1969 FJ55 Build Thread

[TuffMudder]

The booster is still on the firewall and I haven't looked to be honest. I'll try to remember to take a look this afternoon

 

[TuffMudder]

Well after much gnashing of teeth, I finally managed to get the last of the ice and water shield scraped from the tub!







I am relieved beyond words, but the unfortunate truth is, all that time just means I can now start what will be a long (though satisfying) project




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[NikP]

Nice work. I don't have the patience.

 

[TuffMudder]

Thx Nik. Neither do I, but thankfully I was still able to manage it


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[scrapdaddy]

Tuffmudder,


Looks good, it's a nice feeling to get that done with. Oh, while your arms are in shape from scraping, get started on the roof!

 

[TuffMudder]

First my shoulders going to need a rest. Next week I'm pulling the body off and sending the whole thing to be sandblasted. I'll finally get to see how much of a mess i really have


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[TuffMudder]

Here's the beginnings of the front bumper for my pig. It's just sitting on the frame now, it will actually be mounted lower.

The warn winch will be recessed in the top with the fairlead on the front. It will also have recovery points and additional tubing to protect the radiator

I'm considering having it angled inward starting below the fairlead for a better approach angle and looks. Once finished, I'll have it powder coated black





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[Delancy]

That's a beefy bumper!

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

Looks awesome! like the massive bumper...nice work

 

[TuffMudder]

Yeah, it's primarily for zombie smashing, so I wanted to make sure it was up to the task


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[TuffMudder]

By the way, the bumper is courtesy of Jessi. He does all the artwork for this project. I just come up with the ideas and do the scut work


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[PabloCruise]

Nice job cleaning up the inside!

 

[TuffMudder]

Took the body off today







And she's off to the sandblaster





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[TuffMudder]

Doh double pic post. Danger of posting from a phone. So the hardest part of removing the body? A single bolt through the gas tank into the body. Threads apparently rusted out so it would spin but not back out. Couldn't lift the body high enough for ther tank to clear the frame.

The bolt was through the lip of the tank and Jessi insisted a torch was a "bad idea". It was up against the frame and I couldn't get a cut off tool on it. Tried to drill the bolt and got one pass but broke the drill bit off in it on the second

Finally ended up lifting the body and having Jessi push the tank to get the cut off took on the head. Lift, lower, push pull until I got about 2/3rds of the head off then took a chisel and hammer to knock off the rest.

My point? Well, none really, just felt like sharing my 90minute bolt removal








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[TuffMudder]

Due to the unusual Arkansas winter (unusual in the fact that we're actually having a winter), just got the body back from the sandblaster today








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[scrapdaddy]

Rodney,


Doesn't look bad. How much filler in that rear corner?


I know the Winter of which you speak!

 

[TuffMudder]

I'm going to post pics of what all I have to contend with. Mostly minor with the exception of that rear corner


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[TuffMudder]

So I went over the body tonight and it's not too bad. Jessi will start cutting and replacing metal tomorrow and should be able to finish by the end next week...I hope.

There's some small areas of rust along the driver side roofline
View attachment 866073

All 4 door wells have some small areas of rust




Some rust around the tailgate hinges


This will be a little more involved. Several places including this entire panel have some type of body filler not touched by the sandblasting. No idea what's under it but it's coming off


Both A pillars


I have one door in great shape, one in really good shape and two that will need a little tlc

Around the door hinges


More of the body filler.


Some of the window frames will need repair


This door is going to need some work to but thankfully just has bondo and will be easier to remove than whatever is on the drivers rear panel.


And some more cosmetic stuff in the tailgate


That's about it. Could definitely be ALOT worse



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[Delancy]

What doors need need work and how extensive?

 

[Delancy]

Be careful with the "could be a lot worse". Trust me.