Builds Harumi the Rusty Rescue JDM HJ60 - Build Thread (3 Viewers)

[BrickRunner]

Oof, that was a bear of a job, I'm still sore. I imagine this is a tad easier with the body off...
Used an angle grinder, air hammer, pry bars, ratchet straps and my buddy's plasma cutter until the ceramic head cracked.

Test fitting the C-Channels. I had to add two holes on the left hand channel for my exhaust hanger and open a few of the holes. I suspect that it has a different hanger than the FJ's as the HJ has the resonator (which I have removed) and that this explains the difference.

In addition to cleaning up the rust and painting them, I plan on putting grease in between the frame and the C-Channels.
These things are stout and should last at least my lifetime!

 

[BrickRunner]

I wanna see it painted
Painted black
Black as night
Black as coal
I wanna see the sun
Blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted
Painted black, yeah

 

[Dekeman]

Well done. What did you use for paint?

 

[BrickRunner]

Well done. What did you use for paint?

Eastwood Rust Encapsulator Plus for primer and Eastwood chassis black satin for top coat. So far where I've used it seems durable.

 

[matmattmatthew]

I've recently come to terms with the fact that while I'm going through the process of wirewheeling, cleaning and painting my frame I should just bite the bullet and do the C-Channels. I've heard it's not a pleasant project.

What kind of grease did you put between the C channel and the frame?

 

[BrickRunner]

I've recently come to terms with the fact that while I'm going through the process of wirewheeling, cleaning and painting my frame I should just bite the bullet and do the C-Channels. I've heard it's not a pleasant project.

What kind of grease did you put between the C channel and the frame?

Good question! I haven't decided yet as I haven't reassembled everything yet. I was thinking I might use multipurpose or chassis grease as I have both of those lying around. I saw someone use cosmolene in another thread.

It is a foul job that requires brute force, finesse and fortitude. And an air hammer.

 

[bcsteel]

Just finishing this job up as well. One of those jobs that is nice to have done but not do again. I’m going to cosmoline between the C channel and the frame rail. Hopefully that lasts the rest of time.

Definitely an air chisel is key/hammer is a useful tool.

Nice work on your build!

 

[BrickRunner]

C-Channel sammich, with blueberry preserves, crunchy zinc'd bolts, and a side of sway bar.

I ended up using Mobile 222 between the frame and the c-channel.

 

[BrickRunner]

I received a gift from a coworker with too much time on his hands today, complete with wooden sunroof!

 

[BrickRunner]

Now for the real fun!
The Eastwood spot weld cutter seems to do the trick nicely.
I removed the bracket for the center console as I want to be able to move to the back from the front seat easily. It's also a nice spot for a doggo to sit. I will fabricate a cover for the wires and connecters that attaches to the hat section.

I also started on the right rear fender well hole.

 

[duncanrm]

It's also a nice spot for a doggo to sit.

Ah yes, we're going to need a photo of this said dog.. please.

 

[BrickRunner]

Ah yes, we're going to need a photo of this said dog.. please.

I don't have a pic of Paco with the Cruiser yet, but here you go!
I've never been much of a small dog guy, but he is pretty chill (and large) for a chihuahua. He's a rescue that my girlfriend picked up 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[BrickRunner]

It's always deeper than it looks... but still repairable.
I plan to cut out the pitted metal on the piece I cut out, and patch it with new metal, and then weld it back in.
I also need to patch the hole on the lower piece.

 

[duncanrm]

I don't have a pic of Paco with the Cruiser yet, but here you go!
I've never been much of a small dog guy, but he is pretty chill (and large) for a chihuahua. He's a rescue that my girlfriend picked up 7 or 8 years ago.

Bless his little cotton socks.

 

[BrickRunner]

One less hole in the cruiser!

I finally got the welder setting figured out right at the end.
Used 3M weld through coating 05917 between the flanges, 3M seam sealer 08301, followed by Eastwood epoxy paint/primer, and Eastwood internal frame coating on the backside.

 

[BrickRunner]

 

[BrickRunner]

I also removed the sunroof support bracket from the roof by drilling out the spot welds, and found some more suprises...

I was thinking of bending the flanges up to support the sunroof delete panel that i would weld in, but it looks like i would need to cut out more material...
Plenty of time to think about that, and plenty of other things to fix in the meantime.

 

[BrickRunner]

Tried out my mini press brake, it works great! I managed to get the bends such that it fits over the rear crossmember with just a bit of clearance.

I then promptly chopped off the top bend, as I realized I wouldn't be able to install the receiver without removing all of the bumper bits...

Thanks for the inspiration @Samppahj !

 

[Samppahj]

Tried out my mini press brake, it works great! I managed to get the bends such that it fits over the rear crossmember with just a bit of clearance.

I then promptly chopped off the top bend, as I realized I wouldn't be able to install the receiver without removing all of the bumper bits...

Thanks for the inspiration @Samppahj !

Looking good! You must thank Finnish hitch manufacturer Kovil. It is their design Glad I can inspire people.

 

[BrickRunner]

I'm pretty happy how the receiver turned out. Almost looks professional.

It's always a good idea to test fit after welding, but before paint. Thankfully all of the holes still lined up, this time!