My '64 FJ40 Build - Cave Cricket

[Brownd3max]

Wow! Can't wait to see your progress- Good Luck to you!

 

[White Stripe]

When I bought the quarters I wasn't planning on stretching it. I wanted to, but wasn't going to. The the frame thing came along, so I decided to go all in! This part really doesn't worry me at this point though.

I am NOT looking forward to drilling those hinge holes out. I've tried to drill a couple bolts out on other stuff in the past and really suck at getting lined up in the middle and square. Ugh!

Thanks for the tip on door lip things. I also emailed CCOT because I see they have them for newer models, so we'll see what they say.

Maybe drill one out a day. That will break it up a little and be less tiring.

 

[fyton2v]

So jealous of people who can weld and work steel.

 

[corleykj]

Can't wait to see this project!

 

[65swb45]

Can I buy parts of your stock engine? I have a list.

 

[Ramination]

Can I buy parts of your stock engine? I have a list.

I'd really like to get rid of the whole motor/trans/tcase in one piece, too bad your on the other side of the country! If I can't find someone to take it complete in the coming months I'll get back to you and the other two who've hit me up for parts. Thanks for looking.


Not a lot of visible progress in the last week but I've spent A LOT of time in the barn working/staring at it! I've been working on the driver's rocker. Got a price for replacement rockers complete with the door seal that I need, and it was A WHOLE LOT, so I'm building them!

Pretty happy with how the curves have turned out so far. For future reference, the big curve is roughly 8" diameter - I did some math and came up with 7 slots at roughly 0.9" to make a 28 sided polygon. I actually did my cuts at 1" and it came out pretty close at matching the panel, close enough anyways - we can massage that to work.

ALSO, I did my first ever sheet metal panel replacement today! I did it where the two rocker panels attach at the front since this area is pretty much completely covered once the rig is together just in case I butchered it. BUT it came out pretty good I think, I am happy with it anyways! Much relief, because there is going to be A LOT more to do!

On a final note for the evening, if anyone has an body work experience I'd love to hear your thoughts on this:

What to do with old pop rivets when replacing sheetmetal

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I really admire your nerve, your optimism and your willingness to just dive right in!!

Subscribed

On the windshield screws/bolts, have you tried just soaking them with penetrating oil, adding more everyday, for a few days... Then heat, then low impact... Like a Harbor Freight 12vdc impact gun? They're cheap and don't have enough torque to break a bolt... At least, I've never broken one with mine.

Good luck!!

 

[Ramination]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I haven't had much luck with those windshield bolts still! I soaked them daily with Kroil for a couple weeks and still haven't gotten one to budge. I tried impact driver and also impact gun with the phillips bit in it. No, it wasn't the JIS kind but a regular. It mangled the bit but didn't turn the bolt at all. I think I'll try welding a nut to one of the screws that is messed up and see if that'll work. I'm confident with that method that it'll either come out...or snap off. Either way at least I'll be able to get the windshield off!

 

[Ramination]

I can't believe it has been about a month since I last worked on this. Anyhow, it was a great weekend! It doesn't look like much, but I got a chance to work on (and mostly finish) the rockers and door frames.

The drivers side is 100% brand new metal along the bottom section, but I did reuse the vertical post at the back of the door area. Here's a couple pics

On the passenger side I was able to salvage the door seal area thankfully - that was certainly the worst part of building from scratch on the other side.

I didn't get any pics of the passenger side complete, but it is DONE!

Next up: Floorboards

 

[Solace in Solitude]

You're doing a great job!!

You and Ryan (@rkymtnflyfisher) should be collaborating... you are doing much the same thing... e.g. building a 40

 

[Ramination]

Thanks! I'll have to take a look at what he has going on!

As an afterthought, here is a side by side comparison of before/after that I posted on Instagram!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

WOW! That is some rust!

I have a 72 that I can get some cuts from if you need anything.

 

[Ramination]

I would definitely love some input on weld-through primers. I have been using this stuff shown in pic and not happy with it at all. As far as I am concerned it isn't very "weld through", which pretty much defeats the purpose right? So what brand do you recommend?

On another note, took advantage of Ballistic's 25% off sale and ordered my suspension link brackets and bungs tonight!

 

[Ramination]

Been cranking along the past few evenings after work. We set the tub on the new frame, I couldn't help myself but prop up the grill and pretend it was almost done.

Then we got to work.

I put together my floorpan support framework and rough cut the panels. Obviously they'll need to be trimmed for the transmission and t-case down the road so I haven't welded them in yet.

I spent A LOT of time with a tape, pen and paper trying to figure out how to support the floorpan. The OEM stuff was GONE, so I wasn't really sure how they did it. Then one night after a couple beers it hit me, WHO CARES, go custom and make it easy on myself! So, here's what I came up with.

The framework for floorboard is comprised of a short 2"x2"x~13" on each side up front (which will also be used for body mount) and a 2"x2" full length in the rear. A 1"X1" rectangular piece runs front to back on each side for support out near the middle edge, then the floorpan will be attached to the inner rocker panel on each side.

With panels

And an underside shot showing panel laying on the 1"X1".

I'm SO GLAD I decided to return that floorpan I bought originally, this looks way better, actually fit and only cost about ~$50.

I thought I'd gotten a few better pics but I guess not, if there's interest I can snap some more.

Tub stretch and rear quarters next!

 

[Ramination]

Really been struggling with these tub rails. Now that I've put my attention on them I've realized they're in pretty bad shape and not usable. Bummer because I bought a piece of rail to splice in, however I think these are too far gone to be worth the effort to save. Let me know what you guys think.

This is the driver side tub rail:

Here's the passenger side after cleaning it up a bit, it wasn't as bad as driver side but still not very good:

I guess it is one of those things where in the beginning they looked ok compared to everything else, but now that it's stripped and new metal is getting put in place these really stand out as crap!

Deciding between making my own rails out of 1.5" rectangular stock or buying some good rails and using those. I'm leaning towards fabbing my own because I'll likely never have a hardtop that'll fit this thing, therefore don't need the complex contour of the stock rail. On the other hand, that radiused bend at each corner does have me concerned a little, so the easier and less time consuming option is to just buy some off someone else's rig. Decisions decisions...

 

[archie73]

I have a tub that I replaced. The upper portion is pristine with original paint. The door sill is good as well. Bottom of tub is shot. Only thing is I'm in Idaho/Wyoming so it would need to be shipped. I can pm pics if your interested.

 

[Ramination]

So this happened.

Hopefully lots more to come this weekend.

 

[78fj40mg]

I don't see any insulation on your walls and ceiling, however, I see you have a wood stove but without insulation the heat is history, how do you stay warm this time of year?

 

[Ramination]

Very true, the heat is gone nearly as fast as it's made but it has provided a little relief so far. I actually just installed it two weeks ago so it's a new addition this year since I'll have a good reason to be out there. I own 17 acres, 10 of which are wooded so there isn't a shortage of wood (yet) so I've kept it stocked up and it does create a good heat radius. If nothing else it's a good spot to warm up!

 

[cult45]

Love this build! But please keep it looking like a corrugated top 40! Following!