Builds Hybrid FJ79/62 Series Build

[swamprunner]

they are suppose to be 1.5. It all depends on what mill they come from...quality control can be an issue sometimes. In a former life before the bust I used to build houses for a living. The lumber these days is s*** and we're still paying a premium for it.

I always work alone so getting creative and finding a way to do things by yourself is a must.

 

[prado t]

I went through and read everything only to find out that there is no diesel transplant. WHAT ?

A Huge project ! Congrats!

 

[MSGGrunt]

No diesel conversion. This project will cost me enough without an engine swap. The 1FZFE is a fine engine and will suit my purposes just fine. Besides, I already owned it...

 

[wongtsenhin]

Of all the 75/79 I have seen, the gap in between cab and bed varies from one to another. 1" to 1.5" should be the right gap.

 

[FullyLitLED]

One day I hope to own one of these!

 

[MSGGrunt]

Well, the bed is cut... I spent the last few hours cutting the bed to length and putting the front headboard in place. Everything is only temporarily clamped now I all I have to do is square everything up and start tack welding. I'm not a welder by trade so I will use some of the scrap sheet metal to make sure I get the heat right on my mig welder. I'd hate to burn right through the panels.

 

[MSGGrunt]

A couple more pictures of the inside of the bed. I will end up with a bed that is just over 6' long.

 

[crushers]

looking good

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Man, that looks factory!

 

[MSGGrunt]

I still have to figure out what will look good for a patch for the holes left from the access panels in each corner.

Hears a question for those body gurus. I know the factory used seam sealer where the front of the bed meets the sides, but what happens when I have to weld the panels. I know my welding will cause much more heat because of the size of the holes and the fact that I'll be using a mig welder instead of a high tech spot welder? I'm just concerned about the sealer contaminating my welds and or just burning off. Advice?

 

[MSGGrunt]

And, I got word yesterday from Cruiserparts that my dash has finally arrived from Japan, 1.5 years after ordering it. Talk about being patient.

 

[crushers]

talk about being patient ...
understatement of the week

 

[gotoy]

And, I got word yesterday from Cruiserparts that my dash has finally arrived from Japan, 1.5 years after ordering it. Talk about being patient.

For a brand new unit I hope, at that waiting period.

 

[crushers]

maybe it is a dash with all the knobs and stuff ...
hint:
Dave at Japan 4X4 for your future rare needs ...

 

[wongtsenhin]

Or
the latest dash with air bag??

 

[swamprunner]

the sad part is you can get the metal dash here from toyota. It takes a bit of searching thru part#'s but there are two different ones that the dealer can get there hands on.

bed looks good

will reply to you pm shortly...I have the answer to your cluster question...don't order a new one.

 

[MSGGrunt]

The dash is a brand new one. They ordered a LHD dash for a 75 series. It better work after all this waiting.

Thanks for the heads up Wayne about Japan 4x4.

 

[roscoFJ73]

No diesel conversion. This project will cost me enough without an engine swap. The 1FZFE is a fine engine and will suit my purposes just fine. Besides, I already owned it...

Thats a common sense approach. With relatively cheap fuel prices in North America and the cheap HP from a 1FZFE,it would take a really expensive diesel to better it.

 

[wongtsenhin]

The dash is a brand new one. They ordered a LHD dash for a 75 series. It better work after all this waiting.

Thanks for the heads up Wayne about Japan 4x4.

Did the dash come with complete set or just the metal shell only?
Finding tiny little pieces on the dash could be .

 

[MSGGrunt]

It was the main metal piece and some other new parts like the glove box door, top pad, instrument surround, defroster duct, etc... All the other small pieces will come off a dash I bought off Crusher that came out of a 1986 Canadian spec 1986 BJ70. This was the only way to go as I also got the wiper mechanism, steering column, wiring harness, etc.