fj 45 lv, do i save it?

shancerlelby · 05-19-2008, 12:55 AM

well i recently was offered this beautiful piece of technology out of the blue and wasnt really sure how much of a trainwreck i could be getting into. i've seen 4 others over on ih8mud and realized how rare these seem to be. its your typical rust wagon but have no idea the availablity of parts or interchangability between the 40 series, same drivetrain? what can i look forward to as far as replacement parts that will work? its been in the woods for awhile and will need a new brake system for sure as well as motor work etc.

any suggestions?

**Yoda** · 05-19-2008, 05:01 AM

I'd save it! Is it cheap?

If you don't want it, I could come and get it. It looks like a big project

111db · 05-19-2008, 06:17 AM

My Eyes

RobD · 05-19-2008, 06:37 AM

Man, as tempting as it would be, do you really have the time and money to do anything with it? Seriously, you're looking at hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to get it back into shape.

It comes down to: can you afford that kind of investment?

shancerlelby · 05-19-2008, 12:49 PM

well, im going to drag it home and see what the damage is. I'd be doing all the work also. maybe farm out transfer case and motor freshening. other than that i've been a body shop flunkie for afew years and also done my fare share of being a hired wrench so nothing really scares me. the beauty of the fj is that the mechanics are as simple as they come.

bigt · 05-19-2008, 12:55 PM

yeha man.. im using my 4runner trail rig as a learning project about all cars.... its only time and money.. youll have a sweet ride and you might even make some coin..how much did you pay for it out there in B.C?

shancerlelby · 05-19-2008, 01:40 PM

well i havent paid anything for it. it will end in a trade of some sort. alarm starter in a vehicle or maybe some wrenching on some other old junk. the p.o. of the cruiser has about 40 vehicles around the lot where the cruiser is. My boss got a 64 biscane well optioned for 50$ and some other 60's 4 door wreck that runs and drives for 100$

tulsa_97SR5 · 05-19-2008, 02:24 PM

Oh man, I always have a soft spot for basket cases like that. I'd think about a motor swap, looks like it's been sitting for years with the valve cover off just taking in the weather. Glad your going to save the old girl, keep us posted.

Any idea what year it is?

pyro · 05-19-2008, 02:26 PM

save it, it's mostly all there

dirtyXplorer · 05-19-2008, 02:38 PM

I think it would be kinda cool to swap the body on to a 3rd or 4th gen 4runner chassis

FlyingLow · 05-19-2008, 04:57 PM

Drive train is very similar to the 40 series cruisers, body parts are hard to come by. Keep it.

shancerlelby · 05-19-2008, 05:31 PM

i believe its a 66 but havent gotten the vins yet. i believe that year had the odd little round reflectors on the rear. not sure tho. ill have to see on Ih8mud

4mydogs · 05-20-2008, 06:38 AM

Oh, the humanity . . .

Just kidding. Man, if you have the time and coin to bring that truck back to life, my hat's off to you. You have the beginning photos of an incredible before-and-after album.

Greg_Canada · 05-20-2008, 06:41 AM

Oh man those are kick@ss... is that a factory PTO winch i see?

shancerlelby · 08-12-2008, 08:11 PM

well little update i finally had time to get her out of the woods abit and to where it can be towed to my home. super easy and after maybe 15 years? the rear tires still had air and the fronts only needed about 15 psi lol.

uh oh the rear diff leaks!

i hope the two of them get along together.

wormhole · 08-12-2008, 08:30 PM

Nice find. I'd say go for it and see what you can do.

Ty · 08-13-2008, 10:36 PM

Oh man, your lucky to get something like that. It needs a full restoration basically but it will be fun...right? lol
I think later on in life i will try to find an older Land Cruiser.
Don't get discouraged and keep at it.

FlyingLow · 08-14-2008, 02:28 PM

Spring it over and wheel the piss out of it? Or bring it to the island...

Review Buckroseau's thread on mud if you have not already. Happy reading! You will need a couple days. http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-...to-thread.html

By the way don't farm out the t-case, they are super easy. Post a build thread please.

shancerlelby · 08-14-2008, 11:35 PM

haha no worries. i'm thinking get her nice and mechanically sound then wheel her abit on 33's. needs brakes and a motor plus some three on the tree linkage. Plus BACK WINDOWS!!!! holy i hate looking at that plywood!

FlyingLow · 08-15-2008, 08:01 AM

Ya, I noticed the styling plywood...

Roof looks like it has had a little snow on it eh?

Might be worth getting a running doner for engine, 4 spd with a real shifter, tcase and axles (front disc). It may be better to find a front axle with half decent brakes than to replace the shoes and pistons on those front drums.

Kinked · 08-15-2008, 08:23 AM

Well best of luck to you, can't wait to see how far you can take it.. could be fun

05-19-2008, 12:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	fj 45 lv, do i save it? well i recently was offered this beautiful piece of technology out of the blue and wasnt really sure how much of a trainwreck i could be getting into. i've seen 4 others over on ih8mud and realized how rare these seem to be. its your typical rust wagon but have no idea the availablity of parts or interchangability between the 40 series, same drivetrain? what can i look forward to as far as replacement parts that will work? its been in the woods for awhile and will need a new brake system for sure as well as motor work etc. any suggestions? __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

05-19-2008, 05:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Yoda Super Moderator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 2,641	I'd save it! Is it cheap? If you don't want it, I could come and get it. It looks like a big project __________________ David TLCA 14788 71 Landcruiser FJ-40 TBI 327, TH-350, Warn 8000, disk axle swap. 76 Landcruiser FJ-40 project/parts (haven't decided)

05-19-2008, 06:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
111db Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 1,195	My Eyes __________________ Jon *97 4Runner 3.4 4.88's * ARB Lockers F/R * ARB compressor * Sonoran Steel numba 1 * 285 BFG AT/KO * TJM 17 * BudBuilt Skids * Stubbs Sliders & BBQ sauce * Irbis out back * Various Electronic Gadgets**

05-19-2008, 06:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,072	Man, as tempting as it would be, do you really have the time and money to do anything with it? Seriously, you're looking at hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to get it back into shape. It comes down to: can you afford that kind of investment? __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

05-19-2008, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	well, im going to drag it home and see what the damage is. I'd be doing all the work also. maybe farm out transfer case and motor freshening. other than that i've been a body shop flunkie for afew years and also done my fare share of being a hired wrench so nothing really scares me. the beauty of the fj is that the mechanics are as simple as they come. __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

05-19-2008, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 1,935	yeha man.. im using my 4runner trail rig as a learning project about all cars.... its only time and money.. youll have a sweet ride and you might even make some coin..how much did you pay for it out there in B.C? __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X 2-lte turbo diesel with upgraded head tons of cool options you dont get in north America RIGHT HAND DRIVE,auto,push button 4wd,turbo timer,31.1-.50.15 bfgs,factory fender flares,window flares. CAR DOLLY sirius TUNED TO HOWARD 100 trail ifs rig goldie fate unknown blue 93 srf 4runner NEW TRAIL RIG IN POGRESS ifs welded rear few mods for now rebuilding fj 60 series front axle for future s.a.s

05-19-2008, 01:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	well i havent paid anything for it. it will end in a trade of some sort. alarm starter in a vehicle or maybe some wrenching on some other old junk. the p.o. of the cruiser has about 40 vehicles around the lot where the cruiser is. My boss got a 64 biscane well optioned for 50$ and some other 60's 4 door wreck that runs and drives for 100$ __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

05-19-2008, 02:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
tulsa_97SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: tulsa, OK Posts: 1,334	Oh man, I always have a soft spot for basket cases like that. I'd think about a motor swap, looks like it's been sitting for years with the valve cover off just taking in the weather. Glad your going to save the old girl, keep us posted. Any idea what year it is? __________________ Brian 85 sr5, 5spd - back on the road, doing DD duty for now 86 2wd reg cab - future project 90 sr5, 97 - gone

05-19-2008, 02:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
pyro Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: macon,ga Posts: 115	save it, it's mostly all there __________________ Just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.

05-19-2008, 02:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
dirtyXplorer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mile High Posts: 214	I think it would be kinda cool to swap the body on to a 3rd or 4th gen 4runner chassis __________________ 93 4runner SR5, V6 3.0 Auto, Pro Comp ES9000s, 14" Magnaflow, Aisin manual hubs 93 Ford Explorer, lifted, 35"s

05-19-2008, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
FlyingLow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Van Island BC Posts: 47	Drive train is very similar to the 40 series cruisers, body parts are hard to come by. Keep it. __________________ 77 FJ40 36 TSLs, 45 springs in rear, 8274, ARB rear, TBI 2F 97 4 Runner Ltd TLCA# 9203

05-19-2008, 05:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	i believe its a 66 but havent gotten the vins yet. i believe that year had the odd little round reflectors on the rear. not sure tho. ill have to see on Ih8mud __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

05-20-2008, 06:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
4mydogs Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Galt's Gulch, SC Posts: 1,325	Oh, the humanity . . . Just kidding. Man, if you have the time and coin to bring that truck back to life, my hat's off to you. You have the beginning photos of an incredible before-and-after album. __________________ 1995 SR5 V-6 4WD Limited, 171k miles, 31X10.5 BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Downey 1.5HD rear coils, 9" Doetsch MV-12s, Hella 1000 fog lights, Alpine XM/CD head unit, and rear window dog drool.

05-20-2008, 06:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
Greg_Canada Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 754	Oh man those are kick@ss... is that a factory PTO winch i see? __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/1147271/1 My 1989 Toyota 4runner

08-12-2008, 08:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	well little update i finally had time to get her out of the woods abit and to where it can be towed to my home. super easy and after maybe 15 years? the rear tires still had air and the fronts only needed about 15 psi lol. uh oh the rear diff leaks! i hope the two of them get along together. __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

08-12-2008, 08:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
wormhole Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri/Arkansas/Idaho/Utah/Yuma, Arizona Posts: 1,191	Nice find. I'd say go for it and see what you can do. __________________ 2000 Toyota 4runner auto, 4x4, elocker, budbuilt skid, Sonoran Steel 7.2, 265/75/16 Yokohoma Geolanders AT-S Just call me "T" Sold: 1996 Toyota 4runner, auto, 4x4, Bud Built front skid, Stubb Welding Sliders, SS #3, hella 500's and elocked rear axle

08-13-2008, 10:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 40	Oh man, your lucky to get something like that. It needs a full restoration basically but it will be fun...right? lol I think later on in life i will try to find an older Land Cruiser. Don't get discouraged and keep at it. __________________ 1994 22RE 5spd 4x4 Pickup 1984 2.5L 4spd Fiero I caught that "JEEP Thing" now it burns when i pee!

08-14-2008, 02:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
FlyingLow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Van Island BC Posts: 47	Spring it over and wheel the piss out of it? Or bring it to the island... Review Buckroseau's thread on mud if you have not already. Happy reading! You will need a couple days. http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-...to-thread.html By the way don't farm out the t-case, they are super easy. Post a build thread please. __________________ 77 FJ40 36 TSLs, 45 springs in rear, 8274, ARB rear, TBI 2F 97 4 Runner Ltd TLCA# 9203

08-14-2008, 11:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
shancerlelby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: quesnel b.c Canada Posts: 280	haha no worries. i'm thinking get her nice and mechanically sound then wheel her abit on 33's. needs brakes and a motor plus some three on the tree linkage. Plus BACK WINDOWS!!!! holy i hate looking at that plywood! __________________ 88 dodge lancer shelby, 2.2 intercooled turbo, alpine 5.1 setup, 8 k hids, suede headliner flat black paintjob. 94 toyota 4runner v6 33x12.5 bfg mt's, cruiser coils, bj spacers, 4.88's, aisin manual hubs, the usual. 65 fj45lv stock, rust. SOLD!!!!

08-15-2008, 08:01 AM	#20 (permalink)
FlyingLow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Van Island BC Posts: 47	Ya, I noticed the styling plywood... Roof looks like it has had a little snow on it eh? Might be worth getting a running doner for engine, 4 spd with a real shifter, tcase and axles (front disc). It may be better to find a front axle with half decent brakes than to replace the shoes and pistons on those front drums. __________________ 77 FJ40 36 TSLs, 45 springs in rear, 8274, ARB rear, TBI 2F 97 4 Runner Ltd TLCA# 9203

08-15-2008, 08:23 AM	#21 (permalink)
Kinked Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Coquitlam Posts: 63	Well best of luck to you, can't wait to see how far you can take it.. could be fun __________________ 91 4Runner.... Alpine IDA-X001 Head Unit, Alpine 4" Front Spkrs, Alpine 5 1/4" rear Spkrs 92 S-10 Blazer.... might SAS it... maybe