My piggy restoration...going slow...

[CandyPants]

So, we did a bunch of work today.

Here is my daughter trying to drive last night. A girl after my own heart.

And here are all the parts that we had to install (or reinstall) today.

And here are some pics of the day. Not as many as I would have liked, but I was busy running around and getting things for folks. The Alcans were really not that hard to get on...but I owe that to the PO. He took really good care of the pig and it showed when we only had to really use force to get one pin out (and that was only a bit of force...still no cutting or torching).

Just a few more things to do. Bumpers, door weather stipping, replacement driver side door glass, tweaking the tailgate latches and door latches, mecahnical fuel pump, stuff that can be done sometime. But, for now, it's on the road and it's really fun to drive!

HUGE props and thanks to the folks that came and pitched in. LDowner, DanKunz, Trollhole, eventhough, BMTHiker and Mrs. BMThiker, InformationJunky, Lab601, and a specail thanks to 71-CRUISER, Michael Harness of ACC here in Atlanta. He and Justin came over to teach us how to use the tube bender we have, but we never got to it. Instead both stayed for a long time and helped out. And I will say, these guys are good. We would never have gotten done without Michael.

And, a special thanks to Cat (Mrs. BMTHiker) for the wonderful cookies you see above...and yes, those are pigs. SOOOUUUUUIIIIEEEEE!

 

[cruiser_guy]

Is the line with the green arrow your wiring loom? You'll want to relocate that to the very edge of the floor as per OEM. You'll see when the sill plates come (they are ready to go once we are stateside) that there is a wide one for the wiring loom side and a narrow one for the side without the wiring loom. Wiring left as shown will get damaged from the constant traffic (no one steps on the edge of the floor and if they do it's protected by the sill plates). Take a look at my POTM thread and you'll see what I mean.

Do you have pedal pads? It appears that they are either missing or painted over with overspray. The pedal pads are available new.

The "piggy" cookies are very cute! Did you also have pork for lunch?

Driving the '55 is always a blast and it turns heads wherever you go, even here in Guatemala folks ask me about it and check it out.

 

[CandyPants]

Is the line with the green arrow your wiring loom? You'll want to relocate that to the very edge of the floor as per OEM. You'll see when the sill plates come (they are ready to go once we are stateside) that there is a wide one for the wiring loom side and a narrow one for the side without the wiring loom. Wiring left as shown will get damaged from the constant traffic (no one steps on the edge of the floor and if they do it's protected by the sill plates). Take a look at my POTM thread and you'll see what I mean.

Do you have pedal pads? It appears that they are either missing or painted over with overspray. The pedal pads are available new.

The "piggy" cookies are very cute! Did you also have pork for lunch?

Driving the '55 is always a blast and it turns heads wherever you go, even here in Guatemala folks ask me about it and check it out.

Yeah, I know the wire loom was in the wrong spot, that was the upholstery shop. I wasn't worried about it because I had to take the seat back out to do the heater install. It's fixed now.

As for the pads, I have them. I just haven't gotten to it yet. I am also going to repaint all the overspray areas black and generally clean things up a bit.

And yes, we had pork for lunch. We made ribs!!!

Thanks for the help! I can't wait to get the sill plates!

 

[Elyse LC]

jeez that looked fun. Wish I didn't live so far away! I would have been there in a heartbeat to help out (or at least stay out of the way and learn a few things.)

And those pink pig cookies...

 

[Pighead]

Thanks Pighead...I would love to have those vents.

Well, those grills, while indeed chrome, aren't in quite as good a shape as I recalled...they'll probably respond to a little chrome polish though. take a look...

 

[n2666s]

awsome and inspiring build......Heather; wish we could have been with you .......heck; didn't get much done today holed up in the basement with kids and the tornado sirens going; btw; your baby is lovely ..........apple don't fall far from da tree

Lou

So, we did a bunch of work today.

Here is my daughter trying to drive last night. A girl after my own heart.

And here are all the parts that we had to install (or reinstall) today.

And here are some pics of the day. Not as many as I would have liked, but I was busy running around and getting things for folks. The Alcans were really not that hard to get on...but I owe that to the PO. He took really good care of the pig and it showed when we only had to really use force to get one pin out (and that was only a bit of force...still no cutting or torching).

Just a few more things to do. Bumpers, door weather stipping, replacement driver side door glass, tweaking the tailgate latches and door latches, mecahnical fuel pump, stuff that can be done sometime. But, for now, it's on the road and it's really fun to drive!

HUGE props and thanks to the folks that came and pitched in. LDowner, DanKunz, Trollhole, eventhough, BMTHiker and Mrs. BMThiker, InformationJunky, Lab601, and a specail thanks to 71-CRUISER, Michael Harness of ACC here in Atlanta. He and Justin came over to teach us how to use the tube bender we have, but we never got to it. Instead both stayed for a long time and helped out. And I will say, these guys are good. We would never have gotten done without Michael.

And, a special thanks to Cat (Mrs. BMTHiker) for the wonderful cookies you see above...and yes, those are pigs. SOOOUUUUUIIIIEEEEE!

 

[Southeast Overland]

I had a great time. It was good seeing everyone.

And now as a follow-up I get to go to the Dr in about an hour to get a tetanus shot!

 

[CandyPants]

awsome and inspiring build......Heather; wish we could have been with you .......heck; didn't get much done today holed up in the basement with kids and the tornado sirens going; btw; your baby is lovely ..........apple don't fall far from da tree

Lou

Awww, shucks Lou! Thanks for all those kind words!!! I hope you are all OK and out of the way of Mother Nature now.

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Way to go Heather. Congrats on a job really well done. With all the BS you endured with the paint job the end results are stunning. Time to hit some car shows

 

[CandyPants]

Well, those grills, while indeed chrome, aren't in quite as good a shape as I recalled...they'll probably respond to a little chrome polish though. take a look...

I am in debt to Pighead...the chome vents are cleaning up well and will be a perfect accent to the pig! Pics when they are on the truck in a week or so.

 

[CandyPants]

Pics of the vents...the one on the right is polished and the one on the left isn't. They are shining up really nice!

 

[Luke111]

Heather buy some chrome paint it works well.

Lou

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks Lou, but honestly, after a bit of scrubbing and a little abrasive action in the corners, they really do look great. I don't think I'll need to paint them at all.

 

[CandyPants]

So this week is the punch list week. Last Saturday I took the truck over to Michael and Brian at ACC (Atlanta Custom Creations :: Land Cruiser & Toyota Trucks/SUVs :: Maintenance, Expedition Builds, Restorations) for some TLC. I don't know how to set the timing or do some of the brake stuff, etc. So they are kind of finishing up that stuff for me. The list included:

Brake booster
Timing
Fuel pump and lines replacement
plug vacuum leaks
general tuning of the engine
track down why my gauges don't work sometimes
etc.

I am planning on driving it to the next Georgia Cruisers meeting this Tuesday, and I can't wait!

 

[PabloCruise]

Cool!

FYI, after what you have done on this Pig, you can handle timing!

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks...but this time I left it to the professionals. It is running REALLY well. Starts right up, idles nicely, stops well, drives great (although I do get a death wobble at about 60).

Today I drove it to work. I don't think I am going to get a thing done today because I just keep looking at it out the window! I am just giddy!

But now that it's done, I am going to have to start looking for my next project. I think it will be another pig, I just have an affinity to these things for some damn reason.

 

[Pighead]

(although I do get a death wobble at about 60).

Re-torque those front U-bolts...routine after putting new springs on.

 

[weeboo]

That is the nicest I have ever seen- great piggy

 

[LC_Hamma]

I am planning on driving it to the next Georgia Cruisers meeting this Tuesday, and I can't wait!

I laid my grubby hands on it What impressed me the most is all brand new weatherstripping, even the rear tail lights. I didn't think I'd ever see a w/ that.

But now that it's done, I am going to have to start looking for my next project.

Sooo, didja make your mind up on that generous ______? ;p

 

[71-CRUISER]

Re-torque those front U-bolts...routine after putting new springs on.

We did that while it was at the shop, however I didnt check the caster with the new springs and I dont have any clue when or if the front end (stock drums) has ever been rebuilt.