- Thread starter
- #61
Looks good! I like the idea of it being open, at least that way I can pressure wash an keep it clean, & not have to worry about dirt collecting inside the boxed in body brace.
Build 1971 FJ40: project Milk Money
- Thread starter rustED71
- Start date
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I thought the same thing and is why mine open too. That channel was full of dirt on the ends when I cut it open.
- Thread starter
- #63
I was thinking of making some gussets to brace the body mounts, what do you think, good idea or overkill?
It sounds like a good idea. If you look at my pic, I placed 1 close to each body mount. Originally I used the top of the C channel for the rear seat mounts too. I welded nuts to the top part of the C channel where the floor sits, on the inside of the channel. Later I incorporated my seat mounts into the cage.
- Thread starter
- #65
Decided to add one gusset per side instead of two, pretty happy with how it turned out...my welds aren't pretty, but they'll hold. The last 2 pics you can see daylight from a gap between the Channel/body brace and the front floor pans. I cut out the lip of the floor pan do to rust and left this gap on purpose so when I am finished with the back half I can come back and cut out the front section easier. I also started getting the rear sill and the new upright parts mocked up, building these out of 2x2x.125 square tube. Once thats done I can start tacking in my rear quarters.
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- Thread starter
- #66
Today I got the C-channel body braced welded in and then was able to get the passenger side quarter panel tacked into place. Used some copper infused weld thru primer on all the seams. In the 1st Pic you can see where I had to add 3/16" to the front of the quarter panel as it came up a little short. Other than that everything lined up really good. It feels good to finally make some noticable progress.
- Thread starter
- #68
Also worked on the rear sill as well as the new uprights that will make up the tailgate opening. These were 2"x2"x.125 square tube. For the uprights I cut 3/16" out of the front, basically turning it into C channel. By doing this it allowed me to align the quarter panel and get everything flush, then i will weld the quarter panel into the sill and uprights and that will box it back in . I will cutout the top piece in pic #4 and cap it so it all blends in...Hopefully the pics will make more sense than my explanation.
- Thread starter
- #69
Thanks clrussell, It feels really sturdy for just being tacked in place!Looking great.
Looks heavy duty.