- Thread starter
- #21
Undercarriage is finally done. Coated it spraying Gator Guard II.
1975 Honolulu FJ40 Frame Off Preservation
- Thread starter FJ40RobQ
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
Finally working on the frame.
It's almost been two months since I worked on the FJ40, I've been traveling a bit. Was just in Cordova for one week for work. I've started wire wheeling the frame and stripping it down. I've been contemplating taking it all the way down to the frame and getting it Sand blasted. I've gone through two stripping discs and it's been difficult to get in most of the areas of the frame. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow for quotes to sandblast the whole frame.
It's almost been two months since I worked on the FJ40, I've been traveling a bit. Was just in Cordova for one week for work. I've started wire wheeling the frame and stripping it down. I've been contemplating taking it all the way down to the frame and getting it Sand blasted. I've gone through two stripping discs and it's been difficult to get in most of the areas of the frame. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow for quotes to sandblast the whole frame.
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- #23
It took me two and half hours to get the monster number off. PO welded in all sorts of places. The rivets were a pain to get off even after grinding them down. Need a BFH for sure!
Excellent photos and story - great job. I'd hate to imagine trying to keep a 40 looking sharp in Hawaii, given the atmosphere. Also, you have challenges due to the cost of everything in Hawaii, too.
I went through the same thing as you, but with exterior as well. I could never get it how I wanted it, and it was hard to wire wheel all the cracks and crevices, so after many hours of labor, and many dollars in wheels and bits, I ended up having it blasted. I was so glad I did, but I was mad at myself for not doing it sooner. I think it's well worth the money, and your time can be used for something much more productive.
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- #27
Thanks! I do to, and I'm still thinking of doing a somewhat flat red because I think it would look nice. Good luck on your restoration when you start.
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- #28
Steve H - thanks for the comments. Shipping has gotten better with a lot of companies giving deals on shipping like Amazon and I just got some parts from Cruiser Corps and the shipping was free.
JetRanger - thanks for the advice. I'm still debating if I should sand blast the frame, but I'm probably going to keep working on the frame since I'm paying for storage and bay usage at the Auto Hobby shop on the Air Force base.
JetRanger - thanks for the advice. I'm still debating if I should sand blast the frame, but I'm probably going to keep working on the frame since I'm paying for storage and bay usage at the Auto Hobby shop on the Air Force base.
- Thread starter
- #29
Removed drive train today.
Talk about putting two and two together. I didn't know I had a Frankenstein adapter till today.
Talk about putting two and two together. I didn't know I had a Frankenstein adapter till today.
I have a question, On post # 6 it looks like the rear fenders have been cut. Mine has been cut too and that has discouraged me alot. Is this a big problem or do they make something to fix this problem? I am having problems trying to decide which way to go. Mine in a 72 model.
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- #31
fjsome,
The rear fenders were cut out. I think when Previous Owners put the bushwacker fender flares it tells them to cut it down. I plan on putting new fender flares to cover the aweful cut the PO made. May be down the road I will replace the rear fender panels.
The rear fenders were cut out. I think when Previous Owners put the bushwacker fender flares it tells them to cut it down. I plan on putting new fender flares to cover the aweful cut the PO made. May be down the road I will replace the rear fender panels.
- Thread starter
- #32
Bought new upholstery from Cruiser Corps on Cyber Monday and got free shipping. Finally completed reupholstering my seats. Took me about 8 hours total. Hardest part was putting hog rings in the inside slits that keep the seats recessed. I ended up using wire ties because it was easier.
Nice Job FJ40RobQ.
Just wondering if they still have the auto hobby shops on base or are you using a private shop to work on your rig. I was stationed in pearl back in the early 80's and we did all kinds of cool stuff at Hickam AFB "hobby" shop. I was USN but they treated us the same. Very reasonable rent with lifts and other equipment for us to use. Aloha and Semper Paratus. Oh, never mind, I just read the answer to my question. Glad to know they still have the Hobby shop.
Just wondering if they still have the auto hobby shops on base or are you using a private shop to work on your rig. I was stationed in pearl back in the early 80's and we did all kinds of cool stuff at Hickam AFB "hobby" shop. I was USN but they treated us the same. Very reasonable rent with lifts and other equipment for us to use. Aloha and Semper Paratus. Oh, never mind, I just read the answer to my question. Glad to know they still have the Hobby shop.
- Thread starter
- #34
Firestopper, thanks for comments. The Hobby shop on Hickam is great, but due to the budget cuts, the hours open are less, they are also closed on Sundays and Mondays. Hopefully I'll be done before I transfer to California in the summer. My unit is closing shop so I got early orders. So much for being in Hawaii another three years. Oh well. Aloha and Semper Paratus! Thank you for your service and Happy New Year to!
That adaptor is really something...
AA and Downey (out of business) Bon make decent custom bel housings. A Marks adaptor would be the least work to go with what you've got... http://www.advanceadapters.com/prod...fj40-4-speed-manual-transmission-adapter-kit/
Or, you could drop a 2F in from a 40/45/55/60/70 Landcruiser... Or even a 3FE since its not my money.
AA and Downey (out of business) Bon make decent custom bel housings. A Marks adaptor would be the least work to go with what you've got... http://www.advanceadapters.com/prod...fj40-4-speed-manual-transmission-adapter-kit/
Or, you could drop a 2F in from a 40/45/55/60/70 Landcruiser... Or even a 3FE since its not my money.
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- #36
Thanks for the advice Bikersmurf, I was debating on putting in a new adapter, but now that I'm heading to SoCal, I'm going to put the drive train back to how It was and when I get to Cali I'm going to look into putting a Toyota or diesel.
- Thread starter
- #37
I was hesitant to take it all the way down to the frame for a while, but then today I just thought what the heck, so I did it. It is so much easier to get to everything on the frame. I was surprised the leaf spring nuts came off so easy with an impact wrench.
I flipped the frame upside down so I could get to the underside easily. Well worth the time to take it down to the frame.
Are these shackles worth keeping?
I flipped the frame upside down so I could get to the underside easily. Well worth the time to take it down to the frame.
Are these shackles worth keeping?
Hi, Great work , are the shackles heavily pitted ? If yes Id replace them. Mike
- Thread starter
- #39
Painted the frame with KBS Coatings Rust Seal. Came out good, used a syphon spray gun for most of it and brushed on in hard to reach areas. Was a three step process. Now moving onto the axles and leaf springs.
- Thread starter
- #40
Have a rolling Chasis now. Also added new iron man shackles and bushings. Painted axles with Rustoleum and leaf springs with slip plate. Onto the next step, the engine and tranny reassemble.
