Builds Billy's excellent FJ73-12HT - resto-modded - n that (3 Viewers)

[Billyfj7312ht]

Installed the roof/windscreen console, although it will have to come out when I line the ceiling and paint the roof. More chance of damage if I leave it sitting downstairs gathering dust. I'll have to change the colour of my sun visors too now.

I have also started designing and measuring out the drawers and what is to go in them. Thinking of using ply and covering in marine carpet when I do my cab ceiling.

Here's a video of a run we did when camping.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Looking Bloody Good there Billy!
I'm happy that you have got on with it, and finished this great project off mate.
Well done!

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

 

[JuanJ]

G'Day Fella's,

Looking Bloody Good there Billy!
I'm happy that you have got on with it, and finished this great project off mate.
Well done!

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

Hello,

x2.

Great truck.





Juan

 

[cruiserdan]

You mentioned that console is a discontinued model. Is it specifically for an FRP top?' It looks great.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

You mentioned that console is a discontinued model. Is it specifically for an FRP top?' It looks great.

No Dan, they listed it as a 75 series console. I remember seeing someone from the U.S on MUD looking at a group buy sometime last year I believe ? not sure what the outcome was. It's a department of interiors console.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

EDIT:
@cruiserdan I just noticed my roof console was manufactured by Cruiser Consoles.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Thought I would knock some drawers up so I could move some of the storage under the tray. My plan is to be able to open the smaller left hand door so I can access the recovery gear stored in the drawer under the tray should I need to and some tools. The other drawer will be larger and will store clothes, bedding food etc. The bottom mount rollers are stainless steel, 3/4 extension and 90KG carrying capacity.

I made the drawers out of ply, then sealed them with some fibre reinforced waterproofing membrane I had left over from a shower, then covered them in marine carpet.

I have still yet to fit some aluminium channel to the top of the side and fit a face with a locking mechanism. The drawers are 5mm shorter in length than the cavity so I can glue some rubber to the back of them and will end up sandwiched between the rear doors and rear cab wall so they don't rattle.

Then headed out for an overnighter

Bush fires went through the week before here.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Been awhile.
Apart from the odd quick couple of days away in the cruiser I've plowed my time (15 months) into our new abode. An Old run down early 80s brown brick house on a river. Quick off topic internal tour of the finished product then back to my car build.....Promise.

Removed a heap of old pavers around the pool so thought I'd give bricklaying a go during COVID lockdown. Fire pits seemed all the rage at the time.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

So back to the build now.
I'm still amazed at how the car is performing, but in the back of my mind keep thinking something will fail so I've been starting to push him a bit harder while still being relatively close to home. Here's a video of a track about 2 hours from home.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

Nice work, all around there Billyfj7312ht!

Regards
Homer

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Couple of deep ruts took their toll and I damaged a flare.

Decided to start working on some side protection and get my spare tyre out of the back tray. Overall I'm still staying with my original plan of some sort of double roll bar come Exocage/roof rack support. The whole thing will be supported off my sliders with a brush bar to run to my rear bar to help protect the flares and quarter panel. The whole frame will need to wrap the car without touching the roof and support a small 1/4 roof rack so I can swap my modified roof with the full factory roof if I want to.
So first thing is the rear bar which will get my spare out the back.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

I'll need to install new rear lights because of the wheel obscuring the factory tail lights. I will install an LED reverse light above the spare wheel which is why the arm is so tall and will also be switched so I can use it for extra lighting when camping.

Fittings I used for the swing away. ( I had a mate manufacture the rear bar, I just helped)

I also purchased some Australian made fitted front mats from the same people who supplied my vinyl floor and under bonnet protection.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Nice to see you are back. Small country cottage by the sea, I see.
Its such a nice clean looking truck, I like the rear bar.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Where did you get the black end caps on your rear flares?

 

[paul r]

I also purchased some Australian made fitted front mats from the same people who supplied my vinyl floor and under bonnet protection.

Is that from Trufit? I have been trying to get a carpet kit for my 73 from them for a few months.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Nice to see you are back. Small country cottage by the sea, I see.
Its such a nice clean looking truck, I like the rear bar.

Thanks man.

Where did you get the black end caps on your rear flares?

They were on the factory flares when I bought them 2nd hand. I removed the caps and 2pac'd them.

Is that from Trufit? I have been trying to get a carpet kit for my 73 from them for a few months.

Yes, they are from Trufit. They are quite active here.
Because they are here in Oz and in my time zone would you like me to phone them and find out what the go is with US deliveries etc?

 

[FJ73Texas]

Sorry Billy...but you are going to have to tell me what "2'pac'd" means.

 

[Billyfj7312ht]

Sorry Billy...but you are going to have to tell me what "2'pac'd" means.

I abbreviated 2 pack epoxy paint.......... I thought it might make me appear cooler

 

[FJ73Texas]

I abbreviated 2 pack epoxy paint.......... I thought it might make me appear cooler

Makes sense now. That cruiser of yours makes you cooler.