After cutting my teeth a few years ago on a 1980 FJ40 and doing a mild restore (not frame off) and putting a 3FE in, decided to pick up a 2nd cruiser and go for the full monty this time and tear down completely and rebuild.
I’m a YouTube mechanic and and just learn as I go, so still have a lot to learn, but really enjoy this, as does my 14 year old son who will be doing this with me.
So went ahead and purchased this rusty and non working 78 and have only begun the tear down. It has sat for about 20 years the PO. I believe him based on the multitude of mouse nests and spider webs. Ew.
Below are many pictures, showing the condition and what I have to work with. Fairly cancerous. I think it’s fixable vs getting a new tub, but would appreciate opinions.
It has a 350, but I will most likely go back to a Toyota engine. I’ll also likely sell the hard top and ambi doors.
First initial pics and bringing it home, in the garage next to my 1980.
Hey Todd! Thanks, will definitely take you up on that. Moved back from London about 2 months ago, so of course this was first order of business (wife questioning my priorities).
Been chipping away at the tear down. Here is where it currently sits with a couple pics of my son doing the tough under dash work.
I’ve got a lot to figure out still, but for now I need to decide if I’m going to try to repair this tub, or get a new one. I’m a novice welder and don’t know that I have the tools for real metal work. I feel confident I could weld in full patch panels or replacement panels, but if I have to do this pretty much everywhere, seems best just to get a new tub at that point. For anyone that has a free two minutes, here is a video slowly going over the tub and showing the ugly. Would love opinions on what I should do.
Suggestions on how to remove these rear body mount bolts? The only tool I can get in there is a smallish wrench, but because its 40 year old rusted bolt, it aint moving. I can't get a cut off wheel or sawzall in either. Am I just being dumb and missing something obvious?
Well, you have made a start and a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I woulld suggest an impact wrench and Kroil penetrating oil. I use it on aircraft which has issues with dissimilar metal corrosion and also on my FJ40. The oil plus the impacts seem to work for me to loosen and remove the rusted bolts and nuts. YMMV of course...Good Luck and your son will remember this for the rest of his life. All three of my boys have helped me work on the previous three cruisers I have owned and they still remember it.
Well, you have made a start and a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I woulld suggest an impact wrench and Kroil penetrating oil. I use it on aircraft which has issues with dissimilar metal corrosion and also on my FJ40. The oil plus the impacts seem to work for me to loosen and remove the rusted bolts and nuts. YMMV of course...Good Luck and your son will remember this for the rest of his life. All three of my boys have helped me work on the previous three cruisers I have owned and they still remember it.
Thanks. I did pick up some Kroil and have been spraying it on for a couple of weeks. The problem is that I cannot fit an impact wrench in there. The bolt head is inside the rear frame...also because of the angle support I can't get a ratchet, breaker bar, or anything.
Some of those rear sill bolts you have to use a wrench. I would lean toward replacing that tub as well. Aqualu is not too far from Washington if wanted a aluminum tub. Cool cruisers makes steel 3/4 tubs. Replacing the tub rather than repair would basically cut your restoration labor down by 1/2 or 3/4. Instead of taking 5 years, would probably take 2 years.
Some of those rear sill bolts you have to use a wrench. I would lean toward replacing that tub as well. Aqualu is not too far from Washington if wanted a aluminum tub. Cool cruisers makes steel 3/4 tubs. Replacing the tub rather than repair would basically cut your restoration labor down by 1/2 or 3/4. Instead of taking 5 years, would probably take 2 years.
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The problem is that I cannot fit an impact wrench in there. The bolt head is inside the rear frame...also because of the angle support I can't get a ratchet, breaker bar, or anything.
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