Builds '75 FJ40 Ranch Rebuild

[GHalll]

Got the PS Box sent off to West TX Offroad in San Angelo for a rebuild this afternoon. Thank you for the recommendation @orangefj45 ! I’m excited to get it back and get all the powdercoated parts mounted again. I hope to have it driving by Christmas time...

West Texas Offroad received the PS Box Thursday. They went through it, said everything looked great, new gaskets, seals and had it packaged up and sent back to me the same day!!! I received the unit back mid day Friday! They are in San Angelo and I’m in San Antonio but still amazing turn around time... I spoke to Mark, super nice to deal with. And the return packaging was great as well, they encased the unit/filled the box in what looks like spray foam to leave no room for damage. Super great expierence!

West Texas Offroad 325-653-7001

 

[Jetlander]

Nice build thread. I’m starting down this rabbit hole myself. The powdercoaters I’ve used in the past have horrendous turn-around times. Last batch took something like 3 weeks, and that was for about 15 smallish parts, and the quality was marginal. I’m one the hunt for a new place in Houston because I’m about to send countless parts.

 

[samc2447]

Nice build thread. I’m starting down this rabbit hole myself. The powdercoaters I’ve used in the past have horrendous turn-around times. Last batch took something like 3 weeks, and that was for about 15 smallish parts, and the quality was marginal. I’m one the hunt for a new place in Houston because I’m about to send countless parts.

I've used Southern Product Finishing in Pearland with good success for both large and small orders. Turnaround normally is only a week, but sometimes can be more if they are really busy. Quality has been good and pricing reasonable.

 

[Jetlander]

I've used Southern Product Finishing in Pearland with good success for both large and small orders. Turnaround normally is only a week, but sometimes can be more if they are really busy. Quality has been good and pricing reasonable.

That happens to be who I’m talking about. I’ve had good results before but the last batch was terrible. They were busy and they told me that but my heater box came back with multiple runs, which busy or not, isn’t cool. They said they would redo it but I had already waited over 5 weeks.

 

[GHalll]

Received an early Christmas present today.. 4 new OEM rims with clips. I purchased the new hubcaps a while ago, 5 of them just in case I buy a swing out rear carrier some day. I’ve been wanting these rims for years but held off till my wife and I paid off the student loans. We did so earlier this month, I figured what better way to celebrate than new rims! I’m super pumped...

From all the reading I’ve done on wheel color, it seems the 1975 had the front of the wheel painted only. I will be going with Krylon Smoke Gray rattle can for paint. I will need to bend the clips before paint to be able to get the hubcaps on and off.

 

[GHalll]

Adjusted the clips on all of the wheels, now the hubcaps go on and come off smoothly. I just used my hand to bend the clips inward. Not gonna lie, this made my hands pretty sore at the time. Next up is paint. I just ordered 24 zinc plated open ended lug nuts too.

 

[Varty Yo]

Yah i hate how tight my caps are on gonna take the tip off a finger if you get it stuck in there haha. Im also going with the smoke grey for my rims when i repaint. Store here had it on clearence for $3 can so i bought the last 7 they had haha. Never know...

 

[GHalll]

Yah i hate how tight my caps are on gonna take the tip off a finger if you get it stuck in there haha. Im also going with the smoke grey for my rims when i repaint. Store here had it on clearence for $3 can so i bought the last 7 they had haha. Never know...

Good score on the paint! I take it that your wheels original to the vehicle? Are you going to clear coat over the grey or just color?

 

[Varty Yo]

Yes original to the 42. I prob wont clear them right now. Id like to strip them down to bare steel then prime and paint properly some time, but chances are ill just sand some surface rust off and spray them as is for now

 

[GHalll]

Painted the rims yesterday evening and let them dry overnight. I fitted the hubcaps and adjusted the clips beforehand. Used Kyrlon Smoke Grey and painted just the front side as indicated in the wheel color thread below. I took the rims and tires to a small town outfit to have them mounted, as others have mentioned the big box stores may not. FJ40 OEM wheel powder coating RAL codes

Old rims are pretty beat.. They look like hell. I will eventually blast and paint them to use with some small Boggers or something like that. A “novelty” tire as I don’t play in the mud.

Got them mounted up!!

I bought new zinc plated lug nuts from Cruiser Corps. Very reasonably priced..

OEM Hubcaps installed!! Looking real good! As I said before, I’ve been waiting YEARS for this and couldn’t be happier.. I will order a hubcap tool as to not mar up the finish. People speak of the bulge for a 10” tire mounted on a 6” rim... It’s a non issue in my opinion, you can barely tell the difference. I love the way they look. I run very low pressure out in the country for a better ride so they bulge anyway.

 

[GHalll]

After a year, I finally finished installing all the powder coated parts I had done.. Life...

New steering wheel installed until I have the original refurbed. I really like it though!

And finally the much anticipated cruise this afternoon!! First ride on the factory rims, awesome. Still lots to do, like installing the power steering conversion I have for starters. Then body work. But for now I’m going to drive it for a WHILE. Beyond excited to have it rolling!

 

[davegonz]

Looking good! Man, I need to find a spread like yours