FINALLY - '67 FJ45 LPB Resoration Begins
- Thread starter Kotekaman
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Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #144
After the poser shots, the 
and I took her for a spin. We ended up going to Park City via Big Cottonwood Canyon/Guardsman Pass. For those of you not familiar with the area, it is pretty much paved roads the whole way, save for a few miles of dirt. The grades, however, are fairly steep, so lots of high revs and gear shifting.
I did get to learn a little more about the drivetrain. In the mountains, the gap between 2nd and 3rd gear is much more pronounced, if shifting up, you really have to have high rpm's in 2nd, or 3rd will never make it.
Also, at higher altitudes, the 3FE definitely looses power. A lot of 2nd and 3rd gear driving, 4th pretty much didn't happen unless the grade tapered off.
Going uphill gave the engine a good workout, with lots of high revs and shifting. The coolant temperature stayed between 180 and 210F. Never really seemed to get overly hot. I did learn, no matter how cold it is outside, to dress for warm weather inside. I did not get any insulation put in the floor or firewall (against recommendations from Proffitt's, as I was more worried about layers that could trap moisture against the body than heat), so the transmission and exhaust got the interior pretty warm on the uphill climbs. The kick vents worked great, and kept air moving around my legs. I do think I'll chase down some insulating tape to put around the exhaust pipes, every little bit helps.
All in all, I'm very happy with how she drives, handles, and honestly, I think she has plenty of power for what she's designed for. I'm still happy I went with the F block, rather than a SBC.
We put nearly 200 miles on her today, which completed the 500 mile break in for the diffs and engine. Mission accomplished.
and I took her for a spin. We ended up going to Park City via Big Cottonwood Canyon/Guardsman Pass. For those of you not familiar with the area, it is pretty much paved roads the whole way, save for a few miles of dirt. The grades, however, are fairly steep, so lots of high revs and gear shifting.I did get to learn a little more about the drivetrain. In the mountains, the gap between 2nd and 3rd gear is much more pronounced, if shifting up, you really have to have high rpm's in 2nd, or 3rd will never make it.
Also, at higher altitudes, the 3FE definitely looses power. A lot of 2nd and 3rd gear driving, 4th pretty much didn't happen unless the grade tapered off.
Going uphill gave the engine a good workout, with lots of high revs and shifting. The coolant temperature stayed between 180 and 210F. Never really seemed to get overly hot. I did learn, no matter how cold it is outside, to dress for warm weather inside. I did not get any insulation put in the floor or firewall (against recommendations from Proffitt's, as I was more worried about layers that could trap moisture against the body than heat), so the transmission and exhaust got the interior pretty warm on the uphill climbs. The kick vents worked great, and kept air moving around my legs. I do think I'll chase down some insulating tape to put around the exhaust pipes, every little bit helps.
All in all, I'm very happy with how she drives, handles, and honestly, I think she has plenty of power for what she's designed for. I'm still happy I went with the F block, rather than a SBC.
We put nearly 200 miles on her today, which completed the 500 mile break in for the diffs and engine. Mission accomplished.
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Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #145
After the break-in drive, I changed the diff oil and engine oil. The rear diff definitely needed the oil changed, was black, and the drain plug magnet had a lot of metal shavings on it (but no chunks).
Went to a local Toyota dealer to get an oil filter. Lots of salesmen checking her out, which was fine, until one of them though it would be a good idea to try to convince me to trade her in for an FJ Cruiser. Time to go before something bad happens to someone in a polyester golf shirt. Went home and changed the engine oil...ended up getting doused by the upside-down oil filter. I'm sure there are threads on how to change the 3FE oil filter without wearing all of the oil, next time....
I also ended up finding a gear shift knob for the transmission. The one that came with the H55 is a more modern looking rubberized knob, and didn't really fit with the rest of the interior. After a lot of searching, I found a shifter knob that has the correct 5 speed pattern engraved, AND has the correct metric threads for the H55 stick. Ordered it on Wednesday, and arrived today. Very happy with it, and it's on.
Before:
After:
Went to a local Toyota dealer to get an oil filter. Lots of salesmen checking her out, which was fine, until one of them though it would be a good idea to try to convince me to trade her in for an FJ Cruiser. Time to go before something bad happens to someone in a polyester golf shirt. Went home and changed the engine oil...ended up getting doused by the upside-down oil filter. I'm sure there are threads on how to change the 3FE oil filter without wearing all of the oil, next time....
I also ended up finding a gear shift knob for the transmission. The one that came with the H55 is a more modern looking rubberized knob, and didn't really fit with the rest of the interior. After a lot of searching, I found a shifter knob that has the correct 5 speed pattern engraved, AND has the correct metric threads for the H55 stick. Ordered it on Wednesday, and arrived today. Very happy with it, and it's on.
Before:
After:
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Your truck looks great in the wild, like it belongs!
Couple questions: Did you change the ring and pinion gear ratio or stay stock.
I got to ask, how did your bodys feel after sitting so long in the seats. Were the bolsters a problem, getting in and out.
Also, try to get use to having a permanent smile on your face!
Couple questions: Did you change the ring and pinion gear ratio or stay stock.
I got to ask, how did your bodys feel after sitting so long in the seats. Were the bolsters a problem, getting in and out.
Also, try to get use to having a permanent smile on your face!
Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #147
Your truck looks great in the wild, like it belongs!
Couple questions: Did you change the ring and pinion gear ratio or stay stock.
I got to ask, how did your bodys feel after sitting so long in the seats. Were the bolsters a problem, getting in and out.
Also, try to get use to having a permanent smile on your face!
I had the gear ratio changed from stock to 4.56. I ran that ratio in a j**p with a very similar setup (33" tires, 3" lift and a stock 4.0 I-6 with good success). All in all, the ratio with the tire diameter works well, with the gearing able to take advantage of the engine power band. Just that jump between 2nd and 3rd that takes a bit of getting used to. All the other gears have a good transition between them. You can feel the low end torque of the engine, I'm very exicited to try out some low range driving. I have a feeling that she'll idle up anything...
The seats are absolutely amazing. My longest uninterrupted stretch without stopping was two hours, and I could have sat longer. Obviously, with a 45, there are some significant ergonomic challenges, seatbacks are pretty much straight up in order to get as far away as possible from the steering wheel and pedals. I have the heavy duty springs on the suspension, they aren't jarring, but you definitely feel the bumps. Given all that, I think the seats kept me very comfortable for those hauls. They are wide enough so I can wiggle around and adjust myself, but the bolsters keep me from sliding around and having to use my muscles to keep me sitting in front of the steering wheel.
It is a challenge to get in and out, however it has little to do with the seat bolsters, and more to do with the ergonomics of the FJ45. First of all, I won't step on the running boards for fear of scratching them (I'll probably get over that someday), so already, I am at a disadvantage, as the floor of the cab is just below my waist when standing on the ground. Second big challenge is that there is a very narrow space between the seat and steering wheel, so you are very off-balance when performing the delicate feat of getting in or out. Needless to say, I'm glad there are handles on the roll cage, without them, I would need someone to push me in and catch me coming out. I think this problem would exist with any seat that was installed. I would imagine that a 40 or 55 would be able to have the seats further back, which would eliminate most of the above issues.
And yes, the cruiser grin will have to be surgically removed. Until last week, I have not sat in the drivers seat of a land cruiser for nearly two years (last time was in Indonesia driving an Aussie-spec 70 series). Despite the difference in age and technology between my 45 and my old work 70 series troopy, a cruiser is a cruiser, and they feel very similar. I'm glad to be back in the saddle.
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Your rig is beautiful. You, and Proffits, have got to be immensely proud. A 45 LPB is at the top of my wish list and I want to go a simliar route to yourself... updated and modified to a point without ruining the pedigree. You've done that to the "T"... F Engine, all Toyota parts, 60-series axles, OEM gray allow wheels, proper bumpers, etc.
Well done and enjoy! (that goes without saying I guess)
Well done and enjoy! (that goes without saying I guess)
That is one amazing result. Very well done. Congratulations. Thank you for sharing the build with us.
Now that you have done your 'poser' shots you don't have to worry about scratches. What it needs now is battle scars.
I like your shifter knob. Good choice. I went to the website to take a look (not that I need one) and then realized that I just couldn't remember what my shift pattern was. And I have been shifting it for 12 years at least. It's weird how the mind (fails to) work(s).
Now that you have done your 'poser' shots you don't have to worry about scratches. What it needs now is battle scars.
I like your shifter knob. Good choice. I went to the website to take a look (not that I need one) and then realized that I just couldn't remember what my shift pattern was. And I have been shifting it for 12 years at least. It's weird how the mind (fails to) work(s).
wow!!!!!!!! just wow!!!
Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #151
Thanks for the comments guys. I'm very happy with it, the build turned out better than I had expected, the Proffitt's guys did great. As I've said before, what I wanted in the build evolved a lot over time, now that she's done, I can't imagine having it done any other way.
Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #152
No worries, I'm happy to have shared the build progress. I'm glad the guys at Proffitt's were willing to let me. Kind of cool to see how it all comes together.
I did debate on whether or not to have a shift pattern engraved on mine...I guess it's more for looks than for me. It's funny how muscle memory works, you probably had to sit in the seat and shift through the gears while thinking about it to figure out what your shift pattern was. I'm still trying to develop the muscle memory for the 5 speed. Last time I shifted a 5 speed H55 was in an RHD with my left hand, so have some learning to do.
Kotekaman
Keeping it in low range
- Thread starter
- #153
Proving Run
OK, so I've done 3-4 hours of driving every day over the weekend. It's been mainly pavement, with a few tame gravel roads here and there. Today, I decided it was time for a proving run to test the off-road capabilities of the 45. I also wanted to see if there were any weak links that wouldn't show on highway driving, as well as put some articulation into the suspension and body, and see if anything loosened up.
The and I went up to the mountains nearby, and got into some steep, narrow and rocky roads. No serious wheeling, but it was steep and loose, necessitating a bit of low range and 4wd.
The good part:
The 45 chilling (or more correctly, rejecting heat into the atmosphere). Took about 2 hours to get enough heat out of the block to continue on...
All cooled off, ready for some more trails...
Mineral Basin, UT...
OK, so I've done 3-4 hours of driving every day over the weekend. It's been mainly pavement, with a few tame gravel roads here and there. Today, I decided it was time for a proving run to test the off-road capabilities of the 45. I also wanted to see if there were any weak links that wouldn't show on highway driving, as well as put some articulation into the suspension and body, and see if anything loosened up.
The
and I went up to the mountains nearby, and got into some steep, narrow and rocky roads. No serious wheeling, but it was steep and loose, necessitating a bit of low range and 4wd.The good part:
- She handled very well. Suspension worked well, felt very stable on the road, even when articulated out.
- Engine and transmission was great. When in low range, I was able to hit any grade and keep the revs down, while still crawling comfortably.
- The width is perfect, narrow enough to spot good lines around rocks, but wide enough to not be too tippy.
- Fairly maneuverable, although the longer (than 40) wheel base needs a bit more room.
- Seat was still comfortable, was in the seat today about 5 hours, and despite the heavy suspension and solid axle ride, I could have gone longer.
- It appears that the fan cannot sufficiently cool the radiator without help from airflow from forward motion. When things slowed down to 2nd gear low range going uphill, as well as stopping and waiting for oncoming traffic (yea, not a bright idea to go out on a holiday...) the temperature kept creeping up and up and up, with no end in sight. When driving on the highway, the coolant temperature stays a steady 190-200F. When going slow and low uphill, the temperature crept to somewhere between 210 and 250 (closer to 250). As soon as I got somewhere where the road was wide enough to pull over, I got her shut down and the hood opened up in order to let some heat out. Just in time. Once I got the hood open, the radiator overflow started to bubble out, and the windshield washer fluid was nearly boiling. It was HOT. The radiator cap hadn't blown yet, and the engine was still running fine, so I don't think it gotten hot enough to do any damage, but wow. Had I not stopped, I don't think that the temperature would have stabilized. Anyone have this same experience with a 3FE in a 40/45, running a 60 series fan? I need to wrap the exhaust pipe, but I can't imagine that will help enough to make a difference in anything other than the floor heat. Going downhill at low speads (and low engine load) kept the temps normal, as did going over 15mph...
- Fuel mileage for the weekend was 9.9 mpg. Granted, all of it was up in the mountains climbing, and a good 60 miles was in low range, 4wd, so not completely unexpected. I was under no illusions that the 3FE was super efficient, so at least I have a baseline on what offroad driving in the mountains will get me. I'll have to do a tank on the highway to see what the highway range is, but now I know, when off-road, I can expect my tank to get me 300 miles.
The 45 chilling (or more correctly, rejecting heat into the atmosphere). Took about 2 hours to get enough heat out of the block to continue on...
All cooled off, ready for some more trails...
Mineral Basin, UT...
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tucker74
Moderator
Sounds like a bad fan clutch to me, that's how my 40 behaved when that happened
Tucker
Something isn't right. I've never had a 3fe overheat unless a hose popped, needed to be burped or something tragic.
I'd check for air trapped in block, or fanclutch.
I'd check for air trapped in block, or fanclutch.
Just beautiful...
I would contact Robbie to get his thoughts on the cooling issue.
Looks great BTW!
Steve
Looks great BTW!
Steve
All considered, good news. A new truck has more problems than that. I believe the guys nailed your problem, easy fix either way.
What a great testimonial for Profitt's. I would feel very lucky to own such a well built truck.
Good Luck with her and enjoy!
What a great testimonial for Profitt's. I would feel very lucky to own such a well built truck.
Good Luck with her and enjoy!
WOW... amazing.
