Inching towards the finish....

[groundeater]

Just finished adding a 4 1/2 inch lift to my 1967 ‘45 build, which will now allow ample room for a hefty set of “tyres.”

This unconventional build started at what some may consider the “4th quarter” of life. Being retired, this will be my last project.

Still unfinished, yet forging ahead on a “fixed budget” is truly a challenge. So far it’s been 8 years on a creation where I only supplied the ‘45 and left it in the hands of another family member to fabricate and assemble. A much different process than my other 2 FJ-40’s where the “hands on” part were...only my own.

I acquired this truck in 1980. I had seen it in the late 70’s in a 4X4 shop having some work done to it. It was painted full blown camouflage at that time, I hadn’t seen one before but was mesmerized by its heavy build. I was about 24 yrs. old.

Several more years went by before I spotted it again while driving by a carlot (of all places) in Grand Island, NE.
Afraid that someone else would see it and buy it from under me...I drove straight to the bank and got a loan for $2350 and it’s been mine ever since. Though it’s not original through and through, if it’s within reason, a persons own tastes can enhance and improve, hopefully without violating anything, other than ...a few opinions.
There is a place for restoration to original condition, but anymore it’s becoming more difficult to afford it...for the common man, that is.

Wheels/tires, exhaust system, seats & console, powdercoat bumpers, window tint, are what’s yet to be completed...inching towards the finish line ...in life’s 4th quarter !

 

[KT40]

Congrats! Enjoy it. Your life is just beginning!

 

[groundeater]

Thanks, in a sense you’re right ! I always wanted this truck to be in its rightful glory, It has been with me through thick and thin for 38 years. It spent at least 16 years getting all beat to hell under a big poplar tree. A falling branch creasing my hood, then on a trip to the dump, a whitetail lowered his head and literally charged us crumpling the passenger side fender under...all that finally in the rear view mirror now !

....rear view mirror, how much do they go for ? ... Anyone have a rear view mirror they want to sell ?

 

[groundeater]

7 years has now passed by already since posting this thread. The “fourth quarter” of life’s pages have turned fast.
Currently, l have a few fairly major repairs on “GroundEater,” to complete.
the front differential & the CV joints need overhauled. I also wanted to add a higher
capacity cooling fan from DERALE.

 

[redfj45can]

 

[groundeater]

Years ago when my truck had a facelift my brother-in-law somehow had misplaced my door pulls. You know, those teenie tiny chrome useless door pulls that are standard on a ‘67 FJ-45 ?
They went right here… (where these two screws are just to the right of the window crank).

I had been racking my brain try’n to come up with something that would work to replace them and not spend a fortune in doin’ so. So the other day at a local Hardware store (Menards) l stumble across this little jewel…..

The spread between the two screws had to be the same distance in order to mount these cabinet door pulls onto the door.
I didn’t plan to look for these it just sorta happened the other day as l walked past this display. So l grabbed one and studied it and decided to buy just one at first to take home and see if it would work or not.

To my surprise it was pert near perfect dimensions, and a plus was that they came apart (2 pieces) and were also adjustable for the distance between the placement of my mounting screws. Only had to make a slight adjustment on the back piece and use a drill bit to extend the adjustment portion just a tad.
The older pulls were made to fit tiny Asian fingers to pull the door shut. These, (although upside down from how they are originally intended to be displayed) had a much better feel to them and could easily accommodate my paws.

Not all that expensive and came in chrome or black. So as Red Green would say fella’s…

“If the women don’t find ya hand-some, they better find ya handy !”

 

[Pics45]

Nice look. I like the allen bolts as well.......