The 1962 Redding Ragtop

[Daner]

Morning everyone. My name is Duane and I have been away from Patrols for the last 15 years or so. It was nice to see a few of the names of Patrollers on this site who were active back in the day. I am hoping that the collective experience and knowledge of the members here can help me get an old Patrol back on the road.

I''ve verbally agreed (via text) to pick up the 1962 Patrol that has been on FB marketplace for the last few months in Ca. I have not seen it in person yet, but while it is pretty sad-looking Patrol in pics, I think I'm going to throw the dice and see if it can be saved. I see enough good things that I think it is a decent purchase (My wife does not concur with this assessment). It definitely has issues, such as title and fact that the condition of the motor and drivetrain are unknown.which may be why it has been for sale for so long.

I'm being optimistic and putting this thread in the "Projects" folder... I don't even own it yet.

A quick question or two:

I plan on towing the Patrol home on a dolly as my Tacoma is a little light and underpowered to haul a tandom axle trailer with a Patrol on it. Do I need to remove the rear driveshaft to tow it if I put the transfer case and transmission in neutral? Should I leave the transfer case in gear so the bearings get oil?

Thanks. Duane

1962 Patrol I.JPG

[zed]

Cool project!
I defer to other Forum members for dolly towing preparation recommendations. (Consider renting a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup truck from Enterprise, it has the brakes to stop the towed rig if you are on an incline or encounter an emergency situation.)
Keith

[RiverPatrol]

Congratulations maybe? I think under the funky paint and lichens it might be a pretty solid Patrol.

Putting the trans and transfer in neutral will be fine. Many Patrols were towed behind vacation RVs with just an A frame hitch. But Zed has a good recommendation, be sure that you've got the brakes and weight to stop an additional 3500 pounds behind you.

[50car]

Cool looking project! Appears to be a soft top with homemade top hard cover. It also has the split doors (upper section of door skin separates from lower). Rear bumperettes also appear to be unmolested! Looks like it also comes from a dry environment... Juniper and pines.. Eastern Oregon?
If it were me, I would drop the drive line if the Tacoma was the only option.
Good luck with it

[Esteban]

Congratulations on your Patrol!

You’ll need to check the oil in the transfer case and the rear axle, and top/change as needed.

Once you’re ok with it, just putting i neutral the transfer as you mentioned will be enough.

You might have at hand an infrared thermometer. Bring it with you and after some 15 to 20 miles, check the temperature of the axle and TC to make sure everything is ok. Readings between 90 to 120 F will be good.

How long of a drive will you hace?

[Daner]

Thanks everyone for the advice and support. I look forward to being part of the Patrol community once again as it is a pretty special community. Unlike the Land Cruiser/ FJ40 crowd, people who are into Patrols are into them for the right reasons. You have to love them for what they are, the Land Cruiser community seems to have been hijacked by people looking to flip or make maximum profit off them. Even parts rigs for FJ40s are going for 5-10K. As we have seen, folks who try to flip or make money on Patrols don't seem to stick around long.

Estaban-I will absolutely top off the rear differential, transmission and transfer case. I don't have an infrared thermometer, but I will stop and check the temp of the axle and bearings regularly. I have to tow it about 200 miles, will drive 50 mph (and throw a couple of straps on that dodgy looking top so it doesn't fly off lol)

50car-It is a factory soft top that appears to have all of the hardware. If it were a 69 hardtop with the big square turn signals, I probably wouldn't be as interested...not that there is anything wrong with the hardtop or the 1969s...I will get as much info about the history of the Patrol as possible, but afaik, it has been in NorCal for many years, so in theory it should be pretty solid.

River-Somewhere underneath the lichen, moss mildew and rattle-can camo paintjob I'm hoping to find a restorable or at least preservable early Patrol. My plans for the Redding Ragtop depends on the mechanicals. If I have the parts I need I may do a frame off restoration. If the motor is ceased or tired, will have to evaluate it from there. I'm rolling the dice on this one.

My Tacoma is rated to tow 6200lbs. I regularly tow my FJ40 with it. I'll just take it slow and easy

1962 Patrol II.JPG

[Daner]

...the interior looks slightly more promising

1962 Patrol III.JPG

[L60Boerne]

Very interesting. Removal of the forward tub wall solves alot of problems. I'd like to learn more about how that worked out once you check it out.

Patrolling again soon,
L60Boerne

[RiverPatrol]

I know this isn't your first Patrol rodeo, you know what to look for and what you're getting into. How many miles are on it? That will be a good judge of the mechanicals.

You'll find that the Patrol community has evolved quite a bit from when you were active in it. In fact you can even find your old posts here in the archives from the NPCA forum. It's a friendly bunch who are willing to help in any way, including finding the illusive parts. A frame off is a bold endeavor, and with the tub being cut already it will be difficult getting back to original, but certainly on and off road worthy.

[moore_rb]

If it were me, I would drop the drive line if the Tacoma was the only option.

Me too. In fact, if you are considering a U-haul towing dolly, I think they require you to unbolt the rear driveshaft.

But I think your Tacoma will tow that Patrol adequately using a dolly. Not having a big heavy steel hardtop on it, I imagine it weighs right around 3000-3100 pounds. (I'm assuming that homemade skin on the soft top frame is aluminum sheet, which should weigh next to nothing)

Good luck with the project, welcome back, and looking forward to following along in the resurrection of this old beasty...