Builds Bluebonnet - 5.3/H55 FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[SipLife]

Happy New Year Everyone!!

My fiberglass top was in rough shape after sitting out in the NM sun for so many years. The PO had also sealed all the edges and drip rail with silicone at some point.

Managed to remove it carefully without breaking any bolts. Gave it a quick DA sand and applied long hair bondo to the larger exposed areas and short hair to the smaller touch up areas. Was my first time working with this stuff so I layered it on a little too thick on some areas at the start, but I’m getting the hang of it.

 

[Jackson Hanes]

Awesome find on Bluebonnet @SipLife .
Good bones on that 73. Uber rare reverse light is present. That blue will polish out nice.

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Alright, I dig that light setup in the back. What are those, and how did you mount them?

 

[SipLife]

Got the surface in high build primer and all pinholes have been smoothed out with dolphin glaze. Top side is ready for paint now.

Found this sticker while prepping the underside for liner.

Anyone know how to remove this sill? There are some bolts inside the channel but they are covered. I’m assuming I need to carefully pry the edges of the top cover and slide it out to get to them?

 

[DangerNoodle]

Use a bar or long screwdriver and pop the cover off, kind of pull it off diagonally. It should just pop off.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

Got the surface in high build primer and all pinholes have been smoothed out with dolphin glaze. Top side is ready for paint now.

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Found this sticker while prepping the underside for liner.

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Anyone know how to remove this sill? There are some bolts inside the channel but they are covered. I’m assuming I need to carefully pry the edges of the top cover and slide it out to get to them?

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Nice work man! I'm itching from way over here.

 

[thatcabledude]

Liam, how is your battery mount set up? I couldn’t find a pic. I want to redo mine and was curious what you did.

 

[SipLife]

Liam, how is your battery mount set up? I couldn’t find a pic. I want to redo mine and was curious what you did.

I was planning on making one out of the original mount but decided it would need too much modification. Used angle iron as the base and scrap metal for 2 support legs. There is also a hidden mount under the base that bolts into the top of the shock tower for added support.

 

[thatcabledude]

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I was planning on making one out of the original mount but decided it would need too much modification. Used angle iron as the base and scrap metal for 2 support legs. There is also a hidden mount under the base that bolts into the top of the shock tower for added support.

Thanks. Will be doing similar. Current one from the OP is surprisingly sturdy despite being hilariously done. Wish I had a pic.

 

[thatcabledude]

hilariously done.

Just that fat weld on the sheet metal attaching the whole thing. That post rests on the frame with that battery’s weight on it.

 

[SipLife]

Was getting a rear driveshaft vibration at 50-60 mph cruising around town. My rear pinion flange was still set parallel to my t case after the DC driveshaft install.

Needed to adjust my rear pinion angle up to match the transfer case output flange angle. @Cowboy45 got my 6 degree steel shims, extended spring pins with spacers, and 4plus unbolts installed and trimmed down for me while I’m at college. He rewarded himself by hitting 80 mph on our local road. No more rear driveline vibration, thanks bro!!

 

[SipLife]

Back home this week for spring break. Was too windy to paint the top today so I worked on installing the Tuffy console my dad got me for my birthday back in January. I didn’t like any of the pre drilled positions so I drilled some new holes 3” forward.

My fj60 5 speed shifter was too short and hit the console in 2,4,R. Had a 4 speed shifter linkage laying around that was taller and had the right bend. Found out FJ60 and FJ40 4 speed shifter linkages are the same and will work in the H55.

 

[4Cruisers]

Back home this week for spring break. Was too windy to paint the top today so I worked on installing the Tuffy console my dad got me for my birthday back in January. I didn’t like any of the pre drilled positions so I drilled some new holes 3” forward.

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My fj60 5 speed shifter was too short and hit the console in 2,4,R. Had a 4 speed shifter linkage laying around that was taller and had the right bend. Found out FJ60 and FJ40 4 speed shifter linkages are the same and will work in the H55.

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Nice shot of the old man in the background .

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

It must be nice to have a “shifter laying around in the barn” . I get grief when parts come in

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Very proud of you @SipLife. This is a great truck. How far you have come. It’s a joy in every way. Love the journey you took. Looking for exciting things ahead. Stay the course. Nothing good in life is easy. Doing hard is where your alive the most. Revel in it.

 

[SipLife]

Tint-able Raptor liner went down today, color is 041 Toyota white. Looks brighter in photos than it does in person. Came out great, pretty happy with it. Touched up the drip rail with an aerosol can as well.

 

[DangerNoodle]

No headliner?

 

[thatcabledude]

Tint-able Raptor liner went down today, color is 041 Toyota white. Looks brighter in photos than it does in person. Came out great, pretty happy with it. Touched up the drip rail with an aerosol can as well.

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Great idea and I’ll probably steal it. My headliner is intact, but my god does that thing stink.

 

[Jdc1]

Tint-able Raptor liner went down today, color is 041 Toyota white. Looks brighter in photos than it does in person. Came out great, pretty happy with it. Touched up the drip rail with an aerosol can as well.

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Looks great, you should stuff a 5.3 in the S-10 and use it for a shop truck. All of ours up here have rusted away.

 

[SipLife]

No headliner?

I decided on raptor liner instead for a couple reasons: durable, saves me the trouble of dealing with a sagging headliner in the future, and the wizardry involved with a crease free headliner install

 

[DangerNoodle]

I decided on raptor liner instead for a couple reasons: durable, saves me the trouble of dealing with a sagging headliner in the future, and the wizardry involved with a crease free headliner install

I'll be interested to see how it does against noise vs a thick headliner.