Build 1979 FJ40 Old School Overhaul

[oldschool4wheeling]

Well, I AM A AWESOME GRINDER!!!

AND I ABSOLUTELY SUCK AT WELDING !

I keep thinking the more I weld..... the technique will come to me.

It has NOT! And to all of you that can weld, here is to you!

I'm having a few suds to rinse down all the grinding dust.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Note: If there is a company that sells inner fenders already assembled. That is the way I would go.... that is if I ever have to do this again .

I got Real Steel inner fenders for the rear. And for a non "body guy", non welder, this was a pain in the arse!!

I measured and prefit at least 4 times. And cut and measured some more.

Then when I was satisfied it was "close enough", I started welding. Then I spent the rest of my time grinding off welds that resembled bird shat!!!

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

I bent the fender last night. Thinking I was correct in following the scribe line that was on my fender top. Well that scribe line, from the manufacture, made me about an inch short.

So I flattened back out and bent the fender top again.... this time it looks better.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

I have more bending on the fender top to do... but I have to get more measurements first, to make sure my bend is correct.

Did any body catch all that bird shat on that fender..

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Ohhh no, we aren't done yet. I get to weld on the inner braces!! Fun Fun!!

Of course I had to made everything square and plumb. Whew.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

I couldn't leave well enough alone, So I decided to weld up the seam . More bird shat. But my grinding makes that bird shat look GOOD!!

 

[gator25]

Looking good man! You using flux core wire?

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Thanks Gator! No, gas 80/20 and .023 wire. I check the chart inside my welder to get the correct wire speed and heat.

But I think I may be rushing it??? Hell maybe I need to take a welding class.

 

[gator25]

If your welding outside you might try turning your gas up some.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Roger that.. @gator25 . I did finally turn it up when I kept noticing porous welds.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

That wire speed and heat chart is a starting point, make some adjustments from there. I stepped up to 030 wire after a while, it just felt like I was having too much of a hard time with the 023.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

I think I'm going to ditch that .023 and use .030 too.

That wire speed and heat chart is a starting point, make some adjustments from there. I stepped up to 030 wire after a while, it just felt like I was having too much of a hard time with the 023.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I have a hard time with both .023 and .030. I have to use a lot higher wire feed than the chart calls for with .023 but it doesn't matter my welds also look like they belong under my wife's bird feeder. F-it, I am an all-star grinder.

Don't sweat it, your truck is coming together.

 

[joyRidaz]

Sorry for brief hijack, tech question on the topic of aftermarket wheel well too panel construction. I have one, from somewhere, bought from a buddy, and I'm noticing the lip that will be spot welded to the quarter is tacked onto the panel, it is not bent/formed, but instead they just tacked on a 1/2 strip, tacking it every inch or so.

After I punch holes and spot weld this into place fusing the lip to the quarter panel, should I then try to fill the void in between the tacks with some of my own welds? Just doesn't seem structurally sound the way it came out of the aftermarket factory.

@oldschool4wheeling Your build is looking great!

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

@joyRidaz send me some pics.

Besides having to build the whole fender. I am pleased at the construction of my fender top. It has a formed piece that runs along the quarter panel edge. It has good strength and when welded to the quarter panel it should be better that factory.

You can see that piece

 

[joyRidaz]

Here's a pic of mine, not sure if u can see it but u can kinda see the welds. This piece was primed and painted years ago to prevent rusting during storage I suppose. I guess it's not as bad as I initially thought. I'd still like a second opinion though.

@joyRidaz send me some pics.

Besides having to build the whole fender. I am pleased at the construction of my fender top. It has a formed piece that runs along the quarter panel edge. It has good strength and when welded to the quarter panel it should be better that factory.

You can see that piece
View attachment 1414324

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Here's a pic of mine, not sure if u can see it but u can kinda see the welds. This piece was primed and painted years ago to prevent rusting during storage I suppose. I guess it's not as bad as I initially thought. I'd still like a second opinion though.

View attachment 1414669

Lets see the bottom side

 

[R.K.]

Great work, and nice pics along the way! Keep it up.

I almost bought this rig, it was about 5 miles from my house. Kicking myself for not getting it.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Great work, and nice pics along the way! Keep it up.

I almost bought this rig, it was about 5 miles from my house. Kicking myself for not getting it.

Im glad you didn't.

I tried finding more about my rig, Searching for lost history Turns out the previous owner was a mud member, @sherwood. Sorry to say he has passed.