[fjwagon]

Can not wait to see how they turn out.

[buckroseau]

Wife was out and about today with the LV. She's got some October decorations in the front yard and parked next one of them today.

Few pics I thought looked kinda neat.....little dirty though.

Matt

[semlin]

i think the lv is fall coloured nice pumpkin by the way. the gourd on the other hand ...

[Coolerman]

I know you built it as a daily driver for the wife but it almost hurts to see it dirty...

Any issues developed with the overall package? How does she like it so far?

[TJDIV]

Originally Posted by buckroseau

hmm.......that's a lot there.....where to start?

First of all, thanks for the compliments. I don't think I deserved all that, but still nice to hear good things from fellow cruiser heads. Always said, I'm just your average goober welding and pounding metal out in the shop. Just as fun for me to share what I do with others and also gleen a little info of a few of you as well In any event, thanks again And if your ever up this way, let me know....more than welcome to stop by

As far as a TV show...I think you guys all need to call, write and email those outfits. Who knows, maybe one of them will get on board?? I only have a few demands: 1st - I have 2 friends that have to be on the show as well. I probably wouldn't be that entertaining.....I tend to get in the zone and just try to get sh-t done. I may be the guy to yell, swear or throw somthing if things aren't getting done, but that might be about it. The other guys are also very talented and much more animated and characters than me. Both are extremely talented also. 2nd - I want guests on the show, and not fancy boy people either. Viewers that can email, call or write in and request to be on. Just average weekend warriors that can come on for an episode and fawk up just like me an everyone else. 3rd - No super fancy Nascar shops....in fact I think the show should be confined to a double wide garage. And all tools used on the show must be able to be ordered out of harbor freight or Northern tool (or some other fly by night outfit like that). I want anyone watching to know that they could fab some junk up also. So......there are my demands....I'm sure the discovery channel will be calling me tomorrow

On the other 2 topics I'll be quick, since your obviously smarter than me

I respectfully disagree on the bumper. I think I understand your description correctly and I believe it's overkill. I've looked at many class III hitches and this has more mass than most and more attachment points. I'm not an engineer, but I don't see it failing in my life time.

On the headrests......I agree 100%. Everything you said was completely accurate and makes total sense. I can't get them in there tomorrow, but I will plan on making it happen in the near future.


Thanks again and hope to see ya soon

Matt

and a class act.

[merbesfield]

Hi Matt, I heard from Steve that your OME rear springs were not fitting? Something about the bushings? I talked to MAF today and they said the FJ47 springs worked for our LV's? Any help or progress, I have to get some suspension parts ordered and decide which way to go. Did you ever consider staying with the stock springs? Ride is important and I have never driven my LV so I have no idea how they ride from the factory or if the original springs have sagged?

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Coolerman

I know you built it as a daily driver for the wife but it almost hurts to see it dirty...

Any issues developed with the overall package? How does she like it so far?

I know, I can't stand to see it dirty either.....but, that's what happens when you live on a gravel road and drive it


No real issues yet to speak of, although we haven't put 1000's of miles on it yet I still have some stuff I need to do, all little stuff but, it will take some time to do all those little things.

Hoping Poser get's his ass up here one day and we can install those rear OME springs. The parabolics are going to be inverted here pretty soon.....they must have made them out of mild steel or something , I've got to admitt...they are junk

Matt

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by merbesfield

Hi Matt, I heard from Steve that your OME rear springs were not fitting? Something about the bushings? I talked to MAF today and they said the FJ47 springs worked for our LV's? Any help or progress, I have to get some suspension parts ordered and decide which way to go. Did you ever consider staying with the stock springs? Ride is important and I have never driven my LV so I have no idea how they ride from the factory or if the original springs have sagged?

Hi Mark,

Been meaning to email you on that, just keep forgetting...sorry.

I think I may have made a mistake when I said that, not sure yet though. I thought my spring pins were a certain dia., but the more I thought about it...I think Steve had the dia. right.

I won't know until I take my old springs off and see my shackle pins again, but Steve probably sent the right bushings. So, as far as fit-ment issues, I think there are none......and if there are, they will be in the form of poly bushings, which requires that you/I spend an extra $20 bucks and get the right ones.

I did not consider staying with the stock springs since mine were sagged out after 40 years. I also wanted about a 2.5" lift, nothing over the top, but kinda that bold / stout look. The stock springs I think would have given me that, "pimp my ride" low rider look.

From what I have heard OME's are really nice. You pay a little premium for them, but supposedly worth it? They have been around for a while and there are lots of them out there, which is a good sign. If I were to do it again......I would have called Steve up and ordered up a set of OME with a 2.5" lift.

Live and learn I guess......

Matt

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Poser

Matt-


Please comment on the bushing situation, shackle and spring pin diameter differences.

I think I was typing as you were.....please see above.....

Matt

[Poser]

springs painted yet?

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Poser

springs painted yet?

Yep, didn't you see them in the 3300 mile thread? Sanded down and epoxy primed / painted up.


Just waiting for you............


Actually, I'm sure I'm capable of installing them myself....just figured you needed something to do...


Matt

[Poser]

Originally Posted by buckroseau

Yep, didn't you see them in the 3300 mile thread? Sanded down and epoxy primed / painted up.


Just waiting for you............


Actually, I'm sure I'm capable of installing them myself....just figured you needed something to do...


Matt

I saw that there were painted leafs in that thread...just figured that they were the originals from the PU.....


You posted something about deer hunting....is that this weekend or next?


I will call you this week bud.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Poser

I saw that there were painted leafs in that thread...just figured that they were the originals from the PU.....


You posted something about deer hunting....is that this weekend or next?


I will call you this week bud.

Opening weekend this Saturday.....yes, I will be gone


Matt

[owensexport]

Wagon looks like crap.... no mudflaps

[merbesfield]

I would send them back and ask for a refund. may never get it, but hey it's worth a try. if they suck, all you can do is use them for boat anchors. M

Originally Posted by buckroseau

I know, I can't stand to see it dirty either.....but, that's what happens when you live on a gravel road and drive it


No real issues yet to speak of, although we haven't put 1000's of miles on it yet I still have some stuff I need to do, all little stuff but, it will take some time to do all those little things.

Hoping Poser get's his ass up here one day and we can install those rear OME springs. The parabolics are going to be inverted here pretty soon.....they must have made them out of mild steel or something , I've got to admitt...they are junk

Matt

[amg2y]

Very nice build up. Awesome thread.

[merbesfield]

Original Quote:

No one is blasting the body except me. And yes, I am worried about warping body panels that's why I am doing it myself. I won't be hitting the roof or the rear quarter panels with my blaster. The roof might get the blaster around the drip edge on the cap, but that's it. The roof and rear quarters will be done with my zip wheel. Floors (inside and out), firewall (inside and out), door jams and around the windows get sandblasted, that's it. I actually shouldn't say, "that's it", it's actually 85% of it? My personal equipment consists of a Diesel ingersol rand compressor with a 120 lb gravity feed blaster. The ingersoll is capable of 175 psi without even coming off idle. Lots of pressure and sand so I want to do it myself so it's done right!!

I won't be warping any metal

Matt

Matt, Having finished now, would you still be worried about the warpage issues on the large panels? I thought that what warped the panels was heat build up? When I blast and then touch the surface it is very cool, no heat what so ever? I am using Starblast mfg. by Dupont vs Silica Sand, could that be the difference? The Starblast leaves a very nice and smooth finish as compared to the other medias I have tested and takes the paint and rust off really fast. Would you mind giving some of you opinions about this please. Thanks

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by merbesfield

Original Quote:

No one is blasting the body except me. And yes, I am worried about warping body panels that's why I am doing it myself. I won't be hitting the roof or the rear quarter panels with my blaster. The roof might get the blaster around the drip edge on the cap, but that's it. The roof and rear quarters will be done with my zip wheel. Floors (inside and out), firewall (inside and out), door jams and around the windows get sandblasted, that's it. I actually shouldn't say, "that's it", it's actually 85% of it? My personal equipment consists of a Diesel ingersol rand compressor with a 120 lb gravity feed blaster. The ingersoll is capable of 175 psi without even coming off idle. Lots of pressure and sand so I want to do it myself so it's done right!!

I won't be warping any metal

Matt

Matt, Having finished now, would you still be worried about the warpage issues on the large panels? I thought that what warped the panels was heat build up? When I blast and then touch the surface it is very cool, no heat what so ever? I am using Starblast mfg. by Dupont vs Silica Sand, could that be the difference? The Starblast leaves a very nice and smooth finish as compared to the other medias I have tested and takes the paint and rust off really fast. Would you mind giving some of you opinions about this please. Thanks

Mark,

If this is your first time blasting or your not to sure, I would stay away from the large panels. Ok to get around the edges, but you can wreck sheet metal so fast with a sand blaster. The better you get at, the more you will start to realize what you can do and not do with the blaster.

You can sandblast sheet metal, but you really need to know what your doing. If I were you, I would strip the big areas and then hit them 80 grit and the DA.

Matt

[huntsonora]

TTT

Your 2 build threads should have a sticky so they would always be at the top of the page. They are nothing short of amazing!

Drum

[apeterson]

Matt- I finally finished this thread... I am glad I got to see it in person!!! wish I would have looked here before I saw it in Aug. truly a wonderful job!!

[cruiserdan]

Seeing the "before" certiainly puts a different perspective on the "after", doesn't it?

[merbesfield]

Matt, We are about to cut off the old rear sway bar tabs and weld them to the 78 axle. I remember you saying what a bitch it was to get them off. Any pointers before we go at it? What tool worked best at cutting the old welds and leaving as much of the tabs remaining as possible?

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by merbesfield

Matt, We are about to cut off the old rear sway bar tabs and weld them to the 78 axle. I remember you saying what a bitch it was to get them off. Any pointers before we go at it? What tool worked best at cutting the old welds and leaving as much of the tabs remaining as possible?

I used a 4 1/2" grinder with a 1/16" cut off wheel on it, at least I think that is what I used? That is a common tool I used for hacking anything off.

I don't think there is much I can tell you, just cut wide of the welds...should be fairly straight forward.

Matt

[oldfj40]

Wow!Great thread.

Pretty damn good work for a self proclaimed "goober".
I'll definitely be checking out your other build threads.

I read that miletwo is putting together a CD of the build.I want one.

This wannabe goober says thanks for the great information and inspiration.

[Poser]

Originally Posted by huntsonora

TTT

Your 2 build threads should have a sticky so they would always be at the top of the page. They are nothing short of amazing!

Drum

That is a damn good idea, especially since many out here use them as reference material.

[fogblanket]

yeah!!! its about time these 2 threads became stickies.

[buckroseau]

I guess I'm kinda honored that I get to have a sticky in the 45 section.

Hopefully these threads are able to help others as much as mud has helped me over the years.

Thanks, Matt

[apeterson]

I could not agree more!!! they have helped me lots!!

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

They just make me want a 45........ Eventually you're going to have cost me money!!!! Thanks!

Awesome threads! Thanks Matt

[WesternMaryland]

Matt - the LV looks great - I have one I'd like to make similar to yours

(and I've learned a lot about SEM sauce and welding from your posts)

I'm too lazy to read through the entire thread again - what lift/tire size combo are you running?