1966 FJ45LV restoration/buildup project (1 Viewer)

[cruiser_guy]

When you rip out the old floors can you save the tray thingy and the other crossmember tray thing under the front seat? Both of those are missing in my truck (you can see where the spot welds were).

I'll shoot a picture of my floor and you'll see what I mean by whats missing.

Thanks

 

[merbesfield]

Help with new rim choices

Does any one know if any of the newer alloy wheels from the Tacoma trucks will fit on my LV. Remember, I have swapped axles to those from a 78-FJ55 with disc brakes and have converted the rear to disc as well. I was just wondering what the bolt pattern is and the set back. There are a lot of nice wheels and tires for sale on ebay. I was gong to go with steelies and BFG's but started thinking that maybe a little fancier wheels might spice things up a little. I can always go back to a stocker. I know these wheels are 17" vs 15" orig. but the overall diameter may be the same or similar to that of the 15". Any help would be appreciated.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Look for a set of "take offs" Stock tires and rims that someone dumped at the dealer for some fancier stuff without even driving on them.... I don't know much about the brand new stuff, but most of the mid 80-mid 90s were 7x15 with 3.5 setback...

 

[merbesfield]

more

more

 

[merbesfield]

Look for a set of "take offs" Stock tires and rims that someone dumped at the dealer for some fancier stuff without even driving on them.... I don't know much about the brand new stuff, but most of the mid 80-mid 90s were 7x15 with 3.5 setback...

Is the 3.5" setback the correct number for the LV with disc brakes? I know I can look for overall diameter on a web site like tirerack.com and compare say a BFG AT to one of the new tires to see if the circum. is similar. Not sure if there would be a problem with the front hub coming thru the wheel center tho.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Setback for the LV if you used mini-truck/Cruiser parts will be the same as the mini-truck/Cruiser. I'll be running the old wheels with the stock "baby moon" hubcaps for the retro look.

You can try Chevy wheels as well but not all wheels will fit over the locking hub.

 

[merbesfield]

Setback for the LV if you used mini-truck/Cruiser parts will be the same as the mini-truck/Cruiser. I'll be running the old wheels with the stock "baby moon" hubcaps for the retro look.

You can try Chevy wheels as well but not all wheels will fit over the locking hub.

Does anyone know what the set back is? I have been thinking all along that I too would go for the original hub cap look and I have even bought them. I just started kicking around a slightly different look. Just thinking out loud.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Do you have stock rims on it now? If so, measure those, and it'll give us an idea of what will fit...

 

[Mikesta]

Just wondering, should I try to save the old floor and take it out in one piece or just take the plasma to it and then clean up to the jambs? It will definitely take longer to try to save it so not sure it is worth the effort. Thoughts?

I'd cut it up in 4's. You never know who may need one of those parts... even in bad shape, it could be better than someone elses!

Great work there man.. This LV is starting to make me drool a little

 

[merbesfield]

Quick update with no pics. Motor rebuild is finished and ready to pickup from machine shop. Ended up doing a 100% rebuild from the bottom up with new everything. I will not be able to pick it up for a week or so as I am having surgery done on my back. Once I pick it up, we will get it completely painted and looking new again before we install it. I am really excited about it and will post some picks when I pick up the motor.

 

[Chef]

I want your back surgeon.
I never was able to pick up an engine by myself.

 

[Mikesta]

No Joke Chef.... His surgeon must be using lightweight super strong alloys.

On a serious note... I'll pray your surgery goes very well!

 

[Chef]

yeah!

 

[merbesfield]

I want your back surgeon.
I never was able to pick up an engine by myself.

Thats funny. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

 

[Trollhole]

Thats funny. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

Good luck on the surgery Mark.

Build is looking good.

Floor looks awesome. Paul does some amazing work.

 

[merbesfield]

Well it has been 3 weeks since the surgery. I am recovering but still have much pain. The docs say don't expect anything for 6 weeks so I am keeping my hopes up. I did go by the machine shop and pay for the engine rebuild and took a few pics. They really treated my well. $556.00 for all the machine work, several parts and assembly. I think that was very fair. They do not build motors, but the guy there knew about my back situation and said he would be more than happy to help me out by handling the assembly in addition to the machine work. The engine is still at the shop as I have not had time to go get it and obviously can not lift it myself or help. We painted some of the parts before assembly so the new yellow zinc bolts would look nice. I know it was not factory but I like the way they look. We decided not to paint the bottom of the oil pan bc it would get scratched most likely and require painting again. The block also needs to be painted once we get it back to the shop.

 

[merbesfield]

machined flywheel

flywheel and old dead block behind it.

 

[merbesfield]

Shooting to pick up the motor tomorrow am, finally. My back is not much better, but I will only watch as the motor is loaded. A floor pan question. Does anyone have a rough idea of how many hours it would take to replace the floor pan once the old one was is out? Just trying to decide whether I should outsource that part or try to do it ourselves? I was referred to a good sheet metal guy, but he charges $75.00 an hour. I am thinking that the floor is the least visible part of the body and it may be a good place to start by doing it in-house and learning how to weld sheet metal.

 

[merbesfield]

An amazing package arrived in the mail today. After all that Gene has been through, he sent me the two rear reflectors off the back of his smashed LV, which he offered me before the crash. That is an amazing act of kindness. Thank you very much Gene. On another note, I finally picked up my motor. Now it can sit at my shop. ha ha. Speaking of sitting, is there anything special I should do to protect an engine that might not be started for a long time?

 

[fogblanket]

hmm. its been awhile since we have had updates on your lv?
Jason