A journey with my boys- The Elf Barn as I call it. (3 Viewers)

[ceylonfj40nut]

And let there be light. All powered up. All LED. 15k lumen fixtures. Can’t have enough light. Glad I did this. Ceiling lights can be moved around since they are plugged in. Got 120v and 240v single phase.

If anyone is interested Light’s are

15,000 lumens- white LED low bay UFO style - 100W 5000k 0-10v dimming - IP65 - DLC and ETL Listed white finish with hook mount - 250W equal

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Elves getting the final things done on the lift. Hydraulic fluid. And we have lift off. A milestone.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

John, you realize this all started when you and CD connected on the frame .

Probably the most expensive frame swap on Mud. Yikes.

 

[wngrog]

Good on you. My kids have no interest and I have no interest in the forced fun. Great shop.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

your elves do great conduit work! BTW, you'll want to keep that old #26 box stove around...it'll run you out of that barn in the deadest cold texas winters...

 

[4Cruisers]

I have been watching your 60 build. It’s really nice. Looks like a ton of hard work. Glad it’s so close to being done. Did you paint it yourself?

Thanks, it's been non-stop for ~2-1/2 years, it helps to be retired. Been in the works since ~2001 when I bought the FJ60 and FJ62, so there was a 15-year wait to begin. The rust-free body on the '86 has decent paint, so I only painted the right fender, both inner fenders, valence, and radiator support. All but the right fender came off the grey '89 donor vehicle, the right fender is aftermarket and was painted inexpensively by the PO, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn some painting skills. Bought the matching aerosol can paint from automotivetouchup.com. So the FJ60 will have a light patina overall.

 

[4Cruisers]

John, you realize this all started when you and CD connected on the frame .

Yep, just now starting to sink in. However, it looks like the force was already strong in CD and his sons, and was just a matter of time.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Good on you. My kids have no interest and I have no interest in the forced fun. Great shop.

Boys love it for sure. I am blessed. More on that later. The fundamentals on what high quality engineering and what “designed to last” will be based on wrenching with me on Cruisers. Their hearts are on American muscle. My oldest likes Mustangs. My youngest is a patina diehard. @wngrog my young son is a great fan of your work. He likes the bagged 55 Chevy trucks with large rear windows and front tilted cab.

My message to them is let their hands and minds become equipped and skilled to take on anything. Giving them a classroom to realize it. An enabler. School of hard knocks is an essential ingredient plus positive attitude

@CenTXFJ60 shared “fear nothing” with my son in a recent drive to the barn. Forever greatful.

Without you all, Cruisers and search for a frame I would still be putzing around on what might be. Thought I would make a step change.

 

[4Cruisers]

Their hearts are on American muscle.

The funnest car I ever owned was a '66 Mercury Cyclone GTA, with 390 CID and 650 CFM 4-bbl. Holley carb, equipped like that from the factory. Pace car for the 1966 Indianapolis 500. Man was that thing fast, and a sleeper. Fun to drive up into the mountains above town, even with the tight turns (didn't handle well on the turns, only if you slowed down a bit). Of course on the many short straightaways the high horsepower and torque would get you back up to 50 to 60 mph before having to slow down for the next curve.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

The funnest car I ever owned was a '66 Mercury Cyclone GTA, with 390 CID and 650 CFM 4-bbl. Holley carb, equipped like that from the factory. Pace car for the 1966 Indianapolis 500. Man was that thing fast, and a sleeper. Fun to drive up into the mountains above town, even with the tight turns (didn't handle well on the turns, only if you slowed down a bit). Of course on the many short straightaways the high horsepower and torque would get you back up to 50 to 60 mph before having to slow down for the next curve.

Torquey. Just landed a 351 Cleveland 4v. Breaks motor mounts for lunch.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Elves moving tools and some heavy bits using the hoist.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

H55 tranny and axles

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Moving in and organizing. Elves were champs.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Working on air hoses and more goodies. 20 ton shop press, Parts washer, oil drain.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Little elves at work with assembly.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Welding station done. Ready at least for now

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

your elves do great conduit work! BTW, you'll want to keep that old #26 box stove around...it'll run you out of that barn in the deadest cold texas winters...

I wish they did the conduits. That was my long time trusted electrician. Tru dat about the little box stove. Thinking of moving it so I can use the space better. It does do great. Learned I got to pack that sucker with wood like sardines in a can before I fire it up.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

I consulted with @reevesci about a good welder. He is gospel. 211 Miller Autoset. Amen.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Frame swap in HJ60 will wait a tad longer. Getting my elves started on their project. I will document build thread in 60s series

Elf project- Restore 67 Mustang. Brought it to the barn.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Tear down in one day