Builds 1964 FJ45 Short Bed Fixed Top Pickup Restoration
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I need my fix!
We haven’t had anything super glamorous going on the last few days, picturewise. We got a first iteration of motor mounts fabbed up, and were started in on the transmission crossmember when we noticed we didn’t have the frame brackets…
…Turns out we left without them at Nolen’s
While waiting for FedEx to bring them, we decided to pull the motor back out to weld fish plates on the frame for the motor mounts so that when we do go back in for the trans cross member, we can tack the motor mounts onto the frame so it can sit for good while we do the other planning & fab.
…Turns out we left without them at Nolen’s
While waiting for FedEx to bring them, we decided to pull the motor back out to weld fish plates on the frame for the motor mounts so that when we do go back in for the trans cross member, we can tack the motor mounts onto the frame so it can sit for good while we do the other planning & fab.
One thing we noticed is that the 1FZ is pretty tight in the 45’s engine bay, front to back. We are running the slick SPAL brushless setup on this, which requires a minimum depth of shroud to work properly. While the motor fit in there physically, we wanted a little more room visually.
First step was to remove this tubular cross brace and and angle channel from the front of the radiator and replace it with a flat bar (not pictred:
After slotting the radiator support mount holes in the frame, we were able to push the radiator forward 1/2-3/4”. Now there’s a little more breathing room visually:
First step was to remove this tubular cross brace and and angle channel from the front of the radiator and replace it with a flat bar (not pictred:
After slotting the radiator support mount holes in the frame, we were able to push the radiator forward 1/2-3/4”. Now there’s a little more breathing room visually:
The first major battle for real estate is the brake booster/master cylinder and the Sniper, mostly due to the early style firewall with the support rib that pushes everything out a few inches.
They are all up in each other’s business:
They are all up in each other’s business:
If the booster was simply flat on the the firewall, that would go a long way, but (at least with this booster) the diameter of the booster and the clutch master cylinder occupy the same real estate on the firewall. One would need to scoot over a little to have both mounted flush.
The motor is already pushed to the passenger side as far as possible - the split case is up against the frame, and the drivetrain would be way out of square if we push it over any further.
We have a few ideas brewing, but need to get the motor in for good to see what kind of room we have to work with.
Next week’s plan is to have the drivetrain sitting on heavy tack welds and make the truck a roller again.
The motor is already pushed to the passenger side as far as possible - the split case is up against the frame, and the drivetrain would be way out of square if we push it over any further.
We have a few ideas brewing, but need to get the motor in for good to see what kind of room we have to work with.
Next week’s plan is to have the drivetrain sitting on heavy tack welds and make the truck a roller again.
In preparation for John’s next trip to Memphis, we acquired a nice, gently used Weber gas grill for the shop:
… and also checked out a new eating establishment-slash-arcade within walking distance to see if it was up to our standards:
… and also checked out a new eating establishment-slash-arcade within walking distance to see if it was up to our standards:
That grill is as clean as the engine bay. Dang.
thecrazygreek
A.K.A. TheCraftyGreek
I’ve been working on a adapter design for the 2GC that may help with the clearance issue.
I know you are working on your own adapter kits, but I can send you one of my polyurethane examples to try out if your interested.
It offsets the Sniper .5 inches. And provides A flange for throttle cable mounting.
I almost have the first one done after many resets of my process.
The first couple are spoken for (non-offset model) but I would be happy to contribute. (No-charge of course)
I know you are working on your own adapter kits, but I can send you one of my polyurethane examples to try out if your interested.
It offsets the Sniper .5 inches. And provides A flange for throttle cable mounting.
I almost have the first one done after many resets of my process.
The first couple are spoken for (non-offset model) but I would be happy to contribute. (No-charge of course)
As this pic of the hood closed over the motor indicates, we have achieved independence from the engine hoist!
jomelo
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #733
I was looking for a new license plate the other day and learned that Florida allows for “authenticated” plates for vehicles manufactured in 1974 or before. I did not know exactly what that meant because I’ve never really owned many old Land Cruisers. Turns out because Florida (like a lot of states) used to issue new plates ever year and they had that year stamped on the plate. Each year you got a new plate. I’m allowed to plate this truck with an original 1964 license plate through a little DMV maneuvering downtown.
I even picked up a sweet “400th Anniversary” plate for the 1965 45 swb. The color could not be more perfect for this Seminole Red.
I’ll have this handled and up to @FJ60Cam in no time.
I even picked up a sweet “400th Anniversary” plate for the 1965 45 swb. The color could not be more perfect for this Seminole Red.
I’ll have this handled and up to @FJ60Cam in no time.
Big milestone this week - Rotunda is a roller again!
We tried to imitate the mounts you’d see on a 2F or 1FZ, but elevate them above the frame as required vs. nestled down in the frame.
Rear crossmember is a chopped early 60 style…
End result is the shifter is very close to where a 4spd shifter would land inside the truck, but maybe back an inch or so. Nothing that can’t be fixed with a tasteful bend. The hood closes and (most importantly) the motor looks happy in the engine bay!
End result is the shifter is very close to where a 4spd shifter would land inside the truck, but maybe back an inch or so. Nothing that can’t be fixed with a tasteful bend. The hood closes and (most importantly) the motor looks happy in the engine bay!
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Bonsai.
You may have noticed that the brake booster disappeared. No idea what we’re doing for brakes yet, so I am on journey back to New Mexico to receive enchantment from advanced civilizations (aliens).
I’m just following orders, but am told that I can expect to emerge from the wilderness in a week or two with answers.
