Builds Guppie's FJ55 Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[1973Guppie]

Nice man. So your basic plan for treatment of metals is phosphoric acid, then zero rust on inside surface, then primer on outside surface?

well, depends on what the end surface will be. For the interior parts where the body shop won't touch it, I do: wire brush/sand/phos acid/tsp or zrust prep step/zrust paint/ then I plan to use the eastwood heavy duty anti rust paint, which is like a waxy film on all of the interior lower sills (doors, rear corners, rear tailgate, etc).

for the outside areas that the body shop is going to handle: sand/phos acid (if there is surface rust)/self etch primer/ then leave it to the body shop to finalize everything.

I am just making sure the panels and the car are sound with no rust, then I plan to let the body shop deal with any little dings, etc. I don't want to deal with the body work.

Noah

 

[1973Guppie]

Mine looks like this too, but I always just assumed it was bent. I don't know the real answer, but would be curious to see what some of the piggy experts say.

thanks, anyone else? I think if I don't get a definite answer, I will keep it as it is, to me it looks factory....

 

[cruiserbrett]

the hole for the hand crank should be flat without that depression. I ruined my perfect front panel trying to use the hand crank. bent it just like that on the first hand start attempt.

 

[1973Guppie]

Brett, is it better to leave it alone or try to straighten it? I am just worried that if I hammer it flat I could make it worse or split the metal?

 

[1973Guppie]

some updates

so, time for some updates, got the body back on the frame and all bolted down finally with the correct size and length bolts. Got the front clip painted with zerorust white and zrust clearcoat and bolted onto the front. Also got all the body panels primed and put into place. The hardest one was the rear tailgate. I figured out how to get the "tailgate assist" torsion bar to work and am very glad I did! It is a nice addition to have the tailgate slowly drop and assist a bit when lifting it up. Also black zerorusted the rear interior corners and spray a buttload of the wax paint back there, won't ever rust again.

After I got the 55 all buttoned up I looked to the fj40 to occupy me for awhile. I had previously (about 6 months ago) stripped the 40 down to bare bones to get it painted, then realized that I needed to get the 55 back on the frame before I could do anything about the 40. So, the last week has been spent scraping the 40 down to bare metal. I am glad I did this as there is no way a bodyshop was going to do this without charging me up the nose. I dropped the truck off at earl scheib today. $650 for everything including a bunch of brackets and small pieces and the rear doors. They are going to fix a few major body dings but other than that they are going to prime and paint it and match the interior color. It comes with a 6 year warranty so hopefully it will adhere correctly. I am not looking for a perfect paintjob as at it's heart this is a trail truck. Wish me luck, I will post up the reassembly here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-san-diego-cruisers/289333-paint-job.html#post4521971

Well, and that's it for now, I will be stepping away from the 55 for awhile, so no updates for sometime. I have decided to take a break until I have enough $ to get it to paint and complete the project.

Noah

 

[1973Guppie]

a few pics of the 40 in bare metal, ready to go to the el cheapo paint place......

 

[1973Guppie]

couple more pics of the piggy in it's current state.......

 

[DesertLake]

Respect the bock.

 

[1973Guppie]

nothin like bock and some paint fumes to brighten up the day.......

 

[DesertLake]

If you have a Whole Foods nearby, or even better if you are passing through Inyokern...

Indian Wells Brewing Company | Lobotomy Bock

 

[1973Guppie]

I love german doppelbock, favorite beer! One of my favorite places on earth is this little brewery in Munich just outside of town, somewhat in the stix. Andech's brewery. It is actually a monestary and the monks serve you beer in HUGE glasses. This stuff is so good and so fresh. I hope to go back there someday. Truly a place of worship.

 

[Ron B]

Any updates?

 

[DesertLake]

Noah - What hardware did you use to spread the phosphoric acid in the rocker? I've got access to it from the front, but I'm not sure how to spread it or see that it is spread.

 

[1973Guppie]

Hey Desert Lake,

I popped several holes inside the rocker panels on the underneath, I think like 4 if I remember correct? that along with the metal work in some areas allowed me to get into the interior. I then used compressed air to spread the PA out as well as a topcoat of the eastwood anti rust.

no updates yes, not much has changed. Have been just hoarding parts. The piggies day will come but probably not for awhile or at least until I find full time work.

Noah

 

[stonemasoncruiser]

Noah, wanted to say thanks for the great thread! I've been on the fence about selling
my '72 FJ55 project, the body is nearly as clean as yours. Now I'm feeling inspired to
find the space and time to finish mine. Thanks again, looking forward to your future
results!! Steve

 

[landcruisnman]

Stonemasoncruiser,
Don't do it. I've got a 55 project going, and Noah's helped me get inspired also. Can't wait to get em all done and do some wagon wheeling. The "Knights" of the pig world must unite!!
Pat

 

[deans87]

man it is looking great. i love your color choices

 

[1973Guppie]

well, found full time work but time is at a minimum these days with a little one and just life in general. Working on the 80 mostly nowadays. Will get back to the piggy eventually but for now it is mothballed in the garage until I decide to finish it.

Noah

 

[PabloCruise]

Congrats on the job Noah!

Forget the 80 - get back to the bacon!

 

[apeterson]

you need to get back to work on this thing!!!! I need some updates......