New to site, new to this '63 45

[billybongo63]

I'd like to introduce myself, New to this sight and a recent convert to cruiserholicism. I am billybongo63, proud member of the Cascade Cruisers in Portland Oregon. I joined the TLCA and it's Portland chapter when I purchased my '07 FJ Cruiser. After my first poker run, "Cruisin the Woods '06" I was hooked. I never ih my life met a group of guys (and gals) so friendly, down to earth, funny and just all around good. And boy can these people wheel! I've seen rigs that rival any to be found. Last week I picked up a rare old school cruiser, a 1963 FJ45 SW.
It's got a decent restore on the body and interior, but needs the drive train done. And herein lies my dillema:

My brain tells me to keep it stock and rebuild the 1F and original tranny/transfer/diff's.

My heart wants to modify it into a 4 Wheelin' Beast, with a small block, dual cases and at leat 37's.
So I am lookin forward to what allyou out there have to say, and thank you for lettin me be a part of your fantastic site.
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[2ndGenToyotaFan]

That's way too pretty to be turned into a rock beater!!!! Go find a rusty junker to throw 37's on!

Welcome to mud <- mud salute

 

[bull]

Welcome I'm up in Seattle!


Keep it clean and somewhat stock, find a 40 that has some of those mods. Also what is your frame number / vin? We are building a FJ45 registry!

Again welcome and it is a slippery slope.

 

[brmFJ43]

I have to agree with the others... that truck is way too nice to turn into an off road vehicle. Plus, it will retain it's value a thousand times more if you keep it how it is.
Congrats on your new truck!

 

[MDH33]

another vote for keeping it stock.

Buy a beater 40 to wheel. Or better yet, beat your FJcruiser.

 

[SteveH]

As a co-keeper of old beige FJ45s, leave it alone. If you hacked it, you'd be kicking yourself years from now. So, kick yourself now and be done with it.

Steve

 

[kellyo]

The 45's are hard to find in any decent condition. I would keep it as stock as possible. If you want to buy something just to beat to death that what jeeps are for. You wheel landcruisers and destroy jeeps.

 

[frismanis]

It's your truck and your money. Do what you want to with it. If you'd get more joy out of building and beating it, then go for it.

 

[TJDIV]

What Mantis said, but seriously...in your neck of the woods you can find a 40 for pennies and build a wheeler.

 

[Landpimp]

very nice early 63...........was this the one on Ebay?

 

[billybongo63]

yeah, e-bay. Nice body, going to try to get the running gear/mech to match.

 

[incogrhino]

Since ya asked.Please don't beat it up.

 

[bull]

oh billy billy billy! What is your vin#?

 

[Kief]

Its your junk-your call. To me, a 40 can be modified to look like a 45, can be bought for much less and can be replaced for much less if damaged. From an economical standpoint, if the modifications can be cleanly undone or unbolted then no biggie- good clean close to original 45's seem to be an easy sell.