Build 1997 LX450 Ute

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Floyd and I hit the auto wrecker this morning.

I picked up a set of manual seats from a 92. I'm not sure if I'll use these or just the feet, but we're a step closer to seating. These are gray, unfortunately.

I also grabbed the FJ80 battery box for @hicruise55

I've got one more stop at the pull and save to see if any seats grab my eye.

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Grabbed a volvo seat just in case I want to get tricky.

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Looks like it will fit if I delete the rear heater.


Donor seat brackets, or just temporary seats:

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It is very hard to live vicariously through you if you don't post up awesome pics.

just sayin'.........
 
Haha, I know, I know!

We had guests the weekend before last and I was in Vegas last weekend... no time for Betty.

I had planned on camping this weekend but it sounds like we're taking a nice lazy weekend home before things get busy. I should be able to make some progress soon.

I've got the LED's, monstaliner, and sound deadener standing by.
 
That is beautiful... Makes me wanna go out and buy a beat up 80 to cut up...
 
nice find! and @yohavos pls post some progress pics - this is one my favorite threads
 
Hmmmm... assuming those prices are in CAD? The exchange rate helps a lot...

:hmm:

Betty has been waiting patiently, I've been on lock down for final exams. I've got a week left, then I plan on getting back to it!
 
Yah, they would be in CAD. Who knows, with a little barter you could get one a couple hundred cheaper. That coupled with the way the dollar is right now...might not be a bad deal.
 
Did you ever find any leads on tail ligts?? I think I'm not very good at searching ebay.

I had that set I found on craigslist but lost touch with the guy... probably my fault for not following up quickly enough. I checked this morning and they're still on there, so I'll probably hit the guy up again.

If not, maybe 40 series tails or those australian sets. I double checked and the wiring on the aussie ones isn't plug and play, so it's looking like I'll be splicing something no matter what.

I had my last final today, so aside from a wedding this weekend, I should be able to get back to the ute soon. I took the tarp off her today and she's sitting pretty--it's been dry enough that she hasn't rusted much.
 
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Spent most of the day in the clinic but managed to peel away for a bit.

It was great to spend a little time with Betty, though the wind did a number on my shielding gas.

The first hour was spent walking around and occasionally hitting surface rust with a wire wheel.

After that I did a little grinder work to make the rear roof transition a little more natural and finally started one of the corner tubes. It will be slow going for the next few weeks, but it's good to be making progress at this point.


Out from under the tarp, finally:

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Tack, tack, tack. Lots of welding and grinding to smooth this transition out still.

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Labradoodle approved (she wasn't outside when I was welding...)
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Bit of notched tube hammered into shape for my transition. Sticking with what's been workin:
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Bit of a plan coming together for some extra rain gutter coverage. I think this will make it look a bit more finished.

It's all sorts of ugly right now, but you can see where I'm goin:

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Some hammer work and she'll blend right in.
 
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