling. The 60 has a weak front tower so I had to weld braces to fix that. I figured I had nothing to loose and would replace the springs with new if it failed but 2 weeks of driving and so far, so good.
Mike
Nice find Dallas.
My fixed top Fj45 had sat for 23 years, and full of hornets as well! I did get the 327 to fire up, and drove it for a couple of years, but the fouling of plugs meant weekly plug changes.
My fixed top also has the screw holes for the vinyl rear top piece. I've always thought that's where the PO attached the 1" long shag carpet. Good to know that something actually went in there. I'm about to upholster the interior and this does give me some ideas.
Is the bezel embossed? Did somebody already pilfer it or is it not showing through? I could never get my bezel to show Landcruiser until I painted it.
I agree on upgrading the brakes. You have my permission to also do power steering. I don't think these or your other modifications are bad, but I'm no purist either. I don't see why some people think that even adding bug splat to the windscreen is soooo horrible.
I would also suggest upgrading the 12V generator to an alternator if it's not already been done.
You're not going to do anything to it that cannot be undone and simply improving the driveability so you will have much more enjoyment in the long run imho.
That being said, I have plenty of spares if you find you need anything, like Husky hubs, and "claw" axles.
One thing about the lift is that the rear springs are special. I believe you will need FJ40 fronts, and FJ55 rear pieces. Same with rebuilding the brakes. They don't use FJ40 parts in the rear axle. Possibly some of the proportioning valve issues could be due to this size difference in the slaves.
Does it have the coil overload springs still on top of the rear axle?
Be careful opening the passenger door in the wind. I don't think there was enough metal left to bond to the door. When I've had to fix these I've added strap down the door for strength and made new "loops".
The tire carrier was an addition. Looks like they relocated the tail lights to make it work.
My fixed top Fj45 had sat for 23 years, and full of hornets as well! I did get the 327 to fire up, and drove it for a couple of years, but the fouling of plugs meant weekly plug changes.
My fixed top also has the screw holes for the vinyl rear top piece. I've always thought that's where the PO attached the 1" long shag carpet. Good to know that something actually went in there. I'm about to upholster the interior and this does give me some ideas.
Is the bezel embossed? Did somebody already pilfer it or is it not showing through? I could never get my bezel to show Landcruiser until I painted it.
I agree on upgrading the brakes. You have my permission to also do power steering. I don't think these or your other modifications are bad, but I'm no purist either. I don't see why some people think that even adding bug splat to the windscreen is soooo horrible.
I would also suggest upgrading the 12V generator to an alternator if it's not already been done.
You're not going to do anything to it that cannot be undone and simply improving the driveability so you will have much more enjoyment in the long run imho.
That being said, I have plenty of spares if you find you need anything, like Husky hubs, and "claw" axles.
One thing about the lift is that the rear springs are special. I believe you will need FJ40 fronts, and FJ55 rear pieces. Same with rebuilding the brakes. They don't use FJ40 parts in the rear axle. Possibly some of the proportioning valve issues could be due to this size difference in the slaves.
Does it have the coil overload springs still on top of the rear axle?
Be careful opening the passenger door in the wind. I don't think there was enough metal left to bond to the door. When I've had to fix these I've added strap down the door for strength and made new "loops".
The tire carrier was an addition. Looks like they relocated the tail lights to make it work.
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #149
So my windows would both not roll up or down.
As you know on these old windows, once that rubber dries out and deteriorates, the bracket at the bottom can slide side to side. When it does the wheel that is on the arm of the window crank slips out and the window falls down to the rubber bump stop.
In another case, the bracket falls off completely and then the wheel catches on the bottom of the glass giving you the false tense that the window is working ok.
So, I pulled both doors apart to fix this and in doing so decided to paint up the plates (I like the toyota pewter color they used to offset dash and other components).
Before:
After:
Next will be steering wheel/column to make that correct.
Keep in mind this is not going to be a picture perfect trailer queen. I use this rig. I drive it several times a week. I just want it to look taken care of and operate well.
take care - dallas
As you know on these old windows, once that rubber dries out and deteriorates, the bracket at the bottom can slide side to side. When it does the wheel that is on the arm of the window crank slips out and the window falls down to the rubber bump stop.
In another case, the bracket falls off completely and then the wheel catches on the bottom of the glass giving you the false tense that the window is working ok.
So, I pulled both doors apart to fix this and in doing so decided to paint up the plates (I like the toyota pewter color they used to offset dash and other components).
Before:
After:
Next will be steering wheel/column to make that correct.
Keep in mind this is not going to be a picture perfect trailer queen. I use this rig. I drive it several times a week. I just want it to look taken care of and operate well.
take care - dallas
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
Yeah - that pewter is much better. It doesn't have to be a trailer queen to look like a trailer queen. That just shows pride in ownership.
Nice Dallas. I think your steering wheel will clean up nicely. I'm going to give mine a thorough cleaning this week. The ring is nice and shiny but the center and stems(?) are dull.
What paint did you use for the pewter? I'm getting ready to do some seat frames and am trying to decide if I should have some made up or buy something off the shelf.
What paint did you use for the pewter? I'm getting ready to do some seat frames and am trying to decide if I should have some made up or buy something off the shelf.
dmaddox
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #152
DE1650 Cast Aluminum Engine Enamel is what it is. It is a tad bit lighter in color than the original pewter, but it's the only color close enough I could find w/o a metallic flake in it. All of the gray colors were too dark.
It's available at any part store, and even wal mart.
It's available at any part store, and even wal mart.
x2 "Yeah - that pewter is much better. It doesn't have to be a trailer queen to look like a trailer queen. That just shows pride in ownership."
I have to drop by walmart.
All the body will be redone at a later date on my '64, but I still want it looking right while I drive and restore it mechanically.
Nice work on the clean up and paint!!
" I have to drop by walmart.
All the body will be redone at a later date on my '64, but I still want it looking right while I drive and restore it mechanically.
Nice work on the clean up and paint!!
paint
The pewter is available from Cool Cruisers.
The pewter is available from Cool Cruisers.
Looks fine ,
but RAL 9007(Grey aluminium) is closer too the original color,
sprayed my front bumper some weeks ago with RAL 9007
(sorry no new pics)
Cheers
Peter
RAL9007(Grey aluminium) :
Last edited:
my dd
Peter
no limits
I ran an Audi RS6 up to 270kph on the autobahn last summer. Sure seems like you're getting away with something from an American's perspective.
