"Flood Resistant" Build Up

[fj x8]

Since I extended 16” on the body, I need to make up for the missing body. So working on it right now, just stamped a sheet of metal for the floor and hurried back to the office. Hopefully I could have some progress next week. It is so busy and hectic this time of year. Have a great weekend.

 

[waiting for time]

Its looking good Josh, can't wait to see the next fase

 

[fj x8]

Have a little bit of time this week, putting the front tub back to the frame,
and align the two bodies before welding them together as one

Oh this is how it look if I keep the departure angle like stock fj40, but I don't.
To recap, extend the body 16", and wheelbase 12". This is the pic if the wheelbase is extended 16".
Will move the axle forward 4" later.

 

[fj x8]

Other pics

 

[fj x8]

The missing floor panel is ready.
Next on agenda:
cut the top and extend 16”
take out the small side window and put on the new longer one
weld the top into one unit
remove new tub from the frame
doing the frame: clean, sand, and primer
work on the body

 

[waiting for time]

Looks nice, can't wait to see the next fase.

Keep em comming.

 

[fj x8]

Was so busy with work, got sick, and so laid off working on the car for some time. Anyway continue..

 

[fj x8]

I finally got time to work on the fj again. Found some pics of the fj43’s hardtop on the internet, mostly look like sliding window with plastic hardtop from Colombia, cmiiw. There are many custom combinations, but I prefer to use one big piece design like the chevy k5. When I visited the local glass shop that make tempered window, I felt that it was different than the oem. Seem the oem is more solid and not as clear clear as the custom one. The oem isn’t that transparent.

So, I changed my mind to use two equal size windows by keeping the oem, and one custom. After some measurements, I found out that keeping the oem isn’t possible since it’s a bit too long. I called the shop asking to cut the oem a bit, and they said it’s impossible. At the end I decided to use oem and custom. They will not be equal sizes, but whatever. I just don’t like getting rid of the oem.

 

[fj x8]

Now that the missing panels of various sizes are ready, continued working on the body. Everything is shaped according to stock with the only exception that one side of the fender was cut out a bit more to prevent tires from rubbing on the trail.

 

[fj x8]

Smoothed out the welds and apparently the po used quite a lot of bondo on the outer panels, not the inside though. Hate it, but to build it right I gotta remove all bondo. What a waste of time, but then again you can’t hurry things like this. Have a nice weekend guys!

 

[waiting for time]

Have a nice weekend guys!

Thanks, looks really nice, youre doing a good job.
Can you post a picture of total side view, love to get an overall picture of the rig now.

Have a nice weekend to.

 

[ColoCruiserJeff]

If you're going to move the rear axle forward....why didn't you just extend the frame behind the axle? It would result in the same frame length, and you wouldn't have compromised the frame strength between the axles (where the load is placed).

I'm hoping you put a 1/4" x 4" piece of flat steel or C-channel in that frame rail - I've lengthened a few vehicles...and you HAVE to reinforce the inside of the frame after doing the weld-in of the new outer skin.

The main reason for a sub-support is that you've made the exterior welds pretty by grinding off 60% of the weld. They don't grind off the welds on super skyscrapers and other major metal structures for a reason - that's 60% of the strength gone once you grind it flat -you're depending on the penetration and metal bond inside of the gap you cut in the first place to hold the frame together now. I hope you have 100% weld bond between the frame sections!

You're certainly onto something quite unique here...and would rather see it run solidly for the next 40 years as opposed to bending in the middle due to stress and ruining all of the awesome sheet metalwork that you've done.

Not being critical, just my $0.02 USD.

 

[bsmith123]

build

interesting build, I like the fact you had a need and purpose in mind from the start

and a good story to read

 

[BJ44V]

Very cool build. I cannot wait to see the completed work. The roof walls are looking good.

 

[fj x8]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I welded 1/4” x 16” plates inside the frame and put 4 bolts for added safety. The inside welds are left as is for strength. Yes extending the frame behind the axle is the ideal way, but it’s a 2 steps work and probably unnecessary (time will tell). I figure the load distribution won’t matter that much if I move the rear axle 3” forward. Taken into consideration many rigs with extended axles still perform great on the rocks, let alone trail. We’ll see how it goes and if necessary, god forbid, I redo it again.

The thing with having an FJ is never a done deal, there’s always something that needs to be done. Ohhhh I could feel my wife says sarcastically, “………agaaiinnn???!!!” If only those eyeballs could fall out. Again, thanks for the comment, it sure beats talking to her.

 

[fj x8]

I haven’t done much this week except welding the rest of the body and floor panels. The roof gutter was quite rusty underneath so spent more time to fab one with thicker plates. Looking at the rain gutter reminds me of the river water level that was way too high for the embankment to hold. Hope I have time to finish the build before the peak of rainy season, Jan-Feb. One of these days I will take a pic of that so you can see the impending disaster (knock on the wood).

 

[MDTyree]

Looking good Josh, Your really making some progress on your rig. Keep those pics coming.

Mike

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I enjoy following this thread...looking good!!!

 

[BJ44V]

I am on the edge of my seat ...really cool build.

 

[fj x8]

Thanks for the comment guys. Ok, continued with the gutter, it’s done except the front that took more time due to its roundy shape.