Pops 45

[dehargrave]

It's been almost two years since my last post. Marshall Shepherd at Trollhole's Cruisers has completed the majority of work that remained and it's almost done. Still to do: exhaust, fuel tank issue, drive shaft, transfer case rebuild, and misc aesthetic stuff. Completed: Engine rebuild, rewired, extensive tunnel and firewall mods, some body work, new bumper, power steering added, steering column modified, new suspension, Tie rods, axle rebuilds, hubs rebuilt, 4 sp tranny rebuilt and added, Disc brake conversion, new upholstery, new aux fuel tank/tool box installed, misc - always.
This has been a very long endeavor to do what I've done to the truck and if I had it to do over again I would not have done it the same way. But, I'm $20k into it now (half of that was before sending to Trollhole's) so no going back and prob have another $10k to complete everything including paint. My initial vision was to complete the truck in 6 months to a year for $15k or less. It's been 3 years since I started & way over $15k... I need to stop watching the shows on TV where they do rebuilds in a few weeks or months.
I'm more than ready to get this truck on the road (and off of it). Plan is to drive to Alaska and then WA to visit my grandmother (still hanging in there remarkably). We all know how plans go though.... =)

 

[Kief]

Wow, perseverance pays off. Even though you have a lot into it I think you are right side up money-wise

 

[Rainman]

My Cruiser dream truck. Sadly... It will most likely never happen. Congrats on a great truck. Your 30k will NOT go unrewarded.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

It looks great and I spent quite a bit of time drooling over it a few weeks ago. I like the European style rear view mirrors and kinda wish that I'd gone in that direction when I replaced mine.

 

[dehargrave]

I really like the look of the side mirrors but they do not perform as I would like. They move every time I shut the door and the wind moves them around also. The main reason I went with these was to avoid them moving around so much on their own. I'm actually considering using some sort of epoxy to lock them in place. If that doesn't work I'll trash them and go with original.

 

[Old Red]

Thank you for sharing your story. A lot to learn from this thread, negative and positive both.

You say now that you would not do it the same way again. What would you do differently? What would you change?

 

[Ghetto Fireman]

Very Nice !!!!!

 

[kunzma]

I vote for not touching the paint. Love it as is.

 

[dehargrave]

Thank you for sharing your story. A lot to learn from this thread, negative and positive both.

You say now that you would not do it the same way again. What would you do differently? What would you change?

I would have purchased new or already rebuilt engine, 5 sp tranny, and transfer case before I disassembled the original to have it ready to go when needed instead of a disassembled useless truck sitting around for three years. I would not have powder coated the frame after galvanizing it (paint would've been better). I would not have started this project in my garage the way I did. I tried to be realistic on my expectations from the beginning but was way off on how much it was going to cost and what all had to be done that I could not do. Had I'd known then what I know now I would have contacted a shop from the beginning and negotiated a total price to do what I wanted done in the timeframe I wanted it done and then saved up until I had that amount. There's no way I would have jumped into what I did the way I did it if I'd have known it was going to be three years later, $20k+ and still have an unfinished truck with issues left to deal with (brakes locking up, steering fluid leaking, lights don't work properly, transfer case is a mess and linkage not working, gauge cluster doesn't work except the speedometer, and other minor stuff that is annoying the piss out of me. After $20,000 and three years I expected a whole lot more than what I've got right now.

 

[dehargrave]

I would have purchased new or already rebuilt engine, 5 sp tranny, and transfer case before I disassembled the original to have it ready to go when needed instead of a disassembled useless truck sitting around for three years. I would not have powder coated the frame after galvanizing it (paint would've been better). I would not have started this project in my garage the way I did. I tried to be realistic on my expectations from the beginning but was way off on how much it was going to cost and what all had to be done that I could not do. Had I'd known then what I know now I would have contacted a shop from the beginning and negotiated a total price to do what I wanted done in the timeframe I wanted it done and then saved up until I had that amount. There's no way I would have jumped into what I did the way I did it if I'd have known it was going to be three years later, $20k+ and still have an unfinished truck with issues left to deal with (brakes locking up, steering fluid leaking, lights don't work properly, transfer case is a mess and linkage not working, gauge cluster doesn't work except the speedometer, and other minor stuff that is annoying the piss out of me. After $20,000 and three years I expected a whole lot more than what I've got right now.

One other thing... I wouldn't pay for work until it's completed because if it's not done right then it's not worth paying for. I'm having to go back and pay to fix things now that I already paid to have done once. I'd want to do like the shops on TV do - X project for X dollars in X time. If it's not done on time then start cutting the money for the project. If it's not done right then cut money. There has to be a mutual interest in getting the job done right and in a reasonable timeframe.

 

[dehargrave]

Exhaust is done! Looks and sounds so good. That was the best $92 bucks I've spent in a while (glad I didn't go with the $650 option).
Next up - 1) find out how to stop the power steering leak. 2) Fix the recently discovered leaking fuel tank (paid two times for this tank to be cleaned and supposedly pressure checked) never getting it sealed after being cleaned is a regret I have. 3) have donated bed floor welded in to replace rusted areas. 4) bed liner and undercoat 5) have new rear tail lights fabricated in. 6) purchase and install new speedo and tach. 7) get a third job to pay for 1 -6.

Next year's plan: 1) upgrade to H55f with rebuilt t case. 2) line the inside cab & undercoat. 3) replace remaining window rubber. 4) have rear bumper fabricated like in the picture. This will finally get me very close to what I started out envisioning in 2013. Minus the paint which looks like it will be in 2018 unless I win the lottery.

 

[JackA]

I feel your pain with the fuel tank. I had mine cleaned and did not seal it. It has now started to seep at the seems. For now I have just used some fuel tank repair putty, in the future something better will need to be done.

Cool truck

 

[dehargrave]

I feel your pain with the fuel tank. I had mine cleaned and did not seal it. It has now started to seep at the seems. For now I have just used some fuel tank repair putty, in the future something better will need to be done.

Cool truck

I found a process to fix the gas tank that has a lifetime guarantee!!! Called Gas Tank Renu. You have to find a dealer closest to you but this is the way to go to restore an old leaky gas tank. It's doubled sealed and baked, after they sand blast inside and out. If it ever leaks agin they will fix it for free. I like that they stand by their work. I'll be doing this next week.

 

[JackA]

Thanks for the info, unfortunately there is not one in AZ. The place that originally cleaned mine, also does repairs. I plan to talk with them about sealing mine or redoing my spare.

 

[dehargrave]

The bed is done! The gas tank is done! The lights are working and I can finally drive her down the road without too much worry. The 4sp is limiting me to about 60mph comfortably. I'm going to have to adjust the valves and timing at some point too since I can hear them making a bit of noise. I've got the H55 5sp waiting to be paid for and extra the t-case in my garage waiting for its rebuild kit. Might be the last major item I do for a long while.
Anyone know where I can get the bracket for 3 point seatbelt For this 1965? Momma doesn't want the kiddos going on the highway without them and I've spent way too much money on this baby to argue with her about it.

 

[dehargrave]

Gas tank resealed with the Gas Tank Renu process. Lifetime warranty!

 

[71-CRUISER]

For Sale: - FJ45 LPB Canadian Spec 3- Point Seatbelt Components

 

[Landpimp]

looks great! I can see/feel your pain. I find a driving project is much better on my mind/patience than tearing one down all the way or a good part of the way. I have issues when one of my Cruisers is down for a week.

at this point, I would leave the paint(and maybe trany for now) alone and drive it........alot

your right about old school......both in value's and morals as well as ability to work on these rigs. I am training my 25 year old mechanic(and best friend) in old school mechanical stuff, he already had old school values......he is darn good mechanic but has ADD worse than me, but not much scares him and he listens to me. He learned from his dad(owns the shop) and grandfather........all people that I would hand the keys to my Cruisers or house to and not have a worry. So how do you get a 25 tear old into old cars.........get him a FJ40......got him a very nice 77 2 months ago....the boy is loving it and he is learning a ton. Doesn't hurt the 40 seems to be a chick magnet.....his console is full of phone numbers