- 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.
- Thread starter
- #70
Made some progress this weekend. I got the Driverside rear quarter tack welded in place, Im pretty happy with it the Budbuilt quarters as they lined up nice. I got my rear sill with the uprights all in place and the tailgate opening came out square so thats good. The weather took a turn and it got too windy to weld, so I picked up a 5'x10' sheet of 14 gage and switched to making the rear floor and wheel wells. I also moved the rear axel back 3-3/4" just to get a better visual of what it will look like with the wheels centered in the wheel openings. Here's a few pics of the progress.
- Thread starter
- #71
^I somehow messed up my measurements on the top piece of the wheelwell ...I will fix that tomorrow...measure twice cut once!
Great work! You have learned a lot! Which is awesome. Good to see Bud Built as an alternate source of panels. Looks legit and robust to stand a deer side hit and buff out. Thanks for sharing your journey. Great read! Carry on. Sub’s.
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- #73
Thanks cylonfj40nut!...I feel like I should have gotten more accomplished, but progress is progress. Yes I would definately recommend the Bud Built quarters to anyone looking for an alternative, they are beefy...I shouldn't have to worry about them rusting out anytime soon
Today's progress of fixing yesterday's mistakes...I was hoping to get both wheelwells done, but only got the drivers side cut out and mocked up. The first Pic I was trying to get all my bends in one piece, but it ended up being a PITA, so I ended up removing the 65° bend which helped in getting everything to fit easier. I will weld that back in later.
- Thread starter
- #74
I almost went and picked up some self tapping screws to use in mocking up the wheelwells, then I remembered that I had these clekos...hadn't used these in awhile, but they sure came in handy today!
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Really nice work. Looks like you have a full driveway. I’ll help a brother out and take that early 90’s Toyota pickup off your hands and out of your way for you. Give you a little more room ya know.
- Thread starter
- #76
Thanks!..You got a good eye, lol. Thats my 91' that I bought off the original owner back in 2018...it had 101,600 miles on the odometer at the time...has about 160,000 on it now. I need to get some new shoes for it, it currently has my steelies/ Yokohama's off the FJ40 on it.