Australian FJ45V

[Finalpig]

Cutting all the tin worm out of the pillars at moment.

Bent the new steel

Putting the new sheet metal shrinker to good use.

 

[Finalpig]

Finished panel:

Made a smaller patch for the other side

Only 100 more to go. You can see under all the layers the car was originally blue.

 

[Finalpig]

I wonder how the sill got bent. It has been patched with silicon bronze wire and reshaped with a lot of bondo

Kept cutting. Side pillar body mount bracket fell off. This is what is left of the good metal:

 

[Finalpig]

I found half of queensland in the sills.

3kg worth according to my scale. Ih8mud!!

 

[Finalpig]

Nearly finished the FJ45V sills. Base is made with 3mm plate. Just not happy with the top shut line. Has a low spot. Silly me doing it the hardway and going bare metal finish. Everything has to be perfect.

 

[Finalpig]

Slow progress with the body work. Have been thinking alot about the V and have decided to take a new direction. Because it doesn't have the original F motor 3 speed in it I thought I would do something different and turn it into a tourer. It has a perfectly running recently rebuilt 2F in it but have decided to give it a diesel heart transplant. Staying toyota of course. Anyone know of a 45V/LV with this conversion?

 

[west aussie]

are you sure?? there are F motors and 3 speeds around.

 

[Finalpig]

Would love to see what purists and restomod people think. 12HT would be perfect for towing a caravan around Australia and sharing the V with as many people as possible. A 3 speed and F motor not ideal for long trips. If I had the original block it would be a different story. I'm going to call it the HJ45V

 

[sneaky]

I think the key is to do the install properly and neatly and use a "what would the factory do" mentality, ie neat cabling, plumbing, etc. The 12HT is a popular swap so I think finding information on it would be fairly easy.

 

[PabloCruise]

That makes sense. Thanks. Now to pick out the old seal.

I discovered a few cool features. It has a vent above the windscreen. It works great. You open it with a lever above the rear view mirror. Seems someone put spray foam around the edges ? wind noise maybe. Anyone know if it came out of the factory with a rubber seal?
View attachment 952393


View attachment 952397


The front vent windows has had replacement glass cut and sikaflexed in. Looks professionally done:

View attachment 952399


I'm amazed the hood ornament survived all these years.

View attachment 952408

Could I get a close up of how the sikaflex looks? I have never thought of this...
Thanks

 

[Finalpig]

Unfortunately due to recent diagnosis of terminal illness. I am physically not able to work on my 45v The restoration of Firstpig (old FJ55 in the world chassis 31) has been shelved indefinitely. My priorities are to complete the fj45v restoration. My friend Allan is helping with the project here in western australia

The current goal is a 12mth restoration. I hope I am still around then. We plan to drive the fj45v from perth to the cape (tip of Australia).

The restoration will be updated on my facebook page “Fj45v return snowy mountain”

 

[1tontoy]

First of all, I don't know you, but I'm very, very sorry to hear about your illness. Best thoughts, wishes, and cruiser mojo sent your way!

 

[JackA]

Sorry to hear. Best wishes with everything.

 

[catskinner]

Mate that's terrible news I'm sorry to hear, stay strong my friend

Have you made a decision on the drive train yet, for reliability I don't think you can go past a 2h also ease of fit, are you still going clear coated bare metal or paint?

Look forward to seeing you on your way to the Cape, have you seen the movie "Charlie and boots"
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt1276110/

 

[sneaky]

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I'll be joining the FB group to follow along your road trip adventure.

 

[andrews520]

Good luck Tommy. All the best to you.

 

[cult45]

What sh1t news. I lost my 20 y.o cousin to one of those last year. His parting message was to live with whatever time we have left. Chuck a donk in it son and get driving! I'm in Brisbane and Cairns if you need anything.

_ Dan

 

[mderrick]

Sorry to hear man, I will be following this.
On a previous note my LV is sporting a 1HZ with a turbo and H55 5 spd..

 

[cruiser182]

I'm following on Facebook, looks like you're making great progress!

For those interested and that have Facebook, search for 'fj45v return to snowy mountain'

All the best for the journey.