'Nuther FJ45LV resto thread, '67 Central American model!

[Kief]

I suppose. I thought Costa Rica had really high import tariffs on vehicles.. I suppose that is only if you are staying tho' ..

 

[cruiser_guy]

What a day yesterday was. I got rear-ended by my LV when the hitch ball came off the tongue (the only damage is a bent up licence plate mount on the tire carrier). I had a local guy weld it back on because the bolt was missing and the hole was ovalled out. The border crossings have been a little more interesting than with just the one truck. Lot's of folks looking at the combination. The Honduras border is as corrupt as ever. Everyone looking for some cash from the "rich gringo" for some cooked up "permits" that probably are not needed and do not exist. Hopefully the crossing into Nicaragua and Costa Rica will be smoother now that I have a local 'Cruiser head along for the ride.

 

[merbesfield]

Sounds like quite an adventure. Good luck and post some pics. Will you be bringing the sills back with you?

 

[cruiser_guy]

The Penas Blancas crossing into Costa Rica is the WORST bunch of crooks I have ever had the misfortune to encounter in 5 years of living and crossing borders in Central America! No problem leaving Nicaragua but the crap we had to endure and are still going through with these idiots at the Penas Blancas crossing is incredible especially given the fact that I am attempting to bring work into the country!!

I'll post pics, including a tramitador that you DO NOT want to use when crossing into Costa Rica.

I hope to bring at least a few of the sills back up when I go up in a few weeks. We'll see how many Paul has finished.

 

[Kief]

Dang, supplication for divine intercession in progress.

 

[merbesfield]

rear sills

that is great news. i am cutting my rear qtrs off as we speak. i have all solid steel now, under my rockers. again, good luck with the crossings.

The Penas Blancas crossing into Costa Rica is the WORST bunch of crooks I have ever had the misfortune to encounter in 5 years of living and crossing borders in Central America! No problem leaving Nicaragua but the crap we had to endure and are still going through with these idiots at the Penas Blancas crossing is incredible especially given the fact that I am attempting to bring work into the country!!

I'll post pics, including a tramitador that you DO NOT want to use when crossing into Costa Rica.

I hope to bring at least a few of the sills back up when I go up in a few weeks. We'll see how many Paul has finished.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Finally I'm able to post pictures again.

Here's the BJ60 hauling the FJ45LV at the Guatemalan/El Salvadorean border heading south to Paul Pilgrim's shop. Also a couple of pictures of the LV at Paul's shop.

That's a trip I'm in no hurry to repeat!

 

[cruiser_guy]

It looks like I will not be able to see this through to completion since we'll be moving our place of work to Sierra Leone from Guatemala.

Anyone interested in an LV sitting at Paul's shop just waiting for some sheet metal work?

 

[cruiser_guy]

It seems there is not a demand for this among folks so I'll probably get this done and then deal with it later once it gets stateside (easier for me than dealing with constantly changing rules and regulations in Central America). We'll see what happens then.

We are still planning to head over to Sierra Leone so this may need "babysitting" at someone who has a garage to keep it protected.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Well the '45 is now "under the knife" as far as bodywork is concerned.

Here's a few pictures of the first of many from Paul down in Costa Rica.

Apparently the truck as rolled at some point in the past. I didn't know that but then I'm not totally surprised either considering how they drive some times.

Paul will be doing what is necessary to make it right.

 

[cruiser_guy]

A few more from today.

Removing years of bondo from the front cowl sides, replacing my amateur patches and the beat up "A" pillar.

 

[Kief]

It looks like you are getting some excellent quality work done.

 

[cruiser_guy]

It looks like you are getting some excellent quality work done.

He's got his work cut out for him by the looks of things. Some scary prior "bodywork" on that one. Have a look at the condition of the cowl under an inch or so of bondo! This is why it's "buyer beware" on buying a vehicle in the developing world. You never really know what the previous owner might have done.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Repairs progressing on the underside. Replacing some of my amateur patches with something more durable and professional.

Looks like some of the roof got left behind due to rust issues!

 

[cruiser_guy]

Some more of the roof rust issues that Paul is making good along with the apparently not so straight roof edge.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Patching the roof itself. It'll be as good as new!

Anyone else need a resto done?

 

[cruiser_guy]

Another picture of my LV. Imagine finding a picture of your truck undergoing rust removal surgery on another website! Definitely mine though.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

If I would have known that was your rig I would have taken more pics of it. The photo does not do justice to the progress that has been made. It is coming along nicely.

They sure know how treat an old Landcruiser with respect in that shop.

 

[cruiser_guy]

How to pull a body off the frame in Central America?

Don't you love the beautiful red/white two tone paint job I did? (I would have probably been hassled at Central American borders if I had not painted it).

 

[cruiser_guy]

The LV roof is made of several sections as can be clearly seen here on my roof now that it is off and clean of paint and bondo.

Paul also made up the support brackets for the rear floor step under the back seat.