HJ45 flatdeck restoration (4 Viewers)

[lostmarbles]

There is an extruded pvc product like that in rolls available - go find the nearest pipeline repair job since it's used to cushion pipe from debris during back filling the trench . The stuff I have is about 3/8" thick , yellow and has no top layer but it's quite heavy . IIRC , the roll width we use is 4' wide . Stuff is pretty tough and would breathe easily , probably could be colored different with dye or paint .
Sarge

Thanks Sarge. I'll look into that option. But I may just return to the same sort of thin foam-backed carpet I've been using (if I can still find any because I haven't seen any for a long while). Thinking about it, the existing stuff has lasted around 20 years and it didn't trap moisture (and I was able to fold it quite neatly over the wheel wells without resorting to seams).

 

[The Punter]

Hey mate, a couple of questions - what sort of welder and filler are you using? and where are you sourcing your plat for repairs?
Also, on the back of the tub there are wide strips where the seam sealer usually is, did you have rust there and patch that? Interested to see how you did that

Cheers

 

[diogenese]

Hey mate, a couple of questions - what sort of welder and filler are you using? and where are you sourcing your plat for repairs?
Also, on the back of the tub there are wide strips where the seam sealer usually is, did you have rust there and patch that? Interested to see how you did that

Cheers

I have got a Lincoln powercraft 180i tig welder and I'm mostly using bits of other landcruisers as panel steel
I'm not quite sure which seams you mean but I'm using some sikkaflex body seam sealer for the joints that need it that I picked up at supercheap.
I've no idea about filler, that's up to the guy thats painting it, the one skill I have tried and failed at!

 

[The Punter]

Thanks, I may need to get the same welding rig I think

 

[diogenese]

Things have been moving a bit slower lately but it's still moving forward. I have the dash built up and the heater conversion fitted, wipers and headlights in and working.
The motor will start on the key but I have no coolant in till I can fix one of the heater outlet fittings on the front of the motor. The hose tail has corroded but I can't get the fitting out of the head and I don't want to shear it off so it's soaking in Wurth "blue ice" release fluid.
I might have to take the roof off again as I'm not happy with the joint between the rear windows and the tub but I don't know what else I can do to get a more even joint. I may end up with a bead of sealant and some more touch-up paint.
I was going to get the seats reupholstered but I think that can wait as they are not too bad, the drivers will need a sheepskin anyway

The steering column is from the '82 BJ42 wreck that donated the heater as the wheel was in better shape and the ignition switch worked properly so I didn't need the added in glowplug switch on the dash.
You can just make out the offending heater pipe with it's brass replacement on the valve cover.

 

[The Punter]

Are you re-using the old rubber seals between the window and tub?

 

[diogenese]

Are you re-using the old rubber seals between the window and tub?

Yes, I cleaned up the faces to get rid of old hardened sealer and rust flakes and the rubber was still quite flexible so I put them back in. The top seal to the roof went together fine.

 

[diogenese]

I have some alloy wheels from HJ60 that I'm going to try on the 45 but they were looking pretty sad so they have been on a journey. Steam cleaned, sand blasted, vapour blasted and finally UV safe clear coat. I liked the previous clear coat finish best but it wouldn't have lasted very long I expect.

 

[diogenese]

A milestone this afternoon, it has moved under its own h power for the first time in about 13 years! It starts on a flick of the key with the correct amount of glow and has plenty of oil pressure. It does have a bit of diesel smoke but it's probably got a few rusty bits inside and it's running on the diesel that was left in the tank I'm sure with a bit of a run it will heal up.
I didn't take it for a trial run even though I was tempted as I haven't bolted the tub down till I get the front end on and aligned.

 

[emac]

Just read this read. Great job, good looking truck! I can't wait to see it finished.

What took you so long?

 

[lostmarbles]

Moving under it's own steam again ... A great milestone for sure...

 

[diogenese]

I took it for a trip across town to pick up up the tray as I don't have any thing to lift it at home.

 

[diogenese]

I've just spent my evening trying to fit my fibreglass front guards and I've given up. I just can't get the alignment good enough with the extra thickness of the panel.
I have got some metal guards off my donor bj42 and I'm going to get them blasted and I'll weld in some fresh metal. I also think I will ditch the rubber flares and weld in a 50mm band to extend the guards to cover my new wheels. The rear tray is massively wider than the front so I think it will look OK.

 

[lostmarbles]

I've just spent my evening trying to fit my fibreglass front guards and I've given up. I just can't get the alignment good enough with the extra thickness of the panel.
I have got some metal guards off my donor bj42 and I'm going to get them blasted and I'll weld in some fresh metal. I also think I will ditch the rubber flares and weld in a 50mm band to extend the guards to cover my new wheels. The rear tray is massively wider than the front so I think it will look OK.

I'm always a fan of "all steel" anyway...

She's looking beautiful in those trailer shots....

 

[diogenese]

I have got the steel guards back from the blasters and I'm going to repair them to standard size before widening them. There is quite a bit of panel damage and rust in one of them. the other is very good, just a couple of stress cracks to weld up.
I am not sure what the PO used to weld in the repairs before, maybe a mig with no gas!

 

[diogenese]

Shortly after taking those pictures I attacked my right hand with an angle grinder with a 1mm cutting disk in it. I'm not going to post any pictures of the damaged digit but it has caused a delay in the proceedings
Hopefully I'll get back on it sometime this week after I have had the stitches out!
Luckily I seem to have missed any important innards and everything is working OK

 

[handcannon]

That doesn't sound like fun. Good thing you didn't hit tendons or nerves. Looking forward to an uneventful recovery. Ih8stitches

Don

 

[lostmarbles]

Shortly after taking those pictures I attacked my right hand with an angle grinder with a 1mm cutting disk in it. I'm not going to post any pictures of the damaged digit but it has caused a delay in the proceedings
Hopefully I'll get back on it sometime this week after I have had the stitches out!
Luckily I seem to have missed any important innards and everything is working OK

Sorry to hear that... (Hope you mend fast.)

I have never used such a thin disc on an angle grinder. Wouldn't they be very easy to shatter in such a large diameter?

PS. I normally use thin discs like that only on my little die grinder ... and even then I can still shatter them if I'm not carefull (for example, if I push it too hard or accidentally twist it in a cut).

 

[georgia fj40]

At least you did not end up like this guy.

 

[diogenese]

Yuck! No I do have a guard on my grinder
Tom, I use 125mm discs and they can blow out but not often. Mainly if they get pinched if you get too much heat in the work. They can lose a chunk and still cut. At work I have a cordless grinder with 1mm discs and I haven't touched my hacksaw in years
I'll be back in the shed this weekend and hopefully get the guards finished up ready for the painter . I picked up the doors and steps last night but they can wait till later to go on.