FoxFab's Project ODIE - '59 FJ25

[foxfab]

I'm going to finally give some necessary love to my olive drab 1959 FJ25 named ODIE. This is #67 in the "count the FJ25's thread" There are lots of separate threads that I've done in the past on mechanical fixes that I'll try to add links for. I'm still not into full restoration mode but the east coast is starting to get to the sheet metal. So, plans are to do rear quarters and rear sill replacement and fix a small hole in the mid bed from my hi-lift bouncing around at Fall Gathering 2010. I may try to straighten out the fenders and steps and fill in any PO installed holes with the mig welder too.

I put the tailgate down this morning and saw the whole rear sill flex at the hinges. The PPO had bondo'd it up without reinforcing it so I knew it was just a matter of time. Both sides of the sill are cracked vertically at each corner of the bed.

 

[82cruiser]

Good plans, great truck. Get busy!

 

[foxfab]

I have tailgate chains on their way.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

You know...we are going to need pics

 

[foxfab]

Some before pictures:

 

[foxfab]

cracks in PO's bondo. Soft top and frame removed.

 

[foxfab]

more cracks. Tailgate removed.

 

[foxfab]

Ok guys, I need to nail down the tire purchase before my wife spends all of my tire funds.

The plan is to (listening for the shudder and gasps):
1. swap f40 steering onto the front axle off of #6 so I can run 16" split rims with no spacers.

2. swap fj25 springs off of #6 all around since they have add-a-leafs in them to give a slight lift.

3. Run 750-16 tires on 16" split rims that I already have.

Yes, I'm going to keep all of the 25 parts safely tucked away. They'll get cleaned up in the meantime, ready to be put back on if/when I ever decide to completely restore it.

Reasoning:
I want to go with a taller tire to get the rpm's down on the highway and gain a little clearance for the next Fall Gathering. 3200 at 65 just isn't healthy for a tired F120. I should be able to get the rpms down to 2800 which feels like a good rpm.

I see a few options for 750-16 tires out there but trying to actually find a place to buy them seems a little sketchy.

I kind of like the STA super traxion:
https://www.universaltire.com/truck-and-military/truck/750-16-sta-super-traxion.html

The Deestone 7.50-16 is cool but I can't find a source to buy them. I still need to check locally at town fair where the guy claims he bought them.

I'd really go for the Deestone D903 again if I can actually find somewhere to buy them and are within my budget.

So what tire does the 25 community vote for?

 

[Living in the Past]

I like the Deestone. But at 65 MPH I would go completely to the dark side and ungrade to a disc brake axle up front and use a early FJ40 axle for the back with the dual wheel cylinders. Then install a booster with dual curcuits. I would also go with a radial tire if you plan on driving 65. Those split rims and taller tires are going to weight more and stop slower just being taller and heavier. You can't find a taller tire to work on the 25 rims? 7" wide I would think still work on the 25 rims. I'm normally the one saying keep it stock but that not with a old cruiser you plan on driving on the highway. Where I keep my old cruisers while it is a state highway the speed limit is 55 and it's really more like a back country road. I thought that was how you got to Fall Gathering, back roads. But at 65 my 25 would either be flat towed or trailered. Over the years I found the F145 in my 68 really likes 1,800 RPMs or slower. In fact if I wanted to drive 65 I would probably go full out and install a 2F and H42. You throw a rod thru the block and it's never going back to original with the engine marked on the VIN plate. At this stage of the game these cruisers are getting tired and finding parts just keeps getting harder to find. Running around in the forest they would probably last for every. Driving at 65 it's only a matter of time before something fails. Sorry Mike but that's my take on this.

 

[JohnnyC]

mike i found this place in Worcester Mass for ya they carry deestone...amybe they can get you the d903? :
Deestone Tire, Deestone Tires - Ken Jones Tires

also this tire place has d503 and d902 maybe they can get the d903?
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop....e=&Marke=Deestone&ranzahl=4&suchen=View+tires

 

[67azcruizr]

I'd really go for the Deestone D903 again if I can actually find somewhere to buy them and are within my budget.

So what tire does the 25 community vote for?

I've been in touch with a west coast vender for Deestone, I'm trying to get a set of the D903........................................I like the look of them alot

 

[Living in the Past]

I really like the D903. Curious what kind of a price you can get Sean? But I also think these would be a awful tire on wet pavement. Thoughts on that?

 

[JohnnyC]

.. But I also think these would be a awful tire on wet pavement. Thoughts on that?

yes...they would ...100% agree....however...they are very rk3 looking

 

[Living in the Past]

yes...they would ...100% agree....however...they are very rk3 looking

I agree I like them too. I was thinking of Mike's safety. Fall Gathering has been know to happen in very raining weather. Not sure these would be the best tires for the road trip there.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I tired to reach the head office to see if they can make them in a 700R15, but never got any sort of reply

 

[67azcruizr]

I really like the D903. Curious what kind of a price you can get Sean? But I also think these would be a awful tire on wet pavement. Thoughts on that?

yea, they don't look like they'd shake the water off too well............you could probably improve them with siping?

I'm more like you John, my FJ25 won't be seeing any highway, probably nothing over 45 MPH. Not that I'd be worried about it, but my FJ25 will probably never see foul weather for that matter

 

[Living in the Past]

yea, they don't look like they'd shake the water off too well............you could probably improve them with siping?

I'm more like you John, my FJ25 won't be seeing any highway, probably nothing over 45 MPH. Not that I'd be worried about it, but my FJ25 will probably never see foul weather for that matter

I know you have the 45 16" rims which are wider. Do you think the D903 would fit the narrower 25 rims? The back spacing on the FJ25 rims should work on even disc brake axles. Wouldn't mind getting set of D903 for the 25 and use the Dean radial tires I have on it now on something else. Like you my 25 wouldn't be seeing anything other than slow speed. But it will probably see muddy forest service roads. It has in the past.

 

[JohnnyC]

maybe mike can borrow Randys (land cruiser guy near mike) tire groover to make them better...but...yes tire siping will help and make them a much safer tire in the rain

 

[67azcruizr]

Do you think the D903 would fit the narrower 25 rims?

yes, suggested rim size ......................5.0-6.5

my Yokohama's, 7.00R15 mounted perfectly on my disc 15" rims

 

[subzali]

...my 68 really likes 1,800 RPMs or slower. ...

1800 rpm!? That's only 40 mph!