Spike. 1965 FJ45 LWB Survivor from an Arizona hill side (1 Viewer)

[kunzma]

Did you find a lot of rust inside once the freeze/casting plugs were removed? If so, how did you remove it?

 

[Wadesters]

I am having the engine rebuilt by someone. I was told after honing the cylinders no boring required. Everything else checked out ok.

 

[Wadesters]

Powder coat pickup day! 2 FJ45 frames with my much younger (one is his) friend helping. All parts sourced, powder coating completed, tub being sandblasted and painted.

 

[Wadesters]

I have not updated in a long time. I am better on working than updating. Frame is powder coated, suspension installed, finished. Tub and most parts other parts painted. Also smalls powder coated. Engine, trans, transfercase all rebuilt and back.

Drive train and Tub are on frame, wiring and most everything installed except for seats. Engine builder is coming back after holidays for initial engine fire up. Most all electrical is working after idle for over 25 years.

Birdhead steering wheel is finished and back.

 

[Wadesters]

more here: (under restoration) 1965 FJ45 Arizona / Montana - Chris Wade - https://chriswade.smugmug.com/FJ45

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

Nice work Chris. That dash repair looks great - as does everything else for that matter. Beautiful!

 

[aztoyman]

Looks amazing. Did the original owner get to see any of this?

 

[scoobiedubes]

That’s a beautiful color, going to look sharp!!

 

[Wadesters]

I was in contact with original owner but have not heard back recently. I fear the worst as he was not in good health. Going to reach out again today to him and his daughter. Fingers crossed.

 

[Wadesters]

I beat myself up since it is not finished. However had several FJ40 projects to complete. All finished and gone except for 1979 White. Traveling over the holidays so. It is finished will sell it when I return. Also took in a 1982 Nordic Blue. It will sit until FJ45 is finished.

 

[Wadesters]

more

 

[middlecalf]

Wow! To the extent you’re doing this restore just a thought - there’s a mud member who has repop’d the upper thermostat housing, and I think still has a few left. Mine looks like yours but the upper radiator hose covers the rough part and doesn’t leak, so good enough for my level of functional resto. Yours is to a much much more concours level. Just a thought.

 

[Wadesters]

Thanks @middlecalf If anyone knows who has the restored upper thermostat housings please let me know...

 

[rainingagain]

Thanks @middlecalf If anyone knows who has the restored upper thermostat housings please let me know...

@andybudge For Sale - Upper Thermostat Housing - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/upper-thermostat-housing.1067295/

 

[Wadesters]

After reaching out to his daughter found out that the former owner of my 45 (he liked to be called Spike so that is what I named the 45) has died. RIP!

 

[whitey45]

Wow, nice restoration. What color is that?

 

[cwags12]

Wow ! Great color and work too. RIP Spike, but cool that you named the project after him. Kudos all around

 

[aztoyman]

So sad for the original owner. I have no doubt that he knew it went to the right person. Great job on the restoration.

 

[Wadesters]

Wow, nice restoration. What color is that?

OEM Nebula Green.

 

[Wadesters]

So sad for the original owner. I have no doubt that he knew it went to the right person. Great job in the restoration.

Thanks very much for your kind comments! I did not know him well but enjoyed meeting him and emails. One of the last emails I received from him was this picture last Christmas that he drew. The FJ45 is in the background.