Building A Four Door FJ40

[pistonpete]

 

[FouadHafeez]

Once again, the positivity, appreciation, and encouragement displayed by everyone is humbling.

Thanks everyone.

Now...for individual replies...

 

[FouadHafeez]

I remember first seeing your original post. Then hadn't been back in this section. Awesomeness. Just read it all. Amazing about your country. I agree news doesn't put the majestic side into view.

I vote for a rusty paint job. I thought a couple of pictures that it was actually paint. . Awesome.

Thanks for the kind words.

You know...the more I mentally "picture" it...the more a faux-rust paint job appeals to my sensibilities. Primarily because in Pakistan, it'd be absolutely uncharted territory, and I DO love me a challenge! The fact that such a paint job would be perfectly in line with the nature of the beast - rough, coarse, stripped, and unadorned - would be the icing on the cake.

Hi Fouad, this is the color I recommend for your "Phantom" it's called "Volcanic"
by ICON previewed on a FJ44, here's their web link:

http://icon4x4.com/overview/fj/gallery/by-color/volcanic






It's an amazing looking color, IMHO, which is accentuated by the black wheels and soft-top, even the interior looks good in Volcanic paint. Just my 2 cents worth.
Regards, Mike

Thanks, Mike. Your opinion and positivity are always valued.

I've drawn a lot of inspiration from ICON during the Phantom build, since they were the only four-door rigs that were readily available as a reference source. The ICON vehicles very much formed the basic template for this build (with minor mods, of course).

All the vehicles that ICON makes are a beautiful matte shade. This dark "Volcanic" colour is one that I'd noticed, too. It's definitely on a short list of potential colours for the Phantom...IF the faux-rust idea doesn't make its way to reality.

Cheers.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Very impressive build. Read the whole thread, a lot of thought and work went into a very short time. The only question I have is, how you get that big O tire down from the bed and back on in an emergency? Also like the engine in your impala.

Thanks for the appreciative words.

The wheel cover has an inner plate which the spare wheel is going to be bolted onto (the plate and its lugs conform to the shape/PCD of the wheel). To remove the wheel, unlatch and remove the outer "PHANTOM" plate, unbolt the wheel, and tug it out.

Here it's also worth mentioning that the Super Swamper tires are supposed to run almost flat, in tandem with a beadlock (which is already planned). So, unless the wheel is totally slashed to ribbons, you can pretty much escape with an odd puncture, and a couple of quick field repairs, without having to change the spare in a rush. At least theoretically!

Thanks for the like on the Impala engine.

Im with the airbrush rust color vote - I like what youve done...but there was something seriously eye catching about the burnt rough orange patina look...it just looks natural on a 40..with everything else youve done - Id have no doubt you can figure out something - and probably succeed with style, which seems to be your habit...in the end - its yours!

I cant wait to see what you do next!!

You're a very naughty girl for further reinforcing that ridiculously delicious image in my head, of a faux-rust Phantom!

I have a couple of things percolating around inside my head with regards to the rust idea...which are certainly going to require some corroboration / negation from some specialist minds But in essence, you're right...such a paint job WOULD look very eye-catching, and also go well with the overall "flavour" of the rig.

Having a light base-coat would be a prerequisite for such a venture. And the collection of "rust" colours to be sprayed onto it would also require careful deliberation and selection. At the same time, the areas and planes and corners to receive the "rust-over" are also going to require considerable thought, so that it appears random and "natural"...and in no way symmetric.

God...sticking around on this forum is NOT good for my mental health, clearly!

 

[bj40green]

To keep the discussion going....

Hi Fouad,

Just to keep the discussion going.....
How about glossy black with white roof and bezel and then some little chrome or pewter accents?


Rudi

 

[FouadHafeez]

Hi Fouad,

Just to keep the discussion going.....
How about glossy black with white roof and bezel and then some little chrome or pewter accents?
View attachment 666274

Rudi

Hi, Rudi.

That's an awesome looking Cruiser, there. For a black paint job though, I'd personally opt for matte black rather than glossy. The white roof is a definite yes, as is the white bezel. I'd probably also do the tube doors in white, as well. Maybe the rear wheel cover, too. Something to enhance the high-contrast that black and white can provide.

P.S. at some point in time, I was VERY seriously considering painting the Phantom in zebra colours, or a B&W tiger-stripe pattern

 

[bj40green]

P.S. at some point in time, I was VERY seriously considering painting the Phantom in zebra colours, or a B&W tiger-stripe pattern

Zebra.......Tiger......?
Glad you skipped that idea .


Rudi

 

[FouadHafeez]

Actually...I was thinking something more along these patterns...

 

[FouadHafeez]

And while I was rifling through the billions of pictures of possible modifications I have on disk...I stumbled across this picture.

A befitting one for all FJ40 enthusiasts...and Shayaan and I have matching tee-shirts with this very logo stamped on it

 

[FouadHafeez]

And yet another idea for paint is camouflage.

Another scheme that somehow seems incredibly "apt" on a 40.

Gotta love all the creativity and positive suggestions on this page!

 

[FouadHafeez]

Found it!

An image of a beautifully painted 80 Series I'd initially wanted to throw out there...

 

[cult45]

Don't do it..

I have been designing a 45 for years now - it's quite the custom but I won't spill the beans til I spark up the gas-axe. I digress.. My point is my 45 will be a stock colour but deliberately aged, down the path of patina but not all the way to the fence. I think you should do the same. A good panel shop will spray your colour on and then age it, even blocking back high wear areas like the edges of the side-steps and the top of the bed. It's basically what you do when you can't retain the ACTUAL barn-find paint job - cause you ain't got it. The primary advantages of this:

a] you can drive it in Pak without worrying about the nice gloss being scratched by autorickshaws and those damn blingy Tata's and Mahindra's.
b] touch-ups are easy.
c] it screams of restraint and will make people do that all important double-take 'Was that.. is that.. a 40? Did they make a dual-cab 40? Nah... But it's a stock colour.. Hmmm.. Gotta go check Mud..'
d] you can run hubcaps on extra-wide steelies as a back-up to your alloys.
e] it's awesome.
f] it's rad.
g] Cult45 says he's gonna do it and he's such a trendsetter.
h] it's rad.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Don't do it..

I have been designing a 45 for years now - it's quite the custom but I won't spill the beans til I spark up the gas-axe. I digress.. My point is my 45 will be a stock colour but deliberately aged, down the path of patina but not all the way to the fence. I think you should do the same. A good panel shop will spray your colour on and then age it, even blocking back high wear areas like the edges of the side-steps and the top of the bed. It's basically what you do when you can't retain the ACTUAL barn-find paint job - cause you ain't got it. The primary advantages of this:

a] you can drive it in Pak without worrying about the nice gloss being scratched by autorickshaws and those **** blingy Tata's and Mahindra's.
b] touch-ups are easy.
c] it screams of restraint and will make people do that all important double-take 'Was that.. is that.. a 40? Did they make a dual-cab 40? Nah... But it's a stock colour.. Hmmm.. Gotta go check Mud..'
d] you can run hubcaps on extra-wide steelies as a back-up to your alloys.
e] it's awesome.
f] it's rad.
g] Cult45 says he's gonna do it and he's such a trendsetter.
h] it's rad.

I actually belly-laughed at this post, Cult!

Reasons e through h are good enough! Especially g!

Thanks, for some terrific advice...and some always-welcome humour, mate!

 

[FouadHafeez]

Why I Think Camouflage Is Such A Good Idea

Ok...so everyone gets the general idea that this matte-black primer is here for at least a month and a half...if not more. I deliberately threw up the idea of a camo paint job, for the simple reason that I think it'd be so much fun for this to be a family activity.

Several cans of bottle green, leaf green, dune beige, sand, and ivory...combined with the black primer...and the zealous exuberance of three children - all of them vying to be nominated "Best Phantom Painter" - should make for a wonderful couple of days. And the results should be certainly eye-popping to say the least. If the camo doesn't turn out to be too great, it's going to be fairly easy to simply mask it with the chosen colour later on, or sand it off once the vehicle is being prepped for "final" paint work.

At the end of the day, I can picture the look of pride on my girls' faces...or that on my boy's face...when they proudly state: "yeah...well Dad had it all wrong, until we helped him fix up the Phantom with its custom paint job". In comparison to THOSE looks...I think pretty much ANY sight would pale.

Let's see their reactions, when I float this idea to them.

 

[FJsnoozer]

did you say you wanted a white or black truck? and camoflauge? I posted this in another thread. White base car with vinyly you can order from this company.

http://www.zerotohundred.com/2010/auto-news/ferrari-458-blending-in-with-the-snow/

Or maybe hand them a white grey and black paint can. All matte finish.

 

[myquestoyota]

Why I Think Camouflage Is Such A Good Idea



At the end of the day, I can picture the look of pride on my girls' faces...or that on my boy's face...when they proudly state: "yeah...well Dad had it all wrong, until we helped him fix up the Phantom with its custom paint job". In comparison to THOSE looks...I think pretty much ANY sight would pale.

Let's see their reactions, when I float this idea to them.

Quality time for sure!

 

[Fast Eddy]

Primer will allow moisture to get to the steel. If you want flat black you need to use paint over the primer.

 

[waiting for time]

How about a wrap job.
You can just put on any finish coat and then have it wraped in any collor or theme you want and it also gives you better protection for scratches.

 

[FouadHafeez]

did you say you wanted a white or black truck? and camoflauge? I posted this in another thread. White base car with vinyly you can order from this company.

http://www.zerotohundred.com/2010/auto-news/ferrari-458-blending-in-with-the-snow/

Or maybe hand them a white grey and black paint can. All matte finish.

That's a very distinctive-looking Ferrari, indeed!

White, stone-grey, pewter, gunmetal, glacial blue and black would make a brilliant camouflage combination as well, I think.

In all honesty though, the camo paint-job is more for the benefit of the kids' entertainment rather than any actual ornamental value. I'd love to see them pottering about with rattle cans, and streaks of paint on their clothes, and huge smiles on their faces. After all...the child in ME wants to be part of such a painting class, what to talk of the nippers!

 

[FouadHafeez]

Primer will allow moisture to get to the steel. If you want flat black you need to use paint over the primer.

Absolutely right, Eddy. The primer is just a temp covering for the monsoon months. This way or that, camo or ex-factory colours, white or black or dune beige...the Phantom WILL be getting a "proper" paint job..."When September Ends"...

(yep. So I'm a Green Day fan, too!)