Pops 45

[dehargrave]

Thought I'd document the restoration of my late grandfather's 1965 FJ45. Here's the background... My pops bought the truck brand new in 1965. My Grandmother said it came in from Canada and was 1 of about 1,100 imported in 1965. The truck has (or had since we took it off) a Ramsey PTO winch and I'm not sure if this came from the dealership or somewhere else. At some point after he purchased the truck Pops installed an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed, a front tow bar, and two spare tire racks. The truck was used for hunting trips to land he owned in Eastern Oregon. Not too many years later Pops got sick with prostate cancer and the 45 sat for a long time. My father inherited pops 45 and really did not do anything to it. Drove it some and kept up regular maintenance. I remember going hunting locally in the mountains in the 45 when I was about 7 or 8 (about 30 yrs ago). Fast forward to 2001 - my father died of lung cancer and I inherited Pops 45. I was fresh out of the Air Force and trying to start a family on fumes for income so I did not have any money to put into the 45 Until now. A college degree, three moves to three states, and three sons later I am compelled from within my DNA to finally get Pops 45 back to it's glory. My grandmother is now 94 and not doing well and I want her to know I will be a good steward of Pops 45. I want her to see the passion I have for this truck resembles the passion my pops had. I want Pops 45 to be handed down to one of my sons in a condition for it to last a 100 more years...

So here we go! I'm restoring a 1965 FJ45 that has less than 30,000 moles on it! Sounds weird doesn't it? Less than 30,000 miles on a 48 year old truck...

Check out the pics and the progress. I will be updating the engine and drive train so if you're interested in buying the F motor or original axles, three speed transmission, or Rear PTO transfer case let me know. All is original and very low miles!!!

Hey shout out to my new cruiser friend and Cruiser mentor - Mike. Thanks for jumping in with both feet and helping me with this project. It means a lot brother!

 

[Chamba]

I think you will regret selling off the original drive train, but it is obviously your rig. Looking forward to the thread.

 

[ozcrusier]

I think you will regret selling off the original drive train, but it is obviously your rig. Looking forward to the thread.

I agree on keeping the stock running gear especially if one of your sons wants to put it back to how their grandfather brought it 45 years ago. I would put it under a bench with a tarp over it for the next generation of family members to have that choice.

 

[dehargrave]

Keeping the original running gear

The main reason for the swap is that the original set up is not practical for using the truck on today's roads. The cost for refurbing the old is more than upgrading to newer and more practical. It is a decision I have to make based on the budget I have. I'm done waiting around to win the lottery so a perfect restoration can happen. I've seen these 45's completely restored to original and yes they are valued in the 6 figures... these restos also cost $50 - $60k! that's not my focus and it would not have been the focus of my Pops. My Pops would have done the same thing I am doing now.
I think this just expands the story for my boys. When I am finished with this it will be solid through and through and ready to BE USED for two more generations.

 

[onemanarmy]

outline of plans for upgrades?

very cool story, and thanks for sharing

 

[FishTacos]

It is your truck, as others have said, but to be completely blunt:

you are planning on molesting it.

There are few engines that are more "practical" than the F. I don't care how long it has been sitting; it will start. Especially when it has 30K miles on it. It will run with very little massaging. You can spend $3K-$5k on a chebby crate motor and destroy all the value in this unmolested classic. Or you can get a used small block that has even less appeal than a new crate motor. You do have the reasonable third option of putting in a 2f from a newer FJ40 or FJ60 which would bolt right in and only cost you $500 in the classified section of Mud. This would eliminate the need to change engine mounts/shift linkage/trans tunnel/ heater/ etc.

I can understand upgrading the brakes to caliper/rotor style. After all, they certainly provide a measurable increase in safety. Fj60 knuckles or complete axles/housings swap in with minimal effort. Then you just need a newer master cylinder and proportioning valve. easy swap.

You can drive it at 60MPH with the original drivetrain and 70MPH with a newer 2F. How much faster do you really want to go in a FJ45?

It is a really cool story. Good luck with your build and I, for one, will be watching your progress. Also, thank you for your service.

Welcome to mud

 

[2fpower]

Welcome to Mud!

There are always purists out there that scream at doing this; however, I understand. I also understand the value of an all original rig.

My .02 cents is put the original gear in the corner and if your grandson (or granddaughter) ever wants to go all original, the option is there in all parts number matching form.

I wish you good luck with the build, I think that you will find great suggestions here on the board, and motivation to keep pressing on.

WELCOME TO THE (expensive) ADDICTION.

k

 

[roma042987]

man thats a SWEET trailer you have that drivetrain loaded on to

 

[daniel.watters]

Nice story/truck. I'd go 2F w/ 4sp and mech xfer. However, i just got home from soccer practice going 60-65 on 75 south with the original F and 3 on the tree! About 24 miles round trip.

Keep the pics coming!

 

[Kief]

I think it is great that you decided to make it fit your lifestyle. Honoring your family and their memory is much more important than immortalizing a particular model of vehicle. Although, I'd rather see a 1957 corvette get modernized than a FJ45 but it is your truck and your heritage so have fun and keep us posted!

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Dont listen to the haters. Driving a 3sp non syncro and an old f are entertaining but "driving" a vehicle that looks old and drives newer is worth upgrading the drivetrain. Id rather drive comfortable than slow and old.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using IH8MUD

 

[65swb45]

I daily drive my FJ45 with the F135, and have put 95k on it in the last 12 years. I am ALWAYS looking for spare parts to keep it going.

And I do a lot of horsetrading too.

FWIW, even tho the engine is stock, I upgraded to an H42 and Saginaw power steering years ago. Somewhere between Erik's [tornadoalley] comfortable but slow and old. The FJ60 powertrain in HENDOG's little truck that he bought from rockcod is full-on comfort and a fairly straightforward bolt in. Owyhee Jackass went that route too. After having dropped on in FJ45Dude's lwb, and driving the little red truck, I'm beginning to think a 60 motor is in my future too.:sigh:

Best

Mark A.

 

[dehargrave]

Thank you all for your ideas, suggestions, and comments! It was not an easy or quick decision to change the 45 from original. I've had it in the shape it's in now since 2001 and have contemplated all the options at least a thousand times. I feel it's right in my heart to modernize the functionality while maintaining the classic look. I'm seeking adventure and memories with my three sons involving this truck and not what one of the boys could sell it for after I'm dead. To me (and to my dad and Pops) this truck was meant to be used just about as hard as she will go. God willing my sons and I will crack the 100k mark together. If my vision is correct none of my sons will care what the truck would sell for because the memories and the history is priceless.

Right now we're trying to decide what direction we'll go with the front axle. Purchasing a 60 with a 2f , 4 sp, & spring over axles. Planning to put in a mini truck box for steering also.

Roma - thanks for letting us use your trailer! I'll need thoughts on the spring over when you get a min .

I can't post any more pics until I figure out how to either increase my "quota" for pics or delete some of the others. As a rookie Mud member it's pretty tough to do much on here... Also exceeded my message box in a nanosecond with a limit of 5. Will post more pics when I get it figured out.

Next move... Road trip to pick up the 60. I also need to find various "hard to find" parts. I guess I really have jumped into Cruiserdom now!

Need:
1) windshield vent rubber
2) bed floor pan - center piece
3) heater unit (original is about shot with rust)
4) replacement hood spear (or idea how to restore the rusted one I have)
5) replacement firewall grommets

Thanks all again for your comments and interest! Will keep updating...

God bless

 

[ozcrusier]

I'm looking forward to the rebuild so please keep the photo's coming.
I should not give advice on what engine swap you're doing as my stock 1977 fj is getting a drivetrain transplant from a rusty 1980 hj45 donor. It will be a slug on the road but will have great fuel consumption with the H engine reliability. I plan on having this truck passed down through the family because my plan is to run this truck on any fuel from home grown veggies to old sump or fish and chip oil. Our fossil fuel is running out fast so my tortoise build will hopefully be on the road for many years to come.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Thank you all for your ideas, suggestions, and comments! It was not an easy or quick decision to change the 45 from original. I've had it in the shape it's in now since 2001 and have contemplated all the options at least a thousand times. I feel it's right in my heart to modernize the functionality while maintaining the classic look. I'm seeking adventure and memories with my three sons involving this truck and not what one of the boys could sell it for after I'm dead. To me (and to my dad and Pops) this truck was meant to be used just about as hard as she will go. God willing my sons and I will crack the 100k mark together. If my vision is correct none of my sons will care what the truck would sell for because the memories and the history is priceless.

Right now we're trying to decide what direction we'll go with the front axle. Purchasing a 60 with a 2f , 4 sp, & spring over axles. Planning to put in a mini truck box for steering also.

Roma - thanks for letting us use your trailer! I'll need thoughts on the spring over when you get a min .

I can't post any more pics until I figure out how to either increase my "quota" for pics or delete some of the others. As a rookie Mud member it's pretty tough to do much on here... Also exceeded my message box in a nanosecond with a limit of 5. Will post more pics when I get it figured out.

Next move... Road trip to pick up the 60. I also need to find various "hard to find" parts. I guess I really have jumped into Cruiserdom now!

Need:
1) windshield vent rubber
2) bed floor pan - center piece
3) heater unit (original is about shot with rust)
4) replacement hood spear (or idea how to restore the rusted one I have)
5) replacement firewall grommets

Thanks all again for your comments and interest! Will keep updating...

God bless

Love the story on this one and I look forward to seeing the progress

As for your needs:
1. SOR.com sells the vent rubber (http://www.sor.com/cat120.sor )
2. Check with PACOL (http://www.pacolonline.com/Land_Cruiser_body_panels/RESTORATIONS.html ) they don't list them, but I believe they can source them.
3. For a heater post in the classifieds section in the "wanted" section
4. JTOutfitters sells and aluminum version or you could have yours rechromed
5. A few of the larger grommets are still available from Toyota, you can also find them on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-LAND...ries&hash=item51b12274db&vxp=mtr#ht_91wt_1141 )

As for your picture limit, buy a membership (silver star) and you will have unlimited pictures and 500 PMs.... you will need this with the type of documentation you will be doing for the build. (https://forum.ih8mud.com/payments.php )

Good Luck

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Careful buyin from jto. Theyre good at taking money but not so good at providing a product. Buyer beware

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using IH8MUD

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Careful buyin from jto. Theyre good at taking money but not so good at providing a product. Buyer beware

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using IH8MUD

Certianly they don't have the best reputation, but I believe they are the only ones offering a reproduction of the hood spear. Also I have placed orders with them over the years and always gotten what I ordered just not always in a timely fashion

 

[roma042987]

good choice on the 2f and four speed. after all the plans for the truck are for it to be driven not a garage ornament. I have ordered several items from jto without a hitch. I personally would not recommend doing a spring over on it. I think a 40 axle with 60 disk brake parts will be the way to go.

 

[SHREG]

They come apart much quicker than they go back together!

Looking forward to watching the progress.

 

[dehargrave]

Clemsoncruiser.... You rock! Thank you for the info on needed parts. I'll be doing the paid subscription soon so I can post some more pics.
Now that we are down to the frame we are in a hold pattern until we get our "Toyota" replacement parts.
We need to make sure we have our frame ready with all holes, mounts, etc, then we are going to have the frame sand blasted and galvanized.

I have some updates and pictures of recent purchases but I'm going to wait until my subscription kicks in so I can post the pics.

Soon....