Gumby's 1973 FJ55 buildup...

nuclearlemon · 04-19-09, 04:54 PM

where's the :drool: icon?

Gumby · 04-19-09, 04:55 PM

Got the right side of the cage welded down today after having to cut it loose last week because it was about 3/4 of an inch too far back.

Got the front bars burned in good too.

Got the shifter mounted and the front locker shifter built and mounted. I have to build a new top for the console and mount the console into place, but that's really easy. Mounted the seat frame and the seats. Messed around with the winch mount. Got the parts cut for the mount, but I still have to tub the hole where it will sit and build the mount itself.

Got the panels in the rear finally and painted them. Still need the shock hoop tabs fabbed and the hoop installed, I'm thinking of boxing in the fuel cell rather than just putting straps on it. I'm thinking of an internal roll bar for additional melon protection and harness mounts. It will help support the extruded steel rack that will go above the fuel cell and shock hoop.

Goebeler · 04-19-09, 07:34 PM

My son just pointed out that your 55 is about 6" taller then the other. He is dissapointed in me...

You need to get a pic with the other cruiser in the shot. Two oddball 55's and a 45lv. Doesn't get any cooler then that!

Stay focussed on the project. If you are going to be ready to wheel soon, I will make a mission of getting my 40 from wherever the hell it is and make a trip. What's the real date I should be shooting for now considering your are really almost done.

By the way, I see that you might need a stereo...I have something in my shop that might fit but John would murder us both!!!!

Gumby · 04-19-09, 07:40 PM

I saw the height thing too, but it's all cage and perspective. My rockers are lower than yours.

k9crazy · 04-20-09, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

Got some pics. It was pretty hard to get 'em both in the pic since the little pig doesn't run yet.

It's the piglet!!!!!

LukeZero · 04-20-09, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9crazy

It's the piglet!!!!!

Little pig, little pig, let me in.

Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin.

Goebeler · 04-21-09, 11:45 AM

Todd,
If you work late any evenings, let me know. I think I can get to the shop and help out if you need me expertise! I'd love to help with the finishing details if you want. I am stuck working durring the day but might be able to escape once in a while.

E

LukeZero · 04-21-09, 12:59 PM

Very nice door sill sticker. Do any of your Auto Shop students know what it means?

How long did you work to translate that into Latin?

GLTHFJ60 · 04-21-09, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeZero

Very nice door sill sticker. Do any of your Auto Shop students know what it means?

How long did you work to translate that into Latin?

Oh come on man, it's the information age! It took me 5 seconds to translate that into english

Incredibly cool!!

LukeZero · 04-21-09, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

Oh come on man, it's the information age! It took me 5 seconds to translate that into english

Incredibly cool!!

Great- now that education I'm still paying for can be replicated by Google. I knew studying the Classics was a waste of time. I can't even impress a bunch of Cruiserheads on the Interweb with my useless knowledge

Gumby · 04-21-09, 02:11 PM

Dante wrote it in Italian, but I liked Latin better. I got the translation off of the interwebs.

Usually when the students ask, (none of them know Latin) I tell them without telling them the source. Some get it, some don't.

Most folks that have ridden on that side don't really need to be told.

Gumby · 04-21-09, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goebeler

Todd,
If you work late any evenings, let me know. I think I can get to the shop and help out if you need me expertise! I'd love to help with the finishing details if you want. I am stuck working durring the day but might be able to escape once in a while.

E

I typically work until about 6:00. I'm usually in at least one of the days over the weekend too. Once school ends I have a lot more flexibility about working late because I don't have to be here at 7, but I sure hope to have you all done well before that.

Goebeler · 04-21-09, 05:22 PM

Wasn't worried about my crap, more interested in helping with your pig. But sounds like eve's are out cause you are at work prior to me getting out of bed in the am.

Mine can wait, yours needs to get done so we can wheel this summer.

Gumby · 04-23-09, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goebeler

You need to get a pic with the other cruiser in the shot. Two oddball 55's and a 45lv. Doesn't get any cooler then that!

!

Looks like a FJ-43 is gonna come by on Sunday for a pinion seal. If we can get Woody to stop by with the HZJ-70 we'll really start to have a nice collection.

Gumby · 04-26-09, 04:36 PM

Not a bad collection at the shop today. Got all the real cars out and filled the shop with the good stuff.

73 FJ50

71 UZJ55

77 FJ43

64 FJ45LV

69 Camaro RS

46 Pontiac coupe

Gumby · 04-26-09, 04:52 PM

It's getting so a good day of progress doesn't yield much in the way of pictures.

Captured the rear springs.
Re-installed the limit strap.
Installed the 5150s in the rear on the axle, but couldn't do the top because I broke my last band saw blade. making tabs is a lot easier with a good band saw.
Ran some fuel lines.
Got the rear window working.
Welded in the cage on the left side so it's all the way in now.
Fixed the front bars and burned them in.
Made some 2" spacers for under the front springs. They clear the steering arms better and it sits level again. I still have to box them. I know it'll work now.
Installed the longer e-brake cable. I haven't had an e-brake in years. Works good now.

During the week last week I built in interior hoop. I needed a place to mount the seat belt harness straps so I just built a interior hoop. I don't trust exos to a good roll over. No cross bracing. It'll also give me a place to support the front of the extruded metal shelf that'll go above the fuel cell and shock hoop. it'll be big enough to mount a spare if I do the Rubicon and easy to get to tools and coolers for the rest of the time.

laguna80 · 04-27-09, 12:24 AM

Oooooooohhhhh I like that FJ43! (and the 45 as well)

rhart · 04-27-09, 09:26 AM

Hey Todd,

Thanks again for all the help yesterday. I'm sure you didn't need more work getting in your way ! Quick update - Pinion seal still leaks a drop or two during a day AND a radiator hose burst when I got in the driveway ! Luckily auto zone had a replacement and I am up and running again (for now).

My offer still stands to help out whenever you need it - I ow ya.

P.S. All the cruisers in the shop looked great ! My 43 was in good company, as was I.

Rod

Goebeler · 04-27-09, 11:31 AM

Been busy there! Looks like the shrt list is getting shorter for your project. I've been looking for the rear reflectors and the two clear lights below but having no luck yet. I'll keep looking. Let me know what else you need to search for and I'll add it to my list.

Cool pictures by the way!

Hurry up and get that thing trail ready. Thinking this year we are going to get you and John to McCaslin for the first time. I know it is far but it is worth the trip. I have a friend who has a friend who has a friend that has a killer pad up near there that we can crash in. John can camp cause he likes it so much, we can stay in the cabin. Woody will join us most likely. There are rocks to play on and some darn good fishing. Let's get a date when your 50 is ready and make a plan.

Goebs

D'Animal · 04-27-09, 12:11 PM

X - 2

That is really nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by laguna80

Oooooooohhhhh I like that FJ43! (and the 45 as well)

Gumby · 05-03-09, 02:39 PM

Worked on Goeb's pig today. No real progress on the little pig.

Made some cool bump stop extenders for the greatest pig in the world (GPITW) tm

Goebeler · 05-03-09, 08:36 PM

Very cool work bud!
Great to hear the thing might be close to hitting the trail. Time for a breakin trip somewhere now. That is only after you show me a few more things about the lockers and fuse crap.

Hope the little pig is close. I can't wait to see the way that winch threads out to the front of the cruiser. That has to be one of the coolest things yet. That is a great winch except for the spooling pile up problem it can have, followed by a breaking of the top portion. Can't imagine that ever happening again with it in plain sight.

I'll get there in a couple days or sooner to get the 55 out of the way. Will ring first.

PhilC64 · 05-04-09, 05:39 AM

You can't be serious Eric? You want to wheel the Greatest Pig in the World? Rocks would flee in terror miles before you came near them! No Pig should ever have whine the way yours does! It's sick and I'm jealous!

4rnr · 05-04-09, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilC64

You can't be serious Eric? You want to wheel the Greatest Pig in the World? Rocks would flee in terror miles before you came near them! No Pig should ever have whine the way yours does! It's sick and I'm jealous!

Shut up. We all know of your affinity for pork products, but goebs is going to do what is right and wheel that mother, as it was intended. Besides there is nothing "pig" about it anymore anyway.

Goebler anytime you want, im game for wheeling. Or you can wait til Gumby is done and then wheel using the money you get from your social security check. Then spend the day extracting his junk off the trail....ask me how I know.

Goebeler · 05-04-09, 10:14 AM

Been there to witness some of his carnage. I chalked it off to bad luck on Troy's trail. Bad luck and more bad luck....
I am hoping to get my 40 back soon as well so I should be ready to play either way. At least the 40 fits on my trailer. We need to make plans for a weekend up north so you can see what McCaslin is all about. Thinking if the first week in July if I can pull it off!

As for wheeling the pig Phil...It was built with that in mind. I have a garage queen and she likes her pigs a little more beat up and dirty then that. The Cliffs might be too tight for that big thing, but the Badlands and Northern Wisconsin sure won't be. If I can find a garage space in Colorado, it will be living there and enjoying some real wheeling.

LukeZero · 05-04-09, 10:25 AM

Eric- When I went over to see Gumby yesterday- he was driving the wee out of that thing. Just going around in circles in the parking lot. It sounds really MEAN! Nice truck. If it goes to the Badlands- I'd like to see it.

Luke

Gumby · 05-04-09, 10:47 AM

to be fair, I was pulling it from one hoist to the next so I could weld the steering stops on and I don't like starting anything up and moving it 10 feet, then shutting it back off again, and the front diff lock isn't disengaging right so I was testing that and driving the wee out of that truck is a pretty damn fun thing to do.

Goebeler · 05-04-09, 04:13 PM

By driving the weee out of it I assume you meen driving it around the parking lot and listening to the tires loose tread by the second...Krawlers love asphalt!
Good thing it didn't leave the parking lot cause you then would have realized how frickin scary the thing is on the road when you hammer it.
Then again it is nice to hear that it is actually out of a garage finally! That is a dam good sign of things to come. Now if we can get it from the shop to the trails...that will be a great day!

It will most likely see the badlands soon. I love that place and know it well so it would be a great place to learn how to wheel something that big. Been emailing Troy with no reply. I owe him a visit and morning hangover. Moonshine trip.

Goebs

4rnr · 05-04-09, 07:00 PM

I didnt think it was that scary when i romped on it

Just a little bump steer with heavy peddaling, but hey it has soft coil overs and 400+ HP. If you behave it should be fine. Even my truck with just the 5vze can get a bit sketchy and requires some significant steering corrections upon hard braking and throttle.

Gumby · 05-05-09, 04:36 AM

It's a lot better since I tightened up the loose tie rod.

Gotta figure out the lockers and it's done.

Then back to the little pig. Got cool gussets in the mail last night for it.

I'm wondering how hard it would be to make up some gumby or pig shaped gussets