Build Body work - fixing my '79 floors and other stuff

[MOTOV8R]

Is that a hinged drop down tail gate for a soft top?

Yeah, bought it when I lived in UT from a guy who had drilled most of the spot welds to seperate it and do rust repair but decided to go a different route. It came with all of the hardware. I think cutting out the whole bottom part was a mistake on my part. I could have probably gotten away with a few smaller patches.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Got the tailgate welded last weekend and did some grinding (ok an s-ton of grinding). Almost there, some rosettes to grind then patch up the bottom.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I was tired of grinding so I made a patch and got it tacked in. Funny thing with all this repair work. Originally I was just trying to install this tailgate to run with my factory style softop but the rear sill was so shot I couldn't mount it and one thing led to another. Now I've almost finished with the tailgate like 3 years later.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I have been pretty bad about documenting my progress. I finished welding in the patch for the tailgate. I used some Eastwood inside frame paint to shoot the inside through the hinge and latch bolt holes. I used way too much and it came out through the cracks but I know it's really well coated in there now.

Also finished grinding a bunch of welds on the body I had left to do. Just need to figure out how I want to mount my rear seat and then move on to painting.

I was starting my 40 monthly but ended up going a couple months and the gas is really old. I can tell by the pedal feel it's all gummed up. I haven't been able to get it started, but haven't tried too hard. So will have to spend some time getting the fuel system all in order. May just convert to a Holley sniper while I am at it.

Every post needs pics...

 

[MOTOV8R]

Between camping trips making some more progress.

Finished mounting the seat. My helpers performing some QC.

Bought some chain bolts from BTB. Didn't like how they had a hole all the way through them and only about 3 threads of engagement for the bolt that screwed into the bolt head. Drilled it larger and welded in a metric bolt. Added a brace to the backside of my tub for additional support. Tailgate fab work is finally done.

Started fitting my soft top bows and got them partially welded. They come cut up for shipping. Still some work to do on the back supports around the doors. Also going to remove the front seat belt brackets. I will be using the roll bar for those.

Then I found a rear Jerry can holder in the classifieds and I am now derailed on the soft top working on this instead. I plan to mount a cooler/3 can holder on this along with my license plate. Fabbed up a bracket to weld on the inside for mounting.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Today I made the driver side Jerry can carrier frame a passenger side unit. I unbolted the latch and flipped it over. The holes are not drilled in the center of the tube from the factory so they have to be elongated to flip the latch over. Next I cut out the vertical braces and flipped them over. I may have skipped this step since I plan to run a custom cooler/3 can basket but the braces hit my tailgate latch so they needed to be flipped. I mounted the bumper and located the latch hook but I am one nutzert short to finish mounting the hook. Last time I picked up a few from owyhee jackass, but I forgot to get some ordered. Still have to drill holes for the hinges and add some captive nuts. I clamped everything in place and it seems like it's going to fit pretty well. Also have to figure out some dimensions for the cooler basket and fab something up.

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

I still have more nutzerts and may need to use your tool. Do you have a 1/4-20 mandrel for it?

 

[MOTOV8R]

I still have more nutzerts and may need to use your tool. Do you have a 1/4-20 mandrel for it?

Yeah I have a 1/4 20 and a package of 1/4 20 nutzerts. Just need one more M8. I thought I bought an assorted pack but must have spaced it. Maybe have to review my Amazon orders.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Jerry can holder checked off the list. I will make a basket later. Working on things I need to get done before I can paint. Going to focus on the soft top bows again. I need to mount the rear corner attachment points.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Wow, it's been a while since I have made any updates. I haven't gotten a lot done. I did finish up the work on the bows. I need to wait for warmer weather to do some painting. I had been starting it once a month or so but I let the gas get too old and it gummed up the carb. While I was working on the rear floor I found my vent lines and vapor cannister are messed up. Also the PO didn't do a great job with the emissions delete. So I decided to install a sniper and new gas lines. I pulled the gas tank and decided to replace it too.

Tank getting some paint.

Adapter test fit

Sniper test fit and throttle cable attached

Pedal bent to accept the cable

 

[steveola]

Today I made the driver side Jerry can carrier frame a passenger side unit. I unbolted the latch and flipped it over. The holes are not drilled in the center of the tube from the factory so they have to be elongated to flip the latch over. Next I cut out the vertical braces and flipped them over. I may have skipped this step since I plan to run a custom cooler/3 can basket but the braces hit my tailgate latch so they needed to be flipped. I mounted the bumper and located the latch hook but I am one nutzert short to finish mounting the hook. Last time I picked up a few from owyhee jackass, but I forgot to get some ordered. Still have to drill holes for the hinges and add some captive nuts. I clamped everything in place and it seems like it's going to fit pretty well. Also have to figure out some dimensions for the cooler basket and fab something up.

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Where can I find a can cozy like that. Very cool.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Where can I find a can cozy like that. Very cool.

I bought 6 of them on eBay around 2001 maybe. Donated 4 to my local club for auction and kept 2. No idea where you can get it now. I have a couple that lone star cruisers put out as well but they aren’t the old school foam type.

 

[steveola]

Thanks. Looks like I’ll have to skulk around eBay. Really like your progress. I’ve got a 79 too. Still getting it apart. Lots of rust!!!

 

[MOTOV8R]

Well I have gotten to a point where I have more time to work on the 40 so I will try to do more updates. Hopefully this will help keep me engaged and motivated to get this done!

This whole project started when I tried to mount the tailgate but there wasn’t enough rear sill to mount to so I started fixing the rust and one thing has lead to another. Still working on the wiring. Currently getting ready to add a tachometer which I integrated into the loom with a factory connector. I am using an FJ60 tack and printed replica of the original FJ40 bezel. I had to place the tach offset in the opening so it looks correct when you look at it from the drivers seat. The factory 40 tach is offset this way as well.

Here’s some pics

 

[MOTOV8R]

I haven’t decided if I am going to keep the embossed land cruiser text. Open to input. Some more pics.

 

[SteveH]

Are you going to (ouch) chop a big hole in the dash for the tachometer? Where will the headlight switch end up?

 

[MOTOV8R]

Are you going to (ouch) chop a big hole in the dash for the tachometer? Where will the headlight switch end up?

Yep, big ole hole. If you look in the pic above you can see where the headlight switch is, next to the fog light switch. Also in the above pics you can see my wire harness. I completely took it apart and routed the headlight plug to the new position. The tach bezel is not the final print, the final will be ABS and a finer print, then painted pewter like the OEM tach plate was.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Big hole complete.

 

[Living in the Past]

Big hole complete.

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View attachment 2933160

Curious your plan for the headlight switch? Planning on the same tachometer setup and debating where to move the headlight switch

 

[MOTOV8R]

You can see where it is in this pic. To the right of the steering wheel. I didn’t want it in the lower dash pad. The headlight switch is really deep, it didn’t fit well in the upper positions or where the fog light is. Somewhat process of elimination.