1990 HZJ77 (1 Viewer)

[wardharris]

On a 25 year old Cruiser it's an interesting process.
You paint the wheel flares and then realize the rubber gaskets are old and dated and detract from the fresh paint.
You install a new ARB brush bar only to realize the rear bumper is inadequate.
Etc .... Etc .... Etc.

Yup, or a 30 year old cruiser in the case of the 73. I keep finding things to do....

"Oh, you meanI could upgrade from 34 to 38?"

(Transfer case idler shaft diameter, not breast size)

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Someday I will start the process....


Sent from my iPhone

It's really isn't that difficult. You have to decide how much you are willing to spend and how long you want to postpone retirement.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

We're going from this rear bumper (recycled beer cans and the structural integrity of toilet paper)

 

[Gun Runner 5]

To one that is from the innovative mind of Rob Smith. It is fabricated from thicker material and will offer far greater protection. (Final paint and receiver to go) It is contoured to closely match the factory original and mate up to the OEM plastic side trim.

 

[JuanJ]

We're going from this rear bumper (recycled beer cans and the structural integrity of toilet paper)View attachment 1175375

Hello,

I destroyed my neighbor's car one Sunday morning with the recycled beer cans bumper. He left his Chevrolet in the wrong place, I was backing to exit the garage, failed to check mirrors a couple seconds and bam! The front left side was crushed like an aluminum can.

I like your new rear bumper.





Juan

 

[elkaholic]

It's really isn't that difficult. You have to decide how much you are willing to spend then multiply by a factor of between 1.5 and infinity.

FIFY.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hello,

I destroyed my neighbor's car one Sunday morning with the recycled beer cans bumper. He left his Chevrolet in the wrong place, I was backing to exit the garage, failed to check mirrors a couple seconds and bam! The front left side was crushed like an aluminum can.

I like your new rear bumper.





Juan

If you look at the photo of the OEM bumper you'll notice several dents. After discussing how difficult it would be to remove the dents Rob just volunteered to fabricate his own design.

 

[coldtaco]

will Rob be able to make more rear bumpers if some of us would want the same?

 

[JuanJ]

Hello Charles,

That Chrome bling is very difficult to repair, I was told.

Thankfully my rear bumper survived the impact unscathed.





Juan

 

[wardharris]

View attachment 1175377

That photo of your rig makes it look like it is wearing a Depends and a plastic shower cap.....

PS Nice resto mod bumper

 

[Gun Runner 5]

will Rob be able to make more rear bumpers if some of us would want the same?

Yes .... Although the prototype was originally a doodling on a sheet of paper, Rob now has a template.
P.M. Sent.....

 

[Gun Runner 5]

That photo of your rig makes it look like it is wearing a Depends and a plastic shower cap.....

PS Nice resto mod bumper

Much like the automobile industry that often hides features of new or concept vehicles from prying eyes, we're doing the same thing. There is a lot of top secret crap on that Cruiser. We don't even leave it outside for fear of satellite overfly.
The bumper, which was literally just stuck on for the photo, will look substantially different when finished.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

While it's in the shop, Rob is going to use my rear tire mount to design and fabricate a kit that will allow owners to "easily" mount larger tires without resorting to elongated studs or spacers. More details to follow.

 

[NM Frontier]

Looks great I love the almost stock but modern look.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Looks great I love the almost stock but modern look.

I wish I could take credit but Rob doesn't allow me to get within 10' of the project while he is working. Said something about liability and government rules but I have my doubts.

 

[wardharris]

Much like the automobile industry that often hides features of new or concept vehicles from prying eyes, we're doing the same thing. There is a lot of top secret crap on that Cruiser. We don't even leave it outside for fear of satellite overfly.
The bumper, which was literally just stuck on for the photo, will look substantially different when finished.

Good secrets are hard to keep.....

 

[big mac]

Does he use load resistors for the signal bulbs? I was going to replace all mine with LEDs and came across the 'hyper flash' issue where LEDs blink twice as fast as traditional bulbs. Do you think he'd be willing to send me the same set of bulbs he used on yours for my fronts and rears?

And on a related note, I replaced my headlights with the truck lite LEDs and like them a lot.

Thanks

Just throwing in my 2 cents worth based on my experience on updating lighting for my '77. I replaced the crap incandescent 24v bulbs in my dome lights and drivers light (beside the sunroof switch) and used these very inexpensive lights I found on eBay - no issues whatsoever after 2 years of use: 1x T10 Festoon Warm White Constant Current DC12-24V Dome bulb 36-1210 SMD LED

The Hella bulbs in my Hella headlights I found were not great (sucked actually) at night so I went with these 6500K LED's: 60W 6000LM Kit CREE LED HeadLight Bulbs H3 H7 H8 H9 H11 9005 9006 9145 9012 They provide great light now and needed just a wee bit of aiming adjustment.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thanks for the information and links.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

A side view of Rob's custom bumper. The contour perfectly matches the original factory bumper. (minus the final paint)

 

[Gun Runner 5]

New sneakers.