Build Cruisermatt's FJ62 Build-up

[jesus888]

just gonna say its gonna be a waste of time and money if your gonna keep beating on it

I say it’s all part of the evolution of that truck… make it a little nicer, get some fresh paint on it, then beat it up some more and address the spots that get the worst. It took a minute for it to get where it is… @cruisermatt is resourceful, I think he can figure out that balance of “good enough” and value when it comes to aesthetics…

Just my .02

 

[cruisermatt]

The problem is I get a lot of rain water in through the roof rust holes making my cabin always kinda musty, and the roof line definitely stands up to being dragged against a tree way better as solid metal than with a bunch of rust underneath.
I’d say I drag both sides of the roof into/along trees pretty consistently and the right side has held up a lot better then left which has way more rust.

I would also really like a new windshield since mine is cracked and has a bunch of rock chips and scratches and I know I have a bunch of rust under the windshield gasket.
I might need to just start with the roof?
I don’t mind the dents and damage really I just don’t want the thing to rust away out from under me.

 

[bj70bc]

Made it home from my trip this weekend so time for a quick trip report, i got the truck together and packed up and drove it 700 miles to Tuscumbia AL for Mardi Krawl event on Wednesday. The event was pretty meh but the park is amazing, definitely one of my new favorite place to wheel in the southeast. It didn’t rain at all so the trails were nice and dry but it was super dusty and extremely hot, way hotter than Florida. Definitely need to go back in October or November when it’s cooler.

62 was mostly flawless besides a worn out locking hub that I missed and ended up tearing the whole front apart at camp the first night trying to figure out. That was annoying but at least didn’t break anything actually expensive or really lose any trail time at all. Highway was mostly completely uneventful other then some minor tire shake which I think my tires are just on the way out

I also made some updates/fixes to my AC system right before I left which were an incredible upgrade, i basically have not had the AC really working in this truck since I was in high school so it’s so nice to finally have that functionality back, it was incredible on the trails and also a huge part of keeping it from feeling like a total beater IMO, I was able to keep the windows up on access roads and camp site so my cab basically didn’t get any trail dust in or all over me

Overall super happy with the trip, got to get a ton of really good wheeling in, amped up and looking forward to the next few planned trips, looking like Fall Crawl in VA again in October and then STLCA New years ride at Coalmont.

I definitely beat the truck up a bit more, got both my rear doors (which were pretty fresh) pretty good pivoting around tree/rock, along with my right rear 1/4 getting more and more destroyed, at this point I expect all this with the trails I like to play on but I will try and pop the doors out if I can.
Everything still opens/closes which is what I really care about


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the panel beater

 

[GLTHFJ60]

just gonna say its gonna be a waste of time and money if your gonna keep beating on it

Can confirm, lol. Although I cherish the glamor shots I have of the truck, and now have the skills to do it again if I so desired.

Matt, do it. I've got a shell you can have if you come pick it up.

 

[cruisermatt]

Matt, do it. I've got a shell you can have if you come pick it up.

 

[dbleon]

Just build another one and have one as a wheeler

 

[cruisermatt]

Just build another one and have one as a wheeler

I don't have any use for another 60 series. What would I do with it that this one doesn't do?

 

[dbleon]

I don't have any use for another 60 series. What would I do with it that this one doesn't do?

Then why worry about body panels and paint ? Seems like a waste of life

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Then why worry about body panels and paint ? Seems like a waste of life

You gotta change your tampon, hater. This is an enablement group, get with the program.

 

[cruisermatt]

Well, I would it to be the right shade of red, and I am getting a lot of water/mildew into the cabin through rust holes in the roof.
I have been fortunate to have covered parking where I live the last few years but that may be changing at some point.

I agree that the quarter panels are consumables, but I think I would get several years out of fresh fenders. I also want to cut the fenders but I want to do a nice job and I think that needs to be on a fresh set.
I’m awaiting the availability of Topnault 60 panels as that will be perfect for what I have in mind

 

[dbleon]

You gotta change your tampon, hater. This is an enablement group, get with the program.

Pads only, big guy.. Grab some for me next time you’re in the isle

As if recommending a second 60 wasn’t enabling .. pfff

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Topnault 60 panels

Are they in development? I'd buy a set of quarters in a heartbeat if they were available.

 

[cruisermatt]

Are they in development? I'd buy a set of quarters in a heartbeat if they were available.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. I'll just make qaurter panels a consumable item.

 

[Hokie LX]

My vote is fix the roof like we did on my truck, bang the quarters out to 90% straight then address the paint. If I recall, the paint on your truck isn't that awful, it's just badly oxidized. Some paint correction may go a long way to revamp the vibrancy of the paint without actually repainting. Plus the old creases and dented paint where previous damage was would be cool patina. Worth an afternoon to try as it wouldn't have to be perfect to get a stark improvement. Then again, if you're doing the roof work and are going to repaint that anyways, may as well give the whole truck a garage spray.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Cut and weld a donor roof. So much easier.

 

[cruisermatt]

My vote is fix the roof like we did on my truck, bang the quarters out to 90% straight then address the paint. If I recall, the paint on your truck isn't that awful, it's just badly oxidized. Some paint correction may go a long way to revamp the vibrancy of the paint without actually repainting. Plus the old creases and dented paint where previous damage was would be cool patina. Worth an afternoon to try as it wouldn't have to be perfect to get a stark improvement. Then again, if you're doing the roof work and are going to repaint that anyways, may as well give the whole truck a garage spray.

It sounds like you haven't looked closely at my 62 in a few years lol

 

[Rockymtnreaper]

Im all for it Matt! You have a lot of cool history with this truck! Use the donor body, quick freeborn red paint job, re-armor that sucker and hit the trails again! It doesn't have to make sense to anyone else!