A journey with my boys- The Elf Barn as I call it.

[ceylonfj40nut]

Been on Mud for a while. Have the addiction. Done a few projects in my driveway and on my back. Have a few Cruisers. My boys are at an age that is right to get them confident in many things in life thru wrenching. My dad taught me so much. Watching and doing alongside. Not to fear much. Dive in. Time to pass it on. This hopefully shares our story about our journey in time and all that happens in our wrenching cave. The Elf Barn.

My Home garage was hard to get things done.

Bought my last Cruiser (Rootbeer as we call her) from Nanaimo BC. Probably my last. Who am I kidding. 1986 HJ60. Had some rear shock tower rust. Wanted to do a frame swap that took a little detour.

@CenTXFJ60 was my inspiration.

Here is how the story goes.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Here is rootbeer.

Pic 1- Driving her down from BC to TX. Stopped at Yellowstone.

Pic 2- As she is today.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

So started searching for a frame. @4Cruisers had one under a body that @CenTXFJ60 wanted. @4Cruisers drove it down to @CenTXFJ60’s magic barn. Hats off to you @4Cruisers for your generosity.

Some magic did happen that day at the magic barn

@CenTXFJ60 pulling in the frame/body out of his body farm into the magic barn.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

The Aha moment for me. Seeing the magic barn in action. Had me to get something like this I thought. The Inspiration. My older son looking on as body leaves frame.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

@CenTXFJ60 kindly lends me his trailer to haul the frame home. Real story was that I though the frame would fit in my f250.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Frame gets Home to my measly garage. Needed to offload it. Was salivating for a lift. Best next tool I had was a Long board skateboard.....

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Long board worked like a charm

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Boys were super skeptical.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Wedged it in and strapped it in frame as I contemplated my next move. Shoved Kermit (fj40) and rootbeer in the garage behind the frame.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Some pics of my fzj80 engin rebuild in my driveway. It led to the Aha moment at @CenTXFJ60 magic barn. Hated every minute squeezing my fat a$$ into get things done. Crawling under, Lifting jacks, rain, etc.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Quest for a magic barn began....

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Some pics of my fzj80 engin rebuild in my driveway. It led to the Aha moment at @CenTXFJ60 magic barn. Hated every minute squeezing my fat a$$ into get things done. Crawling under, Lifting jacks, rain, etc.

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Absolutely awesome write up CD. Waiting for the “Paul Harvey” version of this story. When do we see the Palace .

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

All credit to the . She thought about it and found some acreage with a sweet 40x60 barn. An hour from the house. Pics of it with POs junk in it before we bought the place. Could not wait to get it to clean canvas for the Elf Barn. More to come....

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Clean canvas

My boys about to start a new journey and paint the canvas with me.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

2 ton hoist was first order of business to offload the heavy goodies. Best investment yet.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Absolutely awesome write up CD. Waiting for the “Paul Harvey” version of this story. When do we see the Palace .

Shhh Jim. Elf’s take time to make the good stuff.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Got a 80 gallon 2 stage heavy duty industrial air compressor for a song. Offloading with the elves.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Hate Chrysler products. White truck is a rental. Long Story on that one. I will spare you the details.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Got me a smaller tractor right sized for moving heavy duty TEQ OEM art around when needed. My elves driving it around. Compressor was an easy lift for the 2 ton hoist. It will be in a fine resting place shortly.

@CenTXFJ60 was a great help in the lessons learned area on how to set up the shop. We chatted about layout.

Wanted the lift on one end close to the work bench. Wanted to rewire the place so it is safe. Wanted welding lugs within easy reach and wisdom from @CenTXFJ60.....plug sockets, plug sockets, plug sockets. Good lighting. Ventilation. Good shop air system. More on all this to come.....

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Bought a 9000lb lift. Put it in on a 7000lb trailer I bought an hour prior. . Connected it to the rented Chrysler junk to get it to the Elf Barn.