Builds FJfordy4DR12V (purists turn your eyes away from this one)

[Ditcherman]

Finally back at it after finishing harvest.
Got the rear coilover mounts re-remodled and the tub cut in. No fun, but done, I believe.

 

[Ditcherman]

Got the cowl samdblasted, primed, and sprayed with Lizardskin sound and heat insulation, working on the bottom of the tub, should finish with the ceramic heat insulation tomorrow.

Hope to set tub and cowl up and start building seat brackets, would like to figure out some underseat storage solutions.
Also need to figure out floor treatment, paint or bed liner or???

 

[Mike Shull]

Looking good. Are you planning to use top coat to harden your final coat? I top coated the underside and used Raptor Liner inside. My tub used way more top coat than I initially planned for.

 

[Ditcherman]

Looking good. Are you planning to use top coat to harden your final coat? I top coated the underside and used Raptor Liner inside. My tub used way more top coat than I initially planned for.

I hadn’t planned on it but if that’s what’s needed I can - assuming procuring the topcoat and the timing of this curing works - I’ll have to look into that.
I hadn’t read that it was needed, I assume from your question it is?

 

[Mike Shull]

I hadn’t planned on it but if that’s what’s needed I can - assuming procuring the topcoat and the timing of this curing works - I’ll have to look into that.
I hadn’t read that it was needed, I assume from your question it is?

Yes, you will want to put something over the final coat of Lizard Skin to create a hard protective layer. Their top coat works great. Without it the coating is quite soft. It is well worth the investment and wait.

I added a picture below of my tub right before I added the Raptor Liner. The Lizard Skin was fully cured for a few weeks and I was extremely careful but I still got a few drag marks from walking on it and setting parts down while I made the transmission tunnel. Lizard Skin’s FAQ suggests that Top Coat is optional when using under the body but I wouldn’t move forward without it. They also state that this product should not be used in a truck bed, which would suggest that it wouldn’t last in conditions where things are being flung against the surface.

TopCoat Spray Can

LizardSkin TopCoat is an easy-to-use, spray-on coating designed to enhance the durability and appearance of LizardSkin Sound Control or Ceramic Insulation coatings. It does NOT offer any insulation value, but instead provides a textured, non-skid, and glossy finish to improve the aesthetics of...

shop.lizardskin.com

 

[Mike Shull]

From Lizard Skin’s FAQ:

LizardSkin FAQ - LizardSkin Insulation

LizardSkin FAQ like how to apply LizardSkin, how much product to buy, where you can purchase LizardSkin and more frequently asked questions.

lizardskin.com

“Yes, both LizardSkin CI and LizardSkin SC can be used on the interior or exterior of the vehicle. At the recommended thickness, both automotive insulation coatings can prevent starring from normal road debris. For additional toughness, LizardSkin TopCoat is available.”

LizardSkin FAQ - LizardSkin Insulation

LizardSkin FAQ like how to apply LizardSkin, how much product to buy, where you can purchase LizardSkin and more frequently asked questions.

lizardskin.com

“No, we do not recommend the use of LizardSkin Ceramic Insulation or Sound Control as a bed liner. Although the products are very tough and durable, they are not designed to withstand the rigors that bed liner materials are subject to.”

 

[Ditcherman]

Thanks for that Mike!
I saw the part about the truck bed liner, but took the topcoat as too much of a suggestion.
Hopefully it gets here soon.

I have a restomod 40 with bed liner on the floor and it’s ok, considering just paint for the floor of this one. Not sure how bad this idea is.

 

[Mike Shull]

…considering just paint for the floor of this one. Not sure how bad this idea is.

No problem. Order a few extra cans of top coat. The coverage seemed to be less than their calculator recommended.

I used LizardSkin on the underside and topside of my floor. I can’t remember if you were planning to use LizardSkin on both sides but I love how quiet and insulated mine turned out and I highly recommend applying to both sides. It was an amazing difference, especially when it was 95 to 100° outside. The Raptor Liner adhered very well to the LizardSkin. I don’t know how well paint would adhere but LizardSkin seems to suggest that it can be painted.

 

[Ditcherman]

No problem. Order a few extra cans of top coat. The coverage seemed to be less than their calculator recommended.

I used LizardSkin on the underside and topside of my floor. I can’t remember if you were planning to use LizardSkin on both sides but I love how quiet and insulated mine turned out and I highly recommend applying to both sides. It was an amazing difference, especially when it was 95 to 100° outside. The Raptor Liner adhered very well to the LizardSkin. I don’t know how well paint would adhere but LizardSkin seems to suggest that it can be painted.

Wasn’t planning on a rough texture inside, but can consider it. It could cover a lot of flaws in a hurry I guess. I have enough sound to do the inside floor for sure and maybe enough heat.
I’ll look into the Raptor liner, thanks.

 

[Ditcherman]

Making a bit of progress here, more pictures soon hopefully, but something a little different for now...

I stumbled across this thread this morning, cruising around looking for my morning dopamine hit I suppose, (I don't drink coffee that stuffs bad for ya!) and got to thinking about what it means to be hardcore, and this guy is definitely chasing it.

The Better Man - an Australian Land Cruiser feature length road movie

I'm Daniel Green and I'm a Land Cruiser tragic. Have been since my old man came home in a 1979 BJ40 when I was nine. Split rims, dune beige and that B-engine rattle! Seven Land Cruisers and one Land Cruiser short film later we decided to make a feature length road movie across the outback...

forum.ih8mud.com

He's building something pretty cool too, and asked for help, so I threw in a little bit but thought you all might want to consider it too. Just seemed like a cool cause, help a guy get to his dream.
I know you all have helped me get to mine, and thank you for that. Not like I'm close to it yet, but that's half the fun.

There's a link to give in the last post of page 1.

Thanks for all the inspiration, Mud!

 

[Ditcherman]

Working on seat mounts, thinking about roll bar, how to go about it to make it functional but also never hit my head.

Wasn’t sure how the fold down seats would fit but I think they’ll work. Bring on the grandkids!

Slowly but surely. Or a least some spurts.

 

[Ditcherman]

The long slog.

Learn how to clearcoat:
Step one, learn how to prep.

One foot in front of the other.

Excited for color.
Sand it off, do it again, probably.

Other things. Like choices and decisions.

 

[AgentOrange]

Prep is where the real magic is. You can fix just about anything else in paint if the prep was good. I'm really enjoying seeing the pieces come together now

 

[Ditcherman]

Got some color on.
Learning to clear, or maybe how not to clear…
Everything on the build is a compromise, so I’ve decided this won’t be a Ferrari quality paint job.

Fuel tank built and pressure tested. Wasn’t even planning on building a tank but it was obvious the OEM wouldn’t work and this will be better by a long shot anyway.

 

[Mike Shull]

The tank looks sweet and I love the color!
Painting is one of my least favorite jobs and although I’m happy with how my turned out, I may have a professional shop redo it someday.

 

[Ditcherman]

The tank looks sweet and I love the color!
Painting is one of my least favorite jobs and although I’m happy with how my turned out, I may have a professional shop redo it someday.

Color was inspiration from - I wish I could remember who in here - that rattle canned theirs Joanna Gaines Duke Gray.
Had my guy match it but didn’t like how dark it was in the sun so we went a little more green. It definitely darkens up in the sun and switches between gray and green a bit.

Definitely happy I followed your advice Mike on the topcoat for the insulation and also the Raptor liner for the tub floor.

 

[Mike Shull]

Oh good! Ive now had an opportunity to get a few rocks flinging around and I have been quite impressed with how durable the topcoat is. I can’t wait to see yours once you are done!

Color was inspiration from - I wish I could remember who in here - that rattle canned theirs Joanna Gaines Duke Gray.
Had my guy match it but didn’t like how dark it was in the sun so we went a little more green. It definitely darkens up in the sun and switches between gray and green a bit.

Definitely happy I followed your advice Mike on the topcoat for the insulation and also the Raptor liner for the tub floor.

 

[Ditcherman]

Hung some doors today.

No, not like that, sorry. But getting closer all the time.
Tires are in.
Driveshafts are ordered.
Still waiting on ORD Magnum box, wiring harness, exhaust clamps…

 

[Ditcherman]

Super excited to see it sitting on its own 4 legs. First time since I cut the springs off in June, been on blocks the whole time.
Accutune did a fabulous job of getting the ride height close the first time with the weights I gave them, we’re really close to ride ht guessing what weight goes on still.
We put off mounting springs because of their spring exchange program but super happy to see where it’s sitting now.

That t case is not-so-patiently waiting for a magnum box.

Still painting. This is taking forever. Want to basically finish before Big Sky trip, then change gears.

 

[Mike Shull]

I am loving the color combo on the entire truck, and the shocks look amazing! The depth in the body color looks great, too. I can’t wait to see this in person.