Joe’s '77 FJ40 Dream Build

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Well today was interesting! Our first real rainy day all year. I squeezed in a 10 mile run between storms and then my :princess: And I went down to take off the front clip of the truck for blasting. She was a BIG help and definitely got some sweat equity in today.

Did I mention I drove it topless in the rain 35 miles down to where disassembled it? It was a little chilly. My loose belt jumped the pulley to the smog notch and started making a godawful noise on the highway. My heart sank because I have had the infamous head plug leak and thought it had given up the ghost. Of course everything checked out. Daniel from Wimberly 4WD just happened to be passing by and stopped to lend a hand. I tightened up the tension on my alternator and was on the road.

The trailer is all loaded up with my new tub, fenders bib and aprons about to go off for blasting and primer.

No pics other than the ones I took to remember where stuff goes.
 
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FJsnoozer said:
Daniel from Wimberly 4WD just happened to be passing by and stopped to lend a hand.
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What are the odds? You lead a charmed existence. ;):cheers:
 
I have been told my tub and panels will be ready from blasting on tuesday. I worked all day getting my checklist completed. I got a little tripped up on a few tasks.

Trying to get my broken bolt And broken easy out. I went through a full set of bits to make a new hole and ran a nice stage 8 nut and bolt. This probably took two hours because of the easyout. Lesson learned prior to reading all of the info on MUd about not using these.
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I removed as much as I could off the truck, replaced the caliper with a new one( I was waiting new hard line, because mine had seized in the stock caliper.) and removed or loosened all of the body mounts. I had to put my feet on the frame and break it loose with my 5 inch socket wrench but I did manage. I was really nervous after reading about torches and cutting wheels. I'm glad I was able to get em with my "deadlift" method. :meh:

Things I wasn't able to do...

I Could not get the dashpads off. How do you remove those rivets that hold it in?

I was not able to start the truck with the fenders off in order to tune it. I thought everything was grounded properly, but there was obviously no spark. I think my coil is bad, and I actually think removing it lost whatever little bit of contact it had left at the wire.

Here's how I left it. This is the body that is getting tossed. The camera phone makes it look better than it is.
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My parts are back from blasting and ppg epoxy priming. Now it's time for a little body work .
Hood was in good shape but had some pinholes on the front, all smaller than 1cm. I decided to fiberglass this.


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Now read for primer.

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Next was the rear of the bed. The floor was peeling up something nasty. I gently cut away the bad metal, welded everything up and sealed it. I wilm come back and pretty things up before paint. The welds were pretty nasty because the MIG had the wrong size guide for the wire feed and it kept jumping out. :meh:


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Night pic because, well, I didn't finish until dark. :banana:

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tucker74 said:
Where did you get the body blasted and primed? I've got an aluminum tub I'll be installing soon and need the front clip and cowl blasted ;) Looking good man ...

:beer:

Tucker
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Blast the past in Shertz. Worth the drive compared to any pricing in Austin metro area.
 
It is with a heavy heart that I make this update. While heading down to do more work on the body, 11-1, I received a panicked call. My father had passed away after attempts to revive him after he collapsed in the driveway. He has had a weak heart since a heart attack in '98.

Taking on this project has been a PRICELESS investment for me because it allowed me to spend far more time with my dad in the last 6 months than I otherwise would have. He has been a great help with the build and is of course the only reason I even have the cruiser in the first place. This whole past weekend I spent sharing some good food drinks and company out by his deck while I fiberglassed and sanded the truck. I couldn't have asked for a better last weekend with him.

Thanks, Dad, I will always be thinking of you when I hop up into the cruiser.
 
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I am sorry for your difficult loss.
 
you have my thoughts and prayers
 
Keeping ya in our thoughts and prayers!!! He got to see her painted!
 
FJsnoozer said:
Thanks, Dad, I will always be thinking of you when I hop up into the cruiser.
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Davis,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Cherish those last days spent with your Dad, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.

Lee
 
Davis,

Man I am really sorry to hear about your dad. If you need any help mate, let me know. I'll be out of town most of November, but let me know
 
deepest sympathies for you and your family. the memories of the last few months will be something to cherish in the years to come.
 
Davis,

I am sorry to hear about your father's passing. You and your family will be in our prayers. Happy to hear that you got to spend the last few months bonding with him.

Luis
 
Sorry to here about your dad's passing. I had a similiar situation occur with my step dad's passing back in '93. RIP
 
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