[Sweetdoo]

Looking awesome! Nice shop BTW!

[SKINNER]

I got the first coat of black on last night and took some pictures this evening. I'll be putting a second coat down tonight for good measure, although I'm not sure it needs it.

As I said in the previous post, the Rust Bullet did not spray very well using the 1.4mm tip HVLP gun I have (the black sprayed beautifully however). This resulted in very very very slow progress (think 4 hours to do 2 coats) As such, I sprayed 2 medium to heavy coats instead of the 3 light coats recommended. Rust Bullet cautions against this for aesthetic reasons as it causes very small CO2 bubbles to form during curing. While this may not be good for a hot rod or factory resto....I FRIGGIN LOVE THE WAY IT LOOKS! It almost gives the frame a texture that looks similar to bedliner and it hides the akward transitions from clean frame, to rusty frame, to imperfect frame, etc. Check out the pics:

[SKINNER]

I laid down the second coat tonight; everything went really smoothly. I think I will focus on getting the "paint booth" dismantled tomorrow night and then start tearing down the springs for cleaning, repaint, and AAL addition. My wife is out of town this weekend so I am hoping to get the front and rear axle torn down, cleaned up, knuckles rebuilt, brakes replaced, etc., and then I can paint both axles and all the leafs.

With any luck I may have a rolling chassis back by the end of the weekend!!

[79fj40moneypit]

Nice work! Great shop!

[Zack1978]

Originally Posted by SKINNER

I laid down the second coat tonight; everything went really smoothly. I think I will focus on getting the "paint booth" dismantled tomorrow night and then start tearing down the springs for cleaning, repaint, and AAL addition. My wife is out of town this weekend so I am hoping to get the front and rear axle torn down, cleaned up, knuckles rebuilt, brakes replaced, etc., and then I can paint both axles and all the leafs.

With any luck I may have a rolling chassis back by the end of the weekend!!

I want your skills!


Zack

[SKINNER]

Thanks for the compliments guys! I will try and keep the pics coming through the entire process; if there is anything anyone wants more detailed pics of just let me know!

[SKINNER]

It's been a little bit since I posted pic updates. I've got the AAL's installed, the spring packs cleaned and repainted, the rear axle done, the front axle torn down and now painted. Just need to put it together and throw the chassis back together. Here are a couple pics from the painting process:









Oh yeah, I got my series 97 rockcrawlers ordered too. I still need to find a local shop that has/can get 33x10.50r15 BFG AT's. . .every shop so far says they can't get them?? If not, looks like I'll be going with the MT's.

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Originally Posted by SKINNER

I still need to find a local shop that has/can get 33x10.50r15 BFG AT's. . .every shop so far says they can't get them?

Summit Racing has them. I was under the impression that 10.5's were easier to get ahold of than 9.5's, but maybe that's not the case?

Butt

[Michael.lee]

This project is totally inspiring. I can't wait until the day when:
1. I have an extra 60 sitting around that I can do something like that too. {Need mine to get to work and play... my wife's 325 XI just doesn't handle like Clifford does}
2. I have the time to do something like that.
3. I have a shop 1/2 as cool as yours to do something like that in.
4. I have the skills to pull something like that off...
5. Recognizing that I most likely won't have said skills... I then have the balls to try it anyway so that I can acquire said skills.

[mel lowe]

progress looks great!!!

[SKINNER]

Thanks everyone, I'll post more pics this weekend after I get the chassis back together.

[cfdlighthouse]

Oh yeah, I got my series 97 rockcrawlers ordered too. I still need to find a local shop that has/can get 33x10.50r15 BFG AT's. . .every shop so far says they can't get them?? If not, looks like I'll be going with the MT's.

[/quote]

tire rack Compare Tire Search Resultshas them but they are on back order. i have purchased tires from them before have good prices and can get most things.

[klinetime574]

That frame is soo clean! Good Job!

That engine is sweet as well.

[SKINNER]

Originally Posted by klinetime574

That frame is soo clean! Good Job!

That engine is sweet as well.

Thanks man! I'll have to make some more pics of the engine, I've got the intake glass bead blasted, the new valve covers, and oil pan on.

I'll post more pics tomorrow; hopefully I'll have the chassis all back together.

[fjdemon]

Man, I'd love to have that shop and your talent, maybe one day when I'm done working I'll learn just for fun. Looks good!

[SKINNER]

Pics of some chassis progress from last night. I was only able to work on the cruiser for a couple hours last night because I am also working on a 46 chevy pickup chassis for a friend.

[cfdlighthouse]

everything looks awesome. great job

[RS41AB]

I see you have everything apart, particularly the front fenders. How does the hood cowl just below the windshield attach? Mine is rusting out and could use a patch/repair. Is it integral to the main body or does it unbolt? Do the front fenders need to come off first as you have done? Could you take a picture?

Thanks!

BTW, looks great! Awesome shop, I'm jealous.

[smkymntn]

Fantastic job. I am envious of your workspace and skills. Should be beautiful when you are done.

[landbruiser60]

Great work man! It looks like you and I Are in the same boat on this sort of project. I also have an 84 fj60 I wish to restore. Although I will doing my work outdoors (no garge:(). I think I have the same original color as your vehicle. Are you going to repaint the body? If so what color are you thinking of using. I'm thinking about using that black shell for the body on mine. I have a long way to go before that step though. I can't believe how much progress you have made. You are making it look way to easy.. Keep it up

[jtreehorn]

This is blowing my mind.

[SKINNER]

Thanks guys!

I got the front axle back together last night (minus calipers that are in dire need of new piston boots) and am going to get my wheels/tires mounted after work today. I am getting pretty stoked. It's the milestones like getting the chassis back together that re-energize me! Now I can't wait to build the TBI harness and get the rest of the powertrain back installed.

[chukardog]

Great post keep the pics and updates coming.

[Lost]

wow, id love to be able to do that to my truck. i cant even get out of my truck in my garage uless i leave the tailgate open :P

[SKINNER]

Pictures with the meats fitted up. I know it's only short term, but I wanted to see what she looked like. i still have to finish the rear brakes and get the front hubs installed (neither local NAPA has a 54mm or 2 1/8 socket, WTF?)

[SKINNER]

Originally Posted by RS41AB

I see you have everything apart, particularly the front fenders. How does the hood cowl just below the windshield attach? Mine is rusting out and could use a patch/repair. Is it integral to the main body or does it unbolt? Do the front fenders need to come off first as you have done? Could you take a picture?

Thanks!

BTW, looks great! Awesome shop, I'm jealous.

I took a look at the cowl tonight, and it is integral to the cab (I was pretty sure it was, but had to check). If your rust is pretty localized, I would just cut it out and spot weld in a patch panel. Let me know if you need any pics.

[fjdemon]

Let me know when you are ready to sell it, or when you are going to do mine hahah Just kidding, looks great! I'm following this thread for sure. Good looking tires too!

[jefferson-mo]

You're not gonna cover that beautiful chassis with a body are you?

Excellent work throughout.............................


BTW..................just get reman 4runner calipers, they work better and require minor trimming of the shield to fit...............

[klinetime574]

It's sooo clean. drool

[landbruiser60]

looking real nice!!! Did you paint those rims?