Builds My 1965 FJ45 LWB

[kunzma]

A second small batch came back from the plater.

 

[kunzma]

If anyone could post a picture of how the steering center arm goes together. In my haste to disassemble it I didn't get any photos.

This is my full center arm rebuild thread.
Center Arm Rebuild

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Here is a good rebuild thread I've used in the past.

Center Arm Rebuild

 

[kunzma]

Thank you! I've been looking for a diagram with this level of detail for awhile. I didn't think to look in the fj25 section.

 

[kunzma]

I've been putting off rebuilding the steering center arm until I could find some information. A couple of weeks ago I lined up the frame to be powder coated and had no more reasons to put it off.

 

[kunzma]

Bought the SOR kit. It includes a O-ring that appears to go in the later center arms. I didn't use the bearing races in the kit because mine were in good shape. This picture is of the parts that were used for the rebuild. Documented this rebuild for a thread. Went together well. Had some powder coat to clean out in the lower shaft support where the large nut passes through.

View attachment 1518737

 

[kunzma]

...some more.
Here is my full thread on rebuilding my center arm.
Center Arm Rebuild

 

[kunzma]

Moved the box onto the frame. Sitting a bit high with no engine and etc. Sorry for the hazy pics, my phone is nearing the end of its useful life.

 

[kunzma]

Body guy is wrapping up some other vehicles and starting on the cab soon.

 

[apeterson]

Cant wait

 

[Vintij74]

We are enjoying your build, so many things that are already commented on by others.... You picked a great color for da repaint

almost lost my hood in high winds 2x checking oil, so now going to re-do my hood hinges with your clever idea for sure! and the tail ilight housings too

 

[kunzma]

Tim started on the tub by first welding in some braces. He then is going to remove individual panels, starting with the corners, to cut out the rusted areas and weld in new. The bottom 4 inches needed replacing on the back panel. Temporary kleeko fasteners keep panels lined up as the work progresses.

 

[kunzma]

The corners will also need new metal in the lower 10 inches as indicated by the dotted lines. The solid vertical line on the original piece is the reference line Tim is using to take his measurements. He also puts a solid line on the new piece so he can keep everything lined up.

He made the corner in two pieces. First rolling the lager flat piece to make the curve. The second piece was made on the brake to form the 90 degree edge. That was then worked on the shrinker to make it curved. Finally welding the two together.

 

[apeterson]

Looking good

 

[kunzma]

Thanks Aaron.

 

[kunzma]

After sandblasting the rockers were obviously going to need replacing. They were even uglier from the inside with pages from a phone book stuffed inside as backing for the fiberglass repair. These are actually going to be the easiest to fix because I bought reproduction rockers from Real Steal. Tim was impressed with the quality of the reproduction panels, but after starting the reinstall he found they were off dimensionally from the original panels. That will create more work to get everything to line up.

 

[kunzma]

The lower, back portion of the tub forms a box where the floor and back wall come together. This box can trap moisture causing rust. This has not been spared on mine. The front piece was removed and a new one bent up. Tim also pressed in the two holes replicating the originals. The interior of the box will be blasted clean and a coat of weld through primer applied.

 

[kunzma]

The plan is to repair or replace the pieces on the topside, paint the interior surfaces with a weld though primer, and then weld these parts back on. This will lock this all back together so no measurements change. Then Tim should be able to flip the tub over for easier access to the floor areas that need replacing.

 

[kunzma]

Another week's progress. The sides needed some work. The lower section needed some new metal and the interior support needs a new lower section grafted in.

 

[kunzma]

The outer rockers and rear corners have been re-attached to each other. The new interior rockers didn't match close enough to the originals for a perfect fit so Tim grafted them to the originals. As more panels are removed it is important to temporarily add more bracing to keep everything in place.