Builds 1965 FJ45lv build up/resto thread

[buckroseau]

for such a nice rig. i know you can do better. just my 2 cents. congrats on the award, you deserve it.

You gotta remember to share the vision here.....these are just thouhts, but the concept is sound I believe.

Keep in mind, when this is done it will be straight, clean lines, nice welds and either high gloss black or silver pewter.

The idea is somewhat taken from Man-a-fre's pre-runner rear bumper for the 40, which I have.

What do you have in mind, open for other ideas here??

Thanks, Matt

 

[buckroseau]

This is the Maf bumper I have on my 40. I realize my idea isn't exactly like it, but keep in mind I can't mount it like a 40 either.

This is kinda the starting point....if any of you guys have some serious photoshop skills, fab something up on the back of my lv on that rear pic. I'll see if I can figure out a way to fasten it. The brackets bolted to the frame may remain similiar, but the tubular portion could change a bit?

Thanks, Matt

 

[cruiserdan]

I would avoid round tubing as it does not keep with the theme of the vehicle. I would also submit that it be finished in the same color as the front bumper.

 

[buckroseau]

I would avoid round tubing as it does not keep with the theme of the vehicle. I would also submit that it be finished in the same color as the front bumper.

I kinda like the silver color myself, that is what I was thinking as well.


Open to any ideas here, post them up. Has to be extremely stout, so think a little hardcore.

Thanks, Matt

 

[overton]

How about making it look stock!

 

[treerootCO]

I'll take one!

Is that my lv??

Matt

yep

 

[overton]

Picts

Your truck is a beauty - Here's a couple shots from the old factory brochure.

 

[overton]

FJ55 Bumper

I kinda like the silver color myself, that is what I was thinking as well.


Open to any ideas here, post them up. Has to be extremely stout, so think a little hardcore.

Thanks, Matt

The FJ55 Bumper would be a dead ringer if you can't get the rear deal.
Greg

 

[semlin]

if you want ideas other than stock, maybe look at some restored vw microbuses that have not gone stock. there are some similarities to the back end treatment. I think a single tube across could look good, but I advise against a 2x4 stained walnut and laquered .

 

[merbesfield]

I would avoid round tubing as it does not keep with the theme of the vehicle. I would also submit that it be finished in the same color as the front bumper.

That was my thinking. I do not care for the round tubing as it looks too home grown and amateur, which your truck is obviously not. I have not really thought much about it but i vote for a stock look but much beefier steel. Use heavy steel but give it some slight curve to it at the edges. What about some "D" rings for effect? just a thought, don't slam me, trying to stay out of the box here. I found the picture of what i was invisioning, it's the Millen Retro Cruiser.

 

[Lito]

Don't forget to make the hitch strong enough to carry your trail 90.

 

[mash]

Why not use some C section to make the rear bumper. Will look factory but will be much stronger.

 

[lowenbrau]

How about making the bumper in your design, perhaps swaping the round tube for square and wrapping it with a stock 40 series front bumper? Its replacable and fairly cheap yet maintains some similarity with what the factory did.

 

[overton]

Custom 55 bumper

Here's a custom bumper on my old FJ55 that was actually made from a front bumper and then modified with the hitch by the previous owner. I think something like this would look great on the LV and still retain the "stock look" NRA sticker would be optional of course.

Greg

 

[merbesfield]

Here's a custom bumper on my old FJ55 that was actually made from a front bumper and then modified with the hitch by the previous owner. I think something like this would look great on the LV and still retain the "stock look" NRA sticker would be optional of course.

Greg

Your bumper basically looks the same as the Retro cruisers less the D rings. Hard to see b/c the picture is so small, but check it out.

 

[merbesfield]

Matt, can you give us all a short driving impression of your vehicle with it's V8 installed? I am debating going the V8 route vs. putting in the 2F from my 78 FJ55 with it's 4 spd. Obviously the V8 is faster, but I was wondering how your truck drives compared to other more modern types of V8's such as GM SUV's etc.

 

[buckroseau]

Not a lot done tonight, if anything. Had some stuff to help the wife out with tonight so not much time. I did manage to spend about an hour fabbing up some prototype brackets out of cardboard.

I think the pics pretty much say it all.....you guys have pretty much talked me out of the tubular rear bumper, I have decide to keep it square. Just to keep the lines similiar to the rest, it will also be painted silver/pewter.

My new cardboard brackets will still be made out of 3/8" x 8" flat stock. The main difference is the area where the bumper mounts. I was going to drill a 2" hole through the rear part, but now I have 2" of material bent side ways. The black dots represent the the 1/2" holes where the bumper will mount to. Obviously I have only made the 2 left ones, the 2 right would be exactly the same, just on the other side.

I did talk to some steel people today at local manufacturing plant. I am going to order some 8" x 1/4" flat stock and have it bent to make a piece like my 40 front bumper I got from MAF. I am going to relief the ends 4 to 6" and then radius it back in and re-weld it. Should pretty much look like the rear of that 55 pic. I could get structural C channel, but I don't like the squared off corners on the outside, I want the softer radius on the bend like my 40 MAF front bumper.

I believe the design is overkill, but I know it ain't coming off.

Discuss?

Thanks, Matt

 

[buckroseau]

more

 

[Texican]

I think this would look right on your rig......along with the backup lights...

 

[buckroseau]

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