Builds "WY-REE-KA" A Ground Up 45LPB Restoration (1 Viewer)

[xtremeVA]

As others all have already said...incredible restoration. So how do you feel behind the wheel? You have had some beautiful patina’d cruisers so is it different with a museum piece?

Thanks for sharing the journey with the MUD family.

This thread should become a sticky as a restoration reference.

 

[OGBeno]

Bravo sir. Bravo.

 

[cult45]

Looks amazing mate! So much attention to detail! Front brake flex line collars and springs case-in-point! Will have to change my sig line bc now getting Clemson'd means no stone unturned!

 

[63cruiser]

Please try to get your build into a Concours somewhere. It is too nice not to have the world outside of Mud not be able to view it. Of course you may have to align all of your screw heads to get best in show.

 

[Bear]

JP,

Just to recap: nothing was powdercoated--just paint, correct?

Was thinking about the reaction one of the old Japanese assembly-line workers would have if he could see this today--probably bring a wide smile to an old guy's face ! A thought: why not reach out to Toyota at their Texas headquarters to see if they're interested in a temporary lobby display --you know, with the velvet ropes and all? The exposure surely wouldn't hurt, and who knows what publicity and attention it might garner?

 

[middlecalf]

Please try to get your build into a Concours somewhere.

JP, at a minimum, get the rig indoors for the next several days. Hope everything is ok with the storm. Paul

 

[63cruiser]

Going through the pictures again. Only thing I have noticed is the seatbelts. While I have them in my truck, is there any way to have the new red seatbelt material put on the old toyota hardware?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Look forward to when the wheel wells are packed with mud...

It's certainly blasphemy for an old Land Cruiser but I hope she never sees anything but climate controlled garage days.... with the occasional exception to peak outside on perfect 72* blue skies days. Of course that is only if there are no birds in the sky, dust in the air, or paint chipping pebbles lurking on the road

Absolutely beautiful work JP!

What will you do with it now? Concourse De Elegance'?

I certainly wouldn't mind a trip to Pebble Beach as long as they throw in a round on the course

As others all have already said...incredible restoration. So how do you feel behind the wheel? You have had some beautiful patina’d cruisers so is it different with a museum piece?

Thanks for sharing the journey with the MUD family.

This thread should become a sticky as a restoration reference.

Thanks for the kind words! I'll be honest I'm scared too death about driving this thing, I've put about a half mile on it just to make sure I could row through the gears and stop. That's likely going to be the extent of it for now too as my insurance is being VERY conservative in the valuation of it. Heck they don't even differentiate it from a 40

I will say though the most noticeable difference is it is just "tight", no squeaks or annoying rattles. It just feels solid. Being the first 1F engine I've ever rebuilt it is noticeably smoother, fires right up no choke needed, doesn't smoke or run rich, and the throttle response is crisp.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

JP, at a minimum, get the rig indoors for the next several days. Hope everything is ok with the storm. Paul

Thanks Paul, I'm about 100 miles inland here so we should be fine. The hurricane remnants are projected to pass close to us but it will be a shell of it'st former self at that point. Might lose power for a day or two but shouldn't be too bad.

Going through the pictures again. Only thing I have noticed is the seatbelts. While I have them in my truck, is there any way to have the new red seat belt material put on the old toyota hardware?

I don't know of any. It is one of the few OEM items I couldn't source for my build but I did my best to match the original color and style. Do you have pictures of your seat belts and mounting points? I didn't realize they were an option in the '63. I've never had a '65 or old with them but I imagine most didn't come with them. Though I had a few '65s with the anchors but no belts. I wonder what year seat belts became standard, '66? '67?

 

[63cruiser]

I don't actually have a 45 so i really can comment on 45's. i say truck and probably should say 40. Someday i hope to own a 45. My 40 had an old gm belt and a generic one that had seen better days. I replaced them with Seatbelt Planets similar to your in olive drab. It appears my 63 did have the anchors for seatbelts from the factory. Maybe someday you can find a small local upholster who wouldn't care about the legal liability of sewing on a couple of seatbelts with some TEQ buckles.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Looks amazing mate! So much attention to detail! Front brake flex line collars and springs case-in-point! Will have to change my sig line bc now getting Clemson'd means no stone unturned!

Thanks Cult! But you’ve got it all wrong you don’t need to change your signature but you do have to start your frame-off

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

JP,

Just to recap: nothing was powdercoated--just paint, correct?

Was thinking about the reaction one of the old Japanese assembly-line workers would have if he could see this today--probably bring a wide smile to an old guy's face ! A thought: why not reach out to Toyota at their Texas headquarters to see if they're interested in a temporary lobby display --you know, with the velvet ropes and all? The exposure surely wouldn't hurt, and who knows what publicity and attention it might garner?

Yes Bear all paint no powder coating. It was tempting to have the frame powder coated for durability alone but I wanted to try to mirror the OEM finishes as much as I could so paint it was.

You mean these nice Japanese guys and gals right here?






I could watch these videos over and over again.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Got to peek underneath the old girl today. I've got to get a lift for my shop for the next build it's a handy tool.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

few more...

 

[middlecalf]

I’ll be staring at these pics a lot. Love the detail.

Are those the original u-bolts?

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Hey Paul no they aren't the original. They are the bolts that came with the new stock springs from Alcan.

 

[wngrog]

No way you got your brakes right without driving it.

I refuse to believe it.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Garage queens don't need no stinking brakes

 

[cult45]

Thanks Cult! But you’ve got it all wrong you don’t need to change your signature but you do have to start your frame-off

No point now, the bar's been set too high!

 

[scrapdaddy]

Good luck with the sale.