Those shifters are awesome!
Finally Bought my first CRUISER!
- Thread starter dkyuss
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- Thread starter
- #162
Few bolts on one of the fenders and out comes the rad support pillar. Looking around for options locally but may end up working on my fabbing/welding skills as my time costs no $$$ I do intend to make this old girl reliable, but no intentions she will be show room worthy again.
Well 7 out of 12 body mounts were existing on my truck (not including the two front mounts that were holding nothing but a rusty bracket). 4 of them were functional, having bolts that were tight, 3 of them just rattling around in a sloppy hole! Explains a lot of the creaking rattling noises I have heard driving around. Especially when I did some crawling around 4x4 on uneven ground. Good thing nothing too crazy or I would have sheared the body clear off the frame!
After fighting for a half hour trying unsuccessfully to remove one of these old beatches I took out the zippy cut and was able to just hack 4 or 5 off. Easy peasy. done in 10 minutes and half of that was setting up extension cords etc. The other 3 I couldn't reach properly with the zip cut so I chased the exposed threads with a die and they came off in the next 45 minutes or so...
This is all I got out of the Drivers side.... 3 mounts!
Truck is ready to go!
Well 7 out of 12 body mounts were existing on my truck (not including the two front mounts that were holding nothing but a rusty bracket). 4 of them were functional, having bolts that were tight, 3 of them just rattling around in a sloppy hole! Explains a lot of the creaking rattling noises I have heard driving around. Especially when I did some crawling around 4x4 on uneven ground. Good thing nothing too crazy or I would have sheared the body clear off the frame!
After fighting for a half hour trying unsuccessfully to remove one of these old beatches I took out the zippy cut and was able to just hack 4 or 5 off. Easy peasy. done in 10 minutes and half of that was setting up extension cords etc. The other 3 I couldn't reach properly with the zip cut so I chased the exposed threads with a die and they came off in the next 45 minutes or so...
This is all I got out of the Drivers side.... 3 mounts!
Truck is ready to go!
- Thread starter
- #163
What a "make work project" this is turning out to be!
Found a good condition rad support pillar and will be sanding its minor surface rust and painting ASAP. This should definitely help!
In the mean time, Cut off all the 'cups' that are still existing on the frame mounts (most were well rotten).
What was left on the top surface of the frame body mount supports was very thin on some of these..... So decided I should make some fat washers with indent to capture the UHMW riser on the body mounts.
Stitch them in place. No worries about these caving in any time soon!
I also went past the point of no return in the old girls rear end..... The whole channel that is supported by the rear most body mount, including the tail gate hinge mounts, is completely rotted, and now removed! Ill try to get some pics of the carnage tomorrow.
Found a good condition rad support pillar and will be sanding its minor surface rust and painting ASAP. This should definitely help!
In the mean time, Cut off all the 'cups' that are still existing on the frame mounts (most were well rotten).
What was left on the top surface of the frame body mount supports was very thin on some of these..... So decided I should make some fat washers with indent to capture the UHMW riser on the body mounts.
Stitch them in place. No worries about these caving in any time soon!
I also went past the point of no return in the old girls rear end..... The whole channel that is supported by the rear most body mount, including the tail gate hinge mounts, is completely rotted, and now removed! Ill try to get some pics of the carnage tomorrow.
Nice and ready for the next 30 years (that idea keeps me working 
)
I welded the rad support pillar corners while in the car (very difficult and hidden) and if you search for a good one it might cost a lot (I dont bother looking anymore)
if you start with some cardboard pieces to see what is needed and cut out the rust? it is just a boxed piece?
)I welded the rad support pillar corners while in the car (very difficult and hidden) and if you search for a good one it might cost a lot (I dont bother looking anymore)
if you start with some cardboard pieces to see what is needed and cut out the rust? it is just a boxed piece?
- Thread starter
- #165
Here is another pic of a horrible excuse for a body mount. As I was looking at this I think I have a broken fuel? line but no leaking diesel (just above an to the right of the mount). Not sure if pre existing or newly caused from me movin stuff around. More fun!
And they now all look like this! (almost all.. still have the two front and two rear to go). Ended up at 3/4" taller than stock.
A little practice for future body repairs.... on the inner fender well. Still need more practice as I blew through too many times. But getting better as I got the machine dialed in. Doesn't help that I have 16 ga on 18 ga and im a self taught newbie welder...
Some good, some not so good.........
Called this 'good enough'. Will give it a quick grind and some paint and no one will know the wiser!
And they now all look like this! (almost all.. still have the two front and two rear to go). Ended up at 3/4" taller than stock.
A little practice for future body repairs.... on the inner fender well. Still need more practice as I blew through too many times. But getting better as I got the machine dialed in. Doesn't help that I have 16 ga on 18 ga and im a self taught newbie welder...
Some good, some not so good.........
Called this 'good enough'. Will give it a quick grind and some paint and no one will know the wiser!
- Thread starter
- #166
Oh yes.... and pics of carnage in the rear. There was not much steel left on this rear lower section. Tail gate was basically hanging on the upper latches only. So I started cutting....
So my plan here is to mount a 2x2 HSS under the floor and just behind the lip for the weather stripping. It will be supported be the rear body mounts. I may just bolt this in place rather than welding so that it may be removed one day for further TLC. Welded to the 2x2 will be a 1x3 C channel that will support the tailgate. A little body sheet metal filler to blendin the edges and corners and it should be back to new like...
All you got to do.....
So my plan here is to mount a 2x2 HSS under the floor and just behind the lip for the weather stripping. It will be supported be the rear body mounts. I may just bolt this in place rather than welding so that it may be removed one day for further TLC. Welded to the 2x2 will be a 1x3 C channel that will support the tailgate. A little body sheet metal filler to blendin the edges and corners and it should be back to new like...
All you got to do.....
- Thread starter
- #167
Just a touch of rust on the under side of this new to me rad support pillar. Quick wire wheel and metal prep to neutralize anything left. Will try to lay down a coat of paint tonight.
The front end will end up being easy!
The rear has a way to go yet. Got my 2x2 + 1x3 HSS cut and clamped right inside the corner of the floor before the weather stripping. Trying to decide how to attach to the truck... Could bolt it through the floor but this is kinda thin. Not sure it is really supporting the roof at this point.
Removing the tail lights I find a nice solid pillar above the rusted hole......
Think this will be my attachment point. I can stick my hand right through the body to under the floor and will make an easy solid connection.
Not sure I want to go much further on rust repairs.... Maybe a project for the next winter or two.
The front end will end up being easy!
The rear has a way to go yet. Got my 2x2 + 1x3 HSS cut and clamped right inside the corner of the floor before the weather stripping. Trying to decide how to attach to the truck... Could bolt it through the floor but this is kinda thin. Not sure it is really supporting the roof at this point.
Removing the tail lights I find a nice solid pillar above the rusted hole......
Think this will be my attachment point. I can stick my hand right through the body to under the floor and will make an easy solid connection.Not sure I want to go much further on rust repairs.... Maybe a project for the next winter or two.
- Thread starter
- #168
Got the rad support pillar painted and hope to install this weekend at the latest.
Wish the rear was going to look as nice as the front.... but what can ya do? My ultra tuff ~70# rear support member is ready to go. Welded and now painted. Shot of it upside down showing what will be one of the body mount locations.
I thought I got pictures of it all nicely painted but cant seem to find them... It is now installed with mounts in place.
While body mounts are holding this new bracket solidly and truck is sitting solidly on the bracket, I keep changing my mind on how best to attach it to the truck body. The 2x2 extends about 4" past the c channel and supports the vertical pillars from underneath. May end up just stitching it in place to the body everywhere I can access (not very many access points) for rigidity and to minimize any rattles/noises. I also need to cut out and replace the whole lower weather stripping lip but not sure I want to go there right now....
Wish the rear was going to look as nice as the front.... but what can ya do? My ultra tuff ~70# rear support member is ready to go. Welded and now painted. Shot of it upside down showing what will be one of the body mount locations.
I thought I got pictures of it all nicely painted but cant seem to find them... It is now installed with mounts in place.
While body mounts are holding this new bracket solidly and truck is sitting solidly on the bracket, I keep changing my mind on how best to attach it to the truck body. The 2x2 extends about 4" past the c channel and supports the vertical pillars from underneath. May end up just stitching it in place to the body everywhere I can access (not very many access points) for rigidity and to minimize any rattles/noises. I also need to cut out and replace the whole lower weather stripping lip but not sure I want to go there right now....
- Thread starter
- #169
Daily progress (though little at a time)! I like it!
Went to bed last night thinking to myself, 'dont get lazy on this or it will bite you later'. So.....
Cutting and grinding and painting we go, where we stop nobody knows...
This lower weather stripping lip was rotted right out, especially on the right side (visible on pic in previous post).
Ok, this is as far as I am going for now. lol. ground to steel and weld through zinc primered.
Had to grind off my paint and then apply weld through primer on the mating surfaces.
And installed again. Almost ready for welding.
I have to make something for this lower lip and find some weather stripping to replace my old crap. Maybe something like one of these. The 'edge grip' 'top bulb' style #20 ++
McMaster-Carr
Went to bed last night thinking to myself, 'dont get lazy on this or it will bite you later'. So.....
Cutting and grinding and painting we go, where we stop nobody knows...
This lower weather stripping lip was rotted right out, especially on the right side (visible on pic in previous post).
Ok, this is as far as I am going for now. lol. ground to steel and weld through zinc primered.
Had to grind off my paint and then apply weld through primer on the mating surfaces.
And installed again. Almost ready for welding.
I have to make something for this lower lip and find some weather stripping to replace my old crap. Maybe something like one of these. The 'edge grip' 'top bulb' style #20 ++
McMaster-Carr
Bulletproofing your BJ? 
Nice work keep it up!
Nice work keep it up!
- Thread starter
- #171
Lots of grinding rust, priming, painting and welding today.
Battery trays didnt look too bad but OEM plastic coating was pealing and so ripped it off only to find rust. Surprise! POR15 and then rubber rock guard and they are good for at least another 20 years.
Rad supports and hood latch.
And on to welding. Having some issues dialing this welder in. First time I have used the weld thru primer and may be some of my issue? Also that I am using 35 thou wire on 18 ga and either doesn't bite or burns through. Lots of room for improvement in my welding but she is strong as
and I will pretty it up with some body filler as needs. I am very pleased with my new weather stripping lip. Just need to get holes drilled at the right height for the tailgate and can almost call this complete!
Battery trays didnt look too bad but OEM plastic coating was pealing and so ripped it off only to find rust. Surprise! POR15 and then rubber rock guard and they are good for at least another 20 years.
Rad supports and hood latch.
And on to welding. Having some issues dialing this welder in. First time I have used the weld thru primer and may be some of my issue? Also that I am using 35 thou wire on 18 ga and either doesn't bite or burns through. Lots of room for improvement in my welding but she is strong as
and I will pretty it up with some body filler as needs. I am very pleased with my new weather stripping lip. Just need to get holes drilled at the right height for the tailgate and can almost call this complete!
That will be an indestructible beast after...
Enjoyed reading this, always a pleasure looking at good work.
Picked up some pointers along the way, just in time for my own HJ60 build, so a big thank you in advanced.
Picked up some pointers along the way, just in time for my own HJ60 build, so a big thank you in advanced.
- Thread starter
- #174
Getting in trouble because im spending too much time on the cruiser.... so says 
So I trimmed the trees around the old girl
And got a minute to clean up and test my inherited antique wahoooga horn!
One wire device! lol They dont make things like they used to!
Wire weeled to shiny metal, primed and painted!
First test
Been rewired to modern 2 wire system lol.
Tone can be tweaked with a little screw and I may play with it a bit, but so far so good.
May also need a relay to drive it from my horn switch.
So I trimmed the trees around the old girl
And got a minute to clean up and test my inherited antique wahoooga horn!
One wire device! lol They dont make things like they used to!
Wire weeled to shiny metal, primed and painted!
First test
Been rewired to modern 2 wire system lol.Tone can be tweaked with a little screw and I may play with it a bit, but so far so good.
May also need a relay to drive it from my horn switch.
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Great photos showing a lot of hard work. Can you remove the nasty spray foam from the rear quarter panels? That will hold water and make any rusting that much worse. Are you doing to DD this truck in the winter in BC? It would seem that it should have a better fate than that, salt-wise.
- Thread starter
- #176
Thanks for the comments.
No spray foam, the upper rear quarter panels are filled with roxul mineral wool insulation so easy to remove. I put it in for noise but maybe not a good idea? I think it will be fine IF I can seal it so it stays water tight (definitely not at the moment) ..... I will keep an eye and remove if any moisture is noticed.
Not a DD.... Just a toy. I have a 99 taco and the
has her matrix XRS.Ive only put about 1000kms on the old girl so far
. Not planning on much winter driving and will probably attempt a homemade paraffin/wax chainsaw bar oil/ATF/mineral oil concoction to apply to the undercarriage regularly.Hoping this will change this summer and be doing lots of
. Still need bumpers..... and tidy up a whole bunch of little things... and a thorough wash... and install my rebuilt drive train before this, and I was looking at some new seats.... Lots more to come.
I would go for 'plenty of air circulation' in my quarter panels, and remove any insulation (other than sound-deadening pads firmly bonded to the upper-area sheet metal). Moisture will ALWAYS find a way in, and it's critical that it be let out. Your homemade rustproofing sounds like good stuff, although I have just used paraffin and ATF mixed and warmed slightly.
- Thread starter
- #178
More practice.... Can you tell im out of my comfort zone here?
Keep adding dots until no more space left. Welder is behaving almost right now that ive switched to .025" wire. It does like to bend occasionally between rollers and liner witch is a PITA.
Grind it smooth. Lots of room for improvement but im calling this progress!
I will add a little body filler to the pin holes to clean up and I may commit a sin..... a little bondo to finish off the edge under the weather seal. There is no way I am getting in there to weld anything anyway and I need practice at this.
Keep adding dots until no more space left. Welder is behaving almost right now that ive switched to .025" wire. It does like to bend occasionally between rollers and liner witch is a PITA.
Grind it smooth. Lots of room for improvement but im calling this progress!
I will add a little body filler to the pin holes to clean up and I may commit a sin..... a little bondo to finish off the edge under the weather seal. There is no way I am getting in there to weld anything anyway and I need practice at this.
Wire feed jams is the reason I stopped using MIG/GMAW, it would drive me insane.
It's fine for production work or if you've got long welds to be done.
I prefer TIG/GTAW for thin or precise stuff, and Stick/MMA for heavy stuff.
But, still you're making good progress, and as long as your happy with the results that's all that matters.
It's fine for production work or if you've got long welds to be done.
I prefer TIG/GTAW for thin or precise stuff, and Stick/MMA for heavy stuff.
But, still you're making good progress, and as long as your happy with the results that's all that matters.
Oh I forgot to ask is your welder a gasless MIG/GMAW, ie. it uses a flux cored wire?