Builds 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - Puttin’ her Back Together (5 Viewers)

[djcfj40]

A little rant never hurt no one ... Lol

 

[Vae Victus]

Update on the rotisserie build:
2 days and 92 welds later (actually, 91, I missed one) I have the two main components built. They don't look like much,but dang, they took some work. I have a new respect for those who weld all day. Doing it on the ground, even with some cardboard box cushioning is taking a toll on my knees.

Final product will look like this:

I've completed these two components:

The End Frame

And the Hanger Bracket. Pretty simple stuff.

I'm starting to get a rhythm with the welding. I can actually watch and see the penetration now, and go at a speed where I'm melting the metal and then filling it back with wire instead of just whipping hot metal on top. I'll never be "good" but I hope to get to "adequate" at some point.

 

[shipmag]

Get the bracket from joetlc that mounts to the head using two head bolts

 

[KY Longhunter]

Have you wished you had just bought the pre-assembled rotisserie?

I've been down that road before. Sometimes easier to pay someone else to do it.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Jody had one of the best videos I've ever seen on how to tackle the issue of getting things to stay square when fitting up . It's sort of an art - tack one side , then the opposite and it's more about timing than anything . If you do them really quickly , it doesn't move much . Or , do one side and let it shrink and pull , then do the opposite side and allow it to pull back to square . Doesn't always work and sometimes tacks have to be cut , give it whack and re-tack . I'd suggest doing tacks at very high settings - burn them really deep with little added wire speed so you can weld over them later . It's a dance of sorts , metal moves a lot from the heat input and the best advice is a lot of patience and time - do not get in a hurry or you'll be great at making pretzels . Pre-heating does help but that also seriously changes the welder's settings as well and is a great way to cheat having a low power unit such as a 110v cheapo mig for beginners .

If any of the welds are sitting on top , don't be embarrassed to grind them out and re-weld those - better safe than sorry . Inside tee joints that a grinder won't reach is a good place to use a die grinder and double cut carbide burr , a sharp tree shape or solid diameter with end teeth works great . Like I said , that rotisserie is going to see a lot of stress from the Cruiser's heavy tub - you do not want to drop that thing on someone or yourself .

I've got a set of broken tractor implement mounts coming in a couple hours , maybe I'll post some pics ..
Sarge

 

[Vae Victus]

Have you wished you had just bought the pre-assembled rotisserie?

I've been down that road before. Sometimes easier to pay someone else to do it.

Yes, and no. It's work, but it's the journey that I enjoy. I really thrive on making stuff with my hands....

 

[Vae Victus]

Jody had one of the best videos I've ever seen on how to tackle the issue of getting things to stay square when fitting up .
Sarge

I saw a video on tacking and it came in handy - forgot whose it was. Not Jody's. I used it when tacking the gusset plates. I'd tack the bottom inside corner while leaning the gusset a bit off center away from the tack. Then I'd watch as the plate would move to center by about 1/4" after I tacked it. Pretty cool. Worked perfectly twice, had to use the hammer a couple times. (Then had to use the grinder when I broke it loose once).

 

[KY Longhunter]

Yes, and no. It's work, but it's the journey that I enjoy. I really thrive on making stuff with my hands....

Yes I know, I have the same affliction

 

[Vae Victus]

Get the bracket from joetlc that mounts to the head using two head bolts

Ok, I've looked and give up. Got a link?

 

[JohnnyC]

here are pics of my head bolt PS pump .... basically an 'L' that we welded the oem PS bracket that we got from the used pump... embarrassing dirty engine photo

 

[Vae Victus]

here are pics of my head bolt PS pump .... basically an 'L' that we welded the oem PS bracket that we got from the used pump... embarrassing dirty engine photo

[]

Ah, I was at a loss for the context of @shipmag's comment above, but now I get it. I was so far into welding that I forgot about the recent PS bracket discussion.

 

[JohnnyC]

its a good thing others are following your thread to keep you on track LOL

 

[Vae Victus]

Spring break posting from way down south (south of Cuba that is) in Grand Cayman. Saw this, and really liked it. It must be a special edition or retro version. Looks like one from the 50's. Sure wish we could get these in the states again. Almost bought a Defender 90 back in '94 (bought a Disco instead. Boy that was a mistake).

Only got night shots.

Sweet rear bumper.

Icon. Hmmmm.

 

[Vae Victus]

Continued work on rotisserie

 

[TheHardWay]

Those welds look pretty clean.... uh, what does Weber Sarge think?

 

[cruisermatt]

He probably thinks they'll break

 

[Weber Sarge]

I only see a couple that are laying on top or just had too much wire feed speed , lol....
I'll stand by my opinions - including the last time I saw a whole front bumper fly off through the woods , winch and lights and all...
Sarge

 

[myquestoyota]

As far as the power steering goes why not just get it all from Georg?

 

[Vae Victus]

I only see a couple that are laying on top or just had too much wire feed speed , lol....
I'll stand by my opinions - including the last time I saw a whole front bumper fly off through the woods , winch and lights and all...
Sarge

These are "3 foot welds" - they look good about 3 feet away!

 

[Vae Victus]

As far as the power steering goes why not just get it all from Georg?

If I can I will more than likely.

I do like the idea of an OEM FJ40 PS gear body with mini truck guts. That would mean buying parts of the system from Toyota and parts from Georg.