1966 FJ45LV restoration/buildup project

[merbesfield]

Karr

karr was never given the right to produce the piceses from the mold rick d and I paid for. we were told that the molds would produce about 25 to 30 sets and that was all. now he is selling parts from our mold that we paid over $800 for. thats not right. I havent talked to anyone about karr selling parts. and I was never asked if they could buy direct from karr. rick and I would have said NO. we can get them made and you go through us. Sorry to be a dick about this but we worked hard to get them made. and I don't think it is right for a manufacture to sell direct behined our back.

terry

I totally agree with you. You are not being a dick at all, they should have been up front and honest. To tell you the truth, the guy that I dealt with at Karr was a total DICK and was very rude. He would barely give me answers to my questions and had a higher than thou attitude. He acted like they were the only rubber molders on the planet. Even if they are, it is no reason to be a DICK. Sorry for any confusion I caused, I was just reporting what I was told by Karr. Are there any other companies that do what they do? Mark

 

[merbesfield]

3.5 hours with 3 guys

On a lighter note, we got some good work done on the frame. It is now totally striped of all pieces and is ready to be media blasted. We are going to try it ourselves first to see how it goes and if it sucks we will out source it. I was quoted $250.00 for the frame and axles which seems cheap to me, but I just want to try it and see how suckie it really is and make sure that all the little knocks and crannies get blasted well. Our next job will be to bring in the FJ55 and pull the engine and tranny. Once they are out, we will roll it out of the shop and pull the two axels from under it. Once we do that, the buzzards (FJ55 owners) can come strip the pig carcass clean. I tried to take pictures at every step, but I am sure I missed some things. I hope when it comes time to put all this back together I can remember. I am sure I will get some help from all you other owners as needed.

 

[merbesfield]

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does anyone know what this bracket is? the L shaped one.

 

[66LV]

if that bracket is on the left side i think it was for an exhaust hanger

 

[Trollhole]

Once we do that, the buzzards (FJ55 owners) can come strip the pig carcass clean.

Hey! I'm circling from above.

 

[merbesfield]

muffler bracket

if that bracket is on the left side i think it was for an exhaust hanger

yes the bracket is on the left side close to the drivers door if i remember.

 

[merbesfield]

4 hours today with two guys

We spent the day building body panel sawhorses so we would be better able to work on the doors etc. I looked at buying the typical ones that body shops use and just could not bring myself to pay $40-50 bucks for the crap they sell. I went to HD and spent $80.00 on wood and misc. hardware and 4 hours of time and now I have 4 sturdy stands. I built 2-36" wide and 2-48" wide. We used some old strapping to keep them together and them added some foam along the edge. When not in use they will fold up for storage. They are very stable and I think they are going to work out really well. Only had time to throw one door up and take a little bit of it apart. Just enough to see the sh!t that the PO had done to "fix" things as they broke. Now I will have to go back and rework the crap from PO. Notice the brazed nut on the door release bracket, that is a real nice job. Also I guess at some point the lower window support came loose so the welded it back, nice work. Then there is the fender washer holding the door panel to the door. At least all the parts are original so I get to use them as patterns for replacements. Can anyone tell me what the round rubber thing is with a hole in the center?

 

[merbesfield]

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original door panel clips. is this foam original? if so it looks like it was twice the size it is here, someone cut it in half? also, what is the paper that was covering the window spring?

 

[merbesfield]

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brazed nut, fender washer holding door panel and the damage under it. that will not be too hard to fix. the brazed nut will be a PIA tho.

 

[merbesfield]

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weld at lower window support and what is this round rubber piece? it was inside the door. does it go somewhere inside the door?

 

[merbesfield]

What have you guys done about springs and shocks etc? I know Matt went with Parabolic and changed the OME in the rear. I am trying to figure out why there is the need to spend a bunch of money on springs? According to my local spring guy, he says I should just bring them to him and he will check the arch in the springs to see if they have sagged. He said if I want a lift, say 2", he could put more arch in the springs. But I have also seen shackles that have a lift in them. My spring guy is a good ole boy and flat out said why would I change the springs if they were not rusted out or sagging. So tell me what I don't know and why I need expensive springs vs. the stock ones. Thanks

 

[66LV]

Mark
The paper over the window regulators is covered in cosmoline to protect the spring, the piece of foam you show looks added on. I didn't have any on my doors, the rubber bushing with the washer on it is for your door stop. goes on the inside of the door but the nut holding it on probably came off.