Builds Bell the FJ45 (1 Viewer)

[dogfishlake]

Creeping closer. I still am working on the bug catcher vent gaskets. The @cruiseroutfit kit is a lifesaver, as my gaskets are completely shot. I just don't want to mess them up so I am taking forever. Also, we are going back over the fuel supply system. The tank looks great but I we are going to seal it anyway. Also, we are going to take a shot at replacing the plastic/vinyl fuel line with new. Lastly, it doesn't shift into reverse, but we are pretty sure it is linkage adjustment so some time will get spent there.
From there, it is got to go get an exhaust system and start some shake down driving, as long as the roads don't get salted. If that happens, everything stops and it goes into storage.

Looks like a truck though.

 

[dogfishlake]

I finally got the bug catcher gaskets from @cruiseroutfit going in. One down. I still have to try to glue down some edges but it came out pretty well. I probably spent a good 2 plus hours on the one side. The second door hasn't even been started yet. Hopefully this weekend I can do it. The only other small thing I have going is my daughter's wedding

 

[dogfishlake]

I drove it too- one lap of the parking lot. The throttle linkage is sticking, the brakes are barely there, it stumbles badly (need to call my buddy @mattressking to rebuild the carb), has no exhaust (surprisingly quiet) and is sucking gas from a Mountain Dew bottle while we reseal the gas tank. I got all the way to second gear! Clutch seems good, shifts good. I love it!

 

[dogfishlake]

Other than listed above, I need to put the glass in with the new gaskets, install a headliner, finish the other door, finish the running boards, make floor mats, make one tail light housing, install seats/get seat belts. Not a ton else to get test running.

 

[JLawson]

I got a big piece of BedRug and cut my floor mats out. Its nice stuff, thick and if cut a little large, will wedge into place and stay there.

 

[dogfishlake]

I got a big piece of BedRug and cut my floor mats out. Its nice stuff, thick and if cut a little large, will wedge into place and stay there. View attachment 3768331View attachment 3768333View attachment 3768334

I think I may actually have some of that. Good idea.
I found a source for the white pyramid rubber that originally came on the truck. It is pretty impractical being white, but I'm gonna do it anyway. Also need to use it on the running boards.

 

[mattressking]

I drove it too- one lap of the parking lot. The throttle linkage is sticking, the brakes are barely there, it stumbles badly (need to call my buddy @mattressking to rebuild the carb), has no exhaust (surprisingly quiet) and is sucking gas from a Mountain Dew bottle while we reseal the gas tank. I got all the way to second gear! Clutch seems good, shifts good. I love it!

Call me when you're free to chat SD40

 

[dogfishlake]

My friends a @Cruiser Cult sent me these awesome Koito fog lamps. These things are beefy! Definitely Koito quality. I quick threw them on to see how they looked. I like.

 

[dogfishlake]

The 45 that ARB used for their YouTube ad when they did the 40 series reissue bumper had large Cibie lights on it. Loved the look so decided to go for it.

 

[dogfishlake]

So I had a Michigan Intervention today. We are supposed to get sleet/snow and freezing temperatures. To me that means snow melt garbage sprayed on the roads that kills steel. Bell is super close, needing exhaust and a few other things for testing miles, but heading for home from the shop to the garage where I can enjoy an occasional IPA (from Michigan, of course) and polish/shine/wax away. I will get the truck out for some decent pics soon- no salt at home at least!

 

[cppilot]

Looks fantastic Patrick.

 

[cppilot]

The only early FJ45lpb in this color that’s has original paint that I’ve seen. Very cool.

 

[dogfishlake]

The only early FJ45lpb in this color that’s has original paint that I’ve seen. Very cool.

It is getting the heated garage spot next to my wife's 200 (while the crappy RAM 3500 sits out in the cold, lol) so I can sip IPA's on long winter nights and polish/wax the truck up to make it glow as much as possible. That color pops a lot more with polishing. I get that all paint colors do, but Yosemite Yellow definitely does. My Olive 40 is like that too.

 

[cppilot]

I get it…..

 

[cppilot]

My Ram knows its place as well

 

[dogfishlake]

Man, that 45 is awesome

 

[cppilot]

Thanks we finished it in 2017.

 

[redfj45can]

 

[SipLife]

So I had a Michigan Intervention today. We are supposed to get sleet/snow and freezing temperatures. To me that means snow melt garbage sprayed on the roads that kills steel. Bell is super close, needing exhaust and a few other things for testing miles, but heading for home from the shop to the garage where I can enjoy an occasional IPA (from Michigan, of course) and polish/shine/wax away. I will get the truck out for some decent pics soon- no salt at home at least!
View attachment 3776934View attachment 3776935View attachment 3776936

Wow just got caught up with this. Great work Pat. 45 envy is real.

 

[dogfishlake]

Wow just got caught up with this. Great work Pat. 45 envy is real.

It's amazing how things change when you get sick of moving a non-running Cruiser around!