1964 FJ45 LB “RB1” Project (1 Viewer)

[miker]

Damn, you do some incredible work. I am in complete awe and envy. I wish I had 1/10 that talent.

Thanks. I don't look at it as talent, its desire and perseverance. That's one reason I posted up the rework on the wheel wells. Although the first one I made was ok, I made some mistakes and I thought I could do a better job if gave it another try. Its easy to make mistakes (at least it is for me) when doing this kind of sheet metal work and it seems like the best way to fix a mistake is to just make the piece again ot try a different approach. I'm not building from a detailed plan but I do have a good idea what I want it to look like. So far, I'm happy with the way it’s turning out but I know I have a long way to go. And, thinking back on some of the things I've done, I would do them different if I were to do them again. The fun for me is in the journey and I’m glad there are some folks who want to watch the progress.

 

[miker]

Mucho admiration for someone who takes pride in their buildup! Very detailed & precise measuring - I just use a tape, level & eyeball How many times have you heard "Man, you outta open up a shop"

Thanks. My wife says I ought to open up a shop all the time. But then I remind her of how slow I work and that could be a problem if we depend on the shop for income. It's always in the back of my mind and at times it would be good to work for myself but its more likely to be an after corporate retirement undertaking.

I just read through your thread of your piggy build-up and was kind of chuckling to myself at how I'm trying to build light weight and still match Toyota's strength and you're going down a path in the opposite direction. With your fab skills and speed, you should open your own shop. Your pig looks very cool and it's going to be a great trail rig.

 

[ToyLet503]

just read your whole thread....Great Work!! Very inspiring to somone working on their first 'cruiser...Thanks and I can't wait to see it come together

 

[miker]

Spent some time today working on the front bed panel, front bed floor corner pieces, and the rear corner post supports. Here's a few pics.

These are the front panel. Drilling holes and welding on the top "Z" bar.

 

[miker]

More on the front panel.

 

[miker]

Other side of panel. This side is the inside of the bed.

 

[miker]

Welding on the stock supports that I removed and then cleaned up from the original bed.

 

[miker]

Final fitting and welding in the front floor corners.

 

[miker]

Finally, a couple of the rear corner supports which are not quite done. These also shows the bed floor rear corner pieces.

 

[Henry James the 47th]

ahh, all that shiny metal. Are you sure you wouldn't rather curse at some good old thinned out sand-blasted rust-encrusted metal remains and try and build a truck from that- you know, the fun stuff? I mean, surely you are itching to drill out some spot welds, eh? Surely the tedium of stitching together those clean panels makes the heart yearn for a nice laceration on a rusty metal piece, adding in all the intrigue of wondering if the tetanus shots are up to date and sopping up the mess afterward.

Damn! Ya got some drool material there. Nice work!!

 

[miker]

ahh, all that shiny metal. Are you sure you wouldn't rather curse at some good old thinned out sand-blasted rust-encrusted metal remains and try and build a truck from that- you know, the fun stuff? I mean, surely you are itching to drill out some spot welds, eh? Surely the tedium of stitching together those clean panels makes the heart yearn for a nice laceration on a rusty metal piece, adding in all the intrigue of wondering if the tetanus shots are up to date and sopping up the mess afterward.

Damn! Ya got some drool material there. Nice work!!

LOL I hear ya, but did you check out the pictures I posted earlier in this thread? I have plenty of scars to prove I started with a rusty pile of parts. I've got "most" of the rusty stuff taken apart, taken off, and either cleaned up or thrown away. The frame is still in need of a lot of cleaning. I'll probably finish the mods I have to do on the frame and then have it blasted before paint. the cab is another story. I haven't gotten too far into it yet but it looks to be free of fillers and patches and fairly solid. I'll know for sure when it get stripped down to bare metal.

 

[65-fj45]

awsome work on the bed, I love watching 45 builds

 

[Eco 45]

I can't wait to see the finished project--looks like you know your way around a pile of rust.

 

[miker]

Here's the nearly finished left and right rear corner posts, and "L" supports in place for the posts.

The rear corner floor pieces are welded in place as well.

Vertical bolts on the "L" brackets are counter sunk. Can't decide if I want to counter sink the bolts on the bottom of the "L" bracket or use a pan head philips like the original ones. Its not very original at this point, so its mainly a decision about looks and function and not about keeping it original.

I've also welded in the rear of the bed floor and ground the welds down.

 

[miker]

Here's the back side of the posts. I had to add missing/cracked metal to the lower end of each post. I made the "L" brackets from .250" wall square tube. I added a plate to the inside of the post and drilled and tapped it for the bols.

 

[miker]

First photo shows the end of the bed, welded in and ground down to shape. If I were to do it again, I would spend more time trying to figure out how to make the floor pan flat at the egde like the stock floor.

Second photo gives better view of the bed floor corner piece.

 

[n2666s]

Mike..inspiring thread

Lou

 

[AATLAS1X]

What a great build!

SKILZZZZ


Shane

 

[fjwagon]

Quite impressive on the fab skills of the bed...thanks for making my day.

 

[Coolerman]

Got directed here from the FJ40 forum, and read this from the beggining.


All I got to say is: Excellent work!

That is one cool metal bending contraption you got there!

Just wondering where you got the idea for it. Are you a die maker by trade?

I'll be following this thread, new source of inspiration.