Builds FJ55V : This little piggy came home. (2 Viewers)

[fre55h]

Rear floor pans welded in.
This is how I should have done it a few years ago, and transplanted the entire section in.

 

[RUSH55]

Pretty amazing to find that section in a parts rig to be completely flawless. That is usually one of the most rotted out sections on EVERY 55.

 

[fre55h]

Pretty amazing to find that section in a parts rig to be completely flawless. That is usually one of the most rotted out sections on EVERY 55.

The paint is actually an anti-oxidising paint used by the local SES 'State Emergency Services' and Fire Services here in Australia. The donor vehicle was in very good nick, and certainly well looked after for it's years in service.

 

[fre55h]

See welded panel.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Any reason you didn't just use the entire donor body?

 

[bobm]

See welded panel.

View attachment 3932492

Put some drain holes in dem corners

 

[fre55h]

Picked up and back in the pig pen.
Next on the to do list.
- Fit the front seat.
- Install Transmission Tunnel.
- Weld in the floor pans in the front.
- Weld in the seat mounts.
- Rear Quarters patched.

 

[PabloCruise]

Roof skinned and back onto the frame.
Next onto the floor and bench seat.

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Man, if you got the roof done, I feel like anything else will be cake for your skillz...

 

[PabloCruise]

Any reason you didn't just use the entire donor body?

I was wondering this as well.

 

[fre55h]

I was wondering this as well.

Australia has super anal engineering rules. I didn't want the headache.

 

[fre55h]

Head start on the gearbox tunnel.

I've left a snippet of one of the Australia ADR Rules I need to keep too. Any changes to the tunnel needs to be approved.

I've found a FZJ80R Shifter with an overdrive button. Cut out a section for the Low/High shifter, and made some templates to keep the tunnel as original as possible.

Yes, it would easier to make a new one, however my engineer wants to see this as OEM as possible.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Australia has super anal engineering rules. I didn't want the headache.

Sounds like a choice between a headache and a backache. Was that other body as clean as it looked?

 

[fre55h]

Time to get cut & bending.

 

[fre55h]

Template made for the tunnel.
This back section will be welded into place.
Front peice will be bolted/removable to keep that OEM feeling.

Additional bracing added as I've cut the body rib out, and the floor is extremely flimsy.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Great work as always!

 

[fre55h]

More trans tunnel prep.
Tunnel in position ready to be trimmed and welded. Fabbed a quick bracket for the auto Shifter.

Have to now make room for the handbrake, cup holders and a small electrical switch panel/usb charger.

Have allowed enough space under the Shifter to run some fuses and lights, maybe the ARB Air Compressor outlets.

 

[61twpw]

Amazing work as always. Enjoy seeing your progress

 

[PabloCruise]

More trans tunnel prep.
Tunnel in position ready to be trimmed and welded. Fabbed a quick bracket for the auto Shifter.

Have to now make room for the handbrake, cup holders and a small electrical switch panel/usb charger.

Have allowed enough space under the Shifter to run some fuses and lights, maybe the ARB Air Compressor outlets.

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Nice work!

Are you running the factory bench for front row seating?

 

[fre55h]

Nice work!

Are you running the factory bench for front row seating?

I sure will be to start with.

This is the original seat to the vehicle. Photo I took before building the tunnel. I'll grab another tomorrow with the tunnel.

Have also picked up a YETI Cooler cup holder set up.

 

[fre55h]

Two options for now. See where the handbrake lands.