First FJ40 build in a long time

[Chamba]

PM sent

 

[Rainman]

With a couple of shelves full of new parts and a barn cluttered with a disassembled 40, I'm well on the way now. I have to take time when I can around my illustration work but with the tub and doors at the body shop now, it's time to swap the suspension this weekend and rebuild the knuckles during the week. The Green 40 is mostly repainted and the new tailgate will be going on. When the soft top gets here in about a week It'll be going on. About to replace the front fenders on it.

Was that confusing enough? It matches the mess...

 

[Rainman]

Now we're talkin'...

My new friend Kiwi (yes he's from New Zealand, and no he doesn't mind being called that) has started the body work on the keeper truck. It's looking great. In the shot where the spots welds are all on on the left, rub your hand down the quarter panel and you can't feel a single lump, dip or wave all the way down. This guy does great sheet metal work. By the end of the day, the right side should be mostly finished.

Note: Look at the "junk" someone welded in (poorly) in the rear. There was an at least 1/8th in 2x3 rectangular pipe run from side to side ruining the door opening but all better now.

 

[Rainman]

Both quarters are in and the rear channel. Cutting out the rockers now...

 

[Chamba]

Good use of a kiwi. We mostly just used them to clean hotels, mow grass or schlepp food in Australia.

 

[Rainman]

Good use of a kiwi. We mostly just used them to clean hotels, mow grass or schlepp food in Australia.

AHahaHahahaahahaaa... Should I tell him that or leave that one alone?
I don't have any trouble understanding his accent accept when it's on the phone. Next to impossible to understand him then.

 

[Chamba]

He's obviously one of the sharp ones: he came here. Kiwis are fantastic, he'll laugh as I'd bet chalk for cheese he's got mates in Oz working crap jobs. Ask him what he thought of the Ashes-that'll cheer him right up.

 

[Rainman]

The OD Green 40 is the "customers" rig. The primer 40 is an abandoned project I found on Craig's List. I'll be taking the top and doors from the "Trail truck" (as I will call it from now on) and putting new fenders and a new soft top. I'll go through the truck to make sure everything works and runs well and then sell it for cash to put in the other truck that I've nick named for the time being, "2NDCHNC." I've got a huge "shopping cart" list started at CCOT for a bunch of new stuff. But I'll probably be asking you guys for some up to date tips on some areas of the truck like the first question above.

Thanks for the help that's coming and I hope to keep this thread going and up to date with the two rigs.

I was looking back at the start of this and need to change a few things.

The trail truck has just acquired the fenders from "2NDCHNC" to make room for the brand new fenders. I've also (as other threads around here show) decided to hunt for a hardtop and set of doors worthy of this build. I've got 2 or 3 that I'm looking at now to find which is the best buy.

My suspension replacement got stopped in it's tracks the other day when I realized that although the previous guy replaced the shackles and spring bushings, he ignored the spring pins and their bushings so without a "smoke wrench", I haven't gotten the spring pins out yet. Any brilliant ideas?

 

[Rainman]

A couple of cutting discs and a sawz-all blade or two and the old springs are off. Among a few other parts, I'll have just-like-new HFS shackles to sell that I just pulled off. Only thing I'm waiting on now are the u-bolts after they get zink plated this week. Man-A-Fre shows plated u-bolts in the OME Dakar kit but they ship with raw ones. I called to complain but they couldn't care less. (Hmmm, I remember having a battle with them about 20 years ago. I won't make that mistake a third time.)

Paint to start next week!

 

[Rainman]

Now we're talkin'!

Phase one of three coming up. Today I picked up my box full of goodies from the plating house. About 12 pounds of old Cruiser bolts and parts from back in the Zebranator days and the current project. Some cleaning, wire brushing and thread chasing and a trip to the plating shop and yeah boy, this is coming together! All for 50 bucks! Next week will be a trip to the powder coater and the body will be getting paint right after that.

It's getting there...

 

[Rainman]

Okay folks. Emergency help. I thought I was clear on the Beige color but now after doing lots of research on the web and MUD I'm more confused. My friend/client want it Beige. They don't know which one it is so of course I don't either (by name) but I can pick it out when I see it. I believe it's the lighter more neutral beige. Is it 416 or 464? Since photos can be color balance so bad that one looks just like the other color I'm not sure what number.

Can someone help me out? TODAY?!

Thanks...

 

[ARCTICMUTT]

416 Dune Biege

 

[Chamba]

464 is the beige of '81-'84 40s like my '83 and many 60 series. The older more earthy beige is 416 as Arcticmutt said. Have a look at 2manycruisers' thread for selling his pop top troopy-that is a 1980 and is 416

 

[Rainman]

Thanks guys. 416 it is. I think I finally found out that the 416 is more "khaki" and that's what they want.

 

[roma042987]

zebranator lives on! this belongs to one of the guys in our local cruiser club

 

[Chamba]

zebranator lives on! this belongs to one of the guys in our local cruiser club

Rainey would never put the Bezel on upside-down: that guy is a mere imposter.

 

[Rainman]

Nothing personal but I don't like it. Those aren't zebra stripes...
THESE are zebra stripes! And Chamba, you're right, the Zebranator would never have the bezel upside down.

 

[Chamba]

And the roof?! Who paints the roof with stripes? Everyone knows the roof is white on a Zebranator. Jeesh.

 

[Bodean]

PM me your address Rainey and I'll send you a few back issues of TT's. Enjoying the build bro!

 

[Rainman]

Moving right along... Here's a shot with the new primed tub placed on the chassis for alignment check. And the Green Machine's top for the same reason. In the background is the latest (at least scheduled to be) jeep convert. He still has two left but just got rid of a military version and will be replacing it with my spare rig. Way to go Roger! Or is that, "roger, Roger!" The top is coming apart nicely and will be getting some much needed blasting soon. The powder coating load was delivered yesterday and should be done this Monday. Hat's off to fellow MUD'er Sean Truax for his custom rear bumper/swing out tire carrier. A master welder for sure. I'll post shots as they get done and installed. The inside of the tub will get Raptor-Liner mixed with the Dune Beige paint to match. Fully painted as time will allow with blasting and door repair left to do. While waiting for some of these things to get done, I'll turn with my mentor Gene and start to work on seeing what the engine has in store after sitting for so long.

Oh, and the red brake drums HAVE to go.