The ultimate Cruiser find!..

[Cirbo]

So what is motor choice now that you have it back?

 

[plink01]

You could try looking on Gumtree Australia for a hardtop. The 45's were more common over here. There is a few old Landcruiser junkyards about that pop up and I rekon one of them would possibly have one.

 

[plink01]

Like this guy!

Free local classified ads

Find Auto Body parts ads in Wandandian 2540, NSW. Buy and sell almost anything on Gumtree classifieds.

www.gumtree.com.au

He says he won't post outside aus but you could always twist his arm a bit!

 

[Rainman]

So what is motor choice now that you have it back?

At this moment, I'm looking at a Mosely Motors Cop Motor. Starting with the 2F I bought to go in. I don't want "just an engine" in it. I want something extra. Also looking to put a 5 speed behind it. I want to enjoy the interstate with it instead of hating it. I live in the country south of Nashville and need to be able to drive with all the crazies and keep my own. I'll be able to do that with ease.

I'll be starting with a factory soft top. I'll buy a hard top later on. Unless I can get a deal...

 

[Rainman]

Ok. I put up the seats that came with it. ( Turns out, the original seats are gone and the replacements are from a 71 or 72 FJ40. ) Pretty decent over all for sale in the classifieds. You may want to check for the owner of the tiny home in the corner of the front seat but they could be bolted in a driven as they are. Then fix them up later. For sale here.

I'm trying to pay the truck a little attention while working on my buddy's Cruiser. I've made a deal with a guy trading my bed for a new one for a good price. Favor is still on this truck I believe. Not sure exactly the way I'll do it but I'm considering selling the '32 to help fund the build. Loosing my good friend/mentor last spring has drained me of the passion I had. It was our project together.

Anyway. Didn't want to let you all think this thread was dead.

 

[Rainman]

Okay. This is a little premature to post but I can't help it. For reasons I won't get into:

I am now thinking about putting the Baby Hemi and AOD from the '32 in the 45. Enter: BHJ45.
I was up half the night with that idea banging on my head. Couldn't sleep. Creates new issues like... I was counting on an H55F 5 speed. No. I was hoping for a better gas mileage engine. YES! Didn't want to have to swap axles out but would need a center rear diff. Going to measure the rear axle under the '32 and see if it could be adapted over. (May be too many alterations because of the suspension on it now.) It does have a positrac diff with a 3.70 gear which would be great for the highway.

I'm running on empty but my brain is full. Stay tuned...

 

[matzell]

Okay. This is a little premature to post but I can't help it. For reasons I won't get into:

I am now thinking about putting the Baby Hemi and AOD from the '32 in the 45. Enter: BHJ45.
I was up half the night with that idea banging on my head. Couldn't sleep. Creates new issues like... I was counting on an H55F 5 speed. No. I was hoping for a better gas mileage engine. YES! Didn't want to have to swap axles out but would need a center rear diff. Going to measure the rear axle under the '32 and see if it could be adapted over. (May be too many alterations because of the suspension on it now.) It does have a positrac diff with a 3.70 gear which would be great for the highway.

I'm running on empty but my brain is full. Stay tuned...

I am sure the Hemi will get better mpg than a 2f. Advance adapters may have an adapter to a LC case. You can always put 3.70 diffs from a 60 in it for better milage and you said it is an OD trans. If not the long wheelbase of the 45 would allow for an offset diff without getting the angles too bad, could even run a CV at the trans to help out. This way you could keep a little of your mentor with you in the 45 build.?

 

[Downey]

Regarding the load leveler shocks, they not only have you "double spring loaded" when you hit a bump, but then their valving works 90% in the wrong direction, so you get a violent "unload" every time the suspension rebounds- - -absolutely an idiotic choice.

 

[Rainman]

This way you could keep a little of your mentor with you in the 45 build.

That is EXACTLY why I consider this. He was the driver of all decisions in the '32. Unfortunately, it was a very expensive build that I couldn't keep up with. He even told me it was all his fault that the car wasn't finished before he passed.

@Downey , those spring assist shocks are on there only until I get to work on it. They've been on there since Oregon. A new OME suspension came with the truck when I bought it back. They're just for looks at this point.

 

[Rainman]

Somewhere hidden from myself, I have a copy of an add in '53 for a Dodge Coronet bragging about the new 241 Hemi and it's better gas mileage. IN 1953! As far as i can tell, the gas mileage was at about 20mpg. That's just under my Tacoma at 22. Not bad for an FJ40. I also realized that if I wee to put a Sniper EFI unto on the Hemi instead of the 4 barrel Holley, I'd get more power AND more efficiency. If I could just have my wife see my side of this...

 

[Rainman]

I imagine that this thread, since I've gone overboard on changing my mind, and I've shot ideas from the hip more than thrice, I'm likely to be remembered as a crazy man the older I got. That's okay I guess. But things change that we can't for see. Attitudes change for all kinds of reasons. So...

I began to work on the '32 and clean up some of the corrosion underneath. I began to feel the passion again and feel my buddy Gene smile at that. So, I got my car in a good shop and began to wide away at everything that was left. It now actually looks like it may be able to come home next week. Everything done other than finishing the interior. I even have a slot I can fill with the new interior guy. I've had this car as a dream since I was 12. I also started this project 13 years ago. So next week, I'll post pictures of the car back home and put a few of my own little pieces together on it. That is, if the weather will cooperate. I want a dry day to bring it home. We might not have that in the next 7 days.

This will all make sense in the long run... Eventually.

 

[Rainman]

Okay. While things around here are slow, let me update you on the '32.

IT'S HOME!!! AND DRIVING!

 

[Rainman]

I got a break in the rain to take a few more shots.

 

[whitey45]

Very cool, chopped, full fender, 32 3 window with a hemi!! Very tasteful build. I’m going on 15 years of building my 31 5 window. I am always distracted by other projects, but I will never sell it, hot rods were in my blood before the cruisers took over!

 

[Rainman]

This car has been a dream since I was 12. In a few months, that will be 50 years ago. My bother was given a '31 Model A 5 window to drive back and forth to high school. I was the one that fell in love with it. All original. That too was in my blood way before I knew what an FJ40 was.

Thanks for sharing your Rat here.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

View attachment 2599190View attachment 2599191
I got a break in the rain to take a few more shots. View attachment 2599190

thats about as close to perfection as I can imagine. Incredible work, as always.

 

[Rainman]

The day has come that I hoped would never arrive.

The '32 has run a bill that has made building the other dream ride impossible. Once again, the 45 has to go. It aches me to have to say it and burns me up that I must let it go. No other choice. Finances just aren't there to have/do both. O really thought I could pull it off but I just can't.

I may put it up in the classifides but for now, those of you you have expressed interest in it have the first shot. I'll post a parts list later when I have a chance. But:

First 9 grand gets the truck and all it's parts. Almost everything it needs to be complete.
Some of the parts are new parts from years ago that can't be found. Just sayin'.

 

[Rainman]

 

[Casey E]

Someone is getting a deal that truck is worth double what your asking.

 

[Rainman]

Guys. If you’re interested, message me. It’s already begun but I’ll read any interested messages.
I’ve always tried to be a very fair guy. I’m not trying to make as much as I possibly can. I got a deal, so the next guy gets a deal too. Maybe just not quite as good. I just hope the next guy does it right.