African expedition FJ/HJ60 Build for Jesus

[zuluzeugma]

I was alone today as none of my helpers were able to come. I only worked about 4 hours and actually got a lot done in four hours. I broke down the front axle of the FJ, dropped everything steel in the hot tank, let it cook, and then gave everything a coat of self etching primier to protect it from the E. TX humidity.

Here are some pics from the days work:

 

[zuluzeugma]

Notice the difference in the before and after the hot tank; it works miracles in minutes!

Question regarding dust covers: My thought is that they will be totally useless as they will just pack out with mud. I am thinking of modifying them to hold the brake line and thats it. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Damn, I gotta get a hot tank.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Again: Before and after on the knuckles... I was very impressed. Looked like a new casting...

I am probably gana make a big order to Marlin this week for all the front axle re-build parts. Unfortunately, they were unwilling to donate anything, but I still want to support the company so I will continue to purchase from them...

These are tough times for all companies =(

 

[zuluzeugma]

Donations update

One more thing:

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have had steady progress with donations. We have probably had an additional $1500 since I started the build thread.

One guy here in town says he'll buy us a set of tires which is a big help

And we had a 6 month old WARN 9500# winch donated that has only been used twice. Any kind of donations of this type are awesome! Thanks guys!

We are really looking for 8 (2 sets) of 16" split rims right now. A few guys on the board have them, but want an arm and a leg for them; if you have some and want to donate to a good cause, PM me

Here are some pics of the winch thats coming from Yankee Land...

 

[fliphkd778]

Damn, I gotta get a hot tank.

So true. Zuluzeugma, approximately how large of a scale is your hot tank? Are the dimensions small enough to warrant it's place in a small garage?

 

[Mikesta]

One more thing:


We are really looking for 8 (2 sets) of 16" split rims right now. A few guys on the board have them, but want an arm and a leg for them; if you have some and want to donate to a good cause, PM me

Split rims... er... sorry do you mean the old FJ40 rims with the tabs?

 

[zuluzeugma]

So true. Zuluzeugma, approximately how large of a scale is your hot tank? Are the dimensions small enough to warrant it's place in a small garage?

Heres a pic; It could easily take an F series Engine block. It was donated to our shop about 3 years ago and I got it hooked up and running about a month ago. I just plumbed it into the shop's natural gas supply and then ran an air line to it to keep it bubbling. I usually run it about 180* F.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Split rims... er... sorry do you mean the old FJ40 rims with the tabs?

I think were saying the same thing... They are much easier to swap in the bush as almost everyone runs tubes so if then get a flat they can bust the wheel apart, fix the tube and be back on their way...

 

[Mikesta]

ah... ok... don't think I have that type... I'll check in 4 weeks when I get out there where they are located. If I have them they are yours... but not likely.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Finished with the prep work for the axle rebuild today. I hot tanked everything that would fit and then sand blasted the housing and painted it. Now, all the parts are clean and primed. I'm gana throw a coat of flat black on everything and then I should be ready to reassemble once the Aussie lockers come in. I'm using the FJ housing and the third from the HJ (fine spline 4.11)

 

[zuluzeugma]

One last pic for the night: All the axle parts lined up and ready to go: More to come this week. Rhino lining of the interior should be done in the next couple days

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That speed blaster is something else, isn't it? I only wish it held more media.

Looking great! Keep up the good work.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Great Project
Im not sure if you decided on what tyre,but in markets like Africa and Australia,low spec landcruisers are sold with 750x16 LT tyres new.
All the big and most of the small tyre compmanies make a tyre this size.
You can also use the 235x85x16 tyre on the same rim if thats all thats availble.
These sizes can be bought with ANY type tread pattern from road to quarry tyres.
Dyna trucks and Coaster buses and other japanese trucks and buses also run this size in the 3rd world

 

[Mikesta]

How long did it take you to blast that axle with the speed blaster? That is one clean axle.

 

[zuluzeugma]

How long did it take you to blast that axle with the speed blaster? That is one clean axle.

About 30 minutes. I used a scrapper to get the inch thick grease/mud cake off and then hit it with the blaster. The local contractor supply store sells 100# bags of the sand for $6 and the axle took somewhere in the neightborhood of 20-30# of sand.

 

[zuluzeugma]

That speed blaster is something else, isn't it? I only wish it held more media.

Looking great! Keep up the good work.

The hopper size is definitely the biggest draw back...

I keep thinking it should have a "ghost-busters" style backpack full of media and then use venturi to bring it into the gun.

I need to patent that idea.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The hopper size is definitely the biggest draw back...

I keep thinking it should have a "ghost-busters" style backpack full of media and then use venturi to bring it into the gun.

I need to patent that idea.

Yeah man, or at least a hopper to load it quicker. I hate loading that damn thing with a cup.

 

[zuluzeugma]

We prepared the surface for Rhino Lining by first scrapping up ALL the insulation (using a heat gun is really helpful here) and then sanding the surface. The following pictures are of the prepared surface and everything plastic wrapped waiting for the spray. More to come...

 

[zuluzeugma]

Here are pics from tonight's kinda "rhino-lining". The spray crap didn't work / Travis couldn't find the activator so we wound up using a roll on type that we added extra rubber scraps too. I think its gana come out pretty well all things considered. At the end of the day, this lining doesn't have to put up to weather, just feet, so I think were gana be okay here =)

By the way, I'd like to give a quick "shout-out" to the two other Toyota guys who are helping me head up this project; most of the guys in the shop have been / are helping, but these two guys are doing much of the leg work with fundraising and planning along side me. They have been a huge help

Travis Roberts (scene in pics below) He is on the board as: traviszesty201 (click here to see profile)

AND

Leni Moore who is known as:
toymaniac (click here to see profile)