Builds 1978 FJ55 BATPIG

[PabloCruise]

Filling all those little holes

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This is going to be one of the most nicely manicured original-paint bodies out there!

 

[greenbeast]

This is going to be one of the most nicely manicured original-paint bodies out there!

One of many, Jim is doing it right with all he has!

 

[gonzopancho]

One of many, Jim is doing it right with all he has!

Thanks, but the problem I see is that it’s not Jim doing any of the work.

Still need to change that.

 

[gonzopancho]

Batpig body tune up.

Underside bedfloor hammered and dollied.

 

[gonzopancho]

Floor braces in. Drain holes, body channels cut for drainage. Soft pad on all edges and spot welds.

 

[gonzopancho]

Filled a gap in the stock floor support.

 

[gonzopancho]

Extra holes in firewall filled.

Inside of floor soft sanded and tune up started.

Possibly finish the tuneup tomorrow, and body goes back on the chassis to finish the trans tunnel, gas pedal relocate, rear dome light fixture, spare tire carrier.

 

[J Mack]

Maybe now, after 6 years in the sty, I can make PP24 or SSS

Yeah, but none of those (it’s not 20; it’s only 4… pigs) are gonna finish for a while, and I can drive this one.

People ask about a plan: basically: not much.

Probably take it back to stock looking wheels. I have a set of 5 widened 15x10 Toyota wheels. Maybe those with 35x12.50 km3s or the city racer 16” wheels with some 33s.

Take the attachment off the front bumper.

Baseline it. Do the front end, make sure the brakes & steering are solid. See if I can get the speedometer to read correctly.

Fit the tri-meki header on it. Maybe build a stainless exhaust and run it outside the shock.

I have a Toyota AM/FM radio that I was going to have a conversion done on at Rick’s Radios so it will do USB and Bluetooth. Use a Toyota radio surround.

Basically make it more stock and drive it.

Mostly: drive it.

OK I'm trying to catch up...

Without going through all 28 pages what did I miss?
Did we get that AM/FM radio done?

 

[gonzopancho]

OK I'm trying to catch up...

Without going through all 28 pages what did I miss?

Nothing important

Did we get that AM/FM radio done?

Nope.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Aren't you even the least bit tempted to paint that pig considering that the prep is 90% done? Of course I'm not a patina guy except for antique furniture so feel free to take that as a rhetorical question.

 

[bobm]

Need to open up bottom of body mounts and floor supports . Just a thought, don't want rust coming. Those are perfect

 

[gonzopancho]

Aren't you even the least bit tempted to paint that pig considering that the prep is 90% done? Of course I'm not a patina guy except for antique furniture so feel free to take that as a rhetorical question.

Nope.

Idea is that I can do the outside later if I get tired of the “original paint” look. Inside, underside, under hood, rust repair, repower will all be done.

 

[gonzopancho]

Passenger side toeboard rust repair, including the little pieces of the bead rolls.

Next is the dome light and headliner bows, then body goes on chassis.

 

[gonzopancho]

Rear dome light mount bolts in. Light switch faces the rear, there were two threaded holes on each side of the body, worked out really well. 3/4"x.120 square tubing.

Made three more light mounts and kept the templates for future builds.

 

[gonzopancho]

Headliner bows tuned up, little rust repair around the passenger side front body mount bolt

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I never thought about those bows all being different. Sure enough though, 8 different part numbers.

 

[bobm]

Should number when removing

 

[Pigeaten]

Oops,
I thought they were the same

 

[gonzopancho]

Rust repair on pass door jamb corner.
Drain holes drilled, body back on chassis.

 

[DTC72]

I really like the thought of a rear cargo area dome light!!