FJ60 Quarter panel patch fab

[gurskey]

I thought I would post some pictures of the quarter panel patch I fabricated. This may help someone else or give some ideas. While it is not perfect it is better than paying 200-300 dollars for one from Wolf or CCOT. I simply made a poster board template, cut the shape out, and started bending/ welding.

I do not have a shrinker/stretcher, so i just cut out reliefs every 1 1/4 inches 3/4 inches deep to make the wheel arch lip. I then used a vise, vise grips, and even a giant crescent wrench to bend the taps individually. I clamped it to what was left of the existing arch to make sure I was getting the correct shape. I then tacked each gap to hold its shape.

Then it was just a matter of tacking in the rest of the gaps and grinding it down with a flap disc. For those of you with wheel arch rust in a FJ60 (which is pretty much every 60 that doesn't live in the southwest) , it may give you some confidence to try this, knowing that this was the first patch I have ever created..........and I just started welding yesterday. Take your time, this took me all day to do.

 

[Dynosoar]

Nice work.

Dyno

 

[gurskey]

Thanks Dyno. Making my own patch was a good experiences and I have to say way cooler than buying one. I will be proud that my own work will be on my FJ60. Hopefully the install goes as smoothly as the fabrication.

 

[KWalkerM]

subbed. nice work, ill prob be doing this in the future. have a small spot of rust cut out and filled with bondo i need to cover. plus a huge dent in my front DS quarter panel

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Excellent work gurskey, I love seeing guys patch their cruisers and keep them up. Great job.

J

 

[AdventureToolCompany]

Excellent work. Keep us updated on the install.

 

[gurskey]

Thanks guys. I will try to get some more pictures up once installed.

I have a question that I am sure someone can answer. l need to grind the rounded edge better on the patch. Is there a special grinding disc or flap wheel to make a nice uniformly round edge?

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

flap wheel, good tunes, and a couple beersh, you'll do just fine

 

[3_puppies]

Thanks guys. I will try to get some more pictures up once installed.

gurskey, where in MT are you? nice job. please check in at the clubhouse section, central region, MT big sky cruisers
Paul

 

[gurskey]

Im actually in Helena too.

 

[gurskey]

One more post and I think I can post more pictures. We will see

 

[Realultpwr]

I think a big disc maybe 36 grit would do the trick, bigger more flexible, but a little finesse with a regular wheel should do the trick. Nice job

 

[FJ60BigLou]

Good inspiration...
Questions:
-Where did you get the steel
-Had you really just welded only the day before
-What did you cut the steel with
-How did it turn out

 

[ADVFJ80]

Subscribed!

I need to do this as well and I'm keen on seeing the finished product.

Thanks!
- Randy

 

[Callahan Offroad]

cruisers, like comfortable pants, deserve patches.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

If this is the same cruiserhead fabricator I know, he went to a 40 over a year ago.

J