1967 FJ45 LPB Barn Find

[Toyrod]

This is a 67 FJ45 that I have been hearing about since 1995. It was on a ranch in southern Montana and was tied up in some kind of estate or trust. A friend of the current owner of the ranch got in touch with my wife and we were finally able to arrange a deal. From what I can tell from the tags, it has been sitting for around 20 years. It is complete except for the tailgate. Everything under the hood is there and original. The mice did get to the wiring in several places. The body is rust free except for a small spot on the exterior corner of the drivers side cab at the floor pan level.

So far, all I have been able to do is clean about 30 pounds of mouse and pack rat nest out of it. (Wet down with bleach solution and removed wearing gloves and paint respirator. 2 people died in Wyoming from hantavirus the week I brought this home.) I have also gathered new signal and running lights, wiring harness, 4 speed trans/transfer, and cab window rubber. I have a line on a disc brake front end from Colorado as soon as I can figure out shipping. I also have a line on a Toyota PTO winch locally.

Plans are approximately 4 inch lift with 33x12.50 Swampers on 8 inch rims. I plan on leaving the body and interior stock. The f motor has clean oil and looks like I might be able to get it to run. I have a couple late model 2Fs for later. I will be looking for a good used tailgate or possibly a repo.

 

[1tontoy]

Saweeeet!!!!!!

 

[Bear]

If ever there were pictures of a Barn Find, these have it in aces!!

All we need to hear now to cement the story--is a great price you paid to get it.

Congrats--encourages me to keep looking!!

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Nice find!!!

Found our 40 in a barn as well...had been sitting for about 20 years also. No mice, but oh that wonderfull barn fresh smell!!!

Kinda wish you wouldn't do all that you said you would...I mean it is your truck, and no disrespect intended, but if it is as original as you claim, then I would think of restoring it...or selling it to someone who would restore it, and get yourself another, less original 45 to lift, convert, and all that.

Don't get me wrong...I love rigged up 45's and 40's, but I prefer stock, and when you are talking about an original like you just found...well they are just getting that much harder to find is all I'm saying.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Oh ya, I almost forgot...you selling those hubcaps? That is if you decide to go ahead and lift and stuff ?

 

[trucruiser]

Nice find!!!

Found our 40 in a barn as well...had been sitting for about 20 years also. No mice, but oh that wonderfull barn fresh smell!!!

Kinda wish you wouldn't do all that you said you would...I mean it is your truck, and no disrespect intended, but if it is as original as you claim, then I would think of restoring it...or selling it to someone who would restore it, and get yourself another, less original 45 to lift, convert, and all that.

Don't get me wrong...I love rigged up 45's and 40's, but I prefer stock, and when you are talking about an original like you just found...well they are just getting that much harder to find is all I'm saying.

x2 on the resto.
Nice find by the way, I love them old trucks

 

[1tontoy]

I agree its better, being a purist, to not cut or weld on it if its restorable. The mods you talk about sound reversible/bolt-on.

Don't forget to post in the Registry thread!

 

[Eco 45]

Great find. Not being a purist I would at least update the breaks and possibly add power steering---then do whatever you think would make it most enjoyable for you to drive. Some people get stuck on keeping them bone stock--I go with the theory that a lot of technology has changed--especially brakes and it wouldn't do you any good to enjoy the truck if you end up crashing it because of the older system failing. Make sure to post photos up.

 

[landcrusher909]

Wow !!! Thats great, it just goes to show there still out there. keep the pics coming, have you tried to start it yet ? mine was sitting 8 years and fired up after some cleaning and oiling Goog Luck

 

[D'Animal]

Congrats!

 

[Toyrod]

The mods planned are intended to keep it so it can easily be returned to stock. I will probably keep the original f and 3 speed around for it. bikerso has a good point on the brakes. I hate to butcher the firewall to install the FJ60 booster and later model pedal bucket, but I would also hate trashing the front end running into an elementary school because the single circuit brakes failed. A friend of mine runs a non-boosted S-10 master that seems to stop pretty well and would not require substantial mods to the firewall or pedal bucket. I will be thinking about that one for awhile before I chamber the sawzall blades. Power steering is another one that I have been tossing around. Don't really want to do the Saginaw but it is way less invasive than the FJ60 or Scout conversions I have seen. The original FJ40 power steering setup is nice but the multiple tie rods don't do much for tight steering.

I'm also going to rob the front clip, except for the hood off of my FJ40 project. It is rust free with original paint. I have some aftermarket fenders and a solid bib for the 40.

As far as what I paid for it. I paid a fair price for what this truck is worth without the e.bay hype.

 

[Toyrod]

By the way. Did anybody notice the cow crap piled up to the hubcaps? There was also cow pies in the bed and on the passenger side fender and hood.

 

[Toyrod]

Oh ya, I almost forgot...you selling those hubcaps? That is if you decide to go ahead and lift and stuff ?

Yah, I'll trade you for that tailgate that I have been looking for!!

If I do sell them, I will list them on the 45 classifieds. It will be next year before I make that decision.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

They make adapters to fit boosters, or you should check with Mark on the brakes...he makes an adapter that will let you swap your single line to a dual master...with-out haveing to cut anything.

The only thing that concerns me on my resto is the same thing...the brakes, plus I will be adding 3 point seat belts...other than that, she should look the way she did when she got off the boat.

Again, nice find...I'll keep my eyes out for those caps

 

[LC_Hamma]

Man I luv checkin out old pics of barn finds. Makes me want to scour the N. Ga. mtns. for the elusive LV that I've never found The minor upgrade plans sound very appealing. I don't think you'd hurt the value w/ those unless you painted it candy apple red Keep it a factory color

 

[TJDIV]

awesome.

 

[fjwagon]

Looks like the cows got to the fenders. Very nice find indeed.

 

[MDH33]

You scored! Can't wait to see the progress.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Great find. Thanks for sharing. Whatever you do with it I'm sure you will enjoy it. And that is what it's all about anyways.

 

[Landpimp]

thats just cool......love barn finds