First FJ40 build in a long time

[Howard705]

Very cool blast from the past. Zebranator always stood out. Can't see anything zebra-striped on tv and not think of it.

 

[Rainman]

Very cool blast from the past. Zebranator always stood out. Can't see anything zebra-striped on tv and not think of it.

Wow. I'd call that a compliment. Thanks. Do I know you from way back then?

 

[LC_Hamma]

GSMTR '96 lining up for the creek crossing. I'm the 4th one back behind Danny Warden. I still have some old tshirts with your artwork of cartoonish Cruisers on them. Your's & John's truck, to me , was the pinnacle of Cruisers. By the time I had set up my truck like y'alls, you had raffled it off & bought a mini truck Good to see you back at it

 

[Chamba]

I thought maybe a picture of a '32 was out of bounds but then I realized that we're all "car junkies" and a nice ride is a nice ride no matter what it is.

I've got a '53 Hudson Hornet in the garage right now that I'm taking care of. I take it out once or twice a week for a stretch. If it's not a sin here I'll post that too. Kind of off topic...

Where's the Hornet?! Love those cars.

I often wonder what happened to the Zebranator after the auction. Is she still cruising the Savannas?

 

[Rainman]

Great shot of the line up. I do miss having that truck around. I know the Zebe was wrecked on an interstate ramp. Somebody here knows the story. Don't know how far back it was rescued.

As far as the Hudson goes. Take a look at this baby! (Sorry it's sideways. I'm on my phone.)

 

[ARCTICMUTT]

Here you go

 

[Chamba]

Here you go

Oh man Rainey-that thing is sweet! It is almost Cruiser greens (tech content - hi Woody!).

That's a shame about the Zeb. Now that you say that I seem to remember David Lawrence telling me that.

So what other goodies do you have in that barn?

 

[Chamba]

Nope. The green one will be a good starter for a trail truck but not up to my standards. You've got to remember what my last Cruiser was like. This one will be valued at or about 6k. And my spare "car junkie" cash is all going to my '32.

Here's what the '32 looked like about a month ago...

Is that a Flat Head in there?

 

[Rainman]

Is that a Flat Head in there?

OH NO... That's a hemi!

 

[Chamba]

OH NO... That's a hemi!

Ah sorry. Small pic on my phone. Must not have heads on?

 

[Rainman]

Heads and covers on. No intake though. (Note the plug holes in the middle of the rocker covers.)

 

[Chamba]

So are you going to renew your TLCA membership? It's a proper magazine now. We are a bit shy on cartoons, but perhaps that can be sorted out by you re-joining.

 

[Rainman]

So are you going to renew your TLCA membership? It's a proper magazine now. We are a bit shy on cartoons, but perhaps that can be sorted out by you re-joining.

The 40 isn't mine so joining wouldn't make much sense. I'd love to see a new issue to see how far the Trails has come over the years. I still have the issues from when I first became a member. Three pages stapled together with directions to the next meeting. A bit far to drive from TN...

 

[Chamba]

It's akin to 4wd Action or Jp Magazine now. Rejoin and you'll quickly want your own Cruiser again I suspect. No longer has directions to meetings I'm afraid. I have all of mine too going back to the stapled, xeroxed version. Very impressive today.

If you play nice with Charla, she might even let you keep your number.

 

[Rainman]

Secret teaser here...

Over the weekend I was talking to a friend of mine from another country and mentioned that I was building an FJ.
"Land Cruiser?" he said. "Is it a pickup?"
I said, "No. Why?"
"They're all over the place where I'm from." "Are they worth much here?"............
This guy buys and resells cars all the time. I JUST might have a source for FJ45 pickups AND wagons.

Stay tuned.

(If this works as well as it could, this is the only way I see getting another Cruiser. Make enough money to find the one I want. A late model FJ45 Pickup. Fix it up and sell my Dodge Dakota. NOW we're talkin'!)

 

[Rainman]

Build update

The doors have been started on. Body panels will be here tomorrow and the tub may get started next week. There's a new local guy out here that from New Zealand. Great guy and an awesome metal worker. He's doing all the body work for me and will be painting the rig when it's time. Only the first fix is photographed so far. Bottom of the passenger's door. Looking forward to getting the tub in there to see real progress.

 

[Rainman]

It's akin to 4wd Action or Jp Magazine now. Rejoin and you'll quickly want your own Cruiser again I suspect. No longer has directions to meetings I'm afraid. I have all of mine too going back to the stapled, xeroxed version. Very impressive today.

If you play nice with Charla, she might even let you keep your number.

I was good friends with Gary Bjork and Henry back when they were running the Trails. Do you think I might be able to get a complimentary issue? For old time's sake?

 

[Chamba]

Gary is no longer with us (as in the human race AND TLCA, Cancer got him not that long ago) and I am not sure what happened to Henry (Brimmer, I assume you mean - Henry Cubillan would have been a bit after your time I think). I'm sure Charla would comp you an issue - it is pretty high quality now, even after the 'downgrade' in printing cost due to the GFC. pop on www.tlca.org and contact Charla.

As for FJ45 pickups - if they are LHD, then bring them up and watch them sell like ice cream on the 4th of July if the price is right and the rust is scarce. I've got a 2006 Dodge Ram 4 door 4wd XLT and I'd swap it for a clean FJ45 in a minute.

 

[Rainman]

Gary is no longer with us (as in the human race AND TLCA, Cancer got him not that long ago) and I am not sure what happened to Henry (Brimmer, I assume you mean - Henry Cubillan would have been a bit after your time I think). I'm sure Charla would comp you an issue - it is pretty high quality now, even after the 'downgrade' in printing cost due to the GFC. pop on www.tlca.org and contact Charla.

As for FJ45 pickups - if they are LHD, then bring them up and watch them sell like ice cream on the 4th of July if the price is right and the rust is scarce. I've got a 2006 Dodge Ram 4 door 4wd XLT and I'd swap it for a clean FJ45 in a minute.

I'll try Charla. Thanks.

I haven't heard yet about what's available or the prices. My friend here witnessed a wreck near by that took the family's child's life and they don't speak english. He has taken it upon himself to stay with the family in the hospital and translate for them. What a guy. I believe the funeral was yesterday and he may jump back on the search today. I'll see him at church on Sunday.

As I may have said, this is the ONLY way I'd join the TLCA and/or get another Cruiser:
If I can find a say, '78 FJ45 LWB, in good shape, for a good price, running well and doesn't need too much; I'd sell my Dakota Quad, sell the 45's engine and tranny and buy a V8 of some sort, very comfortable seats and an AC conversion. The bottom line is if I can get away without spending much and can end up with a truck that can tow my trailer and '32, get's better gas mileage than I do now (16mpg), and be almost as comfortable, no effort at all would get me back into it. Selling the wife on it is a whole new ballgame.

 

[Rainman]

Gary is no longer with us (as in the human race AND TLCA, Cancer got him not that long ago) and I am not sure what happened to Henry (Brimmer, I assume you mean - Henry Cubillan would have been a bit after your time I think). I'm sure Charla would comp you an issue - it is pretty high quality now, even after the 'downgrade' in printing cost due to the GFC. pop on www.tlca.org and contact Charla.

I knew all about Gary. As I said, he was a good friend of mine.

Just looked at the tLCA site and didn't see Charla anywhere. Do you have an email or phone number?

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