camcruisers half door writeup

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:31 AM

okay so i got bored waiting for my driveshaft to come back from high angle,
so i decided it was time to make some half doors for the summer.

started with some donor doors, came off a 72, i installed them and figured where i would likethe cuts to be,

marked them and hacked away.

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:33 AM

next i cleaned up the cuts ,made by the cut off wheel. then went to the local metal shop and got two 2 x 36 inch stips to cap the doors

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:35 AM

lined the strip up and start the task of welding them on.

this took a while but eventually got the doors all welded up.

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:36 AM

some in action photos, thanks to self timer.

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:38 AM

awesome

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 10:40 AM

some close ups,

tonight ill bust out the grinder and sander and get the edges to the way i want them then ill primer.

ill get some photos of that up in the morning.

jcj_78FJ40 · 10-04-06, 11:01 AM

Nice work!

I think I say this for many of us, we appreciate you taking the time to post your write-ups!

I have them book marked.

Keep up the good work

jc

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 11:14 AM

thank you sir,

i hope that it can help some guys out when they go looking for ideas or referances. im always around if anyone needs photos or help.

72cruiser · 10-04-06, 11:27 AM

so did you cut out the section where the interior panel has those bends and then weld? or did you just leave the overlap, weld, and then grind off the excess?

i'm wondering this, lookin at this pic:

your whole write-up looks really similar to when i did mine, ha ha...i've got pics on my computer somewhere.

do you have any ideas for a nice finished edge?
for the early style doors, i don't really know how you could efficiently get away from that 90deg edge...

i've been thinkin abt it and am goin to try out some stuff in a month or so hopefully

malphrus

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 11:38 AM

for the overlap im just going to grind thm down to match the curves on the door.
youll see tonight the smooth finish. just made sure i had enough weld to grind down.

camcruiser13 · 10-04-06, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72cruiser

...i've got pics on my computer somewhere.

malphrus

lets get them posted. i couldve used some ideas

72cruiser · 10-04-06, 05:55 PM

i know i posted em up abt 2-3 years ago when i did my doors...i'll try and find em

malphrus

72cruiser · 10-04-06, 06:03 PM

when i did mine, i made a stencil for those bends on the interior panel so i could make sure i got a good weld (they were my first welding project)

yeah, here're some pics:

the thread:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/17327-solid-half-doors-done-almost.html

malphrus

pickle · 10-04-06, 06:43 PM

Nice job....getting ready to make a pair. Is there enough material if you where to cut them shorter on the inside--longer on the outside then work outerskin over the top and then back down??? Might have to add some small sq tubing to get a good outer edge ? ! .. Or is it easier to add a sheared and broke top??

72cruiser · 10-04-06, 09:37 PM

well, you'll have to add material at some point b/c you'd have a triangular hole right before the upslope, and a triangular overlap at the junction of the sloped part and the top flat section.

i would just say get some fresh sheet and make stencils...that's how i did it. that way each door is goin to be the same width.

also, i use some long bolts to ensure that the gap between the outer/inner skins would stay constant...they wanted to bow in on each other. worked pretty good i guess. i can't really explain very well how i did it, ha ha

malphrus

FJ Tingey · 10-04-06, 09:50 PM

yo bitch. looks awesome mate!

Walton · 10-05-06, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72cruiser

do you have any ideas for a nice finished edge?
for the early style doors, i don't really know how you could efficiently get away from that 90deg edge...

i've been thinkin abt it and am goin to try out some stuff in a month or so hopefully

malphrus

You could get the nice radius on the edge by instead of welding a piece of flat stock in....bend up a piece of 14 guage channel...notch accordingly...insert it into the door until the skins come up tangent to the rounded edge of your new top plate...either stitch weld and fill...or Tig weld with silicon bronze rod would work great too...Also makes a stronger..straighter edge...

72cruiser · 10-05-06, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walton

You could get the nice radius on the edge by instead of welding a piece of flat stock in....bend up a piece of 14 guage channel...notch accordingly...insert it into the door until the skins come up tangent to the rounded edge of your new top plate...either stitch weld and fill...or Tig weld with silicon bronze rod would work great too...Also makes a stronger..straighter edge...

that's the idea i've been tossin around in my head...

the problem with that is the early doors don't have a straight interior edge...
bending up a piece to fit would be possible i guess, but i think it would be tough to match the contour exactly.

i figure i could make some type of jig so that i knew how much to deform the radiused piece...we'll see how that all works out i guess, ha ha...i'll mos def post up when i do it and see how y'all like it...probably have a set or two to sell eventually

malphrus

Felix · 10-05-06, 10:38 AM

Wasn't there a thread where someone used an exhaust pipe? He welded it so that the inner and outer skin met the tube exactly halfway up, then filled in the ends so that the only exposed portion was the rounded top.

I searched but can't find the thread now.

camcruiser13 · 10-05-06, 10:38 AM

yes these doors are a little tricky, not being straight and all. heres some more pics of the finished metal work.

camcruiser13 · 10-05-06, 10:40 AM

a few more

you can see im in the process of stripping the doors, preping for the paint and hurculiner

camcruiser13 · 10-05-06, 10:41 AM

im thinking of welding an ohshit bar on the passenger side for the wifey, she gets nervous easy
is there anyone out there that could bend me one????

UNO_RACING · 10-05-06, 10:52 AM

Very nice work.

The half doors are really a nice additon for the summer. When I drove my FJ without the doors I always felt like I was going to fall out in a turn. Had very bad nightmares about it. If I can find some doors, I might do the same.

My Metal Tech Full cage (hip bars) should help with running without the doors.

camcruiser13 · 10-05-06, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FJ Tingey

yo bitch. looks awesome mate!

thanks dogg,

can baRELY READ YOUR TINY WRITING

10-04-06, 10:31 AM	#1
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	camcruisers half door writeup okay so i got bored waiting for my driveshaft to come back from high angle, so i decided it was time to make some half doors for the summer. started with some donor doors, came off a 72, i installed them and figured where i would likethe cuts to be, marked them and hacked away. Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 10:33 AM	#2
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	next i cleaned up the cuts ,made by the cut off wheel. then went to the local metal shop and got two 2 x 36 inch stips to cap the doors Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 10:35 AM	#3
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	lined the strip up and start the task of welding them on. this took a while but eventually got the doors all welded up. Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 10:36 AM	#4
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	some in action photos, thanks to self timer. Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 10:38 AM	#5
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	awesome Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 10:40 AM	#6
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	some close ups, tonight ill bust out the grinder and sander and get the edges to the way i want them then ill primer. ill get some photos of that up in the morning. Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 11:01 AM	#7
jcj_78FJ40 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Afton VA Posts: 436	Nice work! I think I say this for many of us, we appreciate you taking the time to post your write-ups! I have them book marked. Keep up the good work jc

10-04-06, 11:14 AM	#8
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	thank you sir, i hope that it can help some guys out when they go looking for ideas or referances. im always around if anyone needs photos or help. __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 11:27 AM	#9
72cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: nashville, tn TLCA# 13842 Posts: 2,550	so did you cut out the section where the interior panel has those bends and then weld? or did you just leave the overlap, weld, and then grind off the excess? i'm wondering this, lookin at this pic: your whole write-up looks really similar to when i did mine, ha ha...i've got pics on my computer somewhere. do you have any ideas for a nice finished edge? for the early style doors, i don't really know how you could efficiently get away from that 90deg edge... i've been thinkin abt it and am goin to try out some stuff in a month or so hopefully malphrus __________________ jonathan malphrus -- 72fj40 the only pinstriping i'll ever have on my cruiser will be after i hit a ny yankee 'these are my awards, mother, from army. the seal is for marksmanship and the gorilla is for sand racing.' ...build-up here (stalled)...

10-04-06, 11:38 AM	#10
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	for the overlap im just going to grind thm down to match the curves on the door. youll see tonight the smooth finish. just made sure i had enough weld to grind down. __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-04-06, 05:55 PM	#12
72cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: nashville, tn TLCA# 13842 Posts: 2,550	i know i posted em up abt 2-3 years ago when i did my doors...i'll try and find em malphrus __________________ jonathan malphrus -- 72fj40 the only pinstriping i'll ever have on my cruiser will be after i hit a ny yankee 'these are my awards, mother, from army. the seal is for marksmanship and the gorilla is for sand racing.' ...build-up here (stalled)...

10-04-06, 06:03 PM	#13
72cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: nashville, tn TLCA# 13842 Posts: 2,550	when i did mine, i made a stencil for those bends on the interior panel so i could make sure i got a good weld (they were my first welding project) yeah, here're some pics: the thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/17327-solid-half-doors-done-almost.html malphrus __________________ jonathan malphrus -- 72fj40 the only pinstriping i'll ever have on my cruiser will be after i hit a ny yankee 'these are my awards, mother, from army. the seal is for marksmanship and the gorilla is for sand racing.' ...build-up here (stalled)...

10-04-06, 06:43 PM	#14
pickle IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SE KANSAS Posts: 78	Nice job....getting ready to make a pair. Is there enough material if you where to cut them shorter on the inside--longer on the outside then work outerskin over the top and then back down??? Might have to add some small sq tubing to get a good outer edge ? ! .. Or is it easier to add a sheared and broke top?? __________________ Favorite smell: Gun Powder Favorite sound: HorsePower Favorite sight: Silicone/Blonde Favorite taste: MT Dew Slick 75-40 Rough 74-40 Built 78-40 I had a goal of retiring at 50 until I found Cruizers! Hope they don't mind oil leaks at the nursing home.

10-04-06, 09:37 PM	#15
72cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: nashville, tn TLCA# 13842 Posts: 2,550	well, you'll have to add material at some point b/c you'd have a triangular hole right before the upslope, and a triangular overlap at the junction of the sloped part and the top flat section. i would just say get some fresh sheet and make stencils...that's how i did it. that way each door is goin to be the same width. also, i use some long bolts to ensure that the gap between the outer/inner skins would stay constant...they wanted to bow in on each other. worked pretty good i guess. i can't really explain very well how i did it, ha ha malphrus __________________ jonathan malphrus -- 72fj40 the only pinstriping i'll ever have on my cruiser will be after i hit a ny yankee 'these are my awards, mother, from army. the seal is for marksmanship and the gorilla is for sand racing.' ...build-up here (stalled)... Last edited by 72cruiser; 10-05-06 at 03:43 PM.

10-04-06, 09:50 PM	#16
FJ Tingey IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: you tah Posts: 33	yo yo bitch. looks awesome mate!

10-05-06, 10:38 AM	#19
Felix Magic on the Mic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA TLCA# 15204 Posts: 1,499	Wasn't there a thread where someone used an exhaust pipe? He welded it so that the inner and outer skin met the tube exactly halfway up, then filled in the ends so that the only exposed portion was the rounded top. I searched but can't find the thread now. __________________ Felix '75 FJ40 - kinda stock-ish Capital Land Cruiser Club

10-05-06, 10:40 AM	#21
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	a few more you can see im in the process of stripping the doors, preping for the paint and hurculiner Attached Images __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-05-06, 10:41 AM	#22
camcruiser13 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,115	im thinking of welding an ohshit bar on the passenger side for the wifey, she gets nervous easy is there anyone out there that could bend me one???? __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

10-05-06, 10:52 AM	#23
UNO_RACING IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 674	Very nice work. The half doors are really a nice additon for the summer. When I drove my FJ without the doors I always felt like I was going to fall out in a turn. Had very bad nightmares about it. If I can find some doors, I might do the same. My Metal Tech Full cage (hip bars) should help with running without the doors. __________________ Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things. --Frank A. Clark