cult45's 45 recovery and remobilisation (2 Viewers)

[cult45]

Looking good. Are you going to recreate the faded racing stripe on the doors?

Thanks sneak. But sadly no. But I do have a plan that will eclipse that a hundred fold

New engine mounts. 5mm plate this time welded by a pro this time.

Mmmmmmm, badges. I actually used a brass wire cup brush on a low speed to take these back, then chipped off the delaminating layers of chrome and alloy, then washed with a toothbrush and suds, dried, painted, then used a clean flat screwdriver to take the paint back off. If you look carefully you might find the black has been left on the top and bottom of the spear under the brand name. These will get cleared. Not perfect, but good enough for a urban-cowboy, soy-latte, spelt toast and organic bacon barn-find truck. That I won't get to drive much. Unless I come home.

 

[sneaky]

Hotrod pin striping I could understand, prime mover, not so much.

 

[cult45]

Hotrod pin striping I could understand, prime mover, not so much.

I don't understand?

 

[sneaky]

I assumed something that would eclipse the racing stripe would be pin striping, got ahead of myself.

 

[cult45]

I assumed something that would eclipse the racing stripe would be pin striping, got ahead of myself.

Oh haha. So much of communication is lost through the internets. No I got something pretty cool in the pipeline. Something that's gonna make my old man the number one cool cat on the block up in FNQ.

Yesterday I visited the young Mr. Skinner, or catskinner as he's affectionately known. We made a deal to trade a few parts and on my end I came away with a 416 coloured ute cab with one rust hole. 84TROOPY came along for the ride and soon three sets of spanners were underway on cat's 1974 FJ45. It was a bit of an arduous day and I neglected to take too many pics. My bad.

 

[cult45]

Kind of like Inception, a 40 from within a 40.

Nothing manlier than reaching up to your console.

Me n' the cat.

The spoils.

 

[cult45]

On the way up to cat's joint a friend of mine gave me a bit of free reign on her '68 40, so I grabbed a few brake line parts that I needed for mine as the earlier fittings are NLA, plus a few early bolts that are also NLA. So all in all it was a productive day, lots of fun, no skinned knuckles and only two broken bolts! Big shout out to Pete for his help, Ian for his help and his willingness to trade and Kee for her trust to go pull parts unattended!

 

[cult45]

Well through a shocking hangover and absolutely pissing rain I got things all pressure washed and in the garage. I did wonder how the hell I was going to get a removable top 45 cab in the garage until cat pointed out it was a removable top 45.

And once again I can't upload pics..

 

[sneaky]

So what are doing with the old tub? Might have something in mind for it.

But it could be the same thing you have in mind for it!

 

[cult45]

I promised cat I'd deliver him every skerrick of 40 series parts left over from this second 'build'. What did you have in mind?

 

[sneaky]

Keep thinking about an 80/40/LS hybrid.

 

[cult45]

Keep thinking about an 80/40/LS hybrid.

Yeah man, that'd be such a nice rig. Even for you, diesel man

Got a few hours in today in between work. Got the wiring pulled from the donor cab, plus all the dash knobs. Pressure washed the tank. Thought about some stuff. Tonight I will block back an apron so it can accompany the one I blocked back last night.

 

[cult45]

Yesterday 10 hours yielded a pressure washed, paint stripped, wire wheeled, rust converted, primed, masked and painted tub floor and firewall. Well almost. Still got portions of the engine bay side of firewall to paint. Filled cavities with wax stuff designed to inhibit rust.

I also sikaflexed rubber strips to the floor and fitted the L/R tank. Also fitted the main fuel tank. Also installed the seats from my 1970 45 as they are more comfortable and I dig the plain jane trim. This required zapping off the raised captive nut 'landing pad' on the DS seat next to the tunnel and making a spacer for the leg nearest the door. Pic #2 will explain best. Of course all nuts and bolts MATCH and are LUBED so that I can never be cursed as a PO. God damn PO's are killin me with these seized unmatching nuts and bolts..

Firewall inner.

Tank, seat.

That barn find look

Some serious debris here! Whatever it was must have made a hell of a bang!

Mmmmmm, half-arsed resto..

 

[cult45]

Interesting to note - earlier seats will bolt directly into a later tub. The only trouble I had was on the DS where the front feet had sat at different heights. Catskinner was saying something about there being an extra hump due to the 4 speed vs the J30. But I don't know, 4 speeds seem a little too advanced ha ha

Oh, and just an FYI, the seats of an FJ45 will take the weight of an entire ute tub. They are that strong.

 

[Michael B]

Cult where did you get the aux fuel cell at and do you have pictures of it before installation?

 

[cult45]

Cult where did you get the aux fuel cell at and do you have pictures of it before installation?

The cell was already in my 1970 when I bought it. I was under the pump yesterday so I only took pics at day's end. But it's basically custom made for the truck, and fits like a glove. Though I have seen one other exactly the same so it may have been a limited production by a metal fab shop back in the day. Personally, if I was doing a proper build I'd find another factory tank and fit that, straps and all.

 

[Michael B]

Thanks Cult. I'm on the look out for an aux tank that would fit under my seat to extend my cruising range. I'm not a big fan of the units that go behind the axle.

 

[cult45]

Thanks Cult. I'm on the look out for an aux tank that would fit under my seat to extend my cruising range. I'm not a big fan of the units that go behind the axle.

Why not slip one under the tray between the rails just aft of the cab? That's where the factory 75 series main tank sits, only the factory aux tank goes behind the rear axle.

 

[Michael B]

Cult I'm not keen on any tank under the bed. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[cult45]

Looooong day yesterday. Got home and was like: must.work.on.45..

..for about 20 mins before I went to bed haha. Got the hood unbolted off the existing truck, got the aprons and bib touched up with 416 [yet to be rubbed back here and there to match the Clemson-style guards, hood, cab etc.], got the inside of the split hood painted where I'd done some rust repairs, got my DS mirror arm painted in 416 and got the filler neck fitted to the aux tank. Started planning the dash surgery.

Today I will treat, seam seal and paint the underside of the cab. Cut back and seam seal the cab. Source my rear panel. Cut back one guard. Block back the aprons and bib a little. And with any luck, perform my dash surgery.