FJ 45 Extended Cab Custom Vehicle Build Finally Begins

[D'Animal]

I quit thinking about mounting the fender and just started doing it.

Don at FC Fabrication helped out with some ideas and some hoops.

I did the custom cut and grind to match the contour of the frame.

[D'Animal]

Here is how they mate to the frame.

Don't laugh but I could not find my C Clamps that I use for welding.

The top inner edge of the fender will attach to the hoop.

[D'Animal]

Can anybody else tell the difference between my welds and Don at FC Fabrications?

It really sucks when you wife tells you that you suck at welding.

(I never had this problem until she saw Don's welds on the cage. She said mine don't look like creamy butter.)

WTFDSK


LOL!

[D'Animal]

Sneak Peek at the fender that MeGolfer donated to the build.

It is almost 100% installed.

Landcrusher909 threw in the turn signals for the build as well.

[fj40charles]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Can anybody else tell the difference between my welds and Don at FC Fabrications?

It really sucks when you wife tells you that you suck at welding.

(I never had this problem until she saw Don's welds on the cage. She said mine don't look like creamy butter.)

WTFDSK


LOL!

Tell her you need a bigger and better welder... ;-)

[D'Animal]

WTFDSK = What The Funk Does She Know

[D'Animal]

I got most of the passenger side done tonight.


Here is the way it sits now.

[BionicCruiser]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

WTFDSK = What The Funk Does She Know

yeah, i said that too untill my wife saw my "new" 14 bolt and said, " doesn't that thing in the middle (pumpkin) hang real low to hang up on rocks?"

"Go back in the house..."

[fj40charles]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

yeah, i said that too untill my wife saw my "new" 14 bolt and said, " doesn't that thing in the middle (pumpkin) hang real low to hang up on rocks?"

"Go back in the house..."

That was the prefect opportunity to say, "that is why we need bigger tires."

[Gus]

This is a really cool build, excellent work D'Animal, looking forward to seeing the rig take shape.

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

yeah, i said that too untill my wife saw my "new" 14 bolt and said, " doesn't that thing in the middle (pumpkin) hang real low to hang up on rocks?"

"Go back in the house..."

Thats how I got my first lift kit. She was driving and kept hitting "the big round" thing between the tire. She asked how to avoid it. I told her a lift kit.

When I came home the following week after a business trip I a 4" SOR lift waiting to install on the FJ40. LOL!

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by fj40charles

That was the prefect opportunity to say, "that is why we need bigger tires."

After I installed the lift on the FJ40 she said the tires looked silly.

The next week when I came home I had 5 - 35X12.5x15 BFG MT's mounted on Eagle Alloy wheels for the FJ 40.

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by Gus

This is a really cool build, excellent work D'Animal, looking forward to seeing the rig take shape.

Thanks

I just wish I had more time to spend on it other than the weekends.

[BionicCruiser]

[quote=D'Animal;2628344]Thats how I got my first lift kit. She was driving and kept hitting "the big round" thing between the tire on things. She asked how to avoid it. I told her a lift kit.QUOTE]

yeah, my wife is pretty good about letting me get stuff. all i have to say is, "i've been thingking i really need [insert part name] for the cruiser" her eyes glaze over and she says, "well then you should get it". i don't think she realizes what she is even saying.

i have most of the parts for a build similar to this. i'm watching it closely.
then i'll say, "i need an engine and frame so i can just put all those cruiser parts onto something".

[D'Animal]

[quote=BionicCruiser;2628486]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Thats how I got my first lift kit. She was driving and kept hitting "the big round" thing between the tire on things. She asked how to avoid it. I told her a lift kit.QUOTE]

yeah, my wife is pretty good about letting me get stuff. all i have to say is, "i've been thingking i really need [insert part name] for the cruiser" her eyes glaze over and she says, "well then you should get it". i don't think she realizes what she is even saying.

i have most of the parts for a build similar to this. i'm watching it closely.
then i'll say, "i need an engine and frame so i can just put all those cruiser parts onto something".

LOL!

I have a extra chevy 350, Marks Adaptor for an H42 or H55 and an extra FJ60 frame. remind her christmas is coming and have bring a trailer.

[BionicCruiser]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

I have a extra chevy 350, Marks Adaptor for an H42 or H55 and an extra FJ60 frame. remind her christmas is coming and bring a trailer.

Will do!

[ATLRoach]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Here is how they mate to the frame.

Don't laugh but I could not find my C Clamps that I use for welding.

The top inner edge of the fender will attach to the hoop.

Please cut those off and plate the frame in those locations. The load will rip them square through the frame rail like this:

[D'Animal]

WOW

I guess I will. Thanks for sharing that info and pics!

Originally Posted by ATLRoach

Please cut those off and plate the frame in those locations. The load will rip them square through the frame rail like this:

[Mace]

Originally Posted by ATLRoach

Please cut those off and plate the frame in those locations. The load will rip them square through the frame rail like this:

Cruiser frames are a bit more robust than that..

[fc187]

notching the tube to saddle down the side of the frame spreads the load and distibutes it across two planes. I have done litterally dozens and dozens of tube towers this way without incedent.

.... now welded on a single plane? specially on the top with less than 4 inches of weld? definate can opener!

bottom line, more suface area the better! more planes to a joint, the better!

[fc187]

kinda like this one I did on a 55 about 4 years ago. 6,000 lbs of pig that has a bad habit of trying to fly (pismo)

the axle mount folded over before the tower failed. ......

[orangefj45]

Originally Posted by ATLRoach

Please cut those off and plate the frame in those locations. The load will rip them square through the frame rail like this:

sweet! besides welding the hoop to two planes like FC mentioned, i bet bumpstops might help a little as well if the shocks were bottoming out.

[greenfox]

I think he needed limiting straps.

[landcrusher909]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Sneak Peek at the fender that MeGolfer donated to the build.

It is almost 100% installed.

Landcrusher909 threw in the turn signals for the build as well.

That looks great Dan, keep the pics coming we are keeping bust down here, see you at Snt

[D'Animal]

My 40 took way too much time yesterday

I was able to get this done.