Builds My 1965 FJ45 LWB

[kunzma]

Buttoning up some things that had been left partially complete. One was the pyramidal tread running board material. I had cut it to size and installed it with only the trim ring and some new stainless bolts. The mat seems to have expanded and puffed up in the middle over time. Decided that some contact cement was the ticket. Applied a coating to both. Allowed that to tack up. Laid some wire down on the running board to keep the mating surfaces from touching. Put some screw drivers and allen wrenches in the bolt holes to line everything up. Starting from the middle I pulled the wires out while working out to the ends. Clamped it overnight. Been a week now and seems to be holding.

 

[kunzma]

Decided to put in a proportioning valve in the brake line to the rear brakes. Had an issue with the rears locking up back when she was running. Wildwood proportioning valve obtained from City Racer. Also bent up some new lines to make it all work.

 

[kunzma]

I have collected a bunch of parts that needed replating. The horn button contacts was one such item. I think I got the order correct.

 

[kunzma]

Decided to go with a Warn 8274 winch on the front bumper instead of the planned PTO. Ordered a bracket from @powthief19 here on Mud. Just need to cut it into the bumper.

 

[kunzma]

After 4 years sitting in a storage container the brake rotors and calipers rusted severely. It seems that anything that wasn't painted or recently replated suffered. New rotors and calipers going on. Also noticed a slight grinding sound coming from the right front hub. Concluded that the bearings need replacing and probably a new spindle as well.

 

[kunzma]

Wasn't happy with the silver cad plating experiment on the tailgate chains. Sent them in to be redone along with some other parts I had collected.

 

[kunzma]

Driver's side has new rotor and caliper. Bent up a new brake line also.

 

[kunzma]

Finished up the passenger side rotor and caliper today. Additional work included new hub bearings and races, seals, bolts, hardware, spindle.

 

[kunzma]

Thanks to Cruiser Outfitters for suppling most of the parts for this project and the next. @cruiseroutfit

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks to Cruiser Outfitters for suppling most of the parts for this project and the next. @cruiseroutfit

View attachment 3407686

Thank you!

 

[kunzma]

I got a recommendation for body shop with a frame rack. It's harder to see on the sloping driveway, but Jose straightened the front. Lines of the bib are parallel with the frame cross member and the left front fender bolts up nicely now.

 

[kunzma]

Worked on mounting the 8274 Warn winch to the front bumper. I had been interested in putting a teq PTO on the front. Decided to go with this set up instead from @powthief19 .

 

[powthief19]

Worked on mounting the 8274 Warn winch to the front bumper. I had been interested in putting a teq PTO on the front. Decided to go with this set up instead from @powthief19 .

View attachment 3482173

That looks so good.

 

[kunzma]

Put the old girl away for the winter. We have had such a warm winter that I have been able to get over a couple of times to do some work on her. I had been interested in @Cruiser Cult 's drain mast for the radiator. 40series coolant drain valve - https://cruiser-cult.myshopify.com/collections/40-series/products/fj40-coolant-drain-valve This part isn't a direct install on the new replacement brass 4-Core radiators produced today. The mouse eared drain fitting in the new radiators is a different thread type and the drain hole doesn't line up precisely with the radiator frame and splash pan holes. I had to install the new radiator in the frame to mark where to install a new bushing. I found a 3/8" BSPT hex brass bushing (part number 6OVN80) https://www.grainger.com/search?searchQuery=6ovn80&searchBar=trueat at Grainger that would mate up with this drain mast. I then had a local radiator shop drill the new hole and solder in the bushing. Everything lined up nicely.

 

[Cruiser Cult]

Put the old girl away for the winter. We have had such a warm winter that I have been able to get over a couple of times to do some work on her. I had been interested in @Cruiser Cult 's drain mast for the radiator. 40series coolant drain valve - https://cruiser-cult.myshopify.com/collections/40-series/products/fj40-coolant-drain-valve This part isn't a direct install on the new replacement radiators produced today. The mouse eared drain fitting in the new radiators is a different thread type and the drain hole doesn't line up precisely with the radiator frame and splash pan holes. I had to install the new radiator to see where to install a new bushing would need to be soldered in place. I found a 5/8" brass bushing at Grainger that would mate up with this drain mast. I then had a local radiator shop drill the new hole and solder in the bushing. Everything lined up nicely.

View attachment 3566117

That is great info! Bummer on the non-direct fit with the new radiators but good to note going forward. It looks good on there. Thank you for the support and we hope you enjoy it.

 

[kunzma]

I liked the one I installed on my 1964's original radiator so much I thought it was worth the effort on this replacement radiator. Makes working on the cooling system easier.

The bushing was $12 plus tax and the radiator shop charged $35 cash. You can decide if it is worth the effort.

 

[kunzma]

That is great info! Bummer on the non-direct fit with the new radiators but good to note going forward. It looks good on there. Thank you for the support and we hope you enjoy it.

Love this product. Thanks for bringing it to market.

 

[Dustin68]

Any more updates? Thank you for documenting your build. I saved several sources that you used that will help me with my truck.

 

[kunzma]

Any more updates? Thank you for documenting your build. I saved several sources that you used that will help me with my truck.

Not much going on with my Fjs. I have been putting all my time and resources into a detached garage in the backyard. Glad you found some of my posts helpful.