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- #441
Lift and compressor got powered this weekend. Shop is just about ready for some heavy work on the boys projects. We also worked on my wife’s 40 putting in a 3000 CFM Spal fan and shroud. Mechanical fan was a tad warm.
A journey with my boys- The Elf Barn as I call it. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ceylonfj40nut
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- #442
Got some barn time @CenTXFJ60 without cahart insulated gear. Whose the sissy now
. My son was eager to test fit the 70 series rear with ebrake on his 40 build. Lift was helpful. Axle was out in about 30 mins. Remove shocks, two bolts on the shackles, lift. Placing the new axle was reverse. We got measurements that centered the axle to body, aligned pumpkins, marked the perch offset for relo. My son will document findings on his build thread.
. My son was eager to test fit the 70 series rear with ebrake on his 40 build. Lift was helpful. Axle was out in about 30 mins. Remove shocks, two bolts on the shackles, lift. Placing the new axle was reverse. We got measurements that centered the axle to body, aligned pumpkins, marked the perch offset for relo. My son will document findings on his build thread.
CenTXFJ60
SILVER Star
What kind of heater do you have?
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- #445
10% body fat. 
. I have a large commercial propane heater and a radiant heater that I had remove to get the lift in. Need to reinstall them. We had the doors closed. Barn has bat insulation which keeps it somewhat warmer.
. I have a large commercial propane heater and a radiant heater that I had remove to get the lift in. Need to reinstall them. We had the doors closed. Barn has bat insulation which keeps it somewhat warmer.
A big compressor inside the shop, ear protection (keeps the ears warm too) on and lots of air grinding.
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- #447
^^^^. I am bald. So a nice thick wig or a warm beanie makes all the difference. 
Terras heater works in the shop too. Just keep the CO levels low enough.
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- #450
Boys will be on spring break this week and will be hitting the barn. @SipLife will get his LS drive train put together and @Cowboy45 will finnish out his transmission cross member fabrication. @cowgirl40 will also get a disc brake conversion. Looking forward to a week on wrenching, country music, ranch water, and fun.
Tis’ crawfish season. We had a few friends over at the elf barn to kick off out spring break. A different take on breaking bread with friends. Looking forward to the week ahead.
@SipLife also parted ways with the stewardship of his Hilux. Going to a Toyota brother. Good pedigree.
Had to do the obligatory happy face and mean face after the hand off.
Tis’ crawfish season. We had a few friends over at the elf barn to kick off out spring break. A different take on breaking bread with friends. Looking forward to the week ahead.
@SipLife also parted ways with the stewardship of his Hilux. Going to a Toyota brother. Good pedigree.
Had to do the obligatory happy face and mean face after the hand off.
The skills and memories your boys are acquiring will last a life time. Great work!!!!
And a clean looking 80 in the back round
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- #453
Thanks @Broski. We are having a good time. Taking the week off to spend meaningful time in the barn for longer periods is great. Sharing our thoughts and frustrations and overcoming challenges together is priceless. Trying to share with the boys to break down their projects to tasks they can finnish in an hour or a day. When done, walk away. Progress made each day is a good thing than 20 years stalled projects.The skills and memories your boys are acquiring will last a life time. Great work!!!!
And a clean looking 80 in the back round
Black 80 is Angus as we call it. 1996. 265k miles. Triple locked. Slee sliders. 2.5” lift. Not much time to post my build threads as boys take my time. Rebuilt top end in my driveway, led me to yearn for a barn. It is my wife’s daily driver.
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- #454
Another good day at the Elf Barn. @Cowboy45 knocked out and finalized the radiator fan clearances. He moved on to modify the 3 piece TEQ transmission mount. He took care to measure 10x and grind. Check. Install. Grind. Rinse and repeat. He has a high respect for OEM parts and is torn about tweaking it.
@SipLife took the drive train out and moved bluebonnet to the lift and got his first use of the plasma cutter to torch off the old transmission mounts and grind down PO welds. He will also be doing a 60 series 3 piece transmission mod similar to @Cowboy45. He also ordered the perches for the 70 series rear axle from Roughstuff. Also introduced the concept of a build sheet to help @SipLife focus his daily work to target finishing his build in readiness for SAS5. I see a dry erase board on wheels in the barn shortly. Crossing out work completed is satisfying.
@SipLife took the drive train out and moved bluebonnet to the lift and got his first use of the plasma cutter to torch off the old transmission mounts and grind down PO welds. He will also be doing a 60 series 3 piece transmission mod similar to @Cowboy45. He also ordered the perches for the 70 series rear axle from Roughstuff. Also introduced the concept of a build sheet to help @SipLife focus his daily work to target finishing his build in readiness for SAS5. I see a dry erase board on wheels in the barn shortly. Crossing out work completed is satisfying.
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- Thread starter
- #455
While waiting between elves Qs, I finally got the large metal work table clean. Really trying to minimize horizontal surfaces. Had to organize helmets and grinder accessories. I had some push rods and rockers from @SipLife’ s Chevy 327 corvette engine we tore down. Was about to scrap it, but something clicked.
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Nicely done, I like the repurpose of old engine parts.
And no shop is complete withouth a whiteboard.
And no shop is complete withouth a whiteboard.
MadMace
SILVER Star
Absolutely one of my favorite threads on Mud. I have a 14 y/o son who has been getting his hands dirty on our 1974 FJ40 and 1986 FJ60—as you know, the bonding and memories are priceless.
We have been looking for some ranch land in Morgan Mill, TX (just outside of Fort Worth) as a place to get away from the city—have a workshop where we can do some wrenching and blacksmithing. Your thread and Elf Barn has served as an inspiration for what to look for—although you have set the bar quite high.
One of these days, I love to meet up and see your shop and pick your brain.
We have been looking for some ranch land in Morgan Mill, TX (just outside of Fort Worth) as a place to get away from the city—have a workshop where we can do some wrenching and blacksmithing. Your thread and Elf Barn has served as an inspiration for what to look for—although you have set the bar quite high.
One of these days, I love to meet up and see your shop and pick your brain.
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- #458
Thanks! It’s the best thing I ever did. Could have bought fancy sports cars or worse yet blown it all on typical vices. Rather spend it on self improvement with the boys. Priceless indeed.
I am glad your son is getting into things with you. Working with the hands is what is lacking in today’s schooling in our kids lives.
I would love to meet you and your son at our place. It’s great to meet and make friends with fellow cruiserheads. We are here most days. I will PM you my cell. Let’s make a plan to get together.
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- #459
@SipLife tackled rear 70 series perch removal and prep in readiness for ruffstuff perches. He is getting intimate with the plasma cutter and grinding with patience. Delayed gratification. He asked me if there was a faster grinding wheel. I said yes. It’s called time. Embrace it. He did well.
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- #460
We also put up 600 LF of fence as a family. Put the cruiser to farm duty. Our young pup Lonestar held the line. Exhausting weekend. But feels good.
