- Thread starter
- #121
Wow. Great before and after pics! I do like the orange on your very much. Couldn't see it in black now that I see it on the wagon. Nice work - it really cleaned up nice huh?
"Another" 1971 Pig Build Thread!
- Thread starter StevenS
- Start date
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Thank You. It did clean up nice. 10 month thrash, dug up the old thread on it
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/118502-fj55-deconstruction.html
Lots more pics, good before/afters...
- Thread starter
- #123
Few items done over the last few weeks that are worthy of posting.
1) finally got the front fenders sandblasted and separated. They look horrible! I will have to do my best to re-train myself on basic welding and hope for the best. The fun part will be fabricating the replacement pieces and bits. The not so fun part will be making the first cut into the fender. I'll start with the worst and go from there. Typical rot in all the typical places. Michael (ACC) says it actually doesn't look too bad. I was hoping for better, but I'll work with what I got!
2) dropped off 4 steel rims to be sandblasted and powdercoated in the grey color. One was an older rim and not part of the set. The rest of the wheels are still in AL waiting to be picked up. Turns out the odd wheel was made for drum brakes and was in pretty bad shape. I told ACC they could keep it, and I'll get the others back probably this week looking good as new.
3) I was struggling with the front grill (two of the retaining bolts had seized). No matter how much I sprayed them down, they didn't budge. Got impatient and drilled them out. Grill is removed and now also ready for sandblasting. I'm gathering a whole bunch of pieces to be dropped off. Figure if I pay for the service by the hour, each trip should have about an hour's worth. This trip will include the air cleaner and filter housing, the front grill, as well as a bunch of random interior pieces including the tailgate cover. With them all coming back in bare metal, I hope I can continue to keep track.
4) getting set to remove the entire front clip and hood so that I can get to the engine / tranny for removal. I'm struggling with the driver's side windshield wiper. It's pretty stubborn. I may have to call in the big guns on this one. Once this comes off, I'll have access to the vent piece behind the hood and can remove it as well for sandblasting.
I'm geared up for Spring work. If the weekend weather continues to hold up, I'm going to try to keep the pace going as best as I can. This weekend I hope to start tackling the body work on the fenders. More pics soon....
1) finally got the front fenders sandblasted and separated. They look horrible! I will have to do my best to re-train myself on basic welding and hope for the best. The fun part will be fabricating the replacement pieces and bits. The not so fun part will be making the first cut into the fender. I'll start with the worst and go from there. Typical rot in all the typical places. Michael (ACC) says it actually doesn't look too bad. I was hoping for better, but I'll work with what I got!
2) dropped off 4 steel rims to be sandblasted and powdercoated in the grey color. One was an older rim and not part of the set. The rest of the wheels are still in AL waiting to be picked up. Turns out the odd wheel was made for drum brakes and was in pretty bad shape. I told ACC they could keep it, and I'll get the others back probably this week looking good as new.
3) I was struggling with the front grill (two of the retaining bolts had seized). No matter how much I sprayed them down, they didn't budge. Got impatient and drilled them out. Grill is removed and now also ready for sandblasting. I'm gathering a whole bunch of pieces to be dropped off. Figure if I pay for the service by the hour, each trip should have about an hour's worth. This trip will include the air cleaner and filter housing, the front grill, as well as a bunch of random interior pieces including the tailgate cover. With them all coming back in bare metal, I hope I can continue to keep track.
4) getting set to remove the entire front clip and hood so that I can get to the engine / tranny for removal. I'm struggling with the driver's side windshield wiper. It's pretty stubborn. I may have to call in the big guns on this one. Once this comes off, I'll have access to the vent piece behind the hood and can remove it as well for sandblasting.
I'm geared up for Spring work. If the weekend weather continues to hold up, I'm going to try to keep the pace going as best as I can. This weekend I hope to start tackling the body work on the fenders. More pics soon....
- Thread starter
- #124
More progress today! Spent an ungodly amount of time driving to Warner Robins GA to pick up some more goodies for the pig. With all the spring breakers heading south, traffic leaving ATL was HORRIBLE. Bad day to run errands. But, in the end, it was worth it! I now have a new front bench seat which is in much better condition than mine (but will still need to be reupholstered anyway), AND it has the original headrests. Very stoked to have these little gems! I cleaned them up and they both look great - all things considered - but one does have a tear in the side. Has anyone had any luck restoring these things? The third gem I picked up was front and rear rubber floor mats in good condition. Went over them really well with some degreaser and they cleaned up really nice. They're a little bent up from being stored in the wagon for years, bug I think a little sunshine on them tomorrow should flatten them back out. Very pleased. I only had to drop $200 for everything, so I also feel like I got a good deal.
This guy still has two very decent pigs - one a 72 and the other a 73. Both lack motors but have most of the body intact. PM me if you want the seller's contact info. He'll work with you - very nice folks.
Have a good night. If you're on the road to the beach with your families this weekend, do drive safely!
This guy still has two very decent pigs - one a 72 and the other a 73. Both lack motors but have most of the body intact. PM me if you want the seller's contact info. He'll work with you - very nice folks.
Have a good night. If you're on the road to the beach with your families this weekend, do drive safely!
When I was ready to do my seats I looked at the kits available and they ran about $400 for just the cover not counting foam and labor. I looked around at several shops that do auto apolstery and they we all over the place. I finally found a gal that did the seat in any fabric i wanted re-foamed it and repaired a few springs for $350 !! There are a lot of shops out there that need the work , shop around and you can get it done cheaper than buying a kit
- Thread starter
- #126
Gonzo - great info! Your seats look fantastic, from what I can tell in the pic. Did you have the headrests redyed? They look brand new. Wonder if they will include that service with reupholstery.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Gonzo55 said:
Do your head rests have a funky design on them?
No they are smooth.I watched her reupholster some head rest for another truck.Kinda interesting, she makes the cover with a small slit on bottom then takes the foam and puts it into a plastic bag after that uses a shop vac the sucks all the air out of the bag and foam. This leaves the foam about the size of a softball then sticks inside of slit upholstery and the foam take Bach its shape after being released. Trick of the trade.
- Thread starter
- #130
Pablo-
I have the funky design I think you're talking about - they're embossed on the backs of the headrests, correct? For this reason, I don't think I'd ever have anyone recover them because this pattern could never be replicated.
I'm just going to respray and hope for the best. Any suggestions on fixing a tear in the side of the seat post? It's been buggin' me, and I'm not sure how to go about fixing it.
S
I have the funky design I think you're talking about - they're embossed on the backs of the headrests, correct? For this reason, I don't think I'd ever have anyone recover them because this pattern could never be replicated.
I'm just going to respray and hope for the best. Any suggestions on fixing a tear in the side of the seat post? It's been buggin' me, and I'm not sure how to go about fixing it.
S
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Not sure how to fix, but now I've got to find pics of the designs on mine!
- Thread starter
- #132
Decided to take a quick pic of the head rest - just because the design is so funky and cool. Looked for other pics of these on MUD but maybe didn't dig deep enough.
Cool, no?
Cool, no?
- Thread starter
- #133
Gotta do something about my split ends. 
- Thread starter
- #134
Couple of questions:
1) Anyone know a good source for vinyl spray paint in a dark grey (vs black) color for my "new" seat posts? I would like to try this before going the reupholstering route.
2) Has anyone used SloCruisers' car cover for their FJ55? This is the only non-custom car cover I could find and the price is (very) right but just wanted some feedback before I took the $80 plunge - lol. My motivation is that my Pig is parked full time outside, under a pecan tree that loves to drip black sticky sap all over everything. Until I can get a permit to have the pecan removed I must go this route. Ah, city livin'.
Thanks
Steven
1) Anyone know a good source for vinyl spray paint in a dark grey (vs black) color for my "new" seat posts? I would like to try this before going the reupholstering route.
2) Has anyone used SloCruisers' car cover for their FJ55? This is the only non-custom car cover I could find and the price is (very) right but just wanted some feedback before I took the $80 plunge - lol. My motivation is that my Pig is parked full time outside, under a pecan tree that loves to drip black sticky sap all over everything. Until I can get a permit to have the pecan removed I must go this route. Ah, city livin'.
Thanks
Steven
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Cool! You found my pics of headrest in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-classifieds-corner/546196-head-rests-1979-fj55.html#post7226881
- Thread starter
- #136
I thought I had seen them on MUD somewhere, and became determined to find them again. I actually had to get on Google to find the post again. Searching for posts directly in MUD can be a little challenging sometimes.
Don't you agree that these are the real deal? I kinda doubt that several previous owners would take headrests out of a different Toyota to put in their Land Cruisers - but then again I guess anything's possible.
S
- Thread starter
- #137
John (aka SloCruisers) - if you're reading this, thanks for the cover! I will need more stuff soon...
S
S
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Threads
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- Messages
- 130
- Location
- Cambria, California
- Website
- www.slocruisers.com
Steven,
Your quite busy searching for parts. Traffic is non-existent here on the California coast. It does help to have a good rock slide on the Big Sur Coast to slow down the traffic.
A couple of years ago, I probably spent too much on upholstery change out. I used a bench seat from a '79 pig and used black vinyl with a black/white cloth pattern. On the back side, I had the upholster stitch in map/magazine pockets.
Cloth upholstery vs all vinyl does have benefits when sitting on hot seats.
John
Your quite busy searching for parts. Traffic is non-existent here on the California coast. It does help to have a good rock slide on the Big Sur Coast to slow down the traffic.
A couple of years ago, I probably spent too much on upholstery change out. I used a bench seat from a '79 pig and used black vinyl with a black/white cloth pattern. On the back side, I had the upholster stitch in map/magazine pockets.
Cloth upholstery vs all vinyl does have benefits when sitting on hot seats.
John
StevenS said:
Would love to know how you like the cover as you use it over next few weeks/months - looks to be a good deal!
- Thread starter
- #140
I can see the benefits, especially when lacking a/c. If I could find the original "chex" pattern of the vinyl in a cloth version, I would be cooking with Crisco. That would be an awesome match. I'm incredibly happy to have a seat that now has all the original elements, which will make replication for an upholsterer that much easier. I've heard there are some decent upholstery shops here in ATL - so I'll look into what others have used. K9Crazy (also on MUD) had hers done here and they looked fantastic. May just go with her company.
Good luck getting the rockslides cleared out. I understand that's a regular issue out your way - seems like driving is similar to a game of chance! Be careful out there.
S
Good luck getting the rockslides cleared out. I understand that's a regular issue out your way - seems like driving is similar to a game of chance! Be careful out there.
S
