BamaBleach's FJ40 buildup

[BamaBleach]

Moving the placement of the front shock was easy...

Stock:

Flipped:

Making room:

Done:

 

[BamaBleach]

New steering stablizer mount:

And my new stance:

 

[chicago]

Did you end up doing a CnT?
If so, what did you set the steer arms to?

 

[BamaBleach]

Did you end up doing a CnT?
If so, what did you set the steer arms to?

I haven't done a CnT. We did rotate the axle when we welded the perches and it seemed like it was a couple of degrees (that was a couple of years ago). It rode really nice and tracked fairly well on the highway but I don't really know how it will act on the highway since I flipped the springs and put the shackle through the frame.

If it has bad manners that will be the first thing I look at.

-Phil

 

[BamaBleach]

We got a little more work done on Tuesday evening. Unfortunately it was redoing work that had already been done. Once upon a time Dad made me some sliders and we slapped 'em to the side of the frame.

What we should have done was trimmed the bottom side of the body and slapped 'em on the frame a little higher. It's a lot of work for a few extra inches of clearance but the spirit of "why not" continues to drive the direction of this build.

So they have now been hacked off and cleaned back up. I also ordered some rear shocks and they should arrive today according to UPS tracker.

With the 3 day weekend coming up, I hope to make some strides on this thing. Cross your fingers or, better yet, come help me!

 

[JBC0217]

Keep it up, it looks good with the new stance. Are you planning to hit the falls when its finished?

 

[BamaBleach]

Are you planning to hit the falls when its finished?

That's the first place I plan to go!

And don't worry, I'll let you know when that time comes.

 

[BamaBleach]

The sliders are back on and the sides of the frame have been cleaned up and got some primer.

Also got started on the cage. The B pillar is in and one side of the A that comes up and connects to the B is done. Spent way too much time getting the floor plates positioned for the cage. The previous owner was quite the genius on body work

Oh, and Bend-Tech crapped out so we had to go old school and play with chalk. I've got pics but I haven't uploaded them yet.

 

[BamaBleach]

Got more work done on the cage. Nick is wearing it out.

Here's some pics from the last few days of work:

 

[BamaBleach]

Frame tie-in plates for the cage:

 

[BamaBleach]

Now for some cage pics....

First the B pillar:

And as we stopped tonight:

 

[chicago]

Rig is looking GREAT! The cage is coming out AWESOME!
Doing the MT cage, Ive found that I really DIS LIKE notching!
The A-B tie is had proved to be the BIGGEST PITA for me! Its such a weird angle and thus a hard notch for my rookie ass.
My hats off to you!

 

[BamaBleach]

Rig is looking GREAT! The cage is coming out AWESOME!
Doing the MT cage, Ive found that I really DIS LIKE notching!
The A-B tie is had proved to be the BIGGEST PITA for me! Its such a weird angle and thus a hard notch for my rookie ass.
My hats off to you!

Thanks, Keith. My buddy, Nick, is building the cage for me. I'm pretty much a tube holder and tool fetcher. Notching is the key and it's a slow process.

 

[lulo]

nice...

 

[BamaBleach]

Got the cage almost completely done. Very pleased with the way it turned out.

Since Bend-Tech crapped out we had to use chalk. Here's how the back halo went together:

 

[BamaBleach]

JD Squared bender:

Notcher:

 

[BamaBleach]

Cage coming together:

 

[chicago]

FAAAAWK!
Those are some nice TIGHT notches!
Ive been using the "pipe master" for mine....I thought they were pretty good until I saw yours.
Great!

 

[BamaBleach]

Front seat bar:

Rear seat bar:

Had to use some old angle iron:

 

[BamaBleach]

FAAAAWK!
Those are some nice TIGHT notches!
Ive been using the "pipe master" for mine....I thought they were pretty good until I saw yours.
Great!

Yeah that notcher is where it's at. We didn't use it at first but once we did we never turned back. So much easier when you've got the right tool for the job!