December POTM.

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oldfj40

oldfj40

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Threads
36
Messages
458
Location
C.C.,B.C.
I got this Pig last spring.So far it has been a pretty good rig.

First a little history.In Feb of '07 I went to Boise and picked up a Pig I found in the classifieds here on Mud and drove it 600 miles home.A good rig but needs some parts and rust repair.I put the word out and started searching for parts or,better yet,complete parts rigs to get that Pig into shape.I ended up with two parts rigs with more than enough good parts to get going on the project.

I was also looking to get out of the city to a small town away from all the big city BS.Everything came together last spring to move in May.Got a house with enough property to build a shop to work on the cruisers - they didn't like my hobby at the townhouse complex I was leaving.All I needed to do was get the rigs up there with everything else and I was set.

About a month before I left I got a call from one of my cruiser parts connections asking me if I was still looking for a Pig.Yeah right :rolleyes:.This sickness is strong so,of course,I said "Sure,what have you got?"

An old buddy of his called him out of the blue to see if he wanted this Pig.He'd had it for 18 years and had taken pretty good care of it.He's now semi retired with a small business that he and the wife run together.Not lots of time for the Pig anymore.It wasn't running and he just wanted it gone to someone who likes Pigs.Free.

It was about an hour away so my son and I arranged to go see it one Saturday.That afternoon it was mine.I felt better giving the guy something for it so we agreed on a few flats of his favorite brew.I also gave some beverages to my buddy as a finders fee so it wasn't exactly free but close enough.I had to get it hauled up to its new home because I had no time to try troubleshooting with the move going on.Got a good deal on the haul.

Here's a pic of it when I first got it.

I need to get my dogs to the vet.,about an hour away,after work today so I'll post more when I get back.
All Cruisers 002.webp
 
Steve,

Wow. I mean just Wow...Free pigs are a wonderful thing. How much of a lift does it have?.....The angle from the photo makes it look like some lift. Can't wait to see current photos....Dave
 
Yup,it was a deal I couldn't refuse :D.
The 'lift' is some extended shackles on tired springs by the looks of things.

I was going to load more pics before work but needed to resize and I would've been late.

Here's a couple more from when I got it.
All Cruisers 001.webp
All Cruisers 003.webp
 
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That was the only time I saw it before I moved.I was thinking that it had lots of parts I could use for the Boise Pig if it wasn't a runner.Apparently it had died while idling in his driveway and he couldn't get her going after several attempts.It sat for 7 months or more.

Once I moved I took a closer look at it and realized that it was kinda ugly but very complete with lots of the good parts on it in fine shape.Excellent dash,headliner,visor etc.
'73 Pig -running. 013.webp
All Cruisers 008.webp
All Cruisers 007.webp
 
Yeah you're right about having a clean un molested looking interior....hell the whole thing makes me jealous. Just look at my recent thread and you will certainly give thanks to the cruiser gods for your good luck....am enjoying the pics and looking forward to what is a great project.....:cheers:Dave
 
Thanks.I saw your thread.Good to see some pics of your Piggy.You never said what you need to do to get it on the road. You need to be driving that thing - seeing the reactions is great.

I got the dogs to the vet where they go under the knife tomorrow.We don't need any more litters around here.Another nice drive tomorrow afternoon to pick them up.

Back to the Pig.I figured that I wasn't going to lose anything by trying to get it running.Worse case scenario I'd still have a bunch of great parts.Long story short,I ended up rebuilding the rochester carb and replaced the plugs which were the problem in the end.It looks like the PO had put in a new set but they were all bad.I swapped them with a set out of a 2F in my yard,that hadn't run in several years,and the F fired right up.It's nice having spare parts a few paces away and thanks for the assistance in tech at the time.

Once it was running it was obvious that the exhaust manifold leaked - bad.It was warped so I swapped in a manifold set up out of one of my 2F's.Timed it,new plugs and fluids,went for a drive.
Drive 1.webp
Drive 2.webp
Drive 3.webp
 
Once I'd spent some time with it I was growing kind of fond of it so I figured I would give it a light makeover.
Make no mistake,this fine specimen is far from rust free.The PO did a great job keeping it looking good as it tried to rot away in true Canadian fashion.You can see,for example,where he replaced the drivers side running board front to back including the lower front fender.Many of the common rust areas are fine - others not so much.

To do the body right would mean more work than I wanted to invest in this rig.I may do more later but I just wanted a Pig to drive.I cleaned up some of the PO's repairs and added a little bondo of my own in some spots.Ran some 80 grit all over,acid etching primer,then some rattle can goodness.

I also took a front bumper off of one of the other Pigs and threw it on the rear.I saw that on someones rig here and it looks good.I put all the decent emblems and reflectors on as well.I got the rear window working too so everything on this Pig works! Thanks for making those gears a while back Charles - it came in handy.
Painting '73. 027.webp
Painting '73 & Caterpillar. 024.webp
Painting '73.Done. 006.webp
 
Took it out for a spin.My son likes it.My gf doesn't like her picture taken :rolleyes:.
'73 Drive. 009.webp
'73 Drive. 011.webp
'73 Drive. 014.webp
 
I drove it for most of the summer and it worked great.Tons of response from other folks in town.I even had a guy follow me to see if I'd sell it.We went to a restaurant one evening and by the time we got out of the truck the restaurants window was filled with people getting a look at the Pig.I'd say it turned out okay.

I had to replace the clutch slave along the way but the master may need to be replaced as well or I'll have to install a kit.The rear reservour on the brake master is losing fluid too so I have a couple of things to take care of before it hits the road next spring.

I'd like to take it down to Cruiser Days next summer.That's a couple hundred miles each way so I'll need to give it more road time locally to make sure it will make it.It's getting tired with age but I may be able to get a long trip out of it.

That's this Pigs story so far.

I've been a vehicle nut ever since I got my license and I've owned dozens of different cars and trucks.I've been addicted to Landcruisers for a few years now and I've enjoyed them more than any other vehicle.I'm growing more partial to the 45's but there is no doubt that driving a 55 is an experience all its own.
If you have a project 55 that you haven't driven just remember that it doesn't need to be perfect but it does need to be driven.

Thanks for looking.:cheers:
'73 Drive. 013.webp
 
Steve, that's a pretty good find for B.C. I haven't seen another '55 in B.C. for at least 10 - 15 years.
 
OinkOinker said:
schmicko paint bloke! looks pretty damn good all round really
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment.This is one of those projects where I just wanted to clean it up and it turned out much better than I anticipated for sure.


cruiser_guy said:
Steve, that's a pretty good find for B.C. I haven't seen another '55 in B.C. for at least 10 - 15 years.
Click to expand...

Thanks Charles.I was surprised how complete it was much less that it wasn't a rusted out hulk.One of the parts Pigs I got is a '78 from near Logan Lake/Merritt.It runs like a top and was meticulously maintained mechanically but three men and a small boy could lift the body off LOL.That's more like what we can expect of the 55's in Canada.
 
So you just rattle canned it! It really looks great (love the night shot too!). Did you just pick out a red or were you particular about the red/white. The reason I ask is I would like to bring out some color myself during the dreary winter months. Looking forward to hearing what rattle can you used (or from other posters for that matter!) Dave
 
Just rattle canned it :).I'm sure it would be cheaper to buy paint by the gallon and use a HVLP to put it on but I'm short one compressor right now.I'm still building on my tool list and haven't got that far yet.

The paint I used was Plasti-kote super enamel.Not sure if you have it in the US.I got it from the auto parts store in town - a good deal when you buy several.The red is called swift red.The white is antique white.It may look whiter in the pics than it actually is.I just figured that particular red would look good on the Pig and the white went well with it.

I also learned a bit about outdoor painting.The summers here are 90 to 100 degrees and paint dries real fast.Leaves a bit of a dull finish.Couple guys in town who have painted vehicles,trailers,etc recommended painting at 4 in the morning to beat the heat.Just some trivial info for other backyard guys out there.
 
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