'Nuther FJ45LV resto thread, '67 Central American model! (2 Viewers)

[fjwagon]

I like the stock look as well but if had to choose where to install the fog lamps, I would take in concideration where you are at and where you will be going after you get it running. With that being said, I would put a "cow catcher" or something that will protect the front end. And you can also slide the licence plate bracket a coulple of inches if you really have to. I know that is is not stock either but may be a more practical solution. If you go that route you will be a better able to protect the fog lamps. Just saying. Looks Good so far..

 

[BC40]

I would lower the licence plate so the the light shines over it. Basically make it so the bottom of the plate is flush with the bottom edge of the bumper. Use a simple peice of angle as the bracket. Wont look stock but it will be functional and out of the way of the light, tow hook and from getting snagged by branches.

 

[cruiser_guy]

A little more work on the LV. Patching up the floor at the front seat brackets. These brackets were FULL of dirt and crap when I pulled them to fix the floor underneath.

I'll be rebuilding the crossbracing and repairing the seat mount in the next while.

Then it will be fixing the quarter panels and rear sill before I can remount the body to the chassis.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Chopping out the rear sill in preparation for a replacement. I'm discovering that if the sill is bad you need to pull the rear quarters if you want to pull the entire sill out. It's a good thing that rear quarters are coming in soon! I'll need to get the sill replaced before putting in the new quarters though.

They sure like their bondo here in Central America! The rear quarters have been worked on before. One side had two layers of sheet metal and the other had three. Bondo was up to 1/2" thick on one side and 1/4" thick on the other!

By the time I've got the truck repaired it'll weigh about 1/2 what it does now due to a lack of bondo in 1/2" thick layers.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I had a few questions on the engine and tranny mounting in this FJ45LV so here's some pictures. The mounts are taken from a BJ40. I've tried to make is as OEM looking as possible.

 

[merbesfield]

Looks great.

 

[Kief]

Muy bonita!

I just exhaust my spanish vocablulary..

 

[cruiser_guy]

Muy bonita!

I just exhaust my spanish vocablulary..

My vocabulary is Un pocito mas mejor, pero no mucho!

 

[mderrick]

charles do you know where i can find a 40 trans crossmember like yours ?

 

[cruiser_guy]

charles do you know where i can find a 40 trans crossmember like yours ?

You can find them down here in Central America but they are for the BJ40 series (remember, my FJ45LV is now a BJ45LV ). The tranny crossmember (it's actually under the bellhousing) takes a different bellhousing than the FJ60/BJ60 does as the FJ60/BJ60 have the mount under the tranny. If you take a look at my FJ55 thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...972-september-potm-cruiser-guy-guatemala.html you can see where I used a BJ/FJ60 tranny mount there (at least I think there's a picture in there somewhere).

Thanks to Mark, from Marks Off Road, I now have the correct steering box mount so I just finished rebuilding the OEM steering box. The later FJ40 box pushed the steering shaft up into the dash too hard for my liking, besides, other than the engine swap and disc brakes I'm looking for the 100% original look.

Next up, I'm going to replace the existing front axle that I had machined for the later seals with a later axle that already has the proper seal rebates and whatever.

 

[mderrick]

let me know if you come across any h55f 40/45 series crossmembers.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Here's my FJ45LV with the old axle removed. I'll be getting the new axle in in the next few days.

Also, my NOS front bib

 

[cruiser_guy]

Well the new axle is under the FJ45LV and I'll be getting the axles and all that back together in the next day or two. Then the doors and whatever else will get put back on temporarily and then I'll be flat towing the LV down to Costa Rica.

Why you ask?? We've had an emergency that means we MUST leave Guatemala at this time. I have no place to store it in Guatemala and no desire to flat tow it from Central America all the way to Canada with the BJ60. Paul will be getting the body and paint down and then I'll head down for the rest of the work. This will get the truck finished MUCH faster but will blow the budget out of the water and probably force me to sell either this truck or the FJ55 shortly after completion. I'm not happy about it but I don't have too many options either.

Watch for more frequent updates (and maybe a shot or two of the BJ60 hauling the FJ45LV through Central America).

 

[merbesfield]

I hope things go well for you. Keep us all informed.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Travel safely bud!

Does this mean you are hauling the LV to Costa Rica and then heading back north with the 60? You are sure putting a lot of miles on the trucks this summer!

If you need a place to stop in NM don't hesitate to ask. We can certainly make room in the shop if you need to do some maintenance after all that.

Dan

 

[cruiser_guy]

Travel safely bud!

Does this mean you are hauling the LV to Costa Rica and then heading back north with the 60? You are sure putting a lot of miles on the trucks this summer!

If you need a place to stop in NM don't hesitate to ask. We can certainly make room in the shop if you need to do some maintenance after all that.

Dan

For sure. Yep, the '60 is the tow vehicle to Costa Rica. It won't be a fast trip.

The "wheel's kinda fell off" once we got back and now we find ourselves leaving for at least the next year.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Well the wheels are back on the LV and I'm about to go give it a $30 paint job so I won't have hassles at the border crossings. Watch for photos of a $30 paint job coming soon to a website near you!!

 

[cruiser_guy]

Well, the $30 paint job is a sight for sore eyes (not that I was expecting anything wonderful)!! So long as it keeps the border officials off my case I'll be happy. Here's the "before" and "after".

 

[Kief]

At least its a two tone .

 

[cruiser_guy]

At least its a two tone .

That's what the title says so that's what it need to be when crossing borders. Do you think it will work?