Builds 1988 BJ74 “Number 1” (1 Viewer)

[FJBen]

Not much getting done, just closed on the new property so moving soon, plus making a memorial video for my pops funeral, we’ve been busy.

just changed the oil 2 days ago.


So the soft top seems like it won’t be as rainproof on the windshield as I’d like. For a temporary fix I’ve added some rubber weather stripping.

as you can see, there is a gap from where the top of the windshield bracket stops and to the edge corner of the roof. Air comes through there, and water will too. Some cheap weather stripping will keep that out until I can figure a better way.

 

[FJBen]

I also went to put the back doors on, but they don't fit. So after staring at it for a few minutes, loosening some bolts, I figured out what was happening.



In this yellow line, there is the main pipe that goes along from the rear to the main roll hoop. It appears this is too long by about 1/4~1/2" The way it's on there now, there isn't enough room to tilt the rear hoop forward to work with the doors. Unhooking that top bar (yellow line) allowed the rear hoop clearance to work with the doors.

Looks like I will just need to elongate the bolt holes a little, and just trim maybe 1/4" off of the ends and I'll be back in business.

My guess is, that there is just some variation in the cruiser they used to build the frame off of vs mine.

 

[FJBen]

Just got back from Texas and my fathers funeral. Things went as well as they could have.

The weather in Texas is awful. 95 degrees and 90ish humidity. Awful.

I was able to bring home a few of my grandpas old tools that my dad had and also a few things my dad had got as well.

He had a cheapie welder to tinker around with I grabbed as well as his welding helmet from his old company. Will be good to tinker and weld with some things, not planning on bumpers or anything with this setup,

 

[PabloCruise]

I bet that was a powerful trip.

Glad you will remember both dad and grandpa via the tools...

 

[FJBen]

Not much excitement. Took it in to get tires rotated and balanced. Much Hilarity ensued along with plenty of gawking. They only managed to stall it twice, which is impressive with diesel and the H55f.

Also took the dog out for a cruise, he's loving the soft top.

 

[theglobb]

Not much excitement. Took it in to get tires rotated and balanced. Much Hilarity ensued along with plenty of gawking. They only managed to stall it twice, which is impressive with diesel and the H55f.

I have probably taught 15+ people how to drive stick (around a parking lot) with that same combo. It was only stalled once out of all of those times but reignited itself because it was still moving forward. Props off to them for stalling it twice!

 

[FJBen]

Had some rain finally last night and
Today is supposed to rain again.
I popped on the sides to the top. Worked great.

 

[PabloCruise]

Nice!

 

[Rigster]

Ben,

I just spent the last 3 or 4 days!! (lol) going through your build thread. Thanks for saving this 74 from the abusers. This is like a rescue animal...

Finding a true craftsman machinist like you did is a god-send. They are few and far between. I have found a 3rd generation family run machine shop where I live to help me out with stuff I cannot manage with my little garage and they are like gold.

I appreciate you sharing all the info you have, there is a lot of useful tech here. Though it may not apply to my rig, there are still useful pieces of information I will try to remember to look up if and when it comes time for me to dive into any similar issues that arise for me.

Glad to see you are getting out and enjoying the fruits of your labor now

Thanks again!!

 

[SNLC]

Ben,

I just spent the last 3 or 4 days!! (lol) going through your build thread. Thanks for saving this 74 from the abusers. This is like a rescue animal...

Finding a true craftsman machinist like you did is a god-send. They are few and far between. I have found a 3rd generation family run machine shop where I live to help me out with stuff I cannot manage with my little garage and they are like gold.

I appreciate you sharing all the info you have, there is a lot of useful tech here. Though it may not apply to my rig, there are still useful pieces of information I will try to remember to look up if and when it comes time for me to dive into any similar issues that arise for me.

Glad to see you are getting out and enjoying the fruits of your labor now

Thanks again!!

x2 and this has always been the point of build threads here on mud and it’s good that is still the case.

I do build threads to share information, sure to promote my shop too but really the last thing we need right now is more work! I read build threads more than anything else on mud and it’s been that way since I joined the forum. Many forums have died since social media became the thing, I miss Outerlimits forum which was an aussie forum with an absolute massive amount of info and very good folks. It died when social media became the thing.

Glad mud is still here and going strong.

Cheers

 

[FJBen]

Ben,

I just spent the last 3 or 4 days!! (lol) going through your build thread. Thanks for saving this 74 from the abusers. This is like a rescue animal...

Finding a true craftsman machinist like you did is a god-send. They are few and far between. I have found a 3rd generation family run machine shop where I live to help me out with stuff I cannot manage with my little garage and they are like gold.

I appreciate you sharing all the info you have, there is a lot of useful tech here. Though it may not apply to my rig, there are still useful pieces of information I will try to remember to look up if and when it comes time for me to dive into any similar issues that arise for me.

Glad to see you are getting out and enjoying the fruits of your labor now

Thanks again!!

Thanks for that! I hope it's at least helpful to some people. I get a ton of help from people on here on mud as well.

The machine shop turned out to be quite the gem in the middle of nowhere when we lived there for 3 years. I will say if I need anything major done, it will be going back to him.

Definitely enjoying the cruiser for sure. It's a joy to drive everyday and just helps me relax.

 

[FJBen]

x2 and this has always been the point of build threads here on mud and it’s good that is still the case.

I do build threads to share information, sure to promote my shop too but really the last thing we need right now is more work! I read build threads more than anything else on mud and it’s been that way since I joined the forum. Many forums have died since social media became the thing, I miss Outerlimits forum which was an aussie forum with an absolute massive amount of info and very good folks. It died when social media became the thing.

Glad mud is still here and going strong.

Cheers

Ian, you have such great builds on here and awesome attention to detail. If I ever win the lottery, I'm buying some cruisers and sending them your way.

Of course I'll retire then maybe come volunteer to sweep the shop or do knuckle service....well I need paid to do knuckle service!

ih8mud!

 

[FJBen]

Bang!

My daughter was driving the cruiser to volleyball practice and bang! Her and her friend freaked out for a second the died laughing. The top came off the front and popped back.
I think the metal lip that goes on the top of the windshield might be just a little bit too think and flexxy. This is the first time it's happened and I've had it to 75mph so not sure what caused it?
I do have a fiberglass windshield frame so possible it's slightly different enough from the steel one they used. Either way it hasn't happened again. I might try to slightly modify it if it happens again. I think it needs to be longer, it doesn't reach to the end of the windshield frame. That or a snap or something would help with the pressure.

 

[Honger]

Bang!

My daughter was driving the cruiser to volleyball practice and bang! Her and her friend freaked out for a second the died laughing. The top came off the front and popped back.
I think the metal lip that goes on the top of the windshield might be just a little bit too think and flexxy. This is the first time it's happened and I've had it to 75mph so not sure what caused it?
I do have a fiberglass windshield frame so possible it's slightly different enough from the steel one they used. Either way it hasn't happened again. I might try to slightly modify it if it happens again. I think it needs to be longer, it doesn't reach to the end of the windshield frame. That or a snap or something would help with the pressure.

View attachment 2775887

I'd make a comment about looking in to just how fast your daughter is driving that thing... it is turbo'd after all.

 

[FJBen]

I'd make a comment about looking in to just how fast your daughter is driving that thing... it is turbo'd after all.

yeah she only had a 3 mile drive so she couldn’t have gone that fast She knows better than to speed in the cruiser lol. It’s way too easy to spot and tattle on.

 

[PabloCruise]

Eek!

I don't know, 3 miles might be enough to hit terminal velocity...

 

[FJBen]

Scored this at a garage sale. $1.00.
Technically for a 79-85 pickup/4 runner but its at least semi-period correct. Now just need to get the other parts for the jack.

 

[TonyP]

Scored this at a garage sale. $1.00.
Technically for a 79-85 pickup/4 runner but its at least semi-period correct. Now just need to get the other parts for the jack.

View attachment 2780928

What a weird looking bong....

 

[FJ73Texas]

Scored this at a garage sale. $1.00.
Technically for a 79-85 pickup/4 runner but its at least semi-period correct. Now just need to get the other parts for the jack.

Those things are handy for many things, not just cruiser related.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing @FJBen. I hope you could spend good time together in his last few days. Sending good thoughts your way. Let us know when you are in the area next time. It would be great to meet in person.