Build 1979 FJ40 Old School Overhaul

[oldschool4wheeling]

More spot welds inside fender well.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

More spot welds in the corners in front of the fenders. This area was perplexing

I notice this area had another piece spot welded under it.. more about it later.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Welds across front of bed...

Removed tack welds on rear sill

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Ahhh.... finally

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Next was the bed pan.

Ohh, about forgot to mention... I had to drop the gas tank straps. They are bolted to brackets that are welded to the bed pan.

Then I had to do something with this Kentucky basketball.

Used that bad boy as a prop, to keep my gas tank from falling down too far!!

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

At this point, I was able to lift the bed pan straight up.. and almost off.

That's when I realized it had extra pieces welded in the front corners.

The drivers side came up fine because I had removed the fender.

But the passenger side fender was still good and I left it. Which made it harder to remove that extra piece. Also there are gas lines in that area and I didn't want to accidentally cut them.

Finally after fiddling with it I wound up cutting that piece of metal.

This view is from driver side looking towards passenger side..

Zoomed in a little closer to see...why it is not coming apart.

Screw it, get the saw out!!

Notice the top left of the bed... that little "ear" sticking out there. Now look at the top right, there is no ear, that is what was hanging up and I had to cut it.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Here is a couple more pics of those extra pieces. Took these as I was removing all brackets from the old bed.

 

[65swb45]

A rabbit hole with a road map! Excellent documentation.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Very helpful, about ready to jump down this rabbit hole and didn't know what to expect in those front corners.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

A rabbit hole with a road map! Excellent documentation

Thank you sir.!!!

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Very helpful, about ready to jump down this rabbit hole and didn't know what to expect in those front corners.

It was a very interesting journey. It took me about a week of working on it and studying and laying in bed trying to sleep but can't because I'm thinking about my truck, to finally remove the bed. .

The only thing I would say is be careful on the passenger side.. all the fuel and evap lines going in that area. Also don't drill into the top of the gas tank while you are drilling out your spot welds.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Good news bad news.

I have a new passenger-side latch mechanism.

I don't have a passenger-side latch plate. I have another driver side.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Good news bad news.

I have a new passenger-side latch mechanism.

I don't have a passenger-side latch plate. I have another driver side.

Would you be interested in parting with that little gem? Mmmm?

I think mine is a little worn out.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

It's all yours. Send me a shipping address. May be a couple days or so before I can box it up and send it out.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Hows this look? Found one down the rabbit hole.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Subscribed and impressed! Nice work

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Drool, drool....

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Hows this look? Found one down the rabbit hole.

View attachment 1379917

It alway amazes me how "deep" those dang rabbit hole can go. I mean you can find genuine treasure troves in them sometimes.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

KY Longhunter

Thank you sir.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Great use for a Kentucky ball, now a UofL ball is something special