Formiga Rosa (Old School FJ45 Desert Racer Find) - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

RustyNailJustin · 03-31-2012, 01:03 PM

I am sure this will be a long winded thread but I got her home today and I am really excited. I could not wait to share it with my Pirate brothers.

2 Weeks ago I had a friend/coworker ask me if I see any early 70's FJ40's come up for sale let him know. He sold his a few years ago and kicks him self for it. We started bull shittin and he said there is a ranch out of town a ways that has one of those Land Cruiser trucks in the field. WHAT!??? We ventured out to the peoples ranch and sure enough tucked back in the trees a short Bed 45.
I talked with the woman who was home and she said it was her dads. It had not been running or driving for years. I asked her if she was interested in selling and she said yes. I gave her my number and said let me know as soon as you decide on a price. A week went by and I had not heard a thing. I could not take the suspense and I drove out to her ranch. She said she had lost my number but had a price in mind. I happily forked over her asking price and the story's started flowing.
Her dad bought it new in 1966 in Salinas CA. He had always been into four wheeling but really wanted to desert race. Some time in the late 60's or early 70's he raced this at least once in NORRA Mexican 1000. It spent the rest of its life on the Rubicon and Northern CA trails. There are a ton of stories with this thing. We are working to get the video of him racing converted to DVD so I can attach it to the story of the resurrection of this old rig.

So what does "Formiga Rosa" mean? Where does it come from? The words are Portuguese this is what this rig was called by the race teams back in the 60's. The "Red Ant".

I am not exactly sure what direction I will be taking this very cool 45 but it will be based on its history. Build and more stories to come.

Where the Ant was resting for years.

RustyNailJustin · 03-31-2012, 01:05 PM

Out of the hole and onto my flat bed. Headed to my shop.

RustyNailJustin · 03-31-2012, 01:06 PM

Much Much more to come stay tuned.

Arya Ebrahimi · 03-31-2012, 01:17 PM

Too cool! Will definitely be following this one.

But seriously, stop hoarding the 45s!

RustyNailJustin · 03-31-2012, 01:37 PM

Few more

RustyNailJustin · 03-31-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

Too cool! Will definitely be following this one.

But seriously, stop hoarding the 45s!

I have been dreaming of finding a 45 in a barn or a field for years and years. This thing caused a serious lack of sleep when she was not calling me back.

jeepdaddytj · 03-31-2012, 01:49 PM

subscribed !

KT40 · 03-31-2012, 05:25 PM

Very Cool!!

This is a Whitey find!

I suggest you come down to the 45 Run this year. Once you attend one, you will be wanting to go every year.

LCOwner · 03-31-2012, 07:57 PM

I hate you.

dog walker · 03-31-2012, 08:34 PM

FNA! nice find dude!

Pooze · 03-31-2012, 08:57 PM

She's so purdy!

BCzuk · 03-31-2012, 09:01 PM

Great find. Definitely be following this one

socal nick · 04-01-2012, 07:21 AM

i can tell now this will be my favorite build.
the suspense of the build is already killing me!

awesome find.

4N JEEP · 04-01-2012, 09:36 AM

Nice!

RustyNailJustin · 04-01-2012, 05:29 PM

Kelly spent a few hours cleaning the dirt/mud, rat nests, rat shit, years of sitting soot out of the Cruiser today. We found some good news. The floors in the cab and the bed are in excellent condition. No rust to speak of in these areas. Also found new in the Bag from Toyota, lenses for all the lights including the rear tail lights.
Not sure on motor yet. I was thinking 2F for simplicity, Toyota, Cheep but really thinking some kind of FI V8. It had a V8 in it from the 60's. I am thinking update. 6.0, or a 5.3. I cant decide on transmission...... Thoughts?

Axles are going to be Just updated 40 axles with discs. FJ60 steering box.

Kelly is in love with this thing and for now she just wants it to be running and driving. She likes the look of the faded paint and rough body.

RustyNailJustin · 04-01-2012, 05:30 PM

I started torching off stuff that will not be used. This pile is about to get big
I had to torch a drum to get it off. Thing was seriously seized!

RustyNailJustin · 04-01-2012, 05:35 PM

Cool old school badges. Oldest one I can read is 67.

fc187 · 04-01-2012, 05:37 PM

very cool!

the stickers are the best!

EnginerdFJ · 04-01-2012, 05:42 PM

Wow cool find. You always have a great end product. If Kelly likes the faded/weathered look, what about a rat rod sort of thing with the exterior?

texican · 04-01-2012, 06:16 PM

that is too f'n cool, the translator I found from Portuguese to English said
"Pink Ant", which does not strike fear into my soul.......you gonna post it in the 45 forum on Mud, those guys would cream......

There is a guy over there reproing the chain covers for the tailgate.......I have 2 sets ordered......
Some really good repo stuff happening ........hubcaps decals etc.

fc187 · 04-01-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

......you gonna post it in the 45 forum on Mud, those guys would cream......

There is a guy over there reproing the chain covers for the tailgate.......I have 2 sets ordered......
Some really good repo stuff happening ........hubcaps decals etc.

wngrog · 04-01-2012, 06:53 PM

rock-rod · 04-01-2012, 07:10 PM

that is a cool find. lots of history there.

RustyNailJustin · 04-01-2012, 07:15 PM

Hope Georg doesn't mind me borrowing his wheels and tires to make her a roller.

She looks ready to drive

RustyNailJustin · 04-01-2012, 07:16 PM

I wonder if I can keep the original title some how? It would be cool to keep sake.

03-31-2012, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Formiga Rosa (Old School FJ45 Desert Racer Find) I am sure this will be a long winded thread but I got her home today and I am really excited. I could not wait to share it with my Pirate brothers. 2 Weeks ago I had a friend/coworker ask me if I see any early 70's FJ40's come up for sale let him know. He sold his a few years ago and kicks him self for it. We started bull shittin and he said there is a ranch out of town a ways that has one of those Land Cruiser trucks in the field. WHAT!??? We ventured out to the peoples ranch and sure enough tucked back in the trees a short Bed 45. I talked with the woman who was home and she said it was her dads. It had not been running or driving for years. I asked her if she was interested in selling and she said yes. I gave her my number and said let me know as soon as you decide on a price. A week went by and I had not heard a thing. I could not take the suspense and I drove out to her ranch. She said she had lost my number but had a price in mind. I happily forked over her asking price and the story's started flowing. Her dad bought it new in 1966 in Salinas CA. He had always been into four wheeling but really wanted to desert race. Some time in the late 60's or early 70's he raced this at least once in NORRA Mexican 1000. It spent the rest of its life on the Rubicon and Northern CA trails. There are a ton of stories with this thing. We are working to get the video of him racing converted to DVD so I can attach it to the story of the resurrection of this old rig. So what does "Formiga Rosa" mean? Where does it come from? The words are Portuguese this is what this rig was called by the race teams back in the 60's. The "Red Ant". I am not exactly sure what direction I will be taking this very cool 45 but it will be based on its history. Build and more stories to come. Where the Ant was resting for years. Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305 Last edited by RustyNailJustin; 03-31-2012 at 01:11 PM.

03-31-2012, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Out of the hole and onto my flat bed. Headed to my shop. Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

03-31-2012, 01:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Much Much more to come stay tuned. Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

03-31-2012, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Arya Ebrahimi Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7876 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 4,218	Too cool! Will definitely be following this one. But seriously, stop hoarding the 45s! __________________ DD/Tow-rig: '06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Classic Rig: '88 FJ62, 100% stock In the weeds waiting for resurrection: '94 FZJ80, 33s, locked

03-31-2012, 01:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Few more Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

03-31-2012, 01:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
jeepdaddytj Granite Guru Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 17687 Location: navarre ohio Posts: 671	subscribed ! __________________ hell hath no fury, like the scorned PBB.

03-31-2012, 05:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
KT40 Granite Guru Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21749 Location: Climate Best By Government Test Posts: 561	Very Cool!! This is a Whitey find! I suggest you come down to the 45 Run this year. Once you attend one, you will be wanting to go every year. __________________ 73 FJ40 -Under the knife --http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607442 65 FJ45 -Patiently waiting

03-31-2012, 07:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
LCOwner 181 Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 181 Location: 100 miles from Ershim Lake Posts: 1,739	I hate you. __________________ Team Member: G-Man Racing #213

03-31-2012, 08:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
dog walker Discount! Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 156 Location: Orangevale, CA Posts: 6,787	FNA! nice find dude! __________________ Jeff Fretwell 72 FJ40 67 FJ45 83 Toyota 4x4 LB

03-31-2012, 08:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Pooze Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 104239 Location: Lake Tahoe, Posts: 957	She's so purdy! __________________ 1978 FJ40,383 stroker, 350,205,corp 14,dana 60 detroits 5.13's 42" Irocs, and a little tubing. 1974 FJ40-metal tech tubing, 4.88, Detroit rear, Arb front, 60 outers 1967 FJ45-Mater http://www.rubiconfriends.com/ http://www.laketahoehilos.com/ http://www.badrap.org

03-31-2012, 09:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
BCzuk Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21320 Location: BC Canada Posts: 3,252	Great find. Definitely be following this one __________________ Samurai Build. TDI swap in progress http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=970111

04-01-2012, 07:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
socal nick Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Member # 163633 Posts: 262	i can tell now this will be my favorite build. the suspense of the build is already killing me! awesome find.

04-01-2012, 09:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
4N JEEP Wheeler Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4620 Location: Sausalito CA Posts: 306	Nice!

04-01-2012, 05:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Kelly spent a few hours cleaning the dirt/mud, rat nests, rat shit, years of sitting soot out of the Cruiser today. We found some good news. The floors in the cab and the bed are in excellent condition. No rust to speak of in these areas. Also found new in the Bag from Toyota, lenses for all the lights including the rear tail lights. Not sure on motor yet. I was thinking 2F for simplicity, Toyota, Cheep but really thinking some kind of FI V8. It had a V8 in it from the 60's. I am thinking update. 6.0, or a 5.3. I cant decide on transmission...... Thoughts? Axles are going to be Just updated 40 axles with discs. FJ60 steering box. Kelly is in love with this thing and for now she just wants it to be running and driving. She likes the look of the faded paint and rough body. Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

04-01-2012, 05:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	I started torching off stuff that will not be used. This pile is about to get big I had to torch a drum to get it off. Thing was seriously seized! Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305 Last edited by RustyNailJustin; 04-01-2012 at 05:32 PM.

04-01-2012, 05:35 PM	#17 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Cool old school badges. Oldest one I can read is 67. Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

04-01-2012, 05:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
fc187 Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1525 Location: Stockton Ca Posts: 4,631	very cool! the stickers are the best! __________________ NCRD

04-01-2012, 05:42 PM	#19 (permalink)
EnginerdFJ Hack Join Date: Dec 2010 Member # 178404 Location: cRochester, NY Posts: 258	Wow cool find. You always have a great end product. If Kelly likes the faded/weathered look, what about a rat rod sort of thing with the exterior? __________________ 1978 FJ40... in many pieces

04-01-2012, 06:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
texican Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12349 Location: Bonham Texas Posts: 6,609	that is too f'n cool, the translator I found from Portuguese to English said "Pink Ant", which does not strike fear into my soul.......you gonna post it in the 45 forum on Mud, those guys would cream...... There is a guy over there reproing the chain covers for the tailgate.......I have 2 sets ordered...... Some really good repo stuff happening ........hubcaps decals etc. __________________ Conflict is inevitable..... Combat is optional.... Tires are like boobs, they always look big until you have played with them for a while, then you just want a bigger set. [URL=http://www.lslc.org/]Lone Star Land Cruisers[/URL] [URL=http://www.khyi.com/]Support Texas Music[/URL] Last edited by texican; 04-01-2012 at 06:20 PM.

04-01-2012, 06:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,057 Blog Entries: 4	__________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

04-01-2012, 07:10 PM	#23 (permalink)
rock-rod Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20092 Location: Porker, CO Posts: 3,466	that is a cool find. lots of history there. __________________ '94 Toyota Land Cruiser FJZ80 - Vortec L33 5.3l, 4L60e, elocked, 3" OME lift, 315 KM2s, Warn 8074.

04-01-2012, 07:15 PM	#24 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	Hope Georg doesn't mind me borrowing his wheels and tires to make her a roller. She looks ready to drive Attached Images __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305

04-01-2012, 07:16 PM	#25 (permalink)
RustyNailJustin Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8568 Location: Klamath Falls,OR,Fruita,CO,Montrose,CO, Posts: 7,018	I wonder if I can keep the original title some how? It would be cool to keep sake. __________________ 2012 KOH Team CrossedUp, ADS, Artec, Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 9TH Place. 2011 LCQ to KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. We finished 40th 2010 KOH Team CrossedUp Mike Klensin and Justin Reece. 2009 KOH Team 435 Finished 35th.First Full Frame/Full Body To Finish KOH. TLCA# 5305 Last edited by RustyNailJustin; 04-01-2012 at 07:16 PM.

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