FJ55 Deconstruction

[scorcher1967]

whoops... I am not aware of any available for late model pigs.... is Toyota a possibility?

Tried Toyota first. No luck there.

 

[scorcher1967]

Big Day in the project. I got tired of trying to get enough guys together to remove the body, and I am itching to keep moving on this thing, so.....one engine hoist, three chains, one tow strap, one pneumatic car lift, and a welding table later:

Add to that a lot of patient trial and error to get the center of gravity.

found a broken rear sway mount

some of the structural rust under the body. This is the drivers floor pan, from under.

Some more pics uploaded to:
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q71/scorcher1967/fj55/

 

[PabloCruise]

If you need help, don't forget about the Cruiser club in N Co: https://forum.ih8mud.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82

You can always post a request for help there...

 

[scorcher1967]

Quick little update. The rear bumper and gas tank came off today. Rear bumper was a hateful piece of metal. Much torch work on that one.

Got the tranny and tcase out too. posted a few new pics
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q71/scorcher1967/fj55/

Motor tomorrow.

 

[scorcher1967]

Engine is out, as well as exhaust hangers, fuel lines and skid plates.

I may get to the brake lines tomorrow, and get the engine on the stand.....

 

[miletwo]

Nice work. Keep it going.

 

[cruiserjunktion]

Nice work. Keep it going.

x2


sweet

 

[scorcher1967]

Deconstruction complete.

 

[PabloCruise]

Deconstruction complete.

Wow! You are one fast cat!

Are you going to hook up with John for the trailer?

 

[scorcher1967]

Yeah, I'll give him a call, soon as I get my schedule for the week down. I hope to have it back together as a rolling chassis, with driveline, by the end of january. Then, start on the body.

 

[ColoCruiserJeff]

You're making really good progress on that piggy! Hopefully you can make some more progress before the snow starts flying tonite! Keep up the awesome work!

 

[scorcher1967]

Yeah, I didnt get much done this month. Weather, work....holiday season in a restaurant....

Anyway, back to it for a couple days, I posted a big need in the classifieds. The rear section of the frame that supports the bumper is swiss cheese. I need to patch/replace it before moving forward. Any leads?

Muchas Gracias.

 

[merbesfield]

No offense, but tearing it down is the easy part. Good luck on the project, and I mean that is the most positive way.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Don't be discouraged. It CAN be done! Here's the evidence http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414794
It took us the better part of a year to get it to the point of running. Not much has happened in the last two years but I'll be finishing it off in the next 6-9 months.

This one would have been good competition for yours on which one had more rust!

 

[scorcher1967]

Thanks for the encouragement. I just got the rear frame section from classic cruisers in salida. (thanks DJ!) I will try to get it welded in before the superbowl today. I'll post some pics.

Speaking of rust....anyone got a used plasma cutter?

 

[scorcher1967]

Got the new rear crossmember welded in. Some pics..

 

[scorcher1967]

Finally got a nice day to get something done.

I patched up a rough section of the new rear bumper support. The frame is now ready to go off to the sandblaster and powdercoater.

 

[scorcher1967]

Finally, some tangible progress!

The frame is back from the powder coat shop. Thanks Front Range Powdercoating!
Came out so nice, you can still read the vin stamp in the 3rd picture! Anyway, I can really start the reassembly now, which is good. It has to be all done by the end of August One banana for each month left. The body is off getting blasted, gotta assemble chassis, then much bodywork.

And a little POR-15 for the springs,etc....

 

[PabloCruise]

What happened to the DS shock tower?

 

[ridgerunner]

I really like the idea of this project. As 55s get older, there's gonna be a lot more rusty ones out there needing some TLC. Good luck!