1964 FJ45 LB “RB1” Project

[miker]

Painting the hedders and the first exhaust pipe piece.

 

[47coeman]

Good Morning Mike:

It was great seeing you in the resent past and you donating the rear brake assembly's to me for the cause of my new to me 45. I have been plugin along and just about ready to reassemble to ol rear, just got the brake tools needed to bend the lines and make the ends. It will get me by till I decide the direction I am going to go, at least it will get me on the road so I can enjoy the new addition. I have had some time to evaluate the truck and from my experience of restoring from the past i knew the surface condition was to good to be true. Not bad but some bondo and some rust here and there.

The place that needs the most attention is the bed no surprise so in careful thought I need to do a tear down of my bed, won't be happy any other way, do it right the first time the floor is the area of most concern, bent and some rust on places be easier to cut it out and go new. Need to get out the spot weld cutters and have fun like you did. Before I do that I will get everything in place to have things ready to go back when it is apart and prepped.

I spent some time last night looking at all the fun you had deconstructing your bed and can see it will be a labor of love. I have two questions at this time in my mind, would be in my best interest to get it media blasted first I like to work on clean stuff I know I will have to get the places that are covered done after and how many hours do I have in front of me cutting spot welds UG !!! BEST

 

[miker]

Exhaust is finished. Working on a gas tank. Tank will go behind rear axle and mount under bed. One hole for the pickup and return. Other hole for fuel sender. Still need to locate the filler. Not much room so considering the limited options before drilling the last hole.

 

[miker]

Working on the tank internals as well. Going to build a shroud around the pickup and add a baffle or two.

 

[Gusb]

Nice work on the gas tank!

I noticed my rubber gas line (stock) seems almost wet where it leaves the metal filter (also stock) under the wire clamp. Would you replace this with stock or go to some high quality after-market hose. Just wondering what rubber/lines you will use on the custom tank?

 

[miker]

Nice work on the gas tank!

I noticed my rubber gas line (stock) seems almost wet where it leaves the metal filter (also stock) under the wire clamp. Would you replace this with stock or go to some high quality after-market hose. Just wondering what rubber/lines you will use on the custom tank?

I plan to use the minimum amount of hose. Most everything will be steel fuel line. Of course, I will need a small amount of hose to account for flex between tank and frame, and frame and the fuel pump mounted on the engine.

IMHO, no aftermarket fuel hose will last as long as the oem hose. I don't think the same quality exists today as it did 30+ years ago with rubber parts like fuel hose, cooling hoses, ww blades etc. I've had some decent luck with FI rated fuel hose vs the standard stuff. Some of the rubber parts still it seem to develop cracking in just a few years. It just doesn't take the heat and chemicals like the stuff of olden days.

Anyway, I'm not planning to use a high dollar hose. Just some 3/8" FI fuel hose and keep the length to a minimum.

 

[miker]

A little more tank work. Made the surround for the pickup and welded it into the tank. Also made some backing rings for the pickup assembly and the sender.

 

[miker]

Backing rings. Underside of tank lid.

 

[SOOT]

Miker,

I am very envious of your work. That tank is turning out really sweet. The whole build is looking great!! Really nice work.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[merbesfield]

Nice fab work you have there. Thanks for posting.

 

[miker]

Have baffles made and welded in. Then welded on the top. Pressure checked. Found a couple leaks in corner areas. Fixed those. Next step will be mounting it.

 

[2fpower]

Another work of art.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

No. Mike.

 

[miker]

No. Mike.

Ha! Kevin, your tank was a work of art. Very nice. This one is a learning experience for me. I'll likely be making another one from stainless or aluminum In the future as the permanent solution. Till then we'll see how the steel does - concerned about rust. I also was reminded to add a drain. Meant to do that before welding the top on but still should be able to add one. Maybe this weekend.

 

[Gusb]

Another work of art.

No. Mike.

Ha! Kevin, your tank was a work of art....

Michelangelo Mike and Kevin da Vinci - apples and oranges?

 

[miker]

Michelangelo Mike and Kevin da Vinci - apples and oranges?

Well, I'm not planning to put my "art" in a museum or monastary. I'm planning to put mine in the "outback".

So I'd say "apples and oranges"......Michelangelo and Leonardo are rolling in their graves right now, I'm sure of it.

 

[miker]

Top welded on. Checking for leaks. Make-shift air valve. Put in 5psi for checking.

 

[Chamba]

Top welded on. Checking for leaks. Make-shift air valve. Put in 5psi for checking.

Wow. Definite work of Mike...or Kevin...or Art....I'm so confused; who made it? Whoever it was, that's gorgeous.....wish it was a work of Josh.

 

[miker]

Pulled the bed back off and put It back on the rotisserie. Figured it might make mounting the tank easier.

 

[miker]

While the bed was off, figured it was a good time to take some pics of the exhaust.