Hey - Thanks for the kind words Whitey. Didn't realize this would show up on Mud when I stuck it on CL. Also have photos at FJ40 - Gus Bird - https://www.graphictoolbox.com/FJ40/n-X53LCb/
Sorry for the late reply. Yeah - if I remember correctly, but a really light use of it. Still don't know if that's the correct stuff but it seems to have held up well.
Copper would be easier! I had thought about brass (also easier) with black paint but the 18ga steel was all I had lying around. Like an old brass Leica camera - when the paint scrapes off the brass shows through.
The 2 studs on the back have temporary “found” springs bolted to them, I’ll put up another pict... Need some spring steel to fab a new set (that hold better) from the hardware store, etc. A simple bolted bracket on the back would also work, probably a tight reach from under dash to tighten...
Thanks, I’ll get better pictures up at some point. The 18ga is an excuse to break out a few body hammers and get some practice in. Just cold forged around a steel scraps bars - no heat required but hardwood would still be too soft to form the lips/corners. The T is 999 silver (been doing some...
Working up a cover in 18ga to finally cover my radio hole :) Will probably be blued/black but plan on brazing something in silver accents. Should I do the ugly “T” the plastic one sports, or maybe the old Japanese logo, etc.?
Nice meeting up you Ken and good luck with the search. I had thought smog-free CA was 76 (not 75)? Price issues aside, I wouldn't make a decision based on smog unless your interest is non-stock, headers, after-market engine modifications, etc. If you find say, that perfect 1980 for 20K I would...
Thanks for the feedback. Not to get too crazy about this but I'm going to order a set from Vessel and do some more checking/measuring and see how they work out. I've always used that Snap-on STDP 63 (#5 from the right) on the ambulance door hardware etc. It's a "high torque" handled driver. The...
About JIS Screwdrivers, I'm still trying to get a handle on the Japanese Industrial Standard thing. In the process of throwing up some tool links on my fj40toolbox.com site and reading a few articles from the motorcycle community, etc. There seems to be some doubt about JIS - it may be extinct...
Not sure why someone would tell you to replace your tub without seeing it? You do have a bit of a PO mess there anyway. I would cover the surrounding areas carefully and strip the paint/bondo around the window to the base metal. Forget sand blasting - stripper and PPE - if you can still find a...
Smog is always a challenge in CA, but once you get it together and if you're going for stock it can work. My 78 (federal) was missing quite a few parts, vacuum lines, etc. I got a 78 emissions book (reprint from Toyota), found parts (Mark's Off Road, etc.) and after a couple years working out...
I'm not a welder but I've welded lots of these holes. X4 on the heat and in the video you don't seem to be on the hole long enough for something beyond a tack. Prep is important and if you own another long clamp get both sides of the hole clamped (like Pin_Head said). Not sure what you did with...