66 FJ45LV resto...

[71-CRUISER]

So I picked up a 66 a few weeks ago but unfortunately it's currently at my brothers house waiting for me to get to it. I have my v8 BMW project to finish up before I get to this one.

As the story goes it was parked in 88 with an engine knock and sold to the gentleman that I bought it from who had intentions of restoring it. Fortunately for me all he did was buy a repair manual from Spector and park it in his car port. It's a little rustier than I would like but it's absolutely complete minus the air cleaner and the hub caps.

Short term plan is to just get it up and running but the long term plans are a 100 series drivetrain and ft disk brakes.

This is the only shot of it that I have because I have only seen the truck fir a total of 4 hours and 3 of those I was towing it home. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up at Thanksgiving.

 

[Scott Parsley]

sweet! welcome to the LV club . So are you doing a full resto except for the 100 series drivetrain? Can't wait to see more pics.

 

[subzali]

How'd the Tundra do pulling all that weight?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Very Cool Mike, is that the one that was for sale up in Tenn. ?? Can't wait to see your build and welcome to the club

 

[71-CRUISER]

You know I was 2 days to late to buy yours JP so I had to settle for this one. The Tundra tows great especially w a load leveling hitch. I tow 5-6k ( my built 40 and trailer) regularly and it's happy as can be.

Yes it's the one that was north of Nashville and has lived in TN it's whole life as far as I can tell.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

You know I was 2 days to late to buy yours JP so I had to settle for this one. .

Yeah I know you tried to buy that one out from under me It's good to see three LV's so close together especially in the southeast, those west coast guys can't hog them all

 

[Ryan208]

Nice LV

 

[ACC Toyota]

So I got the LC back to the shop and I noticed today that it has 16" steel hub cap wheels. I didn't even know 16s existed in hub cap versions but apparently they do. The spare was a 15 (now on the left rear) but i have 4 16s.

 

[uted]

So I got the LC back to the shop and I noticed today that it has 16" steel hub cap wheels. I didn't even know 16s existed in hub cap versions but apparently they do. The spare was a 15 (now on the left rear) but i have 4 16s.

My Aussie delivered wagon has the 16" steel hubcap rims. Guy on here Mike (majojo4) was selling repro early hubcaps. He may still have some if your chasing any. Nice find good luck with the resto

 

[71-CRUISER]

its in its resto spot now so let the fun begin.

 

[71-CRUISER]

A few more

 

[merbesfield]

Michael, glad to see you found one. Congrats.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Made some progress. The most important of which was removing the front cow killer. Drivetrain is 2 bolts away from coming out and I can begin the frame cleaning and prepping for the V8.

Front axle is apart and the disk parts will be disassembled and sent to the sand blaster shortly.

The beginning of a long road...

 

[71-CRUISER]

I also got the wheels Powder Coated and my used 255/85/16 tires installed for the moment. Those repro caps are definitely the ticket.

 

[merbesfield]

Wow does that bring back memories. The road is much longer than you think it is. Good luck with you cool project. We will be following it closely.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Believe me I have no delusions about the length of the road.

 

[ACC Toyota]

So I spent the morning yesterday pulling the original drivetrain out of the LV. I then spent the rest of the day Scraping, Vacuuming, and Blowing the sand and dirt out of the frame rails. I was also able to move the front axle into the scrap pile to make room for the new Disk brake axle, which should start going together shortly. I plan to reuse the springs and replace all the bushings etc. in the process.


By the way I have 3 passenger side tail light lenses and One broken driver side lense so if any one wants to trade, I'm up for it. 2 for 1 even.

 

[merbesfield]

Michael, is the interior of your LV original? I have seen pics of some red interiors and would like to see one live as I have been thinking about going with it for my LV. Thx

 

[71-CRUISER]

I'm not sure. I assumed it had been recovered since it was Red but it looks nice enough to be original. Right down to the ash tray in the back of the front seat. It had a red velvet type headliner as well.

The interior and body are going to stay just like they are for a while. Susp, brakes, steering and drivetrain are first.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Michael, is the interior of your LV original? I have seen pics of some red interiors and would like to see one live as I have been thinking about going with it for my LV. Thx

Mark,
The only color interior offered in the US was the 2 tone gray like spector sells here....



Also if there was a different color sold in the world it would likely have been the Coral color Shane is repo.ing for the early 40's, that said if you dig the red go for it!!


HTH and great progress Michael