'77 FJ40 buildup in Charlotte (finally)

[sls019]

Great build you are doing! Thanks for sharing this info and inspiring other builders. The experience and knowledge gained from doing these projects cant be replaced.

 

[dargreg]

Extremly professional job , something to be very proud of.I must admit I take my time to do things and think them out. However I can come nowheres close to your exelant and professional work. LOOKS GREAT

 

[Kansas Cruiser]

That is one fantastic looking FJ!! Very well done sir! What size tires are those?

 

[Cirbo]

I took some time out to replace a brake master on a 62 today for Josh, but we're back in business now.

I'm still hoping for the final buffing and paint touch-up tomorrow, but decided to begin to attempt to make a front bumper. Greg said he wanted something simple, so I grabbed a drop from the streetrod shop. I started with a 50 inch piece of 2x4 square tube. Cut two notches out of the ends, heated and bent what was left back together, welded the seams and capped the ends. The next thing I did was cut two grooves into the back of the tube and bent both ends back 10 degrees. I drew up two quick sketches and emailed them off to the plasma cutter. I hope to "float" the winch mounting plate behind the bumper instead of bolting a plate across the frame rails and having to deal with the saginaw box sticking up.

 

[Cirbo]

Got the parts back from the plasma cutter. You should be able to get a general idea of the design and implementation. (the winch will have synthetic line)

Yes, I like to draw on my welding table.....

jC

 

[jackbrad]

Impressive as usual.. How are you breaking that flat steel?

 

[Cirbo]

The plasma cutter has all that stuff. I just draw it up and email the files off to him.

On another note, when are you going to share some pictures with us?

 

[Cirbo]

The truck is back from final buffing. WooHoo! No more blue tape stickies!

I can't say enough good about the guys at the paint shop. They did a bang-up job. Apparently, the return trip to the shop caused quite a stir with the street-rod guys too.

 

[Cirbo]

Did final installation of the powdercoated tire carrier/rack.

 

[Cirbo]

I wanted to post pictures of the latch, catch, and urathane stop. I found these two items difficult to design. Hopefully these pictures will give others some ideas.

 

[Cirbo]

Lastly, some have been asking about clearance and departure angle, so I thought I'd post a couple profile shots for reference. The tire is a 33x12.50, but the carrier was designed/built to carry a true 35.

 

[fj40z]

That thing is a work of art.............seriously. You should be very proud.

On a side note I think we met at Uwharrie last summer, you wheeled with Andy and Bill in the red Defender right.

 

[copasspupil]

Very nice job Jim...you should be proud of what you've done.

 

[sls019]

That Cruiser looks great! Nice work you have done. That color looks very good.

 

[tmarx]

Even more gobsmacked !

 

[1Fine40]

So sweet! This just inspires me to work on my junk more, but it will never be that nice.....

BTW, what soft top is that?

Cheers

 

[johnkappus]

ABSOLUTELY beautiful work Cirbo!!!

So are you DONE now? This thing is comming to Cleveland right?

Hopefully I'll get to see it some time ... i'm on the west side of cleveland.

 

[Cirbo]

On a side note I think we met at Uwharrie last summer, you wheeled with Andy and Bill in the red Defender right.

Yup, that was me. What were you driving?

 

[Cirbo]

Even more gobsmacked !

Gobsmacked??

Thanks.... I think.

Edit: Got it now (thanks to wikipedia). Thanks!

 

[Cirbo]

So sweet! This just inspires me to work on my junk more, but it will never be that nice.....

BTW, what soft top is that?

Cheers

Best Top (super top, I think) Damn soft doors don't want to fit though.....