Hello!!

[BZEP]

I thought I might as well go ahead and introduce myself here in my home state. The name is Brian and I just bought a 1980 FJ40. I had a 75 in high school which I sold for a down payment on a house and regretted it ever since. So a couple weeks ago saw this one for sale and picked it up. I live in Charlotte (actually Marvin, 5 miles south of ballantyne) and appreciate all the great info from everyone here. The cruiser is in pretty good shape, mechanically it runs well, my only issue is rust. I am slowly taking care of it and hopefully she will be around for a long time. I guess most people are at Caney Fork this weekend, if any one has any info regarding how to get there I would appreciate it. I haven't had a chance to test out the off road abilities yet. Looking forward to future trips and to getting to know everyone.

 

[cruiser4life]

Welcome!! Nice 40.

Always good to see more cruisers in the Charlotte area!!

 

[FJ45KC]

Looks good in the pic! We'll see you at North Meets South in December?

 

[fj40z]

Great looking 40, always good to see another square bezel in the bunch.

 

[NCjeff]

That is a nice 40, Welcome...

 

[southerncruiser62]

Welcome Brian looks like a very nice cruiser, hopefully you'll be able to make it out to the North meets South Part 4.

 

[erymer]

very nice 40 Brian. Welcome to MUD

 

[phono13]

Nice looking 40! Welcome!

 

[BZEP]

Thanks for the Welcome everyone. Anything in particular I need to do to officially join this particular club? My brother went out last weekend and picked himself up a 40 as well, the disease spreads quickly in the family. Took them both out just around the corner. Thought you might like to see a couple pics.

 

[southerncruiser62]

Brian if you can make it out to the November meeting this coming Sunday all information will be provided as for joining ONSC, if you are unable to make it check in Monday for updated information for joining ONSC and upcoming events.

 

[BZEP]

Wont be able to make the meeting but will look for details on Monday. Thanks

 

[BZEP]

So today I started getting into trying to control the rust some. Replacing the tub is not an option right now so my hope was to "get by" for several years and then hopefully be able to purchase an aquala tub. Here is what I have to work with. Any suggestions? It is kind of a tough situation, such as I would like to add a metal tech full cage, do I do this now and then pull it out down the road for the new tub or does that seem like a huge waste of time. Do these pictures scream " need to replace tub now?" Let me know what you guys think??

 

[erymer]

Wow Brian. that looks like the tub on my 40 . I am in the same situation. This may or may not be popular opinion, but I am going to sand, prep, and durabak / rhino line the inner tub. Mine is not a resto project, just something I really like to drive and wheel. I figure this will hold me over until I can pop for a new tub. Just my $0.02 though.

 

[BZEP]

Wow Brian. that looks like the tub on my 40 . I am in the same situation. This may or may not be popular opinion, but I am going to sand, prep, and durabak / rhino line the inner tub. Mine is not a resto project, just something I really like to drive and wheel. I figure this will hold me over until I can pop for a new tub. Just my $0.02 though.

So when you say "prep" are you going to be welding new steel into your tub, or are you just grinding away rust using some sort of rust stop material and then rhino line?

 

[erymer]

So when you say "prep" are you going to be welding new steel into your tub, or are you just grinding away rust using some sort of rust stop material and then rhino line?

I'll be using new steel where there are holes or places that need patched, but that's about it. Grind and sand and then use apply something to prevent new rust. But that's just my plan.

 

[BZEP]

I spent the day grinding today, (amazing how much bigger the little holes get when you start grinding on them). This is all really new to me, ( I am in the woodworking business) so I want to apologize up front for idiotic questions I might ask. Hopfully next weekend I will be ready to start replacing metal. So I guess that means I need to go buy the Welder's for Dummies book. By the way should I be at all concerned about the huge amounts of sparks flying everywhere while I am working. I dont have open gas cans sitting around anywhere but what about the gas tank on the cruiser. Any precautions I should know about (See I told you stupid questions). Good luck with getting time to work on the cruiser with the new baby Eric. Thanks for everyones help. Brian

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Brian:

That's a lot of rust...and you've already got some patches...make sure the tub is solid before you go bolting-in a larger cage...otherwise in a roll-over you'll just break through the floor.

From what I can see (which means there is a lot more I can't see), you probably need at least a 1/2 tub IF everything from underneath your seats & forward is in good shape. There's a guy on e-Bay right now (RealSteel Cruiser Parts) that is selling rear steel 1/2 tubs for ~$2K and while you don't get the stock Toyota looking ribbed panels it seems to be a good price for steel.

A second option is to just get some large flat plate steel sections and weld them in right over the existing floor...but this just prolongs the inevitable. A third option is to try and do some patch work a little at a time.

Be careful cutting and welding on that rear bed floor!!! Your gas tank bolts right up against the underside of the floor!!! If you are going to get into working on this area, I'd remove the tank from the truck. It requires dropping the driveshaft, loosening the tub mounting bolts, and a lot of wiggling the tank around to get it back but it can be done without removing the tub.

You might want to seriously consider coming and getting the remains of my old '79 FJ40 tub floor...yours FREE for hauling it off...there are decent sections of OEM floor metal you can cut out of it and patch into your tub. Also I have rear quarters, rockers, cowl/firewall, and dash sections that can be re-used...will make you a deal on any of this other metal.

If you repair it, it will be a LOT cheaper than a new tub...but it will take time and effort on your part plus learning how to weld.

Let me know...

 

[BZEP]

Brian:

That's a lot of rust...and you've already got some patches...make sure the tub is solid before you go bolting-in a larger cage...otherwise in a roll-over you'll just break through the floor.

From what I can see (which means there is a lot more I can't see), you probably need at least a 1/2 tub IF everything from underneath your seats & forward is in good shape. There's a guy on e-Bay right now (RealSteel Cruiser Parts) that is selling rear steel 1/2 tubs for ~$2K and while you don't get the stock Toyota looking ribbed panels it seems to be a good price for steel.

A second option is to just get some large flat plate steel sections and weld them in right over the existing floor...but this just prolongs the inevitable. A third option is to try and do some patch work a little at a time.

Be careful cutting and welding on that rear bed floor!!! Your gas tank bolts right up against the underside of the floor!!! If you are going to get into working on this area, I'd remove the tank from the truck. It requires dropping the driveshaft, loosening the tub mounting bolts, and a lot of wiggling the tank around to get it back but it can be done without removing the tub.

You might want to seriously consider coming and getting the remains of my old '79 FJ40 tub floor...yours FREE for hauling it off...there are decent sections of OEM floor metal you can cut out of it and patch into your tub. Also I have rear quarters, rockers, cowl/firewall, and dash sections that can be re-used...will make you a deal on any of this other metal.

If you repair it, it will be a LOT cheaper than a new tub...but it will take time and effort on your part plus learning how to weld.

Let me know...

I appreciate the offer and the advice, hopefully a few people here can take a look at it at URE and give me their thoughts. Your right about the concern in a roll over, in fact right now that is my only concern. I can live with the "look" of it for a little while in hopes to be able to replace it all in the future as long as I feel confident it is safe. Maybe I just grind away rust, put some sort of rust stop on the affected area's, secure roll bars, and live with it for a while. We'll see.