Spike. 1965 FJ45 LWB Survivor from an Arizona hill side

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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.

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Kept this beautiful card to send in Christmas, thank you Chris for sharing!
May the Lord rest his soul in peace.
 
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Thanks for sharing the sad news about Spike. Love the pictures he drew…he was a true 45 enthusiast. You’re doing his legacy proud with a beautiful restoration. It was great that you kept in touch after the sale and I’m sure it put him at ease that the vehicle he loved made into the hands of someone who appreciated it as much as he did. Every 45 has a story…the “Spike 45”is especially great!

Keep the pictures flowing….we LOVE pictures….more pictures please! 😃
 
I have not updated in a while. Interior is finished for the most part.

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vent in the front installed and working. I need smaller hands. Also it has a face with OEM headlight upgrade.
Tomorrow last parts of engine will be installed. Newly planed manifolds and rebuilt SD40. Then fenders, hood, can be installed.
Last piece to be painted is bed and tail gate. They are sandblasted and have no rust damage so should not take too long.

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I know where there is a 65’, all original and same owner since new who is still alive. She is in her 90’s now. Way boonies in Nevada.

Thing is the Cruiser was used for 30yrs and is pretty beat up and she is not selling.

Cheers
 
No plan to sell. Just have to figure a way to fit my 6’2” + self in it. I think it will be like a Porsche, hard to get in but cool once your in it.
 
Outstanding Chris, the finish is just around the corner. Very nice work.
 
Chris, I think we are the same size. Once your in it, you forget get about being a little cramped. The other problem will be trying to figure out how to wipe that big smile off your face. 😀

Mark
 
@Unimogguy
I used to have some cheap tire rollers from Harbor Freight. They did the job for many years. However it is not without effort when trying to move something. I realized that as I got older sooner or later I was going to pull my back trying to move a vehicle. I decided go jaks would be cheaper than back pain. Spent the $$$ for them and never looked back. They are expensive but worth it to me. Not sure I would use them on a rough surface but on a garage floor they are perfect and roll easily.
 
I have the same HF rollers as well and I find them an absolute pain to use. As you know you have to jack the vehicle up and then slide the rollers under each tire. I saw a set on the back of a local tow truck yesterday and then saw your post.

@Unimogguy
I used to have some cheap tire rollers from Harbor Freight. They did the job for many years. However it is not without effort when trying to move something. I realized that as I got older sooner or later I was going to pull my back trying to move a vehicle. I decided go jaks would be cheaper than back pain. Spent the $$$ for them and never looked back. They are expensive but worth it to me. Not sure I would use them on a rough surface but on a garage floor they are perfect and roll easily.
 
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