Fun with castings

[ridefastflyfar]

My "Toyota Land Cruiser" emblems were having the broken mounting post problem again, and rather than buy another set of plastic ones, I decided to build a foundry and make some aluminum versions. The plan is to use some VHB adhesive and stick them on, just like all the new cars do. It's a fun process, plus i was able to teach my son about the foundry process. in the pic with all the emblems, the original plastic one is fourth up from the bottom.

 

[Ambrew]

Fun! I've been playing with resins and molds for the rear vent covers on mine.... Would love to try aluminium! Looks great!

 

[micruz60]

That's great, reminds me of a high school shop class project, where we made name plates for roadside addresses.
If you pursue this further, there is a market for these. How are you fastening to the fenders?

 

[ridefastflyfar]

Originally was going to try to drill and tap them, but once i really thought about it, the 3M VHB tapes are the typical attachment method for car badges now. Everything from moulding to window trim seems to be attached that way.

 

[micruz60]

Ah so.
I missed that part in your opening comment. Could be easy to run short tiny screws from back side of fender into the aluminum.... Where one can get access, easy on 40, not so much on 60.

 

[skidplate]

Most of my plastic pegs broke off as well. I broke the rest off and used the 3M peel and stick to re attach them. I've always been interested in different moulding procceses, nice work.

 

[ridefastflyfar]

The first ones i made are relieved on the back, just like the plastic versions. By the end of the day we decided to fill in the back so there would be lots of surface area for the VHB to adhere to, and ew got a little cleaner casting as well. Once i have a set cleaned up and painted, I'll take some more pictures and post them. Fun little project, and this way I'll have 'aftermarket' emblems that should last as long as the rest of the truck!

 

[bikersmurf]

Fun! I've been playing with resins and molds for the rear vent covers on mine.... Would love to try aluminium! Looks great!

There would be an even bigger market for side covers since they are NLA, and break easily.

 

[ridefastflyfar]

Which ones? Not sure I'm tracking with what you mean by rear vent/side covers.

 

[bikersmurf]

Diesel 40s had a apx 1.25" x 3.5" vent below the kick out window. The last plastic covers were sold a few years back for $30+/side. I don't know if they came on any US models. Mine are both long gone so I'll likely machine something up on a milling machine when I've got access to one again.

 

[Ambrew]

There would be an even bigger market for side covers since they are NLA, and break easily.

You would think so, but I havent seen proof of that. I started a thread last summer after I made a set for myself and got 0 responses. They look close enough but have rough edges on the inside. Thing is the plastic would get soft at 45-50 deg c, so I'm still testing them.

 

[Ambrew]

I think this was for "cold climates" aka Canada. It's to help with the rear fogging up.

 

[Poser]

There would be an even bigger market for side covers since they are NLA, and break easily.

Which ones? Not sure I'm tracking with what you mean by rear vent/side covers.

Diesel 40s had a apx 1.25" x 3.5" vent below the kick out window. The last plastic covers were sold a few years back for $30+/side. I don't know if they came on any US models. Mine are both long gone so I'll likely machine something up on a milling machine when I've got access to one again.

You would think so, but I havent seen proof of that. I started a thread last summer after I made a set for myself and got 0 responses. They look close enough but have rough edges on the inside. Thing is the plastic would get soft at 45-50 deg c, so I'm still testing them.View attachment 1019768

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jefferson-State-Machining/401711836576579



They make them.

 

[bikersmurf]

I don't care about stock look so plastic is out for me.

Any idea how much for the aluminum ones?

 

[N919HJ]

Those look real nice. I think I'd go body color with them. They look a little to modern in bare aluminum.

 

[Ambrew]

Thanks! they come out of the mold like that but I have had good luck painting them with duplicolor and clearcoat.

 

[Living in the Past]

Diesel 40s had a apx 1.25" x 3.5" vent below the kick out window. The last plastic covers were sold a few years back for $30+/side. I don't know if they came on any US models. Mine are both long gone so I'll likely machine something up on a milling machine when I've got access to one again.

I think this was for "cold climates" aka Canada. It's to help with the rear fogging up.View attachment 1019769

These were on gas models as well as diesel models. Plus on the 45 pickups as well. Only on Canadians imported 4X series. There were other cold climate countries besides Canada that got 40 series cruisers but these are Canadian market only.

 

[N919HJ]

Ambrew, do you mind showing us a picture of what they look like on the inside of your truck?

 

[Ambrew]

I wish I could, but my truck is in storage due to renovations going on. I don't have one in my rebuild file either. Maybe someone else can chip in? There is a separate plastic part on the inside that is equally unobtainium.

 

[ridefastflyfar]

Finally got these finished up. Painted them, sanded the tops, then clear coated and attached to the truck.

Forgot to mention that they're made from an old water pump and FJ60 pistons, so technically they are both aftermarket and OEM!