Builds Billy's excellent FJ73-12HT - resto-modded - n that

[Billyfj7312ht]

Had a bit of free time over last few days so chased up some parts Ken squirrelled away for me as he came across them.
It also looks like I might have some leather seats out of a rolled BMW I'll check if they fit in a couple of weeks.

Spare set of flares and a ARB double battery tray with clamps

My first order from Amayama just turned up

Snorkel off ebay

This BJ73 turned up at my shop when I was there....

would have taken an under bonnet shot but the owner was already looking out the corner of his eye at me when he bent over because of my enthusiasm.

Not sure if my FRP top will be white or black but apart from colour positioning this is close to my end result with the top on.

 

[876 Cruisers]

Wow. Everything seems to be looking great. I think I wanna start a project like this one too. Strip the cruiser right down and build it come back up.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

OK so back into it!
Had a break and went to NZ. My missus is from the South Island (she calls it the mainland) and we go back just about every year but I hadn't been to the North end of the South Island so thought we'd hire a camper and start there this time.

Quick detour then back to tech

This was where the hobbits went down in the barrels on Lord of the rings.

Love New Zealand.....Love the architecture and diversity, makes our passion for sameness at home (as if there's a certain look to success-"McMansions") seem rather automated.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

So just before I left we had some heavy rain, infact our driveway was under water so we had to 4WD across our paddocks onto our neighbors property to get to the airport. As i was leaving I thought I would move some stuff off the ground and store them somewhere dry.
Reached in to move the rubber seals over and the rubber seals started moving on their own??

Because he was cold and wet his movements were really slow but needless to say I had to go change my jocks.

Started cleaning the suspension seat bases and hinges.

Started fooling round some cardboard templates for the rear bar

 

[Oldtoy74]

This machine is going to look brand-new Billy once completed, is there going to be an appetite to get it dirty, I know personally I would struggle to drive it off-road, only because it's going to be so neat and clean, I'll be down your way in a couple of weeks on a Saturday, I'll give you call and see if your free so I can come & have a ganda at the masterpiece

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Sounds good Jason......I'm hoping the car will be at the booth in 2 or 3 weeks so definitely check first and I'll have a cold beer waiting.

 

[ozcrusier]

Bloody cane toads did someone mention cold beer.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

is there going to be an appetite to get it dirty,

Aahhh yes there will be...just bring a towel with you if your gunna sit in it.

Bloody cane toads did someone mention cold beer.

Your always welcome for a beer, and mate the cocky's could get up and win the last game .......... then it would be 2-1 ... Take that Qld!!




I got all the flare brackets, rubber seals, gaskets etc ( 4 medium boxes) I will take a few photos of all the product codes and post shortly.
Marked out the flare brackets using the flares as templates and will match the brackets up and drill the holes before going to the booth. I think the flares are off a troopy? not sure yet but will have to do a few more checks before drilling holes.

Used the template supplied with the Safari kit to mark the mounting holes and snorkel inlet on the fender then I drilled the larger inlet hole and screwed the studs into the snorkel, then lined it back up in situ to check the templated pencil marks. Wasn't bad apart from the stud hole top left of the snorkel inlet. The smaller holes are for the Toyota badge .

I will drill and nutsert the pillar bracket I think instead of the rivets supplied.
The kit came with brass Ferrells moulded into the snorkel and SS304 studs, nuts, rivets and clamp along with the powder coated cast thingy.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

been a while, went back a few posts to catch up, found this pearler.

Put the body rubbers in and bolted the body to the chassis for hopefully the last time, then started swinging doors.

Then I laughed and laughed and laughed.....

I like how they designed it so all the skin perforations for the flare brackets are outside the wheel arches to minimize water penetration.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Ken manipulated the doors on their hinges to set gaps etc and welded some patches.
1) the old aerial hole in top of drivers fender
2) the 4 holes in rear right hand door for old tyre carrier and 1 hole for rear wiper.
These areas and a couple of other spots (rear lower quarters) were skimmed with a body filler.
I sanded the body, panels and doors inside and out.

Primed the new holes front and back

And a lot of sanding.....

 

[cruiserpilot]

You've got me wishing I was at home working on my rig. I have the cheaper flares, they only need
a couple of screws along the inner lip.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Prepped the panels and doors, then sent them off to the booth.

First layer

2nd layer

Old mate carpet snake is getting restless now as it warms up and I need the stuff off the shelf he calls home so will have to disturb him soon, take what I need and put something similar back in its place.

Not sure if I really need the interior trim anyway.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

 

[cruiserpilot]

Snakes are cool, and wondering what colour are you going to paint it?

 

[Koala77]

that's an awesome job you had done there Billy, ive learnt a lot reading your entire posts/project, I know what your thinking( i am an addict) I'm doing a similar built atm, slightly different order, there are so many little jobs to do, the list grows every time i go to the shed, you have inspired me to see this to the end, love your work, a fantastic truck in the making, cant wait until its done

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Snakes are cool, and wondering what colour are you going to paint it?

This was really hard, Ive changed my mind every few months.
Ended up coming down to which solid white I liked.
I thought because the car is modified but hopefully not too obvious I wanted a hint of "not standard".
For this reason I didn't go a period correct Toyota white like 033 which to my eye is a little too yellow for what I have in mind.
It is close to Toyota Super white 045 with a little blue to make it brighter.

that's an awesome job you had done there Billy,

Thanks K, I appreciate your kind words. Although I am really an impostor, just copying what I see other people do on this forum.

I know what your thinking( i am an addict)

Tell me about it. It's surprising how it sneaks up on you. I'm driving my missus crazy.

 

[Koala77]

This was really hard, Ive changed my mind every few months.
Ended up coming down to which solid white I liked.
I thought because the car is modified but hopefully not too obvious I wanted a hint of "not standard".
For this reason I didn't go a period correct Toyota white like 033 which to my eye is a little too yellow for what I have in mind.
It is close to Toyota Super white 045 with a little blue to make it brighter.




Thanks K, I appreciate your kind words. Although I am really an impostor, just copying what I see other people do on this forum.




Tell me about it. It's surprising how it sneaks up on you. I'm driving my missus crazy.
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Holy moly...I've got nothing on you....that's gold

 

[scalpel1]

Tell me more about the Tamiya Cruiser? I need!!

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Tell me more about the Tamiya Cruiser? I need!!

Not bad eh.....I was a little skeptical but 20 bucks? they vary in price from AUS $20 - $60 for the same thing.
I took a chance and wasn't sure if I purchased a cheap motorized truck or maybe some expensive stickers for a motorized truck.
Worked out though.

Tamiya 19013 Mini 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser '90 1/32 TAM19013

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Had a parts check, clean and label. Just to make sure I didn't start ordering stuff I have stored away over a year ago.

The family is starting to get a peeved with my obsession over taking their space. I had to bribe my dog to move.