Builds My 78' Barn find FJ45

[Michael B]

A friend of mine spotted these two at a camp ground in East Tennessee. The guys driving them are from AUS, but the trucks aren't (LHD).

 

[cult45]

That yellow one looks like a HZJ73 as it has the post-1990 grille. Or an FJ73 w/3F or FZJ73 w/1FZ. Or I could be completely wrong, which is highly likely.

 

[Michael B]

I don't know much about the 70 series Cult, but I know that pop top Troopy LHD is pretty rare.

 

[cult45]

I don't know much about the 70 series Cult, but I know that pop top Troopy LHD is pretty rare.

Not over here brother

 

[Michael B]

LHD really? I thought you guys were all RHD.

 

[Michael B]

I accomplished a little more on the truck today. The bed and cab are loaded for delivery to the body shop next week. I hope to have the chassis stripped of it's parts tomorrow. That's my son on the hoist while I balance the cab.

 

[Michael B]

A few more pics of the tear down.

 

[Michael B]

I didn't quite get everything accomplished today that I had intended to. But I got real close. I've got two stubborn frame pins, one on each end, that won't come out. That's keeping all of the suspension from being rolled out. Maybe tomorrow will see it done. The rest of the frame bits have been removed though.

 

[Michael B]

The deed is finally done. Now that play time is over the real work can begin!

 

[Michael B]

While I was taking the truck apart I noticed a few issues with the frame. I'm planning on replacing the cross member. Hopefully only the back half will need to be replaced.

 

[Michael B]

There were also two places that may have been patched already. Plus one very thin spot in the rear on the inside that didn't photograph very well.

 

[Michael B]

I didn't exactly work on the 45 this weekend. I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons retrieving and stripping a 40 frame for the front cross member I need.

 

[Dagha Boy]

There were also two places that may have been patched already. Plus one very thin spot in the rear on the inside that didn't photograph very well.

Relax. When I saw those two patches on mine I also thought they were untidy patches from a PO. They are in fact factory installed holding the two inside parts of the rails together. I have since checked about ten other 45 frames and they are all like that. Also checked the inside with a mirror and that shows that the metal at the back is undamaged.

The picture is not very clear but you can see the identical patch in the same place.

Just found 2 good pics taken while I still thought it was a PO patch. Same photo you took...

 

[Michael B]

Thanks Dagah. That is reassuring. Those do look exactly like mine. I was going to break out a mirror and inspect it also. So one less thing to do in frame prep. Do you have a build thread for your 45? I can't see your signature line on my iPatch.

 

[Dagha Boy]

I have a build thread but don't know how to link it to my profile. (Techno challenged.) ih8mud inspired build

 

[Michael B]

Gotcha! I've seen that thread but haven't viewed it yet. If you go to your thread you can scroll across the title holding down the right mouse button then copy and paste it into where you need it.

 

[Michael B]

I thought I could get away with replacing only the inside panel of the front cross member, where the radiator support is. But it was not to be. Upon closer examination the outer portion of the cross member had significant rust in it as well. So it all came out. This is not any easy task and I have no small amount of concern for the future frame stability as this is a crucial support member. But what's a fella to do. It's not like I can buy another one.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Maybe post in the wanted to buy forums.

It's surprising what people have and can do to help out. Good luck I enjoy reading your thread.

 

[Michael B]

Thanks Tacoma. The interesting thing is I had a nice 69' frame and sold it.

 

[Michael B]

After a little work and re-work (seems I can't do anything just once) the replacement cross member is in place. I believe the button head bolts will fill in and look like rivets during the galvanization process. Now for the Saginaw upgrade.