I searched for 20 years to find a decent FJ-45 LPB, and now I come to the realization that I may have to go another direction. My daughter is leaving for college in September, and her scholarships don't go as far as we had hoped. With this in mind, (and a son a few years behind her), I can't justify having another toy in the garage.
The truck is a '67 FJ-45 LPB that I bought from 3 Puppies. It is pretty rust free, and a good starting point. It had been converted to a diesel by the owner previous to Paul, and he cut the instrument cluster out of the BJ-60 diesel and grafted it into the 45. Paul wanted the Diesel, and I wanted to go V8, so it was a good exchange. Paul gave me a new cowl panel to replace the one that the previous owner cut fitting in the 60 Panel. The shop doing the work for me installed a 2003 5.3 with 80,000 miles, along with the 4L60E out of the same truck. A centered New Process transfer case was added, necessitating a switch to centered axles. I had new Toyota mini-truck axles installed front and rear, with disk brakes up front. I ordered an OME 2.5" leaf spring kit and it sits waiting to be installed. Power steering has been added, but it is not finished.
That is essentially where it sits. I don't really need the money out of it so I could put it in storage for an undetermined amount of time, or I could sell or trade it for something more road-ready. I had an FJ-40 project that I trailered around the country before finally finishing it, and I am hesitant to put it away as it may sit for many years before I am able to invest my time and money into it completely. The shop's quote to finish the truck, including the show-quality paint and body work is almost enough to put one of my kids through a State University, which is why I am rethinking the direction of this project.
Any thoughts? Possible trades? I have a bit less than $15K in the truck so far, and I am willing to eat a bit, but if it is too much I will probably just store it until later.
The truck is a '67 FJ-45 LPB that I bought from 3 Puppies. It is pretty rust free, and a good starting point. It had been converted to a diesel by the owner previous to Paul, and he cut the instrument cluster out of the BJ-60 diesel and grafted it into the 45. Paul wanted the Diesel, and I wanted to go V8, so it was a good exchange. Paul gave me a new cowl panel to replace the one that the previous owner cut fitting in the 60 Panel. The shop doing the work for me installed a 2003 5.3 with 80,000 miles, along with the 4L60E out of the same truck. A centered New Process transfer case was added, necessitating a switch to centered axles. I had new Toyota mini-truck axles installed front and rear, with disk brakes up front. I ordered an OME 2.5" leaf spring kit and it sits waiting to be installed. Power steering has been added, but it is not finished.
That is essentially where it sits. I don't really need the money out of it so I could put it in storage for an undetermined amount of time, or I could sell or trade it for something more road-ready. I had an FJ-40 project that I trailered around the country before finally finishing it, and I am hesitant to put it away as it may sit for many years before I am able to invest my time and money into it completely. The shop's quote to finish the truck, including the show-quality paint and body work is almost enough to put one of my kids through a State University, which is why I am rethinking the direction of this project.
Any thoughts? Possible trades? I have a bit less than $15K in the truck so far, and I am willing to eat a bit, but if it is too much I will probably just store it until later.
