Project, 45 on the cheap.

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cruisermatt said:
thank you SO much for the pictures. I am finding it is actually not easy to find good reference pics of that area on 45's.
Did you make those completely from scratch? Want to make another set :D
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Glad I could help. I did make them from scratch.
It was a PITA! That should answer your question on making another set. :grinpimp:
I wanted to them to look as original as I could but in reality if all you want is function then I think 2 inch C channel would do the job just fine and be much simpler.
 
PG45er said:
Glad I could help. I did make them from scratch.
It was a PITA! That should answer your question on making another set. :grinpimp:
I wanted to them to look as original as I could but in reality if all you want is function then I think 2 inch C channel would do the job just fine and be much simpler.
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The nerd in me wants it to look super original but on the flip side this truck is going to be a complete mutt. I'll draw and laser something up. Thanks again for the help. I really appreciate it.
 
Fenders have arrived. Along with some used goodies from @kevos37

Next step is to retrieve chassis, make it a roller, and then I can use the fenders, bib, hood and running boards to get the
cab aligned on the frame.

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New OE running boards on deck as well

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TP had their 75/76 dash on sale so I decided to just go ahead and grab it and see how it looks. So I will have a 2nd option if the dash in the donor ends up being a total mess. I guess I do have to figure out a glove box as well, and I am also looking for a set of dash pad mounting panels. The lower windhsield frame on the donor is super rusty so I do not have high expectations for reusing those parts.

tpautoparts.com

DASH BAORD LHD, FOR TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ40/FJ45 , (STEEL)

Dash Board Older Model, for FJ40, FJ45 Toyota Land Cruiser
tpautoparts.com tpautoparts.com

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The dash came in and visually seems nice but might need to play with it a bit.. cluster doesn’t fit as-is :bang:

Good news though, picked up another piece of the puzzle, paid just under half of what these cost me even with my AA discount.

My plan is to use with this an H42, and a GM adapter from FabBot on the back of the Honda.
I actually bought this years ago for a different project that ended up going in another direction. (Still not finished :lol: )

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K20 / K24 To LS Transmission Adapter

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As usual for some of us, for various reasons, life, work, project ADD, project 45 has taken the fall to the bottom of the priority list. It got moved to “offsite storage” about a year ago and has sat since.

In that time it quit running. My buddy who owns said offsite storage pulled the carb off last weekend and got everything cleaned up, and this weekend we put it back together with a rebuild kit and 2F is running great again. One of the valves in the carb was completely seized.

Also replaced the rest of the radiator hoses since it blew the upper off on the drive to his place (the longest drive of my ownership, approx 10 miles!) and where it has sat since.

Aired up the tires. Aired up the rear suspension. Hosed it off. Ready for action again.

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“As usual for some of us, for various reasons, life, work, project ADD, project 45 has taken the fall to the bottom of the priority list. It got moved to “offsite storage” about a year ago and has sat since.”

The cobbler has the worst shoes ma man😁!
 
I since last year I have also been scheming, shopping, daydreaming, etc.

The replacement cab from Colombia is (big surprise) not at all what I was hoping for when I bought it. The floor is completely wrong (they used the front section from a 40), there are no rear cab mounts, just overall it is not what I want for the finished product of this car. For a rock crawler or farm truck it would be fine.

Since then Topnault has started selling 73-78 cabs however they have the exact same problem with the floor. I've been back and forth with them a bunch and they can't understand the issue. I've used a few of their products now and they are very hit or miss. I'll be buying their roof and upper cab panel for sure just due to a lack of any other option.

I did get thinking though, and I got a bunch of pictures of their 79-84 cab and compared to a original in the shop and that looks like a much better match. My reason I didn't go with that to begin with was the thought of difficulty of finding a matching steering column, seats and fuel tank. Well, since then I accuired a complete clean column assembly from my friend Michael @Scorch, I learned that 60 sets bolt right into a late model cab, and the fuel tank is the same as FJ40 which I keep in stock. So the only big hurdle would be fabbing up later style frame cab mounts to put on my pre-79 chassis, which is pretty easy for my shop cabilities, or maybe I can find some from Vzla or ME.

The later one-piece floor, tank under cab, hand brake on floor would all be big bonuses to me. The final end goal is going to be a complete mutt anyways so I don't care about everything matching, I'd rather have the best stuff from each generation. Thoughts? Am I missing anything?
 
cruisermatt said:
I have always wanted a 45. I’ve thought a pretty painted one in a flashy color would be perfect to park in front of my shop. I also need a pickup semi-regularly, I have a F350 but obviously as we all know the combo of a 7-ft bed with narrow/short FJ40 characteristics is so much nicer to drive around town.

However I could never see myself spending “nice cruiser” money on one when I can fix things up, it is my job these days after all.

And then I found out about this truck a few hours away. I’ve actually known about it for a few years but have never had time to go actually grab it. My friend @GLTHFJ60 was in town visiting in January so we decided to go grab it.

As dragged out of the woods. It had been sitting for a lot time. I’d guess +10 years.
All four tires came off rims, but all wheels turned and steering was free.
I didn’t pay much for it. Lets say I sold the full floating rear axle that needed brakes and made the rest of the truck free.

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Some people just live right...
 
I've also noticed the correct beer always seems to make carbs run better.
 
I don't wonder down to the bottom of the main page very often. Into the 45 section even less even though I've my 45 for thirty years. Mine is a 9/64 with the awful spare tire carrier. Original plan was to use the spare tire carrier from an FJ55 until source one from a late troopy. 55 was the same width as I remember.

Did this come with lap belts or three point seat belts? Going my the lack of vents in the hard top believe it is no newer than 4/78. I know there was a change 1/79 in the seat belt and not sure if that was the change from lap to three point seat belts. I was able to source the upper brackets for three point seat belts that bolt into the hard top. But haven't found what the lower bracket for the retractor looks like. It is different than used on the FJ40 1/76-2/78 in the US.
 
Hi John, I'm not sure the production date off hand but it is a 78 model. It does have the shoulder belts and everything is there. I am actually at my friend Dale's property where I store the 45 today, I'll see if I can get some pics later.

I actually have a pretty fun update for this thread I need to make, did anyone get to see it in person at ONSC Relic Run last weekend?! 😁
 
I still can't believe that thing made it on the highway from Orlando to Uwharrie and back. Blows my mind.
 
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