love2fly
Flying the Mountains of the NW
Well its over, as of today 4/22/13 my 1982 RHD FJ45 is now a true road worrier again after a year and six months of surgical repairs and long hours in the R.O.P.R (restoration operations planning room) garage. It received its final coat of paint of 464 to the LWB to make it official. The color is one of the most hard colors to photograph as it seems to change it's tint with whatever strong color is near. I like that.
I have a long trip coming up in a years so it will be a 110% by then with all the small things done.
I had been driving it for a few months but the LWB was the last on the list to be completed along with a coat of bed liner sprayed in to kick it off.
If anyone remembers some of my old threads on looking for parts for a LWB (my first 45) and the pictures to go with them, I truly believe this was a miracle to see it now. From drilling out al the spot welds, removing all the cross members, the floor, sides and bulk head, then cutting out large areas of rust in the side panels and welding in new panels, then all the grinding and sealing and cutting new floors, then the hours of prepping for paint and the paint itself , I am glad its over........ahhh.
My bottom line is, don't give up on your Cruiser as it is counting on you to keep it alive.
Okay for you that have been there done that, you know what I am saying, but for you folks that are new to it, just keep on going the end will be in sight. This my last after 12 FJ40 Cruisers (maybe). This 45 I like, and one I will keep.
Cheers and thanks to the folks that were with the information I was in need of on the FJ45 as it was new to me, and some of the parts I found from you folks to aid in my build and big thanks to my OZ brothers who are always on the Right side.
A thanks to Kevin who was a big help with his parts and a inspiration. I will make it up to see you soon.
Cheers
I have a long trip coming up in a years so it will be a 110% by then with all the small things done.
I had been driving it for a few months but the LWB was the last on the list to be completed along with a coat of bed liner sprayed in to kick it off.
If anyone remembers some of my old threads on looking for parts for a LWB (my first 45) and the pictures to go with them, I truly believe this was a miracle to see it now. From drilling out al the spot welds, removing all the cross members, the floor, sides and bulk head, then cutting out large areas of rust in the side panels and welding in new panels, then all the grinding and sealing and cutting new floors, then the hours of prepping for paint and the paint itself , I am glad its over........ahhh.
My bottom line is, don't give up on your Cruiser as it is counting on you to keep it alive.
Okay for you that have been there done that, you know what I am saying, but for you folks that are new to it, just keep on going the end will be in sight. This my last after 12 FJ40 Cruisers (maybe). This 45 I like, and one I will keep.
Cheers and thanks to the folks that were with the information I was in need of on the FJ45 as it was new to me, and some of the parts I found from you folks to aid in my build and big thanks to my OZ brothers who are always on the Right side.
A thanks to Kevin who was a big help with his parts and a inspiration. I will make it up to see you soon.
Cheers
. Love the look of those beds. They are getting hard to find and more and more expensive here now. I would hate to think how many have been junked over the years in favour of drop side flatbeds. Hopefully I can barn find one for my '74 and not have to pay top whack on eBay.
