Matt,
I came across this thread after page 97 had started. Like a great book, I could not put it down. It was a fascinating display of so many tool sets. You have incredible drive, the likes of which you do not come across in many people. Your commitment to a task is quite impressive in and of itself. Coupled with your organizational skills, your abilities with your hands, intelligence, and common sense. Your solutions and can do attitude are an inspiration to us all. You see opportunities where others see body rot. You really are a renaissance man. If it were not enough spending the better part of 24 hours over two days absorbing your birthing of that beauty, I found myself off ordering books , DVD and a sample pound of charcoal additive to do a sample concrete countertop. I’m just glad I’m retired and did not have to tell my boss why I was not coming in. I’m also glad your wife did not have any other honey do’s that I needed to explore. I would love to stop by when I’m in the area and spend some time with you and your wife. Both of you are clearly very fine folk.
You should really consider contacting DIY, Spike TV, TLC or the Discovery channel about documenting your FJ45 LWB. If it is anything like your FJ45LV it should have an hourly episode on TV so more people can watch and learn and pick their jaw up off the floor on a weekly basis.
There are a couple items on your FJ45LV I wanted to discuss.
I’ve looked at the photos on your post 2803 of the underside of your rear bumper. The part that concerns me is how you tie the end of the receiver tube to the frame. I do not think it is the strongest design. It will not aid the bumper very much under dynamic axial loading thru the receiver tube. The bar attached at each end will have too much flex under axial loading and will also flex under vertical loading of the hitch ball. You can easily resolve this by taking a piece of structural B angle (3/8” thick) attaching it fully across the bottom of the C-channel that goes between the frame rails. Then you would bend a tab at each end of the angle to marry to the 3/8” plates that support the bumper. This would replace the bar you have going across now. This change would add dramatic strength to your receiver tube from both axial loads and torque loads and reduce the stresses on the bumper by decreasing the flex at the receiver tube/bumper weld.
The second has to do with two statements you made. You said that you did not want to put the headrest on the ’79 seats in order to maintain that old school look. You also said that one aspect of the rear bumper’s strength was greater protection for your wife. What offers the most protection for a front passenger in a rear end collision are crumple zones to reduce the g force transmitted through the bodies of the front passengers. Something Volvo is famous for. Putting a very rigid rear bumper on the FJ45LV has a major draw back. Since it is attached hard to the frame, when a drunk slams into the rear of the vehicle, the kinetic energy is dramatically transferred through the frame and body of the vehicle. This was a common occurrence with older bumper designs. Couple that with no headrest or high back bucket seats and you have the potential for sever injury to the neck of the driver and front passenger. The federal government mandated energy absorbing bumpers and front headrest/high back seats to reduce injuries to passengers. I know that some will say – but they won't be on the rear seat. My answer is that there is always a driver. Matt, please put both front headrests on.
hmm.......that's a lot there.....where to start?
First of all, thanks for the compliments. I don't think I deserved all that, but still nice to hear good things from fellow cruiser heads. Always said, I'm just your average goober welding and pounding metal out in the shop. Just as fun for me to share what I do with others and also gleen a little info of a few of you as well
In any event, thanks again
And if your ever up this way, let me know....more than welcome to stop by
As far as a TV show...I think you guys all need to call, write and email those outfits. Who knows, maybe one of them will get on board?? I only have a few demands: 1st - I have 2 friends that have to be on the show as well.
I probably wouldn't be that entertaining.....I tend to get in the zone and just try to get sh-t done. I may be the guy to yell, swear or throw somthing if things aren't getting done, but that might be about it. The other guys are also very talented and much more animated and characters than me. Both are extremely talented also. 2nd - I want guests on the show, and not fancy boy people either. Viewers that can email, call or write in and request to be on. Just average weekend warriors that can come on for an episode and fawk up just like me an everyone else. 3rd - No super fancy Nascar shops....in fact I think the show should be confined to a double wide garage. And all tools used on the show must be able to be ordered out of harbor freight or Northern tool (or some other fly by night outfit like that). I want anyone watching to know that they could fab some junk up also. So......there are my demands....I'm sure the discovery channel will be calling me tomorrow ;p
On the other 2 topics I'll be quick, since your obviously smarter than me
I respectfully disagree on the bumper. I think I understand your description correctly and I believe it's overkill. I've looked at many class III hitches and this has more mass than most and more attachment points. I'm not an engineer, but I don't see it failing in my life time.
On the headrests......I agree 100%. Everything you said was completely accurate and makes total sense. I can't get them in there tomorrow, but I will plan on making it happen in the near future.
Thanks again and hope to see ya soon
Matt
Mike
