The 45 finally running and legal

[lightwriter]

Hello, all. I finally got the 45 up and running. She had been sitting for a couple of years and it took some work and a lot of to get her up and running but here she is. Still a long way to go but the effort seems easier when you can atleast drive what you're working on. This is my second cruiser. I used to have a '78 FJ40 back in the day. Been wanting a 45 long before I sold the 40 though. Lot of things gotten in the way but was finally able to get this one last July. It has some rust and needs some body work here and there along with a laundry list of smaller things. Nothing that can't be fixed though....

Next big issues are:

Seat belts - I want shoulder straps and can only figure that I need to install a roll cage to get that 3rd anchor point. Seems awefully tight for a cage though. What have you guys done?

Wheels and Tires - these are dry rotted. Having a really hard time finding something that has the right backspacing. Everything I have found hits. Anyone tried using Tacoma or Tundra 16" wheels? I've done a search and come up with nothing.

Here are a couple of pics....
'66 FJ45 LWB
Chevy 350, TH350, NP205
Saginaw PS

 

[LC_Hamma]

Here are a couple of pics....
'66 FJ45 LWB
Chevy 350, TH350, NP205
Saginaw PS

Is that drivetrain lineup a wish list or ? I see a stick shift ILO of the TH350 auto mentioned & was wondering about the stock rear axle being offset & the NP205 having a centered output.

 

[landcrusher909]

Fantastic !!!!! nice looking Cruiser bring it out to calif for the 45 run this year. keep the pics coming

 

[lightwriter]

I can see why the confusion....

No, it's not a wish list....it's what's actually in it

What you see is a Lokar 16" Nostalgia shifter. I got the truck with a piece o' crap B&M. I never liked cable shifters and always planned on getting a Lokar but figured it could wait. Well, the cable kept binding up and it would never go into park at all. I wasted an entire day tinkering with it and finally got fed up and headed over to summit racing (20 min away) and picked up the Lokar. It was a little time consuming to adjust but works great. I don't like automatics at all - this is my second automatic car ever. I wish it was a stick and plan on making a stick again but that will have to wait until something breaks.

As for the axle offset....don't know what to tell you. The lateral offset does not seem any more than the vertical offset but it does increase the driveshaft angle reagardless. It will have to work for the time being. I don't really like this setup for numerous reasons. But the price was right.

 

[kellyo]

Looks damn good. Keep up the work. I am a long ways behind you on mine. Kind of wonder if I will ever get there. Hard to get much done with no $.

 

[lightwriter]

Looks damn good. Keep up the work. I am a long ways behind you on mine. Kind of wonder if I will ever get there. Hard to get much done with no $.

Ah, yes....I know the feeling

I have made more progress in the last few weeks than I have since July. The closer I got the more excited and "creative" I got to get it running. Hang in there and give us some pictures.

 

[lightwriter]

Fantastic !!!!! nice looking Cruiser bring it out to calif for the 45 run this year. keep the pics coming

Thanks, I'm in!!!

 

[Eco 45]

Congratulations on getting the truck mobile. I have two 66 lwb that are waiting to come back from the dead. One was supposed to be drivable when I bought it---but I think it was only on life support. I am really getting the itch to drive one and may have to get some outside help so at least I can get one on the road. Keep up the good work and please provide more photos.