[carneters]

I couldn't agree with Romegadave more... what a CLASSIC shot! man, you've got just about the best project I've ever seen. The fact that it's a 55 and you made it a surfer's soft top puts it up there, but it being such a journey(not some easily funded shop resto for resale) seals the deal... Hero material for sure! hahaha!!

[landcruisnman]

It sure has been fun. It seems like as far back as I can remember, this truck has been there. And it's got a lot of life to go yet. My kids love this truck, and can't wait to go on a run with me. Thanks for the props.
Later
Pat

[landcruisnman]

Well, I've finally sent my fat piggy body over to the Sandblasters shop. I hope there's some metal left!! Can't wait. I'll get some pics posted when it's out and primed. Later all. Keep those projects alive!! Noah, thanks again for the awesome Rotisserie

[landcruisnman]

Well, now that the body is at the blaster, I can do a little more prep on the frame. I've removed the steering(putting is a FJ60 PS setup), and the shock towers(making room for the Fox Coilovers). I also removed the rear crossmember because of the severe rust. I'll have to fab a new one with a hitch receiver built in later. Three day weekend might give me some time on the pig?Enjoy the barb-Q's!!

[OinkOinker]

WOW! thats awesome

[landcruisnman]

Well, I now am the proud owner of a 1972 FJ55 with no rust I now have some sheet metal work that needs to be done. The bottom looks really nice. It's so clean. I'll post more pics when I can.
Later all

[landcruisnman]

As you can see, there is some missing metal. The important ones are the rear corners where the mounting holes are. I'm going to cut out the rocker panela and run some heavy wall tubing sliders. I'm going to do that up to the from wheel well, and also behind the rear tires to the rear bumper that I need to make still. This will be the hard stuff.

[landcruisnman]

Need to get a die grinder with a cutting wheel and make some sparks!!

[1973Guppie]

actually Pat, really does not look too bad, my truck was about the same, I should of had it sandblasted for sure, lesson learned, I spent a month chipping undercoating from underneath of it with an air chisel, although I don't think any sandblaster could of gotten through that stuff, it was like an inch thick! let me know if you need help, I could come by during the week with my daughter and take a look at it. Also, do yourself a favor and getting a small air saw, these work great and allowed me to get in tight corners to cut out that thin metal and place some patches in there.

Noah

[landcruisnman]

Noah,
Where did you get your Air Saw? I'm not sure what those look like. Did you get yours at Harbor Freight? You should come by. Let me know when you and your daughter can.
Summit Steel
2612 Temple Heights Drive
Oceanside, 92056
Later
Pat

[1973Guppie]

Pat, we will come by for sure, not this week, but next, I will be in the garage all weekend if you want to come up. We will plan on next week for sure, I want to see that 45 project.

here's the saw I have, an invaluable tool, there is no way you are going to get into certain places with a cut off wheel, trust me, these things are great, use lots of oil with this one, mine broke once but I was able to fix it, buy lots of blades as the crappy HF blades crap out quickly.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I would also make sure you have a good rotozip or dremel tool, I did not use it that often but it came in very handy when I needed to simply clean up metal prior to welding in some very tight spots. Some good attachments for that dremel will help as well, the small abrasive "stone" attachments and small cut off tools came in handy as well.

Noah

[landcruisnman]

Noah,
I saw a few of those on EBAY for sale. I'll probably just hit up Harbor Frt. Can't wait for EBAY. I think Dom is coming by tomorrow. He's making a new striker plate and needs some metal. Let me know what day next week. I'm out Tuesday mornings, but other than that, anytime. Let me know. I'll see what's up this weekend. I might be able to swing by. Any more progress on your pig?
Pat

[1973Guppie]

yup, she's together and looking like a truck finally! all the panels are on. Next up is paint, but that is going to be awhile. Next up is to pull in the 40 and give it an overhaul and hopefully sell it for a good price. If not, I will just drive it till the economy comes back a bit. Here's my new cell: 760.497.1027

[TemeculaTim]

You guys are making me look bad. Two pigs in the yard for over a year and I can't get to em.

I sure am enjoying seeing yours getting done.

[landcruisnman]

Tim,
I have to keep the momentum going, or my next pics will be next year. I don't actually have a drivable landcruiser right now, so that's motivation enough.
Later

[TemeculaTim]

Originally Posted by landcruisnman

Tim,
I have to keep the momentum going, or my next pics will be next year. I don't actually have a drivable landcruiser right now, so that's motivation enough.
Later

I hear ya on the momentum part - My problem is time- I am working in another State 3-4 days a week and weekends have been spent catching up on things not done during the week.

Hoping to start on at least one of the pigs by the end of July-But hoping is the key word.

Will be calling you for some more steel in the near future - need to get some sliders made for the Tundra.

Tim

[Lee777]

Great progress Pat, its definitely an inspiration for my restore project

I would like to similarly sand blast the entire body and frame. Im concerned about exposure of the freshly sandblasted metal to air/moisture since I figure it will take quite a bit of time for me to finish all the fab work on my pig. I wonder if im being too paranoid about it? Would it be worth blasting one section at time, repairing that section, coating the metal with primer, then moving on to another area? Or is this really necessary?

Thanks for the input and keep up the good work!!

Lee

[landcruisnman]

Lee
If you have a place near you that can blast the entire body, it'll be worth your while to do it all at once. It's pretty cool to have your body totally stripped of the ugly rust in 1 week. The place that did mine also sprayed it with a primer. I can now take the rest of the summer or year even and finish the metal work and paint it. Do you have any pictures of your rig? send them over.
Take care
Pat

[Lee777]

Hey Pat.

I agree with you, I think getting the entire thing blasted professionally and primed would be worth the time and money. My compressor really sucks and I think it would take me forever to do the job. Plus, I think if I did it myself I would probably get so depressed, I'd want to throw in the towel and shoot myself.

Now to find a place that will do it....

I've started a build (or rather deconstruction) thread:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pi...-build-up.html

I look forward to your progress, Pat.

Lee

[landcruisnman]

Well, the corners that I've been dredding are now ready for some new metal. One corner was a little worse than the other, but about 15lbs of shit came out of them when I removed the top layer. I'm going to use
14 ga sheet when I make replacement pieces. I'll be dead whe that rusts through again.

[PabloCruise]

Wow! So that debris was between the inner and outer quarter?

[landcruisnman]

That's what come out If those rubber panels are missing that cover the pocket where the bolt to the body goes, then they collect all kinds of

[landcruisnman]

I got more cutting done on the Phat Pig Body. Making room for my side and rear sliders. Rear body mount will need to be rebuilt. For Fathers Day, I get to spend a whole day on my rig

[landcruisnman]

mas Mine as well plug my business. Later to all and keep the projects alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[landcruisnman]

I've got the sheet metal pieces cut out for patch work. Almost done cutting the rockers for the sliders to fit both side and rear.

[landcruisnman]

I've got a shot of my 6yr old son next to my foxy's.

[landcruisnman]

Well, I had some time to get the sliders fabbed and welded on. 2"x 4"x .250"wall should be stout enough. I'm welding them to the body while it's off, and them I'll put some supports to the frame after they meet again. I'm going to run them all the way to the front wheel well. I've pretty much got all the bad metal cut out and have made some patches. I'll get those welded in sometime soon. Gotta keep going. Gotta keep going. I keep telling myself. I'm afraid to stop, because you know, sometimes you stop for too long My business has been slow, so I seem to have a little time during the day to put some time into it. I'll post more as I go. Later all

[1973Guppie]

looks good pat! keep goin man, let me know if you ever need a hand, nights are free for me and I could roll over if you have lights and the shop is open........

plus, it will give me a reason to drive the 40 down that way and get away for a few hours,

[landcruisnman]

Noah,
I'll try to set up a day next week that you might be able to help. Maybe we should set up a gathering of the boys(Dom, Brett, ????). We could all meet at the shop and pizza,beer, work on the rigs. Thoughts? I just need to clear it with the wifey. So I'm selling my 45 to help fund the 55 project. I need the $$ to get that pig done right and done this year. I'll get another 45 when I'm really ready to restore it. I just pressure washed it and got about 25lbs of Montana shit off of it. Let me know.
Later

[1973Guppie]

let you know if I want to buy your 45? yes I do, I got 5 bucks and a ham sandwich, deal?

you are crazy, don't sell that 45, I wouldn't be true cruiser friend if I didn't say that.

sure thing, sounds damn good, I should have the 40 all buttoned up this weekend so next week sometime would work for me, let me know. Wife normally gets home by 6, so I could be there by 7 and can work as late as we need to for sure. sounds like fun.

Noah