African expedition FJ/HJ60 Build for Jesus

[zuluzeugma]

You now have a 12V alt, correct?
Did you switch all the other relays to 12V, like starter relay, glow plug relay, the headlights...?
The edic relay (fuel control relay) is a very expensive part (~600$), but it interlinks oil pressure, starting system and the edic.
Roodogs in australia is likely able to get used 12V relays for a good price.
Jan

Good to know...

Looks good man, been following this for a while.

One question though, with that beastly train bumper you riding on the front....what if something goes wrong on the winch? How is there access to that without having to take off the entire bumper?

Yes, the bumper has to come off to "fix" the winch. While this may sound absolutely stupid in the United States, its not where all four wheels can be stolen while sitting in traffic in Liberia. =)

 

[zuluzeugma]

Can't get the 2H to start. Very very frustrating day on Friday. Decided to take the TOTALLY stock 4Runner up to the offroad park instead which did amazingly well. It was nice to get out of the shop for a day.

I posted the question in diesel tech:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...-2h-not-starting-help-needed.html#post5008885

 

[zuluzeugma]

12V glow plugs going on today. Here some progress pics. Paint went on last night.

Rear bumper complete

Roof Rack complete

Front bumper complete

Brad Foster directs as the surfaces for the painting are prepped

More

 

[jeepgod]

I cant waitto see this completed and the more I see the rims and tires I like them. I may go with skines on mine.

 

[jlsubthumper]

What is the plan for keeping the spare on the swing out so people don't steal it?

 

[IrollwithTojo]

God that front bumper is sweet

-Carl

 

[fjdemon]

I hate to throw in any negative points, but you don't think this will stand out to much in Africa? Like something that is valuable that can be stolen? Just curious as I do security work all over the world and know how things stick out over there. Other than that this is going to be a sick ride! Great work.

 

[zuluzeugma]

What is the plan for keeping the spare on the swing out so people don't steal it?

We have a spot for a pad-lock to lock the spare on. Were also tossing locking lug-nuts on all the wheels.

I hate to throw in any negative points, but you don't think this will stand out to much in Africa? Like something that is valuable that can be stolen? Just curious as I do security work all over the world and know how things stick out over there. Other than that this is going to be a sick ride! Great work.

Yeah, this is a very good question...

As its been said back on page 6, Locks keep honest people honest. They live in a "compound" with razor wire and security gaurds so that "shouldn't" be a problem. During the day, you pay a local 50 cents to watch your truck for you while you go do something in a building or whatever and they generally take pride in their work.

This is part of the reason we painted white. NGO vehicles don't generally get messed with. If its white with an SIM label on the sides, its less deserible to locals cause they know its there to help.

Now, saying all this, there is still a chance; so we just pray hard =)

Paint is on. More pics tonight and tomorrow.

 

[cruiser_guy]

As its been said back on page 6, Locks keep honest people honest. They live in a "compound" with razor wire and security guards so that "shouldn't" be a problem. During the day, you pay a local 50 cents to watch your truck for you while you go do something in a building or whatever and they generally take pride in their work.

This is part of the reason we painted white. NGO vehicles don't generally get messed with. If its white with an SIM label on the sides, its less desirable to locals cause they know its there to help.

Now, saying all this, there is still a chance; so we just pray hard =)

Paint is on. More pics tonight and tomorrow.

Remember too, you're talking about a 20+ year old vehicle. That alone doesn't make it too desirable. In Guatemala I didn't get many looks with my BJ60 but I know folks with newer 4Runners who were car jacked. The thieves there also want newer vehicles. It's advantageous that this is a '60 and not an '80 or '100 series.

You can get over cautious to the point where it restricts what you do. My thought is take reasonable precautions and then let things go the way they go.

In Guatemala they car jack you for the parts, I don't know if that's the same over in Liberia. For me in Guatemala there were not that many '60 series so all was fine.

 

[fjdemon]

I will say going with the white paint is a good choice. Most of the UN vehicles, actually all of them are white, so that could be a nice camo for a personal vehicle.

I also think too being a older vehicle might help, but if it's a nice older vehicle with major expensive mods it's up in the same category as a new one. One reason I want to build an older tacoma for use in South America, rough and ugly seems to be invisible.

I guess too, that once the presence of them helping the community is known by the locals, they will be more likely left alone. When you give, even in bad areas of the world people will recognize that.

Best of luck! looking good, I will love to see that thing in white so I'll watch for the pics later.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Painting pics

So it got down to 21 degrees last night (the coldest I've ever seen it in my six years living in East, TX). The minimum painting temp is 60 degrees so we used every possible method to get the temp up in the paint booth. We wound up taking our shop clothes dryer, taping the switch closed, putting a fan in front of it and ran the dryer wide open. We successfully got the the temp up to 61!

The spraying begins...

Joel with the self portrait...

Spray, Spray and Spray some more.

As a side note, we shot primer and then single stage urethane paint. Its supposedly the "toughest" paint you can spray. I guess only time will tell

Spraying complete

Tape off

This is what the winch looks like from the backside inside the front bumper

Head lights and grill back on

We got our local Home Depot to donate a bunch of hand tools.

Joel Re-installing the snorkle

Getting there...

I would also like to give a "shout-out" to Maytex who is a local oilfield rigging company. They donated about 800 bucks in recovery straps, shackles, ratchet straps, block&tackle, etc

About 97% done folks

 

[cruiser_guy]

I also think too being a older vehicle might help, but if it's a nice older vehicle with major expensive mods it's up in the same category as a new one. One reason I want to build an older tacoma for use in South America, rough and ugly seems to be invisible.

When you steal a vehicle for parts it doesn't matter how it looks. If there is no one, or few people to sell parts to it's not worth it. Mods alone will not be that much of interest.

A choice of a Tacoma for Central America would NOT be a good idea. There are still too many there.

 

[IrollwithTojo]

Lookin good

-Carl

 

[wengejor]

Wow, this thing is awesome

 

[LiberiaBound]

On the issue of security- here in Liberia- White does help us blend in. We depend on locals to help us out and keep an eye on things when we are in town like Josh mentioned.
The biggest thing that we use though is just common sense, my wife and I have been over here of and on since 2005. In 2003 they had just finished 15 years of civil war. Now almost 6 years later, most people have gotten to feel way to secure here. Pretty soon you see them getting themselves into trouble. Complacency is a huge issue, people feel like with large walls, big dogs, and security that we are 100% safe. It is not true, so we pray and trust God, but we just act smart.

Josh and LETU guys, we can’t tell you THANKYOU enough- the truck is looking awesome!!
That paint job came out really nice!!

 

[zuluzeugma]

Josh and LETU guys, we can’t tell you THANKYOU enough- the truck is looking awesome!!
That paint job came out really nice!!

No problem dude.

I'm actually in Atlanta this week for an ASME class on process piping. I left the guys with a list of about 15 things that need done before it can ship. I'm optimistic we will be ready to ship by the 1st of the year.

By the way Ben, A local shop donated a 2000W power inverter, so you're getting that too. Its 120 Volt single phase 60 HZ so all your American appliances will plug in to it. Its hiding out in one of the tool boxes. I don't think there is anything you're NOT getting that was on our "wish list" when we first set out on the project 13 months ago.

More to come on Sat. folks...

 

[cruiser_guy]

Do you guys still have the snorkel template? I got one via e-mail from ARB but it seems to be off a little.

If you don't mind, let me know the shipping to Liberia. It looks like I might be going to Sierra Leone right next door with my BJ60.

Want to do a quick body swap and snorkel install on my truck?

 

[Dirtgypsy]

this truck is totally rad. The skinny's, the paint, and the premise all are really cool!

Clint

 

[zuluzeugma]

Do you guys still have the snorkel template? I got one via e-mail from ARB but it seems to be off a little.

If you don't mind, let me know the shipping to Liberia. It looks like I might be going to Sierra Leone right next door with my BJ60.

Want to do a quick body swap and snorkel install on my truck?

We might still have the pattern; I'll have to check. I'll let you know how the shipping goes. Its all being setup through SIM. It will most likely ship out of Rock-Hill, SC

 

[fjdemon]

White looks good! I've always loved a white 60