Builds My 78' Barn find FJ45 (2 Viewers)

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Im supposed to be catching up on work. A 2 minute mud browsing break turned into over an hour of re-reading the beginning of your thread. Hope you are doing well. Thanks for all the posts you did on this build it really is an enjoyment to read all you went through making Samson just right.
I may be traveling to spend a week or two in Jones Valley for work this summer. If the timing works, maybe the moons will align and it will be during a club meeting I can stop by.

Thanks for the compliments. It was a lot work but very enjoyable. I’m glad you’re able to find useful information in what I have documented on my journey.

It would be great to see you again even if your time in town does not coincide with a club meeting. Give me a call when you know your schedule.
 
Today I finally started a little project I have been putting off for too long. I pulled the leaking radiator and will be shipping it to Ron Davis Racing as a pattern for a new replacement.

This thing has been weeping almost from day one and I’m concerned that it will completely fail at the worst possible time. Like on my trip to SAS#4 in August.


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Are they going to replace for free? That sucks if it was from day 1.
 
No CD this is Champion unit that has been modified. The supplier said they could sell me a new one and return the old one for a warranty examination and wait for a reply. They won’t give a refund and I don’t want another one of their units.
 
Damn right. Sucks. Ron Davis. The Bees Knees. Pay once cry once.
 
I went through a couple of Champions on my 40, both leaked over time. I figured it was the aluminum construction couldn’t take the limited isolation from flex in stock radiator support. OEM replacement has been going strong since (at least 6 yrs), knock on wood.
 
x 2 for OE Michael.
 
Wow, that's crazy. It looks like porosity in the weld, yes? Seems like they would have leak checked it under pressure with dye. It could probably be repaired but I get it. You don't need to be your own guinea pig!
 
As much as I would prefer OEM it’s not possible with my running gear configuration. The 12HT with PS in a 40 is the issue. Part of the reason I have taken so long to replace the radiator has been my search/research for an OE replacement. It seems Mr. Toyoda never installed PS on an HJ45/47. There in lies my problem. Although I have the 2h motor mount with PS bracket installed, everyone insists it never happened. So aftermarket units are what I’m left to choose from.

CD you are correct on Ron Davis pricing! Georg says Ron Davis is the way to go. @ceylonfj40nut
 
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What we generally do down here mate is take a stock 47 2H radiator and set the outlet on a 45* angle to clear the PS pump and pulley. Other than that it's a stock rad. I know diesels were almost non-existent in the US so how bout a 4 row 2F rad with the outlets changed? In essence what I'm trying to say is copper and brass is your friend here, not brittle alloy.
 
Dan copper and brass is my first choice but one of our best LC shops/guru is Georg Ester at Valley Hybrids/Cruiser Brothers. He has started carrying Terrain Tamer parts including their radiators. I spoke with him about those units. If I modify a radiator from him there will be no warranty. Georg is who recommend Ron Davis Racing Products as a resolution to my problem. They only make radiators in aluminum at their shop.
 
While I am waiting on the radiator to be delivered I took on another task I have been putting off for too long. This tree was uncomfortabley close to the house with all of the storms and tornadoes that come through our area. Also the septic tank is between the tree and the deck.

It only yielded two truck loads of wood but man can that dodge carry a load! I don’t think the suspension dropped an inch.

The two piles of wood are all that is left to be cut and stacked.

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Nice work. I've got a bunch of trees that I want to cut to increase the space to the house. Not that big but big enough.
 
Thanks Pat! It was a pretty big task for an old man and his chainsaw. @dogfishlake
 
Two weeks ago I brought this jewel home. A fellow mudder thought it belonged with Samson. It’s a 71’ Rokon RT-140. It needs a little work but it appears to be 99% complete.

Parts have been ordered!

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Have ahead a zillion cycles over the years and always wondered what a rokon would feel like and perform. Would love a first hand account, I see them from time to time here in Cali. Might have to grab one!! Btw way my east side of my property has 12 150ft eucalyptus trees that need to come down! I can’t get anybody out to cut them down? You mention eucalyptus and they run?
 
@whitey45 I will let you. With no suspension I think the ride is going to be a bit rough on the asphalt, hopefully a little better on the trail. They only run 4-6 psi in the tires.

If we were closer my tree guy would handle those eucalyptus trees. He has two cranes a bucket truck and a fleet of ground support equipment. He’s an excellent climber!
 
After almost 6 months of remote engineering my custom radiator from Ron Davis is finally in place and working well.

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So it’s working well without a shroud. That’s good to know. What were the specs on the radiator? Is there a model number or did you tell them vehicle and engine and they built from there?
 

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