1964 FJ45 LB “RB1” Project (1 Viewer)

[Awl_TEQ]

On color...I'm now leaning more towards the 416 Dune Beige. I've seen a lot of other 45's with this color and I like it. The reason I was not going to paint it this color was becasue it was so popular. It's becoming hard to make the final decision.

On the cab shelf and cage...after removing the rear cab shelf on mine and spending some time cleaning and derusting, it looks to be worse than originally thought. So, I've also removed the 4 seat belt support "L" brackets so I could check behind those. I will probably also remove the cab bolt plates and check under them. Then I plan to fab up new cab bolt support plates and integrate those into an area to also mount the cage.

Sheet metal...I'm gonig to have to replace some metal under the shelf as it was rusted much worse than originally thought.

Next I plan to lay out the cage and seats and determine if the stock tank will work. If not, I will either make a new one for under the seats or find or make one that will work under the bed.

X2 on my truck. There is some rust around the sheet metal X braces under my cab that will no doubt need the same treatment when I get to it. I will be building the cage to the point where it mounts to the top of the shelf and then the rest later after drive train. I'm gonna fit my drive train before removing and doing body work on my cab.

Also, I can do your fuel tank if we can colabarate on a design and keep the total cost to you at something you can live with. I'll be making one for myself anyway...

Kevin

 

[miker]

Also, I can do your fuel tank if we can colabarate on a design and keep the total cost to you at something you can live with. I'll be making one for myself anyway...

Kevin,
Thanks for the offer on the tank! We'll need to talk more about it. Are you building one for the cab (under seat) as well?

Since my frame and bed are modified, I'm pretty sure the same design you are building to fit behind the rear axle will not work on mine. I would need something smaller but that area is an option. I was also thinking about locating one beside the rear driveline. This is the way my '86 Toyota Mini-Truck is done. In fact, I was going to measure one of those tanks to see of it would fit however, I'm not holding my breath. I think the Mini Truck tank is about 18 gallons (us).

X2 on my truck. There is some rust around the sheet metal X braces under my cab that will no doubt need the same treatment when I get to it. I will be building the cage to the point where it mounts to the top of the shelf and then the rest later after drive train. I'm gonna fit my drive train before removing and doing body work on my cab.

That sounds like a good plan.

My plans have become more hap-hazard these days. I always feel like I'm working on the wrong stuff to make the best progress but I'm limited on funds and I'm tackling the areas that I knew would take a lot of time and not need a great deal of money. Within the next month I really need to get all the bare metal sealed. I'm leaning towards taking the cab to have it media blasted as I just can't get to a lot of the areas to get it completely free of rust. And, I haven't started on underside of the cab which is going to need a lot of cleaning and de-rusting.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I always feel like I'm working on the wrong stuff to make the best progress but I'm limited on funds and I'm tackling the areas that I knew would take a lot of time and not need a great deal of money. quote]


Exactly... I have been doing all the stuff I can that cost no or next to no money. I figure I can go another three months before I need to pay for my new to me 3B/5spd.

I am building the triangular tank in the spare tire area but also a typical long range tank between the transfer case and rear diff. I haven't layed it out yet but that's the plan. I'm going to run without any tank in the cab, though I may make some sort of storage under the seats.

 

[miker]

I am building the triangular tank in the spare tire area but also a typical long range tank between the transfer case and rear diff. I haven't layed it out yet but that's the plan. I'm going to run without any tank in the cab, though I may make some sort of storage under the seats.

I would definitely be interested in the tank between the trans case and diff. Awhile ago I took some measurements of this area and then did some crude drawings and calculations to determine the capacity. I'll have to see if I can find those or just take the measurements again. I'll pass along with I come up with. My bed floor/structure is also non-stock and as well, I've moved the shock tube towards the front about 6 inches as well as the rear axle so there will be some differences between mine and a stock truck in that area as well.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Mike,

I've been corresponding with Jereme (a.k.a. 24hoursofnevada) about possibly making a mid mounted tank for him as well so we'll all have to keep in touch. I can make the tank to custom fit your truck without any trouble. I have to finish my tubing and start my bed rebuild also because I have a few guys buying bed sides from me as well. Busy, busy, busy.....

My fuel tanks will be 3/16" 5052 aluminum on my truck. I like that material because it's cheaper than going stainless and has no corrosion issues like steel. I want that thick because it is very sturdy and we stock it here at work for the water tanks we make for a North American mobile steam cleaning equipment Co. We do storage and vacum tanks up to 300 gallons that mount in vans.

Anyway... if you're not in a rush and can wait till late April before starting I should be able to help you out. I'm not looking to make big money so would just charge for material and some cheap labor. Shipping would be a concern as well. Of course any liability or legal restrictions regarding aftermarket/ home made tanks would be yours. We have no certification for building fuel storage at my work and I am doing this stuff on my own time anyway. Being in Cali this may not work for you?? Given the application, I would tend to overbuild slightly to ensure a good quality end product as a rule.

Kevin

 

[miker]

Mike,

I've been corresponding with Jereme (a.k.a. 24hoursofnevada) about possibly making a mid mounted tank for him as well so we'll all have to keep in touch. I can make the tank to custom fit your truck without any trouble. I have to finish my tubing and start my bed rebuild also because I have a few guys buying bed sides from me as well. Busy, busy, busy.....

My fuel tanks will be 3/16" 5052 aluminum on my truck. I like that material because it's cheaper than going stainless and has no corrosion issues like steel. I want that thick because it is very sturdy and we stock it here at work for the water tanks we make for a North American mobile steam cleaning equipment Co. We do storage and vacum tanks up to 300 gallons that mount in vans.

Anyway... if you're not in a rush and can wait till late April before starting I should be able to help you out. I'm not looking to make big money so would just charge for material and some cheap labor. Shipping would be a concern as well. Of course any liability or legal restrictions regarding aftermarket/ home made tanks would be yours. We have no certification for building fuel storage at my work and I am doing this stuff on my own time anyway. Being in Cali this may not work for you?? Given the application, I would tend to overbuild slightly to ensure a good quality end product as a rule.

Kevin

I really appreciate the offer! I guess it will come down to costs and how much money I have at the time. I'm in no rush and in fact April is ahead of my schedule for needing a fuel tank but I'll get some measurements to you.

I don't think there's any issues in California with home made tanks. I was likely going to make one (or try to) for myself. If I end up making one, I was probably going to make it from steel and then coat it with that stuff Eastwood sells for sealing tanks. Just to help in avioding any future issues. I have a mig welder but its not spool gun capable so I don't think I would try to do aluminum with my current setup. I hear that pushing aluminum through a regular spool gun is nearly impossible.

Also, your bed sides and tailgate panels look very nice. I was considering contacting you about one of those. Were you making those soon as well?

Mike

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Yes, if I get my butt in gear. The plan is to do the bed parts in early April. I plan on making a few extra over and above those spoken for so that late requests won't require a new production run.

If you make your own steel tank you will likely spend less than mine would cost, given shipping costs. I am thinking once my truck is done that I could deliver things I make for people as an excuse to travel with my cruiser .

 

[miker]

I am thinking once my truck is done that I could deliver things I make for people as an excuse to travel with my cruiser .

Now THAT would be very cool and worth whatever the delivery charge would be!

I can see the slogan now:

"Awl_TEQ Custom Parts: Real Land Cruiser Parts delivered by Real Land Cruisers!"

Everyone would want to buy those and then wait around for the delivery truck to show up.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

"Awl_TEQ Custom Parts: Real Land Cruiser Parts delivered by Real Land Cruisers!"

I even like the font!

 

[miker]

Today I decided to work on a fix to the top cap "oil can" issue. Earlier in the week, I took the top and some other parts to a local guy who does media blasting so I have a clean top to work with. For the oil can issue, I used a piece of 1/4 x 1-1/4 flat bar which I bent to shape making it so it was over bent in order to force the top up and back in line. Once I was happy with the fit, I drilled holes in it for welding to the top cap. This really stiffened up the top. I was also able to use a rubber mallet to bump out some other areas in the top once the support was in place. I was not able to get these areas bumped out and stay there, when I tried before without the support. Here is a couple pics.

 

[miker]

I takes some effort to force it into place.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Nice job. Those things are really thin, what type of media did your guy use?

 

[miker]

Welding in place...

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Nice job. Those things are really thin, what type of media did your guy use?

Sorry,

I'll let you finish before saying nice welds

 

[miker]

Next I made a "cap" from 18ga to go over the brace. This will allow a headliner to tuck under it if I decide to put one in.

 

[miker]

Welding in place.

 

[miker]

I plan to put a coat of epoxy sealer on the top cap tomorrow. Yesterday I shot sealer and then suracer on the other parts I had blasted.

 

[miker]

Sealed and surfacer

 

[miker]

Last ones

 

[miker]

Sorry,

I'll let you finish before saying nice welds

No problem. Thanks.

The parts were blasted with garnet. Turned out pretty good. Just a few small areas he missed but I was able to get those with some sand paper.