Dusty's 55 Project

[Dusty 66]

NEW 55 resto Thread I'll try to keep up with New post and up date's
I have to move my FJ55 to make room in my garage as to complete the 66FJ40 so this project my take some time.
I have a lot of New parts bought like
weather striping and body panels I still need a few things and on my wish list is some mods FJ80 power steering

The project Oct. 1978 FJ55 with AC 79,000 original miles I bought this in 98 and started this project over 5 years ago.

Intended use as a desert runner mild 4X4 but reliable will likely be running the stock Chrome FJ60 15" rims maybe 32" or 33" tires Keep mostly stock with
So far motor has been broken down and checked by my machine shop reassembled head milled and re-conditioned and new gaskets etc new clutch
rebuilt carb.
I then installed back into freshly painted frame front axles rebuilt new brake parts etc and SS flex brake lines.
I had a local spring shop rebuilt spring packs added 2 leaves to rear and one to front, extended shackles new HD shocks & Stabilizer.
Gas tank MAF 50 gal+ Boiled out leak repaired new mounting made

So I need to re mount the body back on the frame I Started this project before I got going on the 40 I thought It would be easer

First thing I need is to paint the firewall I Think I'll go rattle can I have a paint shop that can make me up some white T012 then I can bolt the body down

The Floor, firewall and under side has bean de-rusted and painted with POR and sealed with body calking I think It's water tight.

Body mounts I bought new before I removed the body I returned the new ones because the old ones look in good condition just most of the bolts were rusted out
Question what do everyone use for body bolts ?

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

Nice!! I'm going to be starting mine as well here, soon. For bolts, I have a tractor dealership and service place about 1/2 mile away that I buy bolts by the pound. If you can find stainless, get them. Otherwise, a good coating of POR or Permatex Anti-Rust will do just fine. Good luck!

 

[Dusty 66]

WE Have a John Deere place where we buy our tractors and I have an account there too did not think of that, and a Caterpillar down the street too!

A Mcfadden & Dales Hardware the store manager said if It was available they can git It I just need to bring In some samples.

SS iS an Idea,I didn't think SS was strong enough for body bolts?

anybody try FJ 60 body bolts I Think they are still available ?

YES anti-size is the landcruiser's owners friend

I'll start locally and go from there 80% of the original body bolts are unusable

Thanks for the input Dusty 66

 

[Dusty 66]

I ended up worked all day Sat, Got to work this Sunday mostly organizing had to bolt up the front axle,parking brake,and drive lines, found the tires dug out some parts mostly cleaned up found the NOS doors

worked on the fuel tank tonight found some 3/8" rubber made some pads for the tank straps I fabricated up to mount the fuel tank, hung one door tonight.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Wow! NOS doors, for a pig?! That's some sweet LC porn right there.

The 40 in the driveway looks beautiful also-do you have a link to that build up as well?

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Oops, just noticed your link to the 40 build thread in your sig line. Thanks, I'm goung to go drool over that for awhile. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dusty 66]

Thanks I bean sitting on the door for a wile Lucy_FJ55
Ill post up some more 40 later as time allows
taking a brake now started @ 5 am going back to work tonight Dusty 66

 

[Dusty 66]

Back to work on the 55 set the body back down on the frame just setting on 3"X3" wooden blocks did get two doors mounted my hinges are in good shape.

found some thing I forgot I had an one off firewall Insulator ! like finding money
in the bank I'll post up more when I (remember) figure out who made it the company made a pattern with the original I supplied .

will have doors back on before moving I haven't come up with Body bolts as of yet.

 

[dsa03cjj]

nice rigs . . . looking good

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Sweet. Lookin' good.

 

[Dusty 66]

The MAF fuel tank was originally bolted directly through the pig's floor with long stove bolts and just used large washers 11/2'' on both ends. After a half dozen road trips to Death Valley the rear floor had sagged and was starting to crack also the fuel tank was leaking as well.

The tank was repaired I made the 2" X 1/8" straps and 3/16" angle to make corners the to support from under the tank and the bolts go through the tank and are isolated by 1/4" rubber belting from contact with the strapping the straps will be supported by the frame by 4 - grade 8 3/8 "bolts witch will force it up acting like a clamp, contact the pigs floor and actually push up and support the rear floor now any place where the tank makes contact with the floor will be Isolated by more rubber belting.

This is a work in progress I have a Idea for a skid plate now and just came across a box of some rubber bumpers I may use....

 

[Dusty 66]

Body bolts !

Found some Bolts @ the local John Deere.
10mm x 1.5 & 5-1/2'' long 15mm head.

OEM was 10mm x 1.25 & 5-1/4" long head 14mm

.....Dusty 66