81 BJ42 - I have to bring it home and pass inspection

[Awl_TEQ]

I ordered these just before flying out to pick up the 42. At the time I was planning a "quick rust repair" and didn't think I had the time to build them from scratch. The floors in these late 40's have a few details that would be difficult to replicate even for me. The CCOT ones look much more like what I really wanted and I have bought a couple of other difficult pieces from them and "wasn't unimpressed" by them. The supports in the rear wheel wells for the rollcage were CCOT and were perfect copies of the original. Or rather what was left of the original. I had called 4wheelauto for those too but was told they "just weld in some scraps" and I should "fab your own" cuz the original design sucks. Well, yes, the original has flaws but I want original on this unit.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Forgot to mention... I put the dimple for the floor drain in myself as well. The panels had nothing there for that.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Here are some more shots of tacking it in place. I had to put it in and take it out several times to tweek this and that. I punched holes in the front edge for spot welds. I thought these might be helpful for someone in future.




You can see where I cut out the inner rocker

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I think I will just take the spatter and the high spots of weld off and leave the rest of this weld rather than grind smooth. It is all covered under the mats and I would like to keep the strength.



Here is the inner rocker patch I made. I just re-used the holes from the original... they weren't rusty at all.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Sorry, my phone is too slow with the autofocus and it's hard to notice until I see it on a big screen. Psychedelic phlash too.

This is the inner rocker tacked in place. For all my complaining about the floor pans I must say they are rock solid when welded in. Very satifying to pound yer fist on and have a solid feel.

 

[Ambrew]

Looking good!

I bought a floor pan from edmonton as well, and returned it. It was nowhere near what I expected for the money. Cant remeber if I bought the one that's in the truck from pacol or ccot, but it was way nicer. Still had to massage it into place thought.

I went to see CCOT's metal shop when i was in TX. You can tell that it's been there a while. They didn't let me take pictures (understandable) of all their dies, but it was all home made. They stopped doing resto's a while ago and it was a little deceiving given that none of the staff , on the day I went, were cruiserheads.

Got your inspection appointment booked?

 

[Awl_TEQ]

the other side

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I had to cut further back on this side

And all the way back into the structure underneath

lotsa welds

 

[KY Longhunter]

I had to cut further back on this side

And all the way back into the structure underneath

lotsa welds

That looks familiar. I bought Pacol floor pans and welded them only to find layers and layers of rust in the mid-tub bridge of my '81 FJ40.

Is yours in good shape?

I ended up getting a Pilgrim 3/4 tub as my skills aren't anywhere near yours. I then sold the pans to another ih8mudder.

I am interested to see your final completion.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I figured I would paint the steps with the floors when the time came so I started bead blasting them. I will be removing the hat channel and welding on a new one. I think I'll do one better and plate the two parts separately before spot welding them back together.


because I had to take it off for floor access I took the vacuum tank off the bracket and found a possible reason for the high/hard brake pedal. It had enough rust caked on it to likely seal it but the hole certainly wasn't helping matters

 

[alberta mac]

Air reservoir : fab one out of stainless a friend used a plastic one from a vw.
Mine is stainless and mounted on the frame.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Been there, done that. I don't have any of my reservoirs in stock and don't feel like starting a batch from scratch. This tank is in the best shape I've ever seen for an original so I already blasted and patched the hole. It's at the powder coaters now. Here are a few shots of the stainless ones I've made before.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

If you need to make it worth your while to produce one for yourself as a backup, I will need one or two eventually. I don't think mine is in the best condition.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I'll make some maybe in the spring. Right now I need to licence this rig and build tailgates and a couple beds. In fact I'm working on tailgates today but here are a coupla pics any way.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Summore

 

[Awl_TEQ]

And more

 

[Awl_TEQ]

And the tank
Blasted, patched and final bead blast before powder.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

No rush... My truck(s) is still in pieces.. Great looking work!

 

[Chamba]

Summore

I do admire you Kevin. That is so cool when you make the original parts look new. Too cool.
Josh

 

[alberta mac]

Great work on the tanks ! Hope your putting the stainless on your rebuild.