1964 FJ45 LB “RB1” Project (2 Viewers)

[miker]

Every time I see something like this I'm always thinking how nice it would be to have access to a lathe, turn exact steel adapter rings for the mounts, etc.

Nice Work!

Thanks Gus. And I hear ya on the tools. I too wish I had a lathe...and a mill, and a plasma cutter, a plasma CAM, oh yeah, and a larger air compressor, larger blast cabinet and a few more large and expensive tools. Hoping maybe Santa is reading this thread....

 

[miker]

put the lower cab on the frame and then dropped the cage into the cab. had to build some devices to safely lift the cab and then the cage. also wanted to do this before painting the cab to 'test' the method. seems to work ok but its a little nerve racking to have the cage hanging above the cab on a cherry picker.

Also needed to get some space back in the garage to work on other things so this was a good way to accomplish that.

Started on final assembly of the bed. most of it has been in storage so retreived it and then started final fitment and welding. It took a lot longer to do final fitment, mostly because I was somewhat cautious to make sure I had everything as straight as possible before burning it in. Decided to bolt some areas just to make it easier to align and fit. I may go back and replace these with welds, or not, can't decide....

Here are a few pics.

 

[miker]

bed floor mounted to rotisserie and then started to fit and adjust and measure, and measure, and measure some more....

 

[miker]

once I was happy with the fit of everything, I marked where the plug welds would go and then took it apart and cleaned those areas of the epoxy sealer. This sealer does not work well as a weld through primer.

Then reassembled one last time and began to weld it together. It took a lot of clamps and bars and bit of soft-faced hammer persuation to get everything lined up.

 

[miker]

Clamps are like bungees, you just can never have enough of them.

 

[miker]

BTW, the rotisserie was worth its weight in gold while assembling this bed and welding the pieces totogether. I'm really glad I took the time to make this tool, its saved me a lot of time. Not to mention how many times I would have had to move or reposition big, awkard and heavy parts. It made this part of the build a lot of fun. If anyone is considering a project like this, I highly recommend making or buying one.

 

[miker]

I should finish up welding the bed today. Back to regular work tomorrow.

Next, I plan to fit up the tailgate. That should be interesting since the "toyota" panel is not in the best of shape even after hours and hours of work on it.

 

[47coeman]

Mike
great to see you move forward, I have enjoyed watching/seeing this project in person in the recent past. You have been an inspiration as well as helping me with mine. Now that I have recovered from my surgery I plan on moving forward with mine, plenty to do...

 

[miker]

Other side welded on. Bed is finally looking like the real thing.

 

[miker]

Still have to weld these ends. Also make these caps for the rear of the rails. I'm noticing that the bed hooks are not the sturdiest design. Thinking about adding some support to the bed rails and the hooks. A piece of round stock or flat bar...

 

[Gusb]

Very ! Nice when you make the effort to build additional tooling and it really pays off.
I like the way you have that EP on everything, even if it complicates the welding. I've used a good amount of weld primer but I still believe it's a good plan to get as much EP into the hidden areas as possible.

 

[miker]

Very ! Nice when you make the effort to build additional tooling and it really pays off.
I like the way you have that EP on everything, even if it complicates the welding. I've used a good amount of weld primer but I still believe it's a good plan to get as much EP into the hidden areas as possible.

Yeah, these beds are full of nooks and crannies and hidden places that water will get to but you will never be able to paint once assembled. I'm planning to use sealer in some areas, in others, its just not possible to keep the water out, so those places I plan on drainage holes. I think its one reason these beds rust away.

 

[miker]

tailgate assembly.

 

[miker]

Drilling holes for hinges. These will be tapped.

 

[miker]

have a question for those with a tailgate. is the gate supposed to be the same width as the lower part of the bed, like this???

 

[35snmud]

put the lower cab on the frame and then dropped the cage into the cab. had to build some devices to safely lift the cab and then the cage. also wanted to do this before painting the cab to 'test' the method. seems to work ok but its a little nerve racking to have the cage hanging above the cab on a cherry picker.

Looks outstanding Mike. I know what you mean about nerve racking with the cage hanging. I can guarantee your method was better than mine. When I put the new cage in and out of the freshly rebuilt and painted 64, I was using a deer hoist and an oak tree with some ratchet straps to level it. It got done with no casualties but I have since purchased a chain hoist and made a better pick point.

 

[SOOT]

Miker,

I have been following your build, getting ideas and inspiration, thanks. You are displaying some quality craftsmanship. Keep it up. I really like the how your cage ended up looking, very functional and awesome, I don't the laws around roll cages in Australia but I want one.

 

['69 Yota]

have a question for those with a tailgate. is the gate supposed to be the same width as the lower part of the bed, like this???

Yes. I had to look at a picture of mine because I didn't remember that upper part being wider and there is a tubular stake pocket that sits there that kind of conceals it.

 

[miker]

Yes. I had to look at a picture of mine because I didn't remember that upper part being wider and there is a tubular stake pocket that sits there that kind of conceals it.

Thanks for the confirmation! I found a couple of pics on the web that also confirms this.

 

['69 Yota]

Hmmm. I don't see the tubes or the holes in the top rails in your pics. Maybe these aren't stock? I took a couple pics for you this morning.