Builds Just another 79 build..... (1 Viewer)

[c2dfj45]

Believe it or not, the bed gap was one of the main build points when my lead tech and I started on this thing. I had him really tied up on Friday so myself and the other shop guys dropped the bed on. The first thing he said when he crawled out from under the car he was working on was, "we have a bed gap issue". lol. We studied countless pics of OEM trucks to dial it in. It's a make or break detail.

Trust me, it will be perfect when it gets all snugged down for final....

 

[c2dfj45]

For a short week we had a solid week....made a lot of progress. Figured out my condenser/dryer/placement on the front of the truck. I had a variety of new AC lines for some reason(never remembered ordering all of them but the 2 most important ones for me were the ones that go into the 79's eval box) so with some of the new ones, some of the FZJ80s, it should be no problem making it all come together. We'll have some lines made next week and I'll be able to scratch AC off the list. We installed a new PS cooler and now that it's in and the condenser is in, I can order up a trans cooler for the last remaining space up front. Cooling should be covered. I still have some final work to do on the radiator to make it fit a little tighter but the bulk of the work is done.

Finished the fuel pump assembly...we had to shorten the fuel pump 1.5" to work in the new tank. Took a section out of it the pump mount, the float bracket and the output tube....everything fits perfect. Sender and low fuel warning light sender are exactly where they were on the OEM pump, just up 1.5".

Exhaust is done....it's LONG. Needs final welding and some thermal coat. SLEE's O2 bungs are in, new O2 sensors are waiting to be bolted in. Should be the last time we have it apart. I'm hoping it's not too loud....I have a small fortune in it. I'd hate to have to re-do it......I might want to wait on the thermal coat I suppose. I made it modular so it comes apart in about 10 minutes....no lift required. The muffler is so big, I can't imagine it being loud. Add in a catalyst and the shear length of the system........fingers crossed.

Got my bed mounted spare in too....couldn't wait any longer. Good excuse to clean the bed out too. One issue though....hold down is for a 5 lug wheel and we have a 6 lug....going to need some custom work. Maybe there's a holder for a 6 lug wheel? I would assume so. Any ideas?

 

[c2dfj45]

My beloved fuel tank carrier and fuel tank. Probably the only time they'll look this good. Can't wait to have every bracket under the hood done in satin black powdercoat.....it's going to be tight.

 

[c2dfj45]

Installed one of the 4 fender flares today......kind of a challenge without any instructions but we figured it out....Wongsteins build helped out immensely. I hope my pics help somebody else out. Hoping to figure out how the front ones work...I think I'm missing a couple of brackets for them though....waiting for a diagram so I can confirm.

Maybe tomorrow for the right side.....I think I'll get the rear flares painted to match the body while I'm waiting for the front parts to arrive. Front flares aren't really required but since I have them, I'll install them. Good stuff.

 

[scottryana]

Chris amazingly clean work! I have been on this forum since 2004, but I was pointed to your build thread by "AMGFan" the guy you did the red katana GT-R, wide body MB and numerous porsches for. All amazing! Keep up the great work!

 

[1tontoy]

Absolutely the best 79 build of the bodies out of Middle East that came in to US. Awesome work and detail is ridiculous.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Absolutely the best 79 build of the bodies out of Middle East that came in to US. Awesome work and detail is ridiculous.

X2........

Will this be your personal vehicle when the project is completed?

 

[Firdosh]

Looks great . Where did you manage to source the flares from?

 

[wongtsenhin]

Installed one of the 4 fender flares today......kind of a challenge without any instructions but we figured it out....Wongsteins build helped out immensely. I hope my pics help somebody else out. Hoping to figure out how the front ones work...I think I'm missing a couple of brackets for them though....waiting for a diagram so I can confirm.

Maybe tomorrow for the right side.....I think I'll get the rear flares painted to match the body while I'm waiting for the front parts to arrive. Front flares aren't really required but since I have them, I'll install them. Good stuff.

Nice fender flares installation.
From what I see, you didn't missed couple of brackets. There are 3 altogether and you have it.
Are you having heartache for cutting the new box to suit the flares?
Are you missing out the lower portion of the flares?

 

[c2dfj45]

Scottyrana......yeah, small world, right? AMGFAN is a great guy, we do a bunch of builds for him. Makes my 79 series build seem like child's play. He pushes us to do some pretty slick stuff. Have you seen any of his other builds(Porsches, SL65, etc.)? They're great builds and I highly recommend checking them out. Google "AMGFAN Speedster build" to see our latest project. The 'AMGFAN GTR build" is great. "AMGFAN 997 TT White Simba" build is in the works now too. "AMGFAN widebody SL" is yet another one....almost too many to keep track of.

1tontoy.....Appreciate the kind words. We only know how to build things one way. Details rule my life along with a minor case of OCD. Most of my customers are OCD so we seem to get along really well. Not sure how my employees put up with it sure is a good feeling to build something that is as close to perfect as it can be.

1978HJ45....keeping it for me....will be my daily driver. I'm in awe of it everyday that I see it in the shop...not sure how I'll be when I'm behind the wheel of it.

Firdosh.....Japan 4x4 got me the fender flares and the rear mounting brackets close to 2 years ago(been collecting parts for a while). Just realized that he didn't get me the front bracketry. Bummer. Our friend Penny in Canada is working on getting me all the brackets I need for the fronts....looks like 3 brackets for each side along with a pile of hardware. No biggie. I found a website with all the parts diagrams(can't access toyodiy diagrams here)....that gave me the part numbers...once I get those, I can get most anything. I have that diagram should you need it.

Wongstein....Would have been tough to do this job without your post. It was a huge help. It was tough to cut up that body but we cut up brand new very expensive cars all day long so it's not a huge deal. Still made me a little nervous because this is my truck and my baby. lol. Brackets on the front are missing...rear was fine. Working on the mud flaps today....need to get my exhaust on so I can trim the inner metal bracket like you did to clear your exhaust.

 

[AlbertoSD]

Simply....Amazing.

I concur with everybody elses opinion...an impressive build.

Can't wait to see it completed



-Alberto

 

[c2dfj45]

That will make 2 of us!

 

[Gun Runner 5]

(1978HJ45....keeping it for me....will be my daily driver. I'm in awe of it everyday that I see it in the shop...not sure how I'll be when I'm behind the wheel of it.)

Don't forget that in addition to looking extremely cool these trucks are real chick magnets.

 

[c2dfj45]

Chick magnets for sure....especially with front flares. Had to double stick them on to get a feel for them. Brackets in a couple weeks....probably won't mount them until we're done leaning over the hood.

Also got a running board on....kind of ugly but just right in my eyes.

 

[wongtsenhin]

Wongstein....Would have been tough to do this job without your post. It was a huge help. It was tough to cut up that body but we cut up brand new very expensive cars all day long so it's not a huge deal. Still made me a little nervous because this is my truck and my baby. lol. Brackets on the front are missing...rear was fine. Working on the mud flaps today....need to get my exhaust on so I can trim the inner metal bracket like you did to clear your exhaust.

No problem at all!
We help to solve each other obstacles in a cruiser way.
Look like you have the right running board for insertion through the front mud flap.

 

[c2dfj45]

I sure do.....fits like a glove. Probably have to wait a couple weeks to fit it all on but the front fenders fit without cutting so I can tape them on to see where things go. The flares are really quality pieces. Fit great. Gotta love OEM Toyota parts.

Cut the passenger side fender today for the other fender flare. Took a quarter of the time the first one took. Wasn't nearly as scary cutting that bed! lol.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

( Also got a running board on....kind of ugly but just right in my eyes. )

Have you considered black?

 

[c2dfj45]

Our friend Penny has some black ones, I looked at those....I'm not sure if I like them in black. I think I'd do mine like yours if I changed them to black though...textured. I'm kind of stuck with mine as they fit my fender flares(special mud flaps with cut-ins or pockets). They're kind of small which is good. I've been so used to the truck without them, I may just take them off. Maybe build a filler panel for the mud flap pocket as that will bug me. I'm not in love with them but they look right on the truck. Plus with all the magnetized chicks that will be drawn to the truck, I might need some to help ingress. lol.

I think when I get the flares on, the boards on, the rear mudflaps, it will all come together. I'm kind of going after that OEM look...for now at least. It's in my nature(and how I make a living) by modifying things. Maybe just having a 80 series turned into a 79 series(or a 79 into an 80) is modification enough.....

 

[scottryana]

Yes I have seen all of AMG's other projects, his 993 is my favorite! So clean, definitely a lifetime keeper, if I didn't have my GT-R I would be looking for a 993 turbo. The speedster is going to be pretty badass, he should give it to his wife for letting him go crazy! How is the SL coming, last I saw it was finishing paint.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

....(Our friend Penny has some black ones, I looked at those....I'm not sure if I like them in black. I think I'd do mine like yours if I changed them to black though...textured. I'm kind of stuck with mine as they fit my fender flares(special mud flaps with cut-ins or pockets). They're kind of small which is good. I've been so used to the truck without them, I may just take them off. Maybe build a filler panel for the mud flap pocket as that will bug me. I'm not in love with them but they look right on the truck. Plus with all the magnetized chicks that will be drawn to the truck, I might need some to help
ingress. lol. ) .....


In reality the steps don't serve much purpose and can catch a lot of mud and road debris which of course can lead to rust issues if ignored. It is simply a matter of "looks" in most cases.
You always can put the chicks in the rear bed.... : )