My shop in Colorado was the starting point for this build. When we bought this 1978 fj55 in 2011, the idea was to build our ultimate cruiser. Initially a Cummins six was in the plans, with a 1992 Dodge W250 drive line. The tear down started in the fall of 2011. The body and frame were very rust free,a good start.
I was getting close to retiring, so this project was going to be my first after quitting my day job. We decided to relocate to Missouri to be closer to family. That process took a couple of years. The pig sat quietly on the rotisserie waiting it’s turn.
The new place didn’t have a place to work on projects other than the dirt. Got a nice shop built and tools inside. Managed to pick up a running and driving 1973 pig I called Coyote. Somehow Coyote stole the space and got a lot of work done on the running gear.
Then life threw us a curve ball in the form of a stroke. My wife managed to survive the cardiovascular insult, but recovery has been slow. She constantly reminds me that we cannot see the future. The decision was made to stop putting bandaids on Coyote for now. Instead we are moving forward on the pristine ‘78. I have always said it was our golden one as far as a starting point.
The body is off of the rotisserie for now as I finish the deconstruction. The frame will be on the rotisserie for media blasting and painting. The freshly redone axles from Coyote will find a home under the frame when painted.
I am thankful to have these small slices of garage time. The build will take longer, but at least I still have my partner.
Given the recent rise in prices for parts on these old rigs, they are worth their weight in gold. Thinking of calling this one Au Pig. Au being the periodic table symbol for gold. Will try to post plenty of pictures for your viewing pleasure as this build progresses, however slowly.
I was getting close to retiring, so this project was going to be my first after quitting my day job. We decided to relocate to Missouri to be closer to family. That process took a couple of years. The pig sat quietly on the rotisserie waiting it’s turn.
The new place didn’t have a place to work on projects other than the dirt. Got a nice shop built and tools inside. Managed to pick up a running and driving 1973 pig I called Coyote. Somehow Coyote stole the space and got a lot of work done on the running gear.
Then life threw us a curve ball in the form of a stroke. My wife managed to survive the cardiovascular insult, but recovery has been slow. She constantly reminds me that we cannot see the future. The decision was made to stop putting bandaids on Coyote for now. Instead we are moving forward on the pristine ‘78. I have always said it was our golden one as far as a starting point.
The body is off of the rotisserie for now as I finish the deconstruction. The frame will be on the rotisserie for media blasting and painting. The freshly redone axles from Coyote will find a home under the frame when painted.
I am thankful to have these small slices of garage time. The build will take longer, but at least I still have my partner.
Given the recent rise in prices for parts on these old rigs, they are worth their weight in gold. Thinking of calling this one Au Pig. Au being the periodic table symbol for gold. Will try to post plenty of pictures for your viewing pleasure as this build progresses, however slowly.