Builds 1978 Restoration (the best I can...) (1 Viewer)

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mikedickbek

mikedickbek

Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Threads
27
Messages
365
Location
Honolulu, HI
1978 Build-up (the best I can...)

Well, I've been wanting to do this since I bought my 78 almost 2 years ago, so I've finally decided it was time. I really hope you guys help me out a lot; I'm going to need it. I know vertually nothing about cars and trucks, so I think this is going to be a GREAT learning experience for me. So here goes nothing! :censor: This is definately intimidating.
Before pics:
rear40.jpg
meand40.jpg
 
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Now, to take it apart. Don't worry, I'm documenting where everything went with pictures (tons) and i'm also writing down notes.
Here are a couple pics so far:
DSC02913.jpg
DSC02917.jpg
DSC02929.jpg
 
A couple more:
I found that the PO used nickles, dimes and pennies to cover up small holes in the tub before he layed down the bed liner. ha ha ha. By the time i'm done with this project maybe I'll MAKE money!
In the picture of the fresh metal, do you think that could be the stock metal? I just peeled up the bed liner stuff by hand (I guess I'm pretty lucky to be able to do that) and found it looking pretty new.
DSC02930.jpg
DSC02933.jpg
DSC02935.jpg
 
"By the time i'm done with this project maybe I'll MAKE money!"

HAHAHA, Right, cuisers are money sponges!!!!!

I like the gas tank you have, how many gallons and who makes it? I am in the process of doing the same thing, looking good keep after it.
 
Mike, must have gotten moved alright and HI looks a might bit warmer than the last pic. I look forward to seeing your progress, I too am working on a 78 so I will be following your thread!
 
mike, great looking cruiser. been working on my 78 for a few months now. lots of money, time, frustration and yes lots of fun. but i dont regret it. good luck!
 
Thanks guys.
Eli, my plans are to make it basically a daily driver that do some wheeling when I've got the time. I'm a half hour walk from work, so since I don't NEED a car I'll have the time (probably not the money) to do it decently well. The wife uses the Tacoma for work, so I'll need a good pair of flip flops for my commuting.
Another reason I'm doing this is to be able to pass the safety inspections here. They're brutal. When I got the truck here, I took it to a local place to get the inspection done, and upon seing the truck and the half assed body lift the po did, I got laughed off the lot. So with that and some strange noises the front axle's making, I decided that now's the time to tackle this. I know it's going to take a long time though... no speed records like you did with yours. You definately inspired me to do this though. I'll make sure to tell my wife that so she can tear your ass. ha ha ha ha ha.
Cruiserfetish, thanks again for the shirts. Still wear them all the time.
Well, back to the garage...
 
Hello Mike,

My shop is at your disposal! Migs, tigs and stick welders; metal formin equip up to 16ga.; torches; some structural steel shapes (no DOM at this time); sources for all; lots of low end hardware (light on the grade 8 stuff - bought for jobs only) Lots of flat concrete and layout tables. Have a couple really savy freinds who would likely jump in if allowed!

Let me know what you need. I'll be makin some rock sliders for MikeHI H2 soon . If box tube, angle & shaped steel are what you need maybe we could get some of yours outa the way at the same time!

Dave
 
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:beer: to the above shop owner.

I love this board for that very reason.


Good luck with the build, she looks to be in great shape.
 
Cool pics man, looking foward to more.

BTW, if you ever want to get rid of your Bull Bar I am first in line. I have been looking for one of those suckers for a while and no luck.
 
Rockcod I'll check on those tank specs for you when I get home tonight.
HopII, thanks so much for the offer. I've never welded before, but would love to learn.
As for the project, I've been keeping myself busy taking it apart. My wife is hating that thing more and more every day. It seems like it's been taking forever... each bolt I try to remove presents a whole new set of challanges. It'll be nice to put it back together and at least be consistant with things unlike the po.
Thanks for the comments and help guys,
Mike
 
Its good your taking your time while taking it apart.... I remeber (or lack of memory) the night we tore it down....we all got pretty hammered and then just took everything apart....with no order to it whatsoever! that was probably the biggest mistake of my whole build! Also another thing....im sure alot of people have told you this....but dont throw away anything until you have the replacement part in hand...I threw a bunch of "simple" stuff away thinking it would be easy to replace...apparently I missed the "Landcruiser" emblem on the side of the cruiser!
 
Did I mention my previou s three cruisers?


18 years ago


New wife + new baby = bye bye land cruisers!
Regret it to this day! But we all make consesions. Still got the baby (18+ yrs old) and the wife just paid for my latest LandCruiser!

As for welding I'll U2U you on the next fab day/night.
 
FYI: Cruiserboy joined up on 4x4Boyz: he is great source for a plethera of used parts; he has three 40's of varying customization/condition. Did I mention he has allot of spare parts?
 
Small update. Tonight I've been removing the wiring harness. Not too hard considering I just installed it a couple months ago. Got the ventilation out and that allowed me to ge the tranny hump out... and to see how badly the hump was butchered to install.
In the picture of the tube type bar, you'll see one of the main reasons for this restoration: this was the body lift. On some of those tubes, the body was actually starting to lean forward off the frame. wtf.
in the other picture (with my hand) what's that little mount for? It's attached to the aft end of the battery tray where it attaches to the frame. Nothing was mounted on it.
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