10/84 HJ47 Troopy Refurbish and Build Up

[Chamba]

Thanks! The plan is to add metal to the cab like I did at the bottom of door. Huh, I hadn't considered seeing if I can find someone willing to cut up a hardtop for the factory pillar sections.... That's a good idea. I'll need LH and RH sections from 2 hardtops.

I'd bet you could find bits like that out east. Given the tops tend to rust at the bottom, you would only need those bits above the rust.

I'm sure I could find those bits here, but I don't know about cost, as I'd have to convince the wreckers to cut up the tops to ship just those sections - I think labour would cost more that the part itself. Let me know if you want me to look into it.

Dan: I've got an 82 FJ45 pickup tub sitting in my shed here in Nannystralia - want me to ship it up? You could make that 4 door that's calling your name

Josh

 

[1tontoy]

Thanks for the inspiration. I was originally doing to fab it then I put out a post for the door bits and was easily able to find what I need.....from the each coast

I was able to find the bits from two tops, so I'm doing both sides of each door with factory sheetmetal including the lip. I've only done 1/2 of 1 door, as seen in the pic.

I also created a template for the windows out of wood and modified the interior door releases. The pic shows how far down the windows will go.

Tomorrow I hope to finish the door openings.

I'd bet you could find bits like that out east. Given the tops tend to rust at the bottom, you would only need those bits above the rust.

I'm sure I could find those bits here, but I don't know about cost, as I'd have to convince the wreckers to cut up the tops to ship just those sections - I think labour would cost more that the part itself. Let me know if you want me to look into it.

Dan: I've got an 82 FJ45 pickup tub sitting in my shed here in Nannystralia - want me to ship it up? You could make that 4 door that's calling your name

Josh

 

[1tontoy]

One door closed in. I used factory hardtop sheet metal for both sides and the top section. Need to finish weld and do the other side.....

It's getting there, slowly , especially since it gets dark early now. I'm really looking forward to finishing the metal work and moving on to body and paint work.

 

[daniel.watters]

That's what I'm talking about! The lpb stubbie looks awesome on this. Keep up with the innovative work!

 

[1tontoy]

Finished both doors. I think it turned out sweet. Here are some pics.

 

[Bear]

Very nice work !

 

[DanS HJ-45]

That might just be the best idea I've ever seen carried out. Comparing the before and after pictures, that after is just incredible with the "Toyota" bed and door.

I can hardly wait to see it in one solid color of paint/primer, because then it'll REALLY come together.

Dan

 

[fogblanket]

I think this is the only cruiser I would trade Wilma for. the only thing left is to do the bottoms back of the rear doors rounded like an lv

 

[Chamba]

That might just be the best idea I've ever seen carried out. Comparing the before and after pictures, that after is just incredible with the "Toyota" bed and door.

I can hardly wait to see it in one solid color of paint/primer, because then it'll REALLY come together.

Dan

X2. great work!!

Josh

 

[1tontoy]

Thanks you guys! I appreciate the enthusiasm. I, too, can't wait to get her painted and purdy!

This holiday, not much action. But, I did get to mock up the taillights and lenses. I've been searching high and low for some vintage taillight buckets and lenses, but I know they are like unicorn poop. I decided that there is a big plus to modifying later model buckets b/c they can used them with my stock wiring loom. I had some used buckets and lenses after replacing the assemblies with new ones for the HJ47 troopy. I decided to use one of those to mock up my aussie bandeirante.

I cut down the bucket and the lense for one side to see how it would look and fit. I eliminated the reverse light socket, so I'll need to mount a backup light -- but I'm cool with that. I'll probably double it to also have a manual switch for more general purpose. I may still go with early repro lenses, but will probably end up cutting down some new lenses like I did for the mock up.

Here are some pics.

 

[Bear]

Hmmmmm.

 

[Chamba]

Very cool!! The original one did not have the amber indicator, did it? How were they set up in the original pickup?


Josh

 

[1tontoy]

Thanks! I think it turned out pretty nice. I didn't have to cut up the rear channel to fit later model buckets. If I ever come across some vintage buckets, I can still use them if I want.

The 'original' pickup bed came off a 1967 and would have had red-red when the truck came from the factory. Toyota did make red-amber lenses for that era, but I've only seen those available as replacement lenses through Toyota Parts or reproduction.

Very cool!! The original one did not have the amber indicator, did it? How were they set up in the original pickup?


Josh

 

[1tontoy]

Decisions Decisions

SCORE!!!!!

Like new vintage assemblies and some rubber bumpers. I might need to find an old 45 for these!

 

[1tontoy]

I can smell the wheels turning from here!

Hmmmmm.

 

[1tontoy]

Little update - Wow, where has the time gone....

It's been a while, but I have done a few things to the Bandeirante-inspired crew cab HJ45. Not to mention I was in Costa Rica for a couple weeks.

Well, after my first attempt at building some rear doors using OEM donors, I was very happy with the outcome - but, I wasn't happy with the donors. I had picked up the doors from a Mudder who said they didn't have 'much rust'. Well, when I go them, one of the door bottoms was almost gone and the other door needed some patching. I patched them, but I wanted some 'rust-free' doors to start from b/c the rest of rig will be rust-free when I'm done. And, after putting so much time into the rig and being a bit anal retentive, I want to do it right and not cut corners.

So, I picked up a pair of rust-free, complete doors for the same price I paid for the first pair. I chalk it up to learning and I'm glad I had the chance to 'prototype' my plan. This time, I cut/sectioned the doors differently to eliminate any warping and it totally worked - the doors panels are flat with no dips at the joint.

Also, I wanted to redo the rear wheel arches to match the LBP bed - thanks to some great ideas and inspiration from Dan and HJ47. I still have the rest of the donor bed which has the other half of the wheel arches. So, I went for it. I cut out the Aussie rear wheel arches and welded in the wheel arch sections from the bed. Let me know what you all think! I think it turned out great!

One step closer to body work and paint....

 

[Chamba]

I love the front wheel well addition. Do you have any photos side-on?

Cheers,

Josh

 

[DanS HJ-45]

On a scale from 1 to awesome:

Flippin' brilliant!

I'm glad to learn that I'm not the only anal retentive guy who redoes stuff just because I didn't do it all that well the first time....

Dan

 

[Bear]

Way to go !
Toyota sure missed the boat by not fully marketing the crew cab.

Lucky you !

 

[1tontoy]

Rear Window Opinions Wanted

I'm trying decide which way to setup the rear windows and would like you guys' help. I'll to describe:

Option A:
Large window. 1 piece of glass. Would have to cut an opening in the bottom of the door and slide the glass 'up' into the door in order to install it. It's not possible to slide the glass 'down' into the door like you can on a (non-vent window) front door. This option might be the easiest, but I'm not too stoked on cutting a slit-like opening in the bottom of the door.

Option B:
Use a non-US vent window setup. Could install the glass using normal installation methods. For option B, would you do a 'fixed' window in place of the vent window? Or, would you modify the vent window to be more 'square' to match the opening and thus still have the venting capability? What about leaving the original vent window shape and doing something to fill the gap (metal or small piece of glass that is fixed)?

Any ideas? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Also installed a 4 hinge tailgate (with 4 OEM Bandierante hinges) in place of the 3 hinge tailgate.