'64 SWB and '65 LWB 45 Irish twins

[Lifelong40Fan]

Rebuilt drivelines in. Made a heat shield and installed it and all the carb and air cleaner stuff. Just lots of small things requiring figuring design and building. Now, just need to bleed the brakes, install the tranny hump, heater, run heater hoses and install the seats. Anyone ever get near the end of a project and not quite sure you’re ready for it to end? Looking forward to driving this and have an iron pig waiting for the garage space, but I’ve been working on this so long it seems strange for it to be done!

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

This thing should be on the road by now. I’ve been in wheel cylinder purgatory. Maybe I’ll emerge in the coming week . A firm pedal is the only thing remaining.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Finally, on the road after almost 9 months of work! The last part was the worst. I simply couldn't get a firm pedal. I bled, re-bled, re-bled, .... the brakes. I had brake fluid all over me and all over my nicely painted axles and leaf springs, which, of course, took the nice paint right off them (may have called my 45 some bad words along the way too!). I sucked brake fluid through the new lines to make sure I didn't have air bubbles. I adjusted the booster rod in every position possible. I tried a different MC. I rebuilt the rear wheel cylinders months ago and swapped in other ones and rebuilt those. I did everything I could think of and simply could not get a firm pedal. This has gone on for a week. Finally found the culprit. It was the bleeder screw valve. It didn't have the correct taper to it. It was the last thing to try and so in desperation I swapped in new ones and instant firm pedal. That was a real rabbit hole! Wow.

Anyhow, the truck runs fabulous. It'll cruise at 65 mph. The PS and power brakes are fantastic. Here's a video.

Only thing now is to put the clutch cover on, install the heater, clock the steering wheel correctly, and clean out the bed.

Onward!

Mike

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Going for a ride

 

[Michael B]

That’s awesome Mike. Congratulations on a job well done sir! She looks good, sounds good and runs good.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Bought this '65 removable top swb today from @hyhpe . Thanks Paul! I haven't had time to really look to see all that I've gotten myself into, but the overall plan is to restore.

 

[redfj45can]

 

[KT40]

Looks pretty solid!

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Spent the last few days cleaning up the short bed to see what I’ve got. It’s a complete removable top with a strong sounding 2F and 4 speed. The biggest issue is the bed. The frame and cab look fantastic. I’ve taken the bed off and that’s where I’ll start. Going to head to the salvage yard and see if I can find a donor from some truck that the bed skin will fit. The bed corners are a mess too. I’ll see if real steel cruiser parts can fix me up with some bed corners. After fixing the bed, it’ll be building a disc brake front axle and adding PS. I’ve got all the necessary parts for that work. After that it’ll be paint. After that, all new wiring. Those are the major items in the plan. Just one small step at a time. If the weather stays dry for a few hours, I’ll head to the salvage yard.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

More

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

One more

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Back from the salvage yard. I think a mid 80s s10 bed will work. The seam between the wheel wells is right at 40” for both the 45 and s10 beds. The length is 73”, which is about 5” too long so I’ll need to do something at the front of the bed to the ribs. I’m hoping to get over there later in the week to retrieve the bed.

 

[miller]

Did u happen to measure the spacing between ribs in the S10 floor? Just wondering if it’s close to original?

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

The valleys on the s10 bed are about 2" across and they're about 2.5" on the 45 bed. That's the only measurement I took of the ribs.

 

[miller]

The valleys on the s10 bed are about 2" across and they're about 2.5" on the 45 bed. That's the only measurement I took of the ribs.

I thought it looked pretty close. It’s a good option.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Short on cash from the holidays, so decided to go ahead and build the disc brake front axle that’ll eventually go in the short bed. Yesterday was tear down and today cleaning and painting. May have time on Saturday to start building. Still need to go and harvest the s10 bed. Also, CCoT is making me some extra long rear quarters from their jig for 40s. They should extend beyond the wheel well, so I can cut them and fit them in. Great guys!

 

[miller]

For the extra long quarters is that a special order item?

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Yes. Pm me and I’ll send you contact info.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Just finished for the day and the 2025 Iron Pig calendar was in the mail. Don't know if anyone here would like to have a calendar full of iron pig pics, but, if so, let me know. Here's the link.

2025 FJ55 Calendar

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

A local land cruiser enthusiast and I happen to be on the same road at the same time the other day. 45s are one of the best looking rigs on the road!