Thought I'd post up a few pics of my 45 project....we've been on it about 3 weeks should be ready for a test drive maybe next week. The project started with a sweet 66 FJ45 from Washington...found it on ebay. Didn't have a ton of pics or info about it so I kind of rolled the dice and won the auction. Fortunately it all worked out.....I could tell from a few of the pics that the truck was somewhat unmolested. I've been messing around with TLCs for over 20 years....kind of know a little about them. I had just recently traded my beloved 40 and found that life wasn't going to work without having an LC. In any event, I've always wanted a 45...this one came along and it was meant to be. The truck arrived and it was in remarkable shape...very little rot, very little PO mods, very complete. Even the rear fender flares were added WITHOUT any cutting. Shocking. There are only a small few holes in the bed, a missing tailgate and that was about it. The guy I got it from said it was on a dairy farm in Idaho for 35 years...he had it about 10...that's all the history I have on it. The PO did a Saginaw conversion and a Rancho suspension. That was about it....
We've worked hard on it for 3 weeks, enjoying a rare lull in the action at my shop, and have completed quite a bit. I will be using this truck as a daily driver so a modern drivetrain and some creature comforts were a must. I still want to maintain the 'vintageness' of the truck but I want fuel injection and a 4 speed with disc brakes. We have added the following:
3FE
4 speed/3 speed transfer
Late model front axle with 3.73s
Electrically assisted master cylinder
Rear disc conversion and 3.73s
Saginaw power steering retained
OME suspension
Nostalgic Air AC using stock compressor from 3FE
Autometer gauges
New upholstery
21 circuit wiring harness
Headache rack(Proffits)
Tailgate(Paki)
We'll shake it down this summer and strip it down to the frame over the winter for a fully body restore/repaint as well as powdercoating the frame.
The conversion has been very easy....the 3FE dropped right in. Most of our time has been spent running lines for fuel, AC, PS, etc. Not really a big deal but then again, my shop is pretty well versed in building and fabricating whatever we need. The part I'm most proud of is the master cylinder....it's electrically boosted. My primary concern on this 3FE conversion was to not have to mess with moving the master cylinder/booster assembly. The early trucks(pre-brake booster) had a rib on the firewall that ran from top to bottom on both the driver and pass side. I did not want to cut this but the 3FE's plenum is large....it was going to be an issue. Some guys cut and move the whole pedal assembly and firewall....we could have done that but the time and labor would have been pretty heavy. The solution was a very trick electrically assisted MC that required nothing more than me welding a plate to the truck where the original MC was. The new MC bolted up to the plate and lined up spot on to the pedal assembly. The electric pump and accumulator were placed on the drivers side fender.....really slick. I'll post pics as I take them.....
We've worked hard on it for 3 weeks, enjoying a rare lull in the action at my shop, and have completed quite a bit. I will be using this truck as a daily driver so a modern drivetrain and some creature comforts were a must. I still want to maintain the 'vintageness' of the truck but I want fuel injection and a 4 speed with disc brakes. We have added the following:
3FE
4 speed/3 speed transfer
Late model front axle with 3.73s
Electrically assisted master cylinder
Rear disc conversion and 3.73s
Saginaw power steering retained
OME suspension
Nostalgic Air AC using stock compressor from 3FE
Autometer gauges
New upholstery
21 circuit wiring harness
Headache rack(Proffits)
Tailgate(Paki)
We'll shake it down this summer and strip it down to the frame over the winter for a fully body restore/repaint as well as powdercoating the frame.
The conversion has been very easy....the 3FE dropped right in. Most of our time has been spent running lines for fuel, AC, PS, etc. Not really a big deal but then again, my shop is pretty well versed in building and fabricating whatever we need. The part I'm most proud of is the master cylinder....it's electrically boosted. My primary concern on this 3FE conversion was to not have to mess with moving the master cylinder/booster assembly. The early trucks(pre-brake booster) had a rib on the firewall that ran from top to bottom on both the driver and pass side. I did not want to cut this but the 3FE's plenum is large....it was going to be an issue. Some guys cut and move the whole pedal assembly and firewall....we could have done that but the time and labor would have been pretty heavy. The solution was a very trick electrically assisted MC that required nothing more than me welding a plate to the truck where the original MC was. The new MC bolted up to the plate and lined up spot on to the pedal assembly. The electric pump and accumulator were placed on the drivers side fender.....really slick. I'll post pics as I take them.....
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