Build 60 Frankenstein Build

[CenTXFJ60]

Invested in a better gun. Have shot some epoxy and there's a noticeable difference in how it performs. The real test will be when I shoot the clear.

some shots of the epoxy

woops..skipped a step. Put down the 2-part body glue (Nortons)

killer stuff

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Now for the crappy stuff. I kept putting it off, but finally tackled the underside. Took all day power washing and then using a prep solvent to clean the bottom.

then we hit it with POR15 and a top coat

this is where I'm at currently. Will finish the tank tomorrow and hope to get the engine mounted. The goal is to mount the tub on the frame by the end of this weekend. Then paint the remaining parts and start the next phase of putting it back together. Never gets boring

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Ben meaning to provide some updates. Have done some work, but not as am fast as I would like. And unfortunately my mothers cancer has come back. Will have some delays as she's started radiation treatments. Really sucks! I may skip around a bit on the pics etc...but will try to stay on course.
View attachment 1173490View attachment 1173492this after shooting the rest of the tub. Been shooting with a $35 gun to this point. Was not too happy with how the clear laid. Many hours of wet sanding to flatten it out. View attachment 1173493View attachment 1173494View attachment 1173495its getting better. Is still cloudy, but I'm letting the paint cure a bit. It's bee a few weeks and I'll buff it again now that it's set up.

"Ben"...freakin typos. This is what I get for updating this thread at 30,000' while having a few Dewars . Had a long day of meetings at my corporate office in Ohio. Heading back to Texas with my favorite airline (SWA).

 

[CenTXFJ60]

its like building a model as a kid. Always enjoy the assembly process, but will get back to painting doors etc...once I get the body back on the frame and out of the shop.

 

[whothehellisdan]

Damn that's beautiful.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

Wow man, looks great!

You've really gone all out on this. My hat is off to you.

Can't wait to see the final product.

Cheers!

-Ed

 

[HoJo 61]

Stunning work!

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Damn that's beautiful.

Thanks Dan. I checked out your build and all I can say is "Wow"!!! What a killer project. I look forward to watching along as you complete a truly creative FJ. I'm keeping this current build closer to stock as it's going to my youngest son when he starts driving in a year. Will see if it dwarfs into a custom (based on his interest) as my other son (Mcguirejohnson) has done with his.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Wow man, looks great!

You've really gone all out on this. My hat is off to you.

Can't wait to see the final product.

Cheers!

-Ed

Thanks Ed. I'm with you on the finished product. I've never been know to work fast, but I have a deadline on this one (Feb, 2017). I'm optimistic, but think I'll make it.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Stunning work!

Thanks. It's been 20 years since I've done a frame off, but did not have the resources like we do today with MUD and the Internet. Back then I had to redo several steps whereas this solves/answers many questions so I can minimize redo's

 

[enfield]

That's pretty man!

 

[TLC Norway]

Nice and clean work! A good paint gun pays off really quick!
You're doing an awesome job, and your son will surely appreciate it!
So sorry to hear about the cancer, I wish you and your family the best! And a merry Christmas!

Sent from my SM-G388F

 

[87CRUSR]

Looking great!

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Thanks guys. It's crazy, but painting is my favorite part of a rebuild. We will see how the new gun does when I hit the doors and fenders. Hope to get this done over the Christmas holidays. Shipping my wife and youngest son to her mothers (North Carolina) for a few days this Saturday. Plan on going full time in the shop while they are gone. Been piddling with the motor (detailing). About done with this and will go back to painting. Also want to get the headliner back in. Any recommendations on what glue to use on the edges? Here's some pics of the most recent work.

see MJ in the background. He's finishing up his oil pan reseal on his 12h-t.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Well, as TLC stated above, a good paint gun does pay off. I shot the fenders, hood (underside), core support and a few miscellaneous items this last week. Took 2 coats of color to cover the primer vs. 5 with the old gun. Also, the clear laid very nice. Wet sanding and buffing was much easier and less time consuming with less orange peel. I still need to wetland the rest of the tub but I'm dreading this due to so much orange peel. Regardless, I'll get on it this week and finish the hood. Then the plan is to get it running and put the front clip back on. Then I can focus on prepping/painting the doors. Here's some pics.

much more room to paint the pieces with the cruiser out of the shop.

stage one...epoxy primer.

color.

and some clear.

its definitely the arrow and not the Indian. This gun lays it very nicely. I have not wet sanded this one yet. Probably would not do it, but there's some trash in the clear that I want to work out. Here's the other fender after I wet sanded and buffed.

i have one more week off from work. Hope to get the front clip on by next weekend.

 

[bluehawk]

Jim, did you gut the interior all the way? I'm in the process of cleaning up my HVAC and putting all back in the truck. I thought I took some pics of when I took it out. Was wondering if you did and if you could share.

Started putting the upper and lower gates back together and must have taken the locking mechanism in and out a half dozen times before getting it right.

Great work by the way. Looking awesome. Got a 78 Fj40 that I'm trying to get my son interested in.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Ryan, I did not take the HVAC or wire harness out. Everything else is out so I have good visibility if you need me to look at something for you. I'll be back in my shop this afternoon and would be glad to get on the phone with you if there is anything I can verify for you. Feel free to call.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Ryan, I did not take the HVAC or wire harness out. Everything else is out so I have good visibility if you need me to look at something for you. I'll be back in my shop this afternoon and would be glad to get on the phone with you if there is anything I can verify for you. Feel free to call.

Also, I have a few HVAC systems on the shelf from previous part outs. I don't mind taking one apart if you need me to look at something.

 

[bluehawk]

Jim, Just wondering how it all went back in the dash. I think I can figure it out but I like to have pictures also. That is gonna be one awesome ride for a young man to drive around. I'll let you know if I need anything else.

 

[dbleon]

Gorgeous build! Hopefully your son can be the outlier and not wreck his first vehicle...