The $5000 Build thread

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I don't know about your cruiser, but mine needs about 2" added in the rear suspension to get the rain gutter level to the ground. Adding an inch to the rear shackle will net you only a half inch in height at the axle.

Don
 
Calgary40 said:
Its coming along - just did the carb rebuild and tinkering with idle etc. but it starts beautifully now. Have a bunch of small things to do, license plate holder is a wreak, fussing with some door alignment, gotta fix the fuel sender, but it sure is close. A question though, I have the procomp 2.5 with bilistein - the stance seems to have a bit of a rake to the back...thinking of adding an inch to the shackle, but I would welcome views...
(and yes, I can see now that it is in the full sun, I have some paint touch-ups to do too...)View attachment 1219917 View attachment 1219918
Click to expand...

Maybe you can take the rear leafs out and have them re-arched. Add about two inches to them. You can put new bushings, greasable spring pins and greasable shackles too.
 
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Nice job.... From what you originally got to this... WOW! Nice work!
 
Thanks guys - regarding the re-arching, wouldn't that shorten the pin to pin length and increase shackle reversal risk? Think I will start with the shackle lengthening - I hate to cut the new fender, but that might be in the future too - those wheels are super offset and have 12.5's on them, so might need that clearance anyway. I guess it's also an excuse to get a winch for the front to weight it down too :)
 
Last weekend I fabbed a couple of shackles going for the 1 inch lift, got a bit more because my springs haven't settled down yet, but it looks level enough now.
shackles.webp

shackles2.webp


AND, I just took her out for the first drive. Registration was easier than I thought, had to do an insurance inspection - checked lights and asked if brakes were ok, insured, registered with no original title because its more that 15 years old... gotta love western Canada...

Anyway, have a few more things to sort - steering has a little slop, but more of a concern was in 4th after a good acceleration almost seemed to sputter at around 40 mph. I will have to run again tomorrow to see if that is a thing or just crud working its way through the system after years of sitting. Also have to fix the fuel sender... little stuff, but overall a great night. Kids have been grinning all evening and my eldest who drives is now pushing for lessons on how to drive a standard...
just returned.webp
 
Pre-shakedown, I think I was pretty close to my goal of $5000 - however, after a couple of hours of driving close to home, a replacement tank, clutch master and a few other bits, I am probably approaching $6000. Might have done better if the Canadian dollar hadn't tanked over the last few months. So, I consider her to be done, well, at least to now be entering maintenance mode... Thanks to all who helped with advice along the way, couldn't have got it here without this forum :)
IMG_20160326_155204.webp
 
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Calgary40 said:
Pre-shakedown, I think I was pretty close to my goal of $5000 - however, after a couple of hours of driving close to home, a replacement tank, clutch master and a few other bits, I am probably approaching $6000. Might have done better if the Canadian dollar hadn't tanked over the last few months. So, I consider her to be done, well, at least to now be entering maintenance mode... Thanks to all who helped with advice along the way, couldn't have got it here without this forum :)
View attachment 1234037
Click to expand...
Cruiser looks good! Where did u get the toyota T badge on the grill???
 
Thanks - since the build its had a 8274 winch added, knuckles, brake cylinders, coil, wires, been scraped up in the bush and largely commandeered by my eldest as "his" truck - but its holding up nicely though - we will be building out a double swing bumper in the near future as the stress of the oversized tire was starting to bend the tub... and, we added a more stock looking 40 one to the garage for my youngest (that one just needed a respray and some minor work) someday I'll get to my projects that will hopefully one day include a 55...
 
Sorry I am late to seeing your thread, but I like what you have done. Stayed on budget. It is inspiring.
 
awesome build! not sure i would have attempted it with that much rust.

i too build on a budget and managed to get my 45 bought, built and running for less than 4500. that is until i decided to buy a 12HT engine :rolleyes:
 
Great job
 
Thanks Guys - the budget build was helped significantly by the barn find $500 initial purchase that included extra bits I could sell off. It also helped that I was between jobs (not by choice) for 5 months allowing lots of time to cut, weld, grind, cut weld, and grind. Since finding work and having a second kid with expectations of a similar truck led to a new purchase around the $5000 mark outright - this one only needed door repair, Al tub touch ups, road tires and will eventually need knuckles and oil pan gasket...minor stuff. And yes, the orange peel was way worse on this one and required several hours with the cut polish... cheers, Kerry
red1.webp
red2.webp
red3.webp
 
You're a hard-working cruiser restorer - good job on saving a couple!
 
Thx!
The red one had some pluses and minuses - the seller was a great guy and drove part way to meet me (cutting it down to only a 5 hour drive) and the interior was in great shape. It had some minor, but nonetheless irritating electrical challenges, doors that need more work than planned and (disclosed prior to sale) the need for a knuckle rebuild. This biggest challenge has been with what I assume is an earlier al tub and door fitament. The PO had only used the soft top and never tried to fit the steel doors. I have some tight sections and some wide gaps - no way original weather stripping is going to work so we are currently fussing with a combo of aftermarket types. Although the biggest challenge has been to stop "borrowing" parts for the black one though - Cheers
 
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