- Thread starter
- #101
That's what I was thinking. I'll be doing the work myself. I'm a jack of all trades and master at none. And a cheapskate.
1977 fj40 lost and then found.
- Thread starter Jaybird1
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That's what I was thinking. I'll be doing the work myself. I'm a jack of all trades and master at none. And a cheapskate.
Right on you have child labour
Can be a lot of fun working with your kids and teaching them
Can be a lot of fun working with your kids and teaching them
After reading this post and hearing all opinions I feel blessed to just pay a lot of money and getting less than I wanted because I didn't ask the right questions , (bought on line ).
At least I can drive my 1979 frame 1980 door post vin#s with a 2f 883396 engine that came from who knows where. It clunks and rattles from under coasting or in gear. Maby it's the springs, one is different than the rest. One spring shackle is pointing straight down . The paint job looks good if the body panels were only put on straight. I'm shure I will fix all because that's my bag. If I knew how to post a picture I would and at least I can drive it now.
At least I can drive my 1979 frame 1980 door post vin#s with a 2f 883396 engine that came from who knows where. It clunks and rattles from under coasting or in gear. Maby it's the springs, one is different than the rest. One spring shackle is pointing straight down . The paint job looks good if the body panels were only put on straight. I'm shure I will fix all because that's my bag. If I knew how to post a picture I would and at least I can drive it now.
Better set up an account with your local welding store. You're going to need more than one bottle...
Truthfully, I wish you the absolute best with your project. It's going to be a real experience.
One 'project long' suggestion (and I have a bunch): When you get really upset/depressed/frustrated/mentally drained/etc., Walk away from it for a while. That might be an hour, a day, a week, or a month (or several). Anything but positive vibes, will manifest themselves into additional work/money.
A few other suggestions:
DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY! (yes, I'm yelling.)
Photograph, bag and tag EVERYTHING. Try and keep the bolts/nuts/brackets attached as much as possible until you get around to restoring the part(s).
Friends helping are GREAT. Just don't let them get ahead of you, as they might not be around when it's time to put everything back together.
oestlarsen
SILVER Star
Even if I had the extra $, I don't think I could buy a really nice one (maybe sour grapes going on here 
...There is something immensely rewarding about the hunt, finding parts, learning every nook and cranny of your ride, learning how to weld, and after sweat and swearing watching your left for dead 40 come to life...knowing you did it. You realize it when one day somebody says - "man, that's a cool cruiser". Great project. I want another one. Subscribed!
...There is something immensely rewarding about the hunt, finding parts, learning every nook and cranny of your ride, learning how to weld, and after sweat and swearing watching your left for dead 40 come to life...knowing you did it. You realize it when one day somebody says - "man, that's a cool cruiser". Great project. I want another one. Subscribed!
Another suggestion (and like I've already said-I have a lot of them...): Media blasting, unless done by experienced people with the proper media, may (will) warp the panels. Check around your area and see if there is a place that does industrial stripping. I have a place near me, that can dip an entire car body. And they offer electro-priming of the stripped parts as an option. Freshly blasted parts will 'flash rust' very quick (and I know it never gets humid in Tennessee...). No matter what method you choose to remove the paint and surface rust, budget your time to immediately prime them.
How far are you going to take it apart? From the few pics, the frame looks good. Is it?
- Thread starter
- #110
The frame and running gear are all solid. I'm gonna get the floor back in, weld patches in all the rust on the exterior, then pull the body off the frame.
Having a solid frame is the basis for any rebuild. Good to hear your's is. You definitely have the motivation and passion. You'll acquire the skills along the way.
Suggestion: It's going to be tempting to remove 'things' from the frame/running gear, when the body is off. I would suggest doing all the body work before moving in that direction. Stay focused. Or you'll have parts scattered everywhere.
If I was closer, I have a large work table (with casters) I build for working on my body tub. Just sitting in my basement collecting dust, it needs a new project/home...
Suggestion: It's going to be tempting to remove 'things' from the frame/running gear, when the body is off. I would suggest doing all the body work before moving in that direction. Stay focused. Or you'll have parts scattered everywhere.
If I was closer, I have a large work table (with casters) I build for working on my body tub. Just sitting in my basement collecting dust, it needs a new project/home...
If I could do one thing differently on my build, it would have been finishing all bodywork and then restoring the chassis. I have nicks and scratches on the frame that need to be touched up from sheetmetal work.
- Thread starter
- #113
Very nice!! I was gonna build something to roll it around the shop. Pictures?
4x4's and 3/4" plywood. It all comes bolts together/apart for storage (except the top and shelf which are 1 piece). Casters are attached to 'boxes' that just slip on to the ends of the legs. I made it narrow enough so the tub could be flipped over and it would sit on the bed between the inner fenders. I'm thinking your FJ40 is roughly the same as my CJ5.
If there was any way to get it to you, you could have it. Just taking up space in my basement, and I have no intentions of ever doing a full resto/mod again....
- Thread starter
- #115
4x4's and 3/4" plywood. It all comes bolts together/apart for storage (except the top and shelf which are 1 piece). Casters are attached to 'boxes' that just slip on to the ends of the legs. I made it narrow enough so the tub could be flipped over and it would sit on the bed between the inner fenders. I'm thinking your FJ40 is roughly the same as my CJ5.
If there was any way to get it to you, you could have it. Just taking up space in my basement, and I have no intentions of ever doing a full resto/mod again....
That is pretty slick. I especially like the storage underneath. There is quiet a bit of lumber and material in that. Looks like 4x4 posts with a 2x4 band around the top and bottom. Did you put 2x4 stringers underneath the plywood decking?
A couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood. B/C grade. Nothing too expensive.
The 2x4 frames are glued and screwed together.
There are also 2x4 cross braces under the top and shelf, glued/screwed.
The bottom shelf plywood, is 2-piece to make removal/installation easier.
The top is 1-piece, plywood glued/screwed to it. It can be used for a workbench/table with a couple of saw horses.
The 4x4's are cross drilled and the top/shelf bolts to them. Whole thing can be knocked down quick with a couple of wrenches, or a portable drill/drive/impact.
I didn't want to make it 'workbench' height, but it's a good height for what I had to do to the new tub (nothing ever 'bolt up'...).
Fairly easy to Hack Fab. Once you get all the materials, probably a couple hours work.
Like I said, it's yours if you've got a way to get it....
Cool photos of your daughter helping you on the FJ40. Mine (at that age) helped, and she changed her own tire the other day (she's 19) rather than calling me and pleading for help. This is good! I will hire her (for cash) to do a timing belt later this summer.
Let your children help (in any fashion) - these years will fly by. Take plenty of photos so that you can embarrass them a little in the future.
Let your children help (in any fashion) - these years will fly by. Take plenty of photos so that you can embarrass them a little in the future.
- Thread starter
- #118
Well I really appreciate the offer and I would love to have it but I wont be trekking up to Michigan any time soon. But I certainly appreciate the details.
- Thread starter
- #119
She is certainly my compadre and the German shepherd is her shadow. I got tons of help!!
