Builds Flopped My Rig, Time To Chop The Top! (2 Viewers)

[VCCruzr]

Back To Working On The Rig

Well, last weekend I took a much needed break from working on the cruiser and went to a SoCal M&G in the local San Diego mountains. What a relaxing weekend hanging out with fellow cruiserheads. https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-socal-80s/611711-official-2012-m-g-photo-thread.html

Since I was taking a weekend off, I decided it was the perfect time to get my new windshield installed. I had a body shop do it because they welded in the donor A Pillars I hacked off of a 95 that was being parted out. They did an awesome job for me!

Today my buddy and I got the "bolt-on" BIO sliders I have, welded to the frame. Then I made a much needed repair to a "goof" from last time. The cage was 2" too low as the height it was to be cut was taken from the top of the tube instead of the bottom. It was an easy fix - cut all 4 risers, insert a 12" x 1.75" sleeve, add 2" x 2" spacer, and weld back together. After that, we started the PS A pillar bar. What a PITA as this piece of tube was as it has 5 different bends. At least the other side should be easier since I have a template now. Here are a few pics:

 

[VCCruzr]

More Pics

A couple more pics of today's progress:

 

[shoupe89]

Very nice...do all te aftermarket 80 windshields have te tinted upper glass? My replacement I installed two weeks ago was like that.

 

[VCCruzr]

do all te aftermarket 80 windshields have te tinted upper glass?

I am not sure. I had 3 price points to choose from and I took the cheapest which came with the blue tinted upper.

 

[shoupe89]

I am not sure. I had 3 price points to choose from and I took the cheapest which came with the blue tinted upper.

That may be the case with me also. 220$ installed with new seals.

Rig is lookin good man!

 

[Wrench]

He's in cali so a blue tinted upper is a must.

 

[Smokinrodder]

Got a pic of the sliders, and the weld on areas?

 

[VCCruzr]

Got a pic of the sliders, and the weld on areas?

My rig is at my buddies place so I can't take pics until this weekend. Here is a pic when the sliders were delivered. I just welded the plate that receives the U-bolts directly to the frame.

 

[devildogcruiser25]

Who makes those sliders? They look über beefy!

 

[VCCruzr]

Who makes those sliders? They look über beefy!

Mike Smith @ Bump It Offroad. Super product at super prices with great customer service to boot.

 

[VCCruzr]

Almost Finished With The Roll Cage

Well today my buddy and I made some good progress. We finished the A Pillars, top cross bar & triangulation bars, and rear support bars. I still have to add a front cross bar on the A Pillars at the base of the outside of the windshield and cross bars at both the B & C pillars for new seat harnesses, as well as add a few gusset bars. Here are a few pics of today's progress:

 

[VCCruzr]

A Few More Pics

More Pictures:

 

[mypancreasbroke]

That looks great man! I've always wanted an 80s 4runner for the removable top and your cruiser has me feeling that again. Your pic backgrounds are great too with those pal trees and skyline. Looks refreshing compared to flat Texas burning hot grassland!

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

I know you have a bar mounted just inside the top of the windshield but have you considered adding a bar outside the windshield frame to try to protect your windshield in case you flop it again? You could space it out some so it wouldn't interfere with however you plan to mount a soft top in the future. It could also serve as a light bar.

 

[Bluetribal]

I like how you tucked the A pillar bar going down to the sliders inside the fender!

Also when you add the lower bar at the base of your windshield don't forget to clear the windshield wipers that are currently removed.

 

[Ozdunc]

He's in cali so a blue tinted upper is a must.

So's a hat now

What a way to make lemonade outa lemons.
Awesome.

 

[FJFOOL]

When I first started following this build it was"what the hell is he thinkin'!" IT is really growing on me and I really like where you're going with this. Nice work !! Being in Western Washington, rain protection would need to be incorporated but the wheels are turning. Thanks for posting this build !

 

[VCCruzr]

That looks great man! I've always wanted an 80s 4runner for the removable top and your cruiser has me feeling that again. Your pic backgrounds are great too with those pal trees and skyline. Looks refreshing compared to flat Texas burning hot grassland!

Thanks!

I know you have a bar mounted just inside the top of the windshield but have you considered adding a bar outside the windshield frame to try to protect your windshield in case you flop it again? You could space it out some so it wouldn't interfere with however you plan to mount a soft top in the future. It could also serve as a light bar.

Nate,
We think alike. My buddy and I had already discussed this this as it is gonna be hard to replace the windshield. This added upper crossbar would reduce the chance of damage in another flop for sure. Thanks for the confirmation of my thoughts.

I like how you tucked the A pillar bar going down to the sliders inside the fender!

Also when you add the lower bar at the base of your windshield don't forget to clear the windshield wipers that are currently removed.

Thanks Mark! Actually, we would've had the lower bar installed had I not forgotten to bring the wipers. I didn't want to rush and screw up so that's next weekend.

So's a hat now

What a way to make lemonade outa lemons.
Awesome.

Thanks Duncan!

When I first started following this build it was"what the hell is he thinkin'!" IT is really growing on me and I really like where you're going with this. Nice work !! Being in Western Washington, rain protection would need to be incorporated but the wheels are turning. Thanks for posting this build !

Thanks! A soft top is in line with some kind of "velcro'ed in" removable rear panel to hold in some heat in the winter months.

Thanks all for your comments! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Time to get the body work going again and finish the liner. A few more dents that need bondo, notch and trim the front fenders, and prime and paint all this tube. Still need to finish the cage though with some gusseting and tie in the bumper with some rear quarter panel exo. Should be done in a month or so,

Tonight I actually swapped out my J lift and shocks for a Frankies Offroad Gen II lift with Edelbrock shocks. What a plush ride! I can't wait to wheel it and test it on the trail. With all the weight this rig lost, the J lift was just too harsh, even after replacing the OME shocks with the ProComp ES9000s.

Cheers!

Derrick

 

[VCCruzr]

Took A Break From Welding, Back To Body Work

This weekend I decided to switch gears and get back to some body work. First I notched the front fenders top and bottom around the tube so I could re-mount them. Then, I notched the front fender wells like I did on the rears for more clearance. Next was bondo time for the DS front fender and corner of the hood. I finished the day priming the doors and fenders as prep for the Al's Liner. I have decided not to line the hood so I primed and painted it satin black.

 

[VCCruzr]

End of The Day Pics

How she looks at the end of the day.