Builds ‘82 FJ45 build thread..... no name yet (1 Viewer)

[sloanstavern]

Well I got the old girl out, nothing broke or fell, but she got so excited when she got out she had a little accident

 

[YoYoHo]

Any reason you don't just pressure clean it ? or take it to a local car wash ?

 

[Michael B]

You have to break that new floor in sooner or later. Might as well be sooner!

 

[sloanstavern]

Any reason you don't just pressure clean it ? or take it to a local car wash ?

For some reason that combination of oil - dirt - heat -time creates a material that does not want to blast off with a pressure washer. I scrape the big chunks then I can pressure wash off the remains.

 

[sloanstavern]

You have to break that new floor in sooner or later. Might as well be sooner!

That has been the hardest part....... a new floor is only new until the first project....

 

[YoYoHo]

For some reason that combination of oil - dirt - heat -time creates a material that does not want to blast off with a pressure washer. I scrape the big chunks then I can pressure wash off the remains.

Fair enough, that was why I started using a Hotsy as the added heat with the high pressure knows no limits . Either way looking forward to the build unfold

 

[sloanstavern]

I like the way you think, I’ll have to look into getting a heated pressure washer thanks for the tip

 

[Redgrrr]

Most auto body shops have hot water pressure washers. The big rig truck washes have them too. Put the bare chassis on a trailer and leave the greasy nightmare to them...before you go I’d run a hose down the inside frame rails to get all the solid dirt to loosen up.

Very envious of your super clean troopy body!

 

[Redgrrr]

Hertz construction rental shops rent them as well if you want the pleasure of doing it yourself.

 

[sloanstavern]

Most auto body shops have hot water pressure washers. The big rig truck washes have them too. Put the bare chassis on a trailer and leave the greasy nightmare to them...before you go I’d run a hose down the inside frame rails to get all the solid dirt to loosen up.

Very envious of your super clean troopy body!

Thanks - great idea.

I hate to say it but my tub is kind of a mess. Lots of tan paint and filler. I’ll send some more pictures. The floors need work and the fenders and aprons are toast. All fixable but needs some cosmetic surgery

 

[sloanstavern]

I should start off by saying I don’t have the skill set or budget to do a restoration like some of the true craftsman on this website I’ve done. I’ll do the best I can to bring everything up to a good appearance and performance level.

I got everything stripped and now I’m starting the rebuilding process. First job leaf springs and frame. The leafs have good arch and seem to be in good shape except for a few replaceable components like center pins and leaf brackets and obviously bushings.

The question is should I tear them completely apart and rebuild them or is it just OK to clean them up paint them and put them back in service,

I welcome your opinions thanks

 

[sloanstavern]

I forgot the number one rule is to always try the easiest path first after struggling with presses to get the bushings out I simply Cut off the exposed flange of the bushing, and then put a narrow screwdriver in there with a little bit of penetrating fluid . I could basically pry them out.

On a lighter note I decided to go with paint stripper over the frame VIN. It look like it had been painted before and I didn’t want it to get all muddied up.

Enjoying an unseasonably early winter storm a real treat for us at Desert dwellers. Received about 3/4” or rain over the last 36 hours


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[sloanstavern]

Found a good combo for gross clean up. I use a cheap HF grinder ( save those for filthy work ) and a twisted wire head. A little stiff at first but go slow and it will soften up.

Finally start some dress up.

I am only rebuilding the leaf packs with “ strained” parts.

Also cut off the bush repair duplicate shock mounts...... I think that welder was paid by the pound! They we not gonna fall off

 

[sloanstavern]

I don’t particularly like working with steel under tension like the Springs but there’s no way around it to get those Rusty pins out. I did find a good way to pound the pin remnant using some square tubing in a little

 

[sloanstavern]

I had planned to spend the day working on the frame prep and scraping but the springs got me sidetracked I did at least spend a little time with the grinder and wire wheel and it went pretty slick. The rear crossmember is pretty beat up but I can’t find an FJ 45 replacement so I think I’m gonna have to find a way to pound his thing back into shape

 

[sloanstavern]

Time to do a little repair on the frame. No sense welding upside down if I don’t have to so I’m splicing in a little replacement patch on the rear crossmember. I welded a little in the pass but certainly have a long way to go to get proficient at it so I might as well start underneath where it’s more about function than

form after this just a bunch of random holes to fill and then I need to solve the front crossmember issue

 

[sloanstavern]

Normally around Thanksgiving time we think of planes trains and automobiles, I spent this morning with cut up wheels air chisels and drills to pull out some rivets. I need to replace the front crossmember it’s close to an inch and a half out a true thanks John for the replacement.
Then did some more grinding and scraping on the bottom of the frame. We have some rain coming in the next day or two and I didn’t wanna expose metal plus I needed to see something look pretty, so I sprayed one can of Eastwood rust encapsulator. Nice stuff I wish it came in a semi gloss though

 

[sloanstavern]

Finished up most of the bottom of the frame and both sides can’t do anymore until I get that crossmember replaced then I’ll tackle the top really happy with the way this Eastwood product goes on but now that I’m looking at it I actually like the flat finish

 

[sloanstavern]

Finished up removing all the rivets and got the front crossmember out ready for The transplant. Wasn’t sure if it would swing out OK so I gave it a little bit of pry with the bottle jack to give it some more breathing room and took out the bolts on one side of the trans. X-member tight fit but came out just fine took a break on grinding and went to work on disassembling the brake lines

 

[sloanstavern]

I found a good source for you bolts, Stangel brothers good selection quick order and good prices . The round tops come in pairs but you can order individual square tops including nuts and washer. couldn’t resist slapping a little satin black on them .