Builds ‘82 FJ45 build thread..... no name yet

[sloanstavern]

So I am thinking that the filler work is going quite well and I might be ready to spray on some high build primer and finish up the details. Then I remember two bad patches on the side aprons.
Have to make some more sparks…….

 

[sloanstavern]

Quick update- and true confession time. As I was skimming on filler I get stuck in this endless cycle of adding more and sanding more off and kind of lose sight of where I’m at. So today I’ve applied to wet coats of high build polyester primer/surfacer.
That stuffs a game changer! Goes on like a dream ( ya have to make sure it’s a warm day or it will not flow at all) and with 2 wet coats you get this slight orange peel that makes a perfect guide coat.
Five minutes with a small block and 320 grit and it’s smooth as silk. I know I cannot make those full panels laser straight, but I can at least make a nice smooth surface for the paint.

 

[sloanstavern]

I got to spend more quality time with the sanding block…… and should be ready for sealer and final paint tomorrow.

I learned how to better use that high build primer. Two moderately wet coats cover nicely and leave a slight orange peel. Using a 6 inch sanding block with 220 sand it down until all is level except for any defects. It’s quite helpful because they show up in a darker color. If I could feel them with my finger I spent more time feathering them with the 220 grit. Then I went over everything with 320 grit on the same block. That gets rid of most defects (dark spots) however if there are any remaining that you can see but not feel then I used 320 grit and my fingerTo blend them in.

The HB primer is sufficient to cover the spot welds in the side panels. One picture is before and the other shows the transition as I block with the 220z

I tried using longer sanding block, but that was a waste of time, the panels just aren’t that flat- even from the factory.

Tomorrow I lay on some 1K flat white sealer ( no sanding unless necessary) then 2-3 coats

of single stage color!

 

[sloanstavern]

Big day - two coats of 1K primer sealer ( no sanding required) then 3 coats of single stage . This is as good as I can paint and was really happy with it. I think the HB primer and sealer were a big reason. Gives a really nice substrate.
The yellow tint is gone, it must have been tied to the lizard skin

 

[Michael B]

Looking good!!

 

[sloanstavern]

I thinks I made a breakthrough on my painting skills, I was always going back and forth between sags and orange peel. I would have the incorrect air / paint mixture and too far from the surface. Now I’m starting to get better atomization, and consistent results.
Just did a lot of lil pieces in e primer and got a nice smooth uniform film.

Question- I noticed under the hood in each front corner these support plates riveted in place they look uniform and factory, but I’m not sure if they belong there have you guys seen them before?

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I noticed under the hood in each front corner these support plates riveted in place they look uniform and factory, but I’m not sure if they belong there have you guys seen them before?

I don't remember seeing those on my hood, 74.

 

[billmc]

I think I have those on my '82 hood. They were chromed or stainless before you painted them, correct?

 

[sloanstavern]

I think I have those on my '82 hood. They were chromed or stainless before you painted them, correct?

Good question. The rivets are loose so I will take them off and check. They look too uniform and symetric to be a bush repair.

 

[sloanstavern]

I think I have those on my '82 hood. They were chromed or stainless before you painted them, correct?

Yup you were correct, they’re from the factory ( steel not sure if stainless. Plus fouund another opportunity to make some sparks…..

 

[Michael B]

Those stainless steel pads are to prevent the paint rub from the hood pads.

 

[sloanstavern]

I have been laid up with a head cold so not much going on, but I had to get something done today so against better judgment I set the tub back on the chassis. I still need to fiddle with the body mount bushings to get it right but man I love the stance and the way she looks on the frame

 

[sloanstavern]

Some big and little pieces got color today. 24 in total! I think I bit off more than I can chew.
I used the same foundation as the tub, Epoxy primer followed by high build 2K, then the 1K white sealer. Really makes a nice foundation.
This time of year it’s a bit tougher to spray outdoors because the morning air temps when it’s nice and still are in the 50s, just to cool. By the time it warms up around 10 AM there’s a little more breeze but I think it’ll be OK. I did find one oops. I switched hands and must’ve bumped the fan knob giving me a blast of paint right on the top of my fender. I’ve never had luck fixing them while it’s wet so I’ll let it dry and then fix it or repaint.

 

[sloanstavern]

I definitely tried to paint too many items yesterday woke up this morning and found several boo-boos that needed to be addressed most of them were just missed spots on the back so not a huge deal I had a sag on the hood but the rest of the hood is in great shape so I’ll let that one fully cure and then block it and polish it back the fender definitely needed attention so I just shaved the run and then re-painted the visible portion of it this morning.

I was feeling a little burnt out and thought I better do something fun so I actually started plumbing and installing some new parts man is that satisfying. I installed the brake booster and master cylinder, clutch cylinder and the hard lines. Also a little jewelry just for immediate gratification. I can’t do much more of assembly because I’m still waiting for the correct body mounts

 

[sloanstavern]

Brief update and key learning
Key learning: do not try and paint 24 items at one time, and for large items only paint one side at a time. I keep discovering more and more thin spots. Going forward for large items I will paint the bad side first let it cook the turn it over and paint the visible side.

I am in a holding pattern while I wait for my body mounts. So loosely fitting as much as I can and installing some other items. I don’t feel good about having metal on metal bolted together so I’ve been making some small cushions out of some one 8 inch EPDM that I bought online. It is the same material used for weatherstripping and I got a 3 x 8 sheet for 35 bucks that’ll be enough to cut anything I need in this project and then some.

I know that I am cheap but whenever I can I’d rather clean something up that’s original and keep it in service, like the headlamp canisters a little media blasting and some time with single 0 steel wall it came out very nice. Even though they are aftermarket it’s kind of cool to have headlights from India on this desert rig

Finally I need to make a decision about my wiring harness. After reading several posts it sounds like if you can save the original that’s the best path but mine looks so sketchy I don’t think I have a choice. I plan to replace it with a harmless 21 circuit universal harness.
Any comments or thoughts on that path would be greatly appreciated

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Really looking nice. I plan on pulling my wiring harness and saving it. That might mean all new wires but hopefully most of the connectors are still good. Not sure I would be so enamored with the aftermarket lights vs OEM but that's something you can always change. Really starting to come together. Nice shop by the way.

 

[Honger]

Brief update and key learning
Key learning: do not try and paint 24 items at one time, and for large items only paint one side at a time. I keep discovering more and more thin spots. Going forward for large items I will paint the bad side first let it cook the turn it over and paint the visible side.

I am in a holding pattern while I wait for my body mounts. So loosely fitting as much as I can and installing some other items. I don’t feel good about having metal on metal bolted together so I’ve been making some small cushions out of some one 8 inch EPDM that I bought online. It is the same material used for weatherstripping and I got a 3 x 8 sheet for 35 bucks that’ll be enough to cut anything I need in this project and then some.

I know that I am cheap but whenever I can I’d rather clean something up that’s original and keep it in service, like the headlamp canisters a little media blasting and some time with single 0 steel wall it came out very nice. Even though they are aftermarket it’s kind of cool to have headlights from India on this desert rig

Finally I need to make a decision about my wiring harness. After reading several posts it sounds like if you can save the original that’s the best path but mine looks so sketchy I don’t think I have a choice. I plan to replace it with a harmless 21 circuit universal harness.
Any comments or thoughts on that path would be greatly appreciated

View attachment 2845818View attachment 2845819View attachment 2845820View attachment 2845821View attachment 2845822

A few thoughts for you...

1. The OEM H4 headlight kit is really cheap direct from the dealer. The quality is noticeably better than the German Hella H4's I previously had on my 40. Worth the $20+ for Toyota. Plus it comes with a harness upgrade for the lights. 81110-60P70

2. Your OEM harness doesn't look that bad off. I'd be willing to have a look with you and walk you through how I've done repairs on both of my Middle East trucks... similar bodged jobs on both my trucks as what you have I imagine.

Joel

 

[sloanstavern]

Really looking nice. I plan on pulling my wiring harness and saving it. That might mean all new wires but hopefully most of the connectors are still good. Not sure I would be so enamored with the aftermarket lights vs OEM but that's something you can always change. Really starting to come together. Nice shop by the way.

Thanks, the shop was my first project
When body is further along I’ll stretch out the harness on a sheet of plywood and see what I’m dealing with

 

[sloanstavern]

A few thoughts for you...

1. The OEM H4 headlight kit is really cheap direct from the dealer. The quality is noticeably better than the German Hella H4's I previously had on my 40. Worth the $20+ for Toyota. Plus it comes with a harness upgrade for the lights. 81110-60P70

2. Your OEM harness doesn't look that bad off. I'd be willing to have a look with you and walk you through how I've done repairs on both of my Middle East trucks... similar bodged jobs on both my trucks as what you have I imagine.

Joel

Thanks I’ll take a closer look at the harness before I make a commitment

 

[tlaporte]

Brief update and key learning
Key learning: do not try and paint 24 items at one time, and for large items only paint one side at a time. I keep discovering more and more thin spots. Going forward for large items I will paint the bad side first let it cook the turn it over and paint the visible side.

I am in a holding pattern while I wait for my body mounts. So loosely fitting as much as I can and installing some other items. I don’t feel good about having metal on metal bolted together so I’ve been making some small cushions out of some one 8 inch EPDM that I bought online. It is the same material used for weatherstripping and I got a 3 x 8 sheet for 35 bucks that’ll be enough to cut anything I need in this project and then some.

I know that I am cheap but whenever I can I’d rather clean something up that’s original and keep it in service, like the headlamp canisters a little media blasting and some time with single 0 steel wall it came out very nice. Even though they are aftermarket it’s kind of cool to have headlights from India on this desert rig

Finally I need to make a decision about my wiring harness. After reading several posts it sounds like if you can save the original that’s the best path but mine looks so sketchy I don’t think I have a choice. I plan to replace it with a harmless 21 circuit universal harness.
Any comments or thoughts on that path would be greatly appreciated

View attachment 2845818View attachment 2845819View attachment 2845820View attachment 2845821View attachment 2845822

After all of this amazing work, going with an aftermarket generic harness would be a letdown, IMO.

You’ve got your harness off the truck, so you can take it slowly, test frequently, and clean it and repair it in small sections.

I’ll leave you this link (NOT ME) for inspiration: