[huntsonora]

UNREAL! I cannot wait to see the finished LV.

Drummond

[TEQ]

I'm sorry, but I am now convinced this is a giant hoax. You know, like the hoax the US government has played on us claiming they put a man on the moon. There is no way this project is real. I could almost believe the metal work and paint, but the upohlstry is just too much to believe.

Those photos are either of OEM parts or have been photoshopped. Or maybe it's a CG job done by ILM?

What's next? Will he make his own tires?

[subzali]

Dude. Dude! DUDE! DUUUUUUUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Like other's have said, that's the last straw. Concrete countertop, landscaping, metalwork, bodywork. That's it: make your own tires next (thanks for the suggestion TEQ).

Really though great work, those look fantastic.

[orangefj45]

wow matt, beautiful work!!! looks like pops got a piece of the action afterall. awesome!

[buckroseau]

I can't take all the credit, it was a team effort

The wife, her mom and her dad were a big part of the whole process. They ripped all the old stuff apart with seam rippers, traced and cut new patterns and got everything ready to go for me to sew. I got involved on a few things,maybe if there was a technical question on how something was going to go together. But, it would have taken a lot longer than 2 days if it was just me.

Also, the machine!!! If any of you guys are thinking of doing this, the machine that absolutely kicked ass was the Pfaff!!! It made my life so easy after struggling with that Merritt/Singer. If you decide to get one, make sure it has the feed dog (which all should) and also a WALKING FOOT AND WELTING FOOT!!!!! The walking foot (which the Singer didn't have) really helps pull the material through and keep the stitches very consistent. Also, the welting foot...that is the style of presser foot on the boot. A welting foot has this groove cut out on one side, so that when you make your welting it kinda holds in the groove as you feed the material and piping though. Makes for a nice tight seem right up against the piping when your making the welting. Also, when you start to sew the 2 halves together and the welting is in between underneath the fabric.....the welting foot is feeling the welting underneath the fabric and guides it along perfect, a must have!!!!!!

The book I bought through that company when I ordered my material, big help also!!! The girls and myself referenced it and read a few times and had to read a few certain chapters to figure out how to do some stuff.

Needless to say, I'm very happy how everything turned out.

Remember also, still not done. I have to do the headrest covers, door panels, carpet and a few other things. So, we will sew again!! Just did some now for the fact the Mother in law had some time over x-mas, gotta use that experience free help ya know.....

Matt

[74fj40]

are you going to put head rests into the seats? that would be cool

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by 74fj40

are you going to put head rests into the seats? that would be cool

I actually was planning on it, but the more I look at it I might not. I think it looks a little more old school with out them.

If I don't right now, I can put them in at anytime regardless.

Matt

[TJDIV]

Hey Matt,

I think it's time to tell you this:

I'm actually your long lost brother. I was wondering if I could move in, and bring along a Cruiser or two for us to work on and catch up on old times?

Please?
































Ok, JK. I think this is a "Dear Junk" topic anyhow.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by TJDIV

Hey Matt,

I think it's time to tell you this:

I'm actually your long lost brother. I was wondering if I could move in, and bring along a Cruiser or two for us to work on and catch up on old times?

Please

Ok, JK. I think this is a "Dear Junk" topic anyhow.

Others have asked if they could come up and we would hammer out there cruiser in the excelerated program. I always say ok by me, just let me know when your coming up.........but, no one ever shows up

As far as you coming up, no problem.........move in.....

We'll have to figure something else out there.

Matt

[Poser]

Looks GREAT Matt!



If people are losing their minds about landscaping, countertops, and upholstery...do not post up any pictures of the aircraft you have built and fly...

[Coolerman]

Have any political aspirations? I believe Matt should run for PRESIDENT!





Just imagine what you could do if you had the resources of the US manufacturing juggernaut behind you.... Think about it...

Your slogan: A Cruiser in every driveway! (Mega-Cruisers for the military)

Matt, awesome work as always. You make us feel like part of the project.

[MDH33]

Originally Posted by Coolerman

...
Matt, awesome work as always. You make us feel like part of the project.

Actually, he makes me feel like a poor, unmotivated sack of @&@&@&@&te with no skills. I wish we could bottle his motivation so we could all have minty, bulletproof cruisers!

Amazing job. Keep it up.

[HeavyLift]

You guys becareful here....Matt does do some magic...I have seen it first hand HOWEVER, we dont want this going to his head. Its all over then and no work will get done

JK good work Matt, I am still tracking your progress.

I tried to get on the boat ride back but they said I can fly like everyone else...what kind of BS is that. haha Catch ya later.

-Travis-

[buckroseau]

You guys are pretty funny, president??? Ok, maybe a state senator or congressman, but I don't think president is in my future......

Sorry, politics ain't for me, I can get pretty opinionated at times, sometimes I don't speak smart, and politics and government move WAY to slow for me. I would probably go postal within a week or so if I was involved in that stuff

Thanks for the compliments and I don't want to discourage anyone here, if anything the opposite. From the begining of the thread I said one of the main reasons of doing this was to recieve input from others, to help me!!!! Which all of you have, kicks ass!

But also to help others, recieved a lot of good info from mud, just trying to give back a little and maybe help motivate a few people to work on there junk. There's nothing I'm doing here that anyone else couldn't do, sometimes it just takes a little practice and a sh-t load of ambition Which even I seem to be running out of lately........

Matt

[buckroseau]

Got a little time in on the LV tonight, few little things, but moving ahead.

Started off fixing a bracket in the drivers side door. The bracket had pulled the steel right out of the door, it was laying in the bottom when we took the door apart. I had blasted and painted it (because I could) last week, so I cleaned off the paint and welded it in. Other side also had a couple cracks, looked like it was doing the same thing so welded that up also.

Worked on fitting the gas pedal. Also installed the steering column swivel ball. I had to relief the firewall rib for one of the pinch rings, I new I was going to have to do that though. Installed the throttle cable and kick down calble to the carb and the pedal.

Started figuring out the fuse box and neutral saftey relay box. I think the pics you can see the relay box mounted below the wiper motor. You can also see the 3 sets of looms of wires sitting below it. What I'm thinking is mounting a 8 position barrier strip below that relay box. Then bring the LED shifter ring wires and indicator wires into the cab through a grommet in the firewall, and then bring the wires from the relay down to the barrier strip which will be right below it, should work good??? This junk will all be covered up by a cover I'm going to make.

Also took a pic of where I think might be a good place for the fuse panel.

Matt

[buckroseau]

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[Texican]

You gonna run one of the spacers for the Power brake booster or something else?

[treerootCO]

Originally Posted by Texican

You gonna run one of the spacers for the Power brake booster or something else?

Matt has the spacer

Simply amazing! Keep up the good work, I enjoy reading your thread every day.

[cabron]

This is going to go down as one of the finest Cruiser restorations, EVER!

[Mikesta]

Originally Posted by cabron

This is going to go down as one of the finest Cruiser restorations, EVER!

Matt's LV = Worth $250k+

[cruiserdan]

Easy.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by cabron

This is going to go down as one of the finest Cruiser restorations, EVER!

Thanks......I appreciate the compliment , but keep in mind, many here would not consider what I am doing worthy of the term, "restoration".

The term restoration means different things to different people, kinda like telling someone that your cruiser is in excellent condition, might be to one guy, but not the next. I'm not trying to argue, more or less playing devils advocate for those that just cringed or frowned when you mentioned restoration and my project in the same sentence.

The die hard Toyota guy here probably feels the term, "restoration" should only be applied if it looks absolutely exactly the same as it did coming off the showroom floor that particular year, no better, no worse. Where another guy might think that as long as you reworked everypart, even though it may not be original stuff, still considered a resto since it was brought back from the dead and you may still retained the overall feel of the vehicle. Whatever gets you to bed at night, I don't care what you call it

I guess that's why I put, "build up/resto" in my thread title. Figured people could call it one or the other and be happy

Matt

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Mikesta

Matt's LV = Worth $250k+

SOLD!!!

I think you might be a tad high though

[cruiserdan]

"Restification" is a term used in the muscle car field, meaning the vehicle appers stock or mostly stock but has been modified to suit the owner. For example a manual drum brake car being upgraded to power discs or having custom wheels, a color change, internal engine modifications and so-on.

I think this term applies in this case. A horribly under-powerd engine being replaced and enhanced suspension, seating, wiring, stopping, et-al.

D-

[cabron]

This is going to go down as one of the finest Cruiser "Restifications", EVER!

[BMAN]

We have also used the term RESTO-CUSTOM to describe a "modified" or "upgraded" restoration.

[buckroseau]

Got about 3 hours in on the lv tonight, doesn't look like much, but lots of thinking going on before anything gets done

Finished drilling a hole in the center of the firewall for a 1/2" grommet. The wires for the LED shift ring and indicator are coming through in one of the pics. Also mounted a 8 pole barrier strip right above the hole and right below the neutral saftey switch. This way I can bring all those wires together on the barrier strip.

Mounted the fuse block and the relay right next to it. I used T nuts and tacked them on the firewall side. Just like the factory T nuts, but mine are round, should look pretty nice when painted. I mounted 3 relays to the metal brace behind the speedo head. Since I'm not needing a clutch pedal I have a little room there. Pretty solid metal so it was tapped to 10-24 and bolts threaded in. Used 4 existing threaded holes on the firewall where 2 plates were mounted. I made a plate out of 1/8" flat stock and then mounted the dimmer relay box to that.

Started fabbing up my center section with some tag board......Make sure you guys post what you think. I think it looks ok, probalby will look more natural when it is painted up gloss white like the dash. Since one of the rear heater defrost ducts comes straight down behind it I will have to take that one off and run a hose to a vent on the left side. I think you can kinda see the circle I drew on the side. Just so when the heat is turned onto the floor, it gets to the drivers side and it also doesn't get to hot inside that box/console I made. I plan on making some clips underneath the dash so when I put it in it will just slide in up top and then bolt in the bottom.

Also, Brand new FJ 55 mirrors showed up tonight, along with 8 brand new drive shaft bolts, lock washers and nuts Thansk Cruiserdan

Matt

[buckroseau]

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