Builds First LC, HZJ77 Build "Kengo" (1 Viewer)

[Blomdala]

The other project I worked on was power. I am waiting for my arb compressor to arrive, and my plan is to make a mount and stuff it in my rear quarter panel. Since I’ll have to run power back there for that, I figured I’d make a little fuse block so other items that I want to run power to without worry of the key position can be done. I love how easy it is to run wire in this truck. It took less than 10 min lol.

This mount was a little easier to make, it’s also hidden ha.

I added one circuit for the light above the fold out table. Found a nice flush button and put it into the back panel. Really happy with that setup, and nice bright light!

 

[AirheadNut]

I’ve been wanting to install a light on my rear door. Do you have a link for that one? It looks perfect .

 

[Blomdala]

I’ve been wanting to install a light on my rear door. Do you have a link for that one? It looks perfect .

Not sure how familiar you are with strip lights, but this is the first COB style I’ve used. It diffuses nicely, the only difference for you would be getting the 12v version. I was just looking for 24v so I could avoid another converter…

BTF-LIGHTING FCOB COB Flexible... Amazon product ASIN B089NNHP3C
Here is the button

DMWD 2-Pack 19mm Latching Metal... Amazon product ASIN B09XKCHZJ7

 

[JDM Journeys]

Those light strips are very handy. I used a strip over my back table too: mine terminates to usb so I simply soldered a usb cable to length and plugged it in to my switched socket.

Rear door is looking really good!

 

[Blomdala]

A few more bits arrived today so I worked in cleaning up the engine bay wiring as well. It was pretty hoaky even by my standards and was a bit embarrassing. I added a little fuse block here as well, which is switched 24v power. Hopefully I don’t need any more circuits, but if so it’s easier to add and protect them. I may try to consolidate the few small 12v converters I have and run one wire up to this in the future.

The rear fuse block is all finished up and lights are working great. Whenever the compressor finally ships I’ll be ready with power and a fuse for it.

 

[Blomdala]

So I scrapped my plan to build a table. It was getting fugly in a hurry and just out of my ability/tool set to make what I envisioned. Then as I’m looking at options I find a (I can’t believe I’m even saying this) Jeep option. My Toyota pride almost prevented me from getting it until I saw this in the example picture

I knew that door shape! So for 173 after tax and next day shipping it was on its way to me. Where it bolts up was a little tricky becuase there is no space for a bolt to go through so I settled on drilling holes in the table frame to use the top panel bolts, and then using some rivets for the lower portion since they have low profile heads to fit back there.

I also had to trim the side of the panel for the linkage to slide

 

[Blomdala]

I also had to give the corner a little kiss with the grinder to keep it off my door

Overall I’m very happy with the setup now, one more project off the list! Getting closer to ready for Cruise Moab next month!

 

[Rigster]

I also had to give the corner a little kiss with the grinder to keep it off my door
View attachment 3285217

Overall I’m very happy with the setup now, one more project off the list! Getting closer to ready for Cruise Moab next month!
View attachment 3285216

Looks great!

Unless you enjoy the work as a hobby, or enjoy learning, sometimes the best option is purchasing someone else's idea and work.

As with most folks, I work full time and have a family to look after so time is at a premium for me. So I review the cost to purchase or pay someone else to do the work and compare that to what my time is worth. Then I decide from there.

It's all about balance...

$173 sounds to me like you made a wise choice there. For the cost of materials and my time, I don't think I would have been able to create that table for the same price, let alone installed it on the cruiser.

Well done!

 

[Blomdala]

Looks great!

Unless you enjoy the work as a hobby, or enjoy learning, sometimes the best option is purchasing someone else's idea and work.

As with most folks, I work full time and have a family to look after so time is at a premium for me. So I review the cost to purchase or pay someone else to do the work and compare that to what my time is worth. Then I decide from there.

It's all about balance...

$173 sounds to me like you made a wise choice there. For the cost of materials and my time, I don't think I would have been able to create that table for the same price, let alone installed it on the cruiser.

Well done!

Same for me! 4 kids and a full time job, so budgets are tight and time is low hahah. I really enjoy fabrication, but I don’t have access to unlimited tools and I have limited experience. So everything is a calculation of time and cost to see if it’s the right value for my situation.

I appreciate the kind words! Excited to put this truck to use soon and really enjoy the work!

 

[FJ73Texas]

Same for me! 4 kids and a full time job, so budgets are tight and time is low hahah. I really enjoy fabrication, but I don’t have access to unlimited tools and I have limited experience. So everything is a calculation of time and cost to see if it’s the right value for my situation.

I appreciate the kind words! Excited to put this truck to use soon and really enjoy the work!

Are you still working for Mr T? Will you be visiting TMMTX again anytime soon?

 

[Blomdala]

Are you still working for Mr T? Will you be visiting TMMTX again anytime soon?

I am still working for the motherland , but I don’t have any TMMTX opportunities on the horizon… which is a bummer. Especially since Tacoma is no longer built there. It might be awhile before we have some event in San Antonio.

 

[FJBen]

Looks great!

Unless you enjoy the work as a hobby, or enjoy learning, sometimes the best option is purchasing someone else's idea and work.

As with most folks, I work full time and have a family to look after so time is at a premium for me. So I review the cost to purchase or pay someone else to do the work and compare that to what my time is worth. Then I decide from there.

It's all about balance...

$173 sounds to me like you made a wise choice there. For the cost of materials and my time, I don't think I would have been able to create that table for the same price, let alone installed it on the cruiser.

Well done!

Exactly. There are quite a few things, like this one, looks simple-ish and a fun hobby to do. In reality I don’t have the time either.

it would take me quite awhile to make something as nice as what you can buy it for.

 

[Blomdala]

Exactly. There are quite a few things, like this one, looks simple-ish and a fun hobby to do. In reality I don’t have the time either.

it would take me quite awhile to make something as nice as what you can buy it for.

There are a few cost prohibitive items I’d like on the truck that will give me fabrication time for to satisfy that desire to create haha. so knocking this one out in an evening for a good price was worth it!

 

[Blomdala]

I started working on a drawer for the back tonight. Although there are quite a few options out there, what I wanted was a drawer that was narrow enough to be usable while only my small door is open. This might not exist on the market because it’s a poor idea, but I’ve never had any sort of drawer system so I’m not too worried. If I holds my recovery gear and a few spare parts then I’ll be happy. Plus the space on the side is just the right size for my extra fluids I keep.

The other consideration for the size is clearing the back door handle. I’d like to be able to sleep in the back if needed and still be able to get out.

 

[Blomdala]

Tonight was some more work in the drawer. Luckily the 77s have a little cubby in the back that I removed the lid from so it’s still accessible with this drawer, and I’m using that bolt hole to attach the frame in the front!

I made the box for it, so tomorrow I’ll mount it up after the glue dries. I will also add another attachment point in the rear.

It’s not a huge box, but still a decent amount of space and I’ve already got things to put in!

 

[Blomdala]

I also started the sleeping platform, thankfully I have some left over plywood from a bed frame so it’s already close in size. I don’t plan on leaving this in all the time so I’m not worried about it all folding up and such. Only the area where it’s over the box is what I will keep in the truck. There was a lot of time spent tonight staring blankly and measuring and thinking lol.

Being an average heigh fella has its advantages!

 

[Rigster]

I envy you in that regard. My 6'3" frame only fits in the back diagonally with the back seat tilted all the way forward. But that is why I built my trailer...

 

[Blomdala]

Finished up the drawer today. I used an old strap in the rear to attach it to the factory tie down, and found a convening plugged hole in the back. I’ll probably use that leg to build a side support for the top at some point.

It holds all the loose stuff I had back there/in the back of the seat. I will be selling the compressor soon when my ARB compressor arrives and will install that in the quarter panel so that will help with space.

 

[Blomdala]

I also added a light setup in it. I have a box is leftover parts for 3d printers so I used an old momentary switch and riveted a little tab to the box. It works really well, not sure how necessary it was but is was basically free and fun to do.

I can’t upload a video, so here is a link to my instagram where I can easily add videos ha

 

[Blomdala]

after finishing up the drawer lighting and sleep platform, some exciting things happened here.

First was that I was able to pull the trigger in a dobinsons lift kit with the MRR shocks. I want to make the ride as comfortable as possible in this truck so I decided to splurge on the most adjustable shocks I could find. Also my leafs are sagging and I don’t know anything about them so I’d like to avoid having a break.

The second exciting thing happened this week while waiting for the kit… I scored a used 2 post lift on the cheap. So all focus changed to cleaning the shop for measurements and getting that lift in and functional before today when all the lift parts arrived. It’s been hectic but so worth it.

Seeing the cruiser on the lift in my garage was a dream come true. I didn’t think this was going to happen for years, but perfect timing to doing this suspension work.