Build "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta

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Tank5 said:
@UZJ40 I am not frustrated by the transmission issue, and not the reason I am thinking I would sell it. I agree with you and others, I doubt I got 2 bad transmissions and I mixed the parts in from a known good third transmission. I am thinking there must be something else. I have never dealt with an Automatic transmission issue like this before, so I am forced to take it slow in hopes of not destroying the second one. I don’t want to throw parts at it and hope it works. The issue is just forcing me to learn more about it and take my time. At this point the hard or fun part of this build is done, I just have to sort through this issue.

Why am open to selling it. I have 4 vehicles and two of them are project Land Cruisers. I technically started acquiring parts to build a 45 back in 2016. My goal was to learn some new skills while building a fun FJ45 trail rig. This project has been in the making for 8 years. My wife doesn’t really care for it and has no interest in taking trail rides in it. She has liked the various 80s we have had and I more recently acquired an 80 series I want to build and have been slowly putting together. I have thought for some time that I can only keep one. The 45 is obviously the coolest but the 80 is the most practical if I want to spend time with my wife. It just makes more sense to keep the 80 for my future adventures. I will definitely miss the 45 if it sells.

I really enjoyed the challenge of building the 45 and after I had it together with some miles on it in July I felt like my climb to the mountain top was complete. Sure I have a few things to sort out but the hard stuff is behind me. It has been a challenge to build but over the 8 year process things changed and I am fine taking a different path forward.

I did reach out to the guy that built the harness and told him what I am dealing with. I am just waiting to hear back from him.
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In that case I would deck out the 45 in luxury items rather than sell it. Install sound and heat insulation, heated and cooled seats, air conditioning etc. My 2 cents anyway
 
I had some time this weekend to replace the filter and gaskets in the transmission. I also installed a new neutral safety switch. I flushed the transmission continuously toping it off with the recommended Toyota ATF until I had cycled through 18 quarts. Then ran another hydraulic pressure test which it passed. I have it put back together and ready for a test drive again.

The wipers are acting up. Not sure what happened but they are not parking anymore.

Should hopefully have a couple test drivers completed by next weekend.
 
I ran errands with the 45 today covering about 60 road miles. No performance issues, but I think I have identified a rattle/noise I have been trying to sort out. The exhaust under acceleration seems to be contacting a small tab on the passenger side of the transfer case. It should be an easy fix.

I stopped at the dump and weighed it with a full tank, one driver, 50% loaded drawers system and a spare. It is a heavy little truck weighing at 5740 lbs.
 
Tank5 said:
I ran errands with the 45 today covering about 60 road miles. No performance issues, but I think I have identified a rattle/noise I have been trying to sort out. The exhaust under acceleration seems to be contacting a small tab on the passenger side of the transfer case. It should be an easy fix.

I stopped at the dump and weighed it with a full tank, one driver, 50% loaded drawers system and a spare. It is a heavy little truck weighing at 5740 lbs.
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That weight is really surprising
 
Bripars40 said:
That weight is really surprising
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yeah, I was figuring it would come in about a 1000lbs lighter than it did. The steel drawer system in the bed weighs 240lbs, not including the tools and parts inside it, and the spare weighs about 125lbs. The fuel tank is 30 gallons and was close to full, so that adds another 180lbs +/-. The rear crossmembers to support the suspension and rear bumper are pretty stout too. I guess it all adds up eventually.
 
And you probably had a good breakfast. Just sayin’ 😝
 
I had to run back to town, and got to add another 60 miles to it. I did receive two “nice Jeep” comments. I just smiled and said thank you.
Stopped for a quick picture on the way home because updates are boring without pictures.

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When’s it getting the hubcap rims?
Want to sell the Hutchinsons? 😁
 
I milked the 45 for some work today. Went out and cut about a cord of wood. Got a little mud and cow crap on the tires too. No problems hauling the load.
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I found a spot to test out the bump stops. At slow speed they stop the tires before they contact the body.

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cruisermatt said:
When’s it getting the hubcap rims?
Want to sell the Hutchinsons? 😁
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I don’t know, I am not sure I like the look as much and I am not in love with adding the clips to the hub caps as I did in my first version. I need to give it some more thought. It would be cool to run some acorn rims, I am just picky.

I have a love / hate relationship with the hutchinsons. For performance they are awesome! When it comes to changing out tires and lifting them they are work. I tell myself they serve as a good ballast to keep it right side up. I bought them used but after having them powder coated and replacing a bunch of studs and nuts, I have more in them than a new set would cost.

Anyway if I get to the point I sell them, you will be the first to know.😁
 
You got a set of my rings to mount hubcaps to FJC 17's right?
 
Tank5 said:
I milked the 45 for some work today. Went out and cut about a cord of wood. Got a little mud and cow crap on the tires too. No problems hauling the load.
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I found a spot to test out the bump stops. At slow speed they stop the tires before they contact the body.

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Man it looks good out and about! I like it almost as the one with the flatbed you parted out some years back. Man, I wanted that truck… Just couldn’t couldn’t swing it at the time.
 
cruisermatt said:
You got a set of my rings to mount hubcaps to FJC 17's right?
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I do have a set of rings but I had them modified. Still and option, it just isn’t my highest priority at the moment. There are still little things I need to sort out as I continue to test the truck.
 
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