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Duffontap's 9/76 FJ40: From Here to Daily Driver in Two Weeks?
- Thread starter duffontap
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #22
For sure. Ron has walked me through 4-5 paint projects, but I've never talked to him about bc/cc systems. I'll bring it up with him.
You can use a matte clear coat.
I'm going to look into that. I have seen some of the flat/matte clearcoats, but I'm not sure if Napa sells them. I hope its a live option.
Well, made some more progress tonight. Spent some time squaring up the rear of the tub with shims and ratchet straps. Got it close enough--I think/hope.
As you can see, I have lots of top quality, welding-specific clamps.
We make due. 
In an effort to reduce grinding in highly visible areas I'm doing my rosette welds from the inside. I'm wondering if the heat will deform the panel just enough to create a visible impression reminiscent of the factory spot welds. I hope so.
pistonpete
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #25
One Week Update:
Well, it's been a productive week but I'm currently about 12 years from having this beast back on the road. The fill welds are done and I was making a punch list for finishing up the odds and ends on the 1/2 tub (which has all been assembled this week) and something didn't look right. It wasn't right. Somehow the rear opening was WAY out-of-square. I spent a couple hours feeling sorry for myself and cutting and drilling welds, and I think I've got it square enough for my standards now.
Next I put the sides of the top on and did some door fitment to make sure the reveals around the doors were satisfactory. You can see my 3-year-old anti-productivity pod peering through the window.
The outer sill still needs to be installed, there is a ton of grinding to do, holes drilled for the lower hinges, captured nuts need to be replaced, seams sealed and about a million other things, but I'm really happy to see that the doors line up better than they ever have.
As far as my goal of getting it back on the road in a week . . . it's possible. I could rattle can the tub and drive it later today but I'm trying to avoid temporary measures.
Very happy to have a tub again though.
Well, it's been a productive week but I'm currently about 12 years from having this beast back on the road. The fill welds are done and I was making a punch list for finishing up the odds and ends on the 1/2 tub (which has all been assembled this week) and something didn't look right. It wasn't right. Somehow the rear opening was WAY out-of-square. I spent a couple hours feeling sorry for myself and cutting and drilling welds, and I think I've got it square enough for my standards now.
Next I put the sides of the top on and did some door fitment to make sure the reveals around the doors were satisfactory. You can see my 3-year-old anti-productivity pod peering through the window.
The outer sill still needs to be installed, there is a ton of grinding to do, holes drilled for the lower hinges, captured nuts need to be replaced, seams sealed and about a million other things, but I'm really happy to see that the doors line up better than they ever have.
As far as my goal of getting it back on the road in a week . . . it's possible. I could rattle can the tub and drive it later today but I'm trying to avoid temporary measures.
Very happy to have a tub again though.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Wow looking great
I did a quick and sloppy job in about 10 days ... The hardest parts are paint drying and family obligations ... Three kids... And there busy little kids
Looking on and cheating from afar
I did a quick and sloppy job in about 10 days ... The hardest parts are paint drying and family obligations ... Three kids... And there busy little kids
Looking on and cheating from afar
That is coming along great. Keep the updates and pics coming.
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks Johnny!
I have drawn a lot of inspiration from your 10 day resto. I also have 3 very busy kids 1-3-5. They have put my truck project in slow motion but they're also cheering me on. A couple nights ago my daughter included 'and thank you that daddy is fixing the green truck' in her bedtime prayers.
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- #29
Thanks Chris, will do!
Lookin good!
- Thread starter
- #31
Thanks man! I can't look at your build without feeling like a total hack.
Here's a pic taken a couple mornings ago that pretty much sums up how my project is going:
I've been working hard but don't have as much to show for it as I'd like. The outer rear sill is now in. Yesterday I got the mounting holes for the captured nuts on the amby door hinges fine-tuned, the tubular tire rack test fit, and the holes for the emblems drilled. It's a lot of work that just doesn't look like much but it's getting me closer and closer to paint.
I've also been working on seats and related hardware. I'm going to be installing a 3-person FF bench seat for my kids and replacing aftermarket seats with OEM buckets up front. At least someone volunteered to pitch in:
(More pics forthcoming).
Everything is out of the dash and about half the grinding on the visible welds is done, too. Things may be looking up here soon.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
What did you get for a ff bench seat?
Our youngest one is still in diapers
We are in the process of training her... Can't wait for diapers to be done LOL
Our youngest one is still in diapers
We are in the process of training her... Can't wait for diapers to be done LOL
- Thread starter
- #34
It's a vinyl seat out of a GM (I think) passenger van. I'll post pics of the installation process. I'm actually pretty fond of the jump seats for the stow-and-go function but it's not legal for kids under 40 lbs. to ride in jump seats in Oregon--and we all know they're not terribly safe anyway.
I hear you on the diapers! When we're done with that phase of our lives, we're gonna feel rich for a few months.
- Thread starter
- #35
Well, needless to say the answer to the title question is no! Not that it matters. It's pouring rain--it's been raining for days; it will keep raining for days. So, I'm tinkering and waiting for a block of good weather in the forecast so I can lay down primers and paint within the re-coat windows.
I'm also adding a few things to my to do list that are going to slow things down just a little:
Pull tub off frame and paint the frame.
Engine swap (2F-2F)
Transmission swap (4sp-4sp)
Steering box swap (mine is tight but it has always leaked).
1.25" shackle lift (maybe)
Exhaust swap
Auxiliary fuel tank (maybe)
At the moment I'm gearing up for recovering the OEM buck seats I found. The cushions got some sunshine and Febreze:
Most of my coatings are here. I'm going with a bc/cc system. It will be the first time I've worked with anything other than acrylic enamel. Napa doesn't have anything other than high gloss cc, so I'm going to have to be a little more careful with my body work than I planned to be. I also have a Raptor Liner kit and about 12 other paint cans not pictured.
Yesterday I didn't have the energy for anything big so I spent about 45 minutes converting a dog house into a very basic/ghetto media blasting box. It isn't really sealed so I just used a respirator. The goat feed bag adds a touch of class:
Seriously, I was having the time of my life doing this:
Well, I'll keep updating as I go along. I have often heard that you should figure out how much time you will need and multiply it by three. That gives me four more weeks to get this beast back on the road!
I'm also adding a few things to my to do list that are going to slow things down just a little:
Pull tub off frame and paint the frame.
Engine swap (2F-2F)
Transmission swap (4sp-4sp)
Steering box swap (mine is tight but it has always leaked).
1.25" shackle lift (maybe)
Exhaust swap
Auxiliary fuel tank (maybe)
At the moment I'm gearing up for recovering the OEM buck seats I found. The cushions got some sunshine and Febreze:
Most of my coatings are here. I'm going with a bc/cc system. It will be the first time I've worked with anything other than acrylic enamel. Napa doesn't have anything other than high gloss cc, so I'm going to have to be a little more careful with my body work than I planned to be. I also have a Raptor Liner kit and about 12 other paint cans not pictured.
Yesterday I didn't have the energy for anything big so I spent about 45 minutes converting a dog house into a very basic/ghetto media blasting box. It isn't really sealed so I just used a respirator. The goat feed bag adds a touch of class:
Seriously, I was having the time of my life doing this:
Well, I'll keep updating as I go along. I have often heard that you should figure out how much time you will need and multiply it by three. That gives me four more weeks to get this beast back on the road!
- Thread starter
- #36
Vinyl Dye
Does anyone know of a good color of vinyl dye for the graphite gray interior parts of a 40 such as the plastic part of the heater and the headrests?
I used 'Charcoal Gray' vinyl dye for the bench seat I'm installing:
But it's more of a navy blue than a gray and I will have to re-dye it. Any suggestions?
Does anyone know of a good color of vinyl dye for the graphite gray interior parts of a 40 such as the plastic part of the heater and the headrests?
I used 'Charcoal Gray' vinyl dye for the bench seat I'm installing:
But it's more of a navy blue than a gray and I will have to re-dye it. Any suggestions?
Duplicolor,or is your year heater lighter?
- Thread starter
- #38
That looks great. What is the color called?
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- #40
Thank you!
