My piggy restoration...going slow...

[CandyPants]

Yeah, pics of progress would be good. But then again, progress iteself would be good. I've been so busy I haven't had much time to get out there and work on the pig. I am going to see about some quality time on Saturday morning before the Upstate Meeting...

 

[LC_Hamma]

Slacker ;p
Getawn with the progress pics. You buy a welder yet? There's only so much bondo & POR Patch can cover.

 

[earthcruiser]

How is progress?

 

[CandyPants]

Non existant. Been working to get the FJ Cruiser ready for GSMTR and traveling a lot for work. I just got back from a week in Boston. Oh well...I am still tinkering around with the old girl. I am planning on stripping the inside next...and hopefully soon! And yeah, Chuck...the welder is on the list for purchases when the budget will allow it!

 

[Crashly]

What about these for the lower fenders?
https://rsp-secure.com/rarespares/default.asp?car_type=37&model=TOYOTA LANDCRUISER

From a body shop class I spent a lot of time in, You need to body pick all of the rusty areas. It will show quite a few more thin areas than what the grinder shows. Since you are going through all of that work you might as well get all the rust out. It is time to buy a welder. Dont buy a cheap one either it will come back to haunt you. A 110 volt works really nicely for thin sheet metal work and is easy to move around the vehicle and get in all of the tight spaces. My little 110v miller makes easy work of all of the sheet metal repairs. If you dont know how to weld just get a book and learn, There is one at home depot. It would not take more than 1-2 hours to get good enough to do light weight sheet metal welding. If you can raise a pig, you can weld one!!

 

[CandyPants]

OK, so I am going to get off my a$$ and do something soon. In my little hiatus, I have made some decisions. I am going to swap in a four speed. I am also considering a 2F swap so I can run bigger tires and lift the little piggy up a little and still be able to actually go the speed limit. I just worry about the F not having enough power.

eventhough (Steve) found some rust free fenders, and since he's going to chop his, we might be able to swap so the welding issue goes away mostly. He also found me some intact turn signals so if mine die in the removal process, I have replacements. SWEET. I do have a source for a piggy floorboard too...and I am going to try to see if I can get it soon. I am going to have a local shop weld in the floorboard if I can get it.

I am going to do IPOR slider/rockers and have those welded in too.

I feel like I am going to the dark side....

So my shopping list is now:

IPOR sliders
Alcan springs
Stock wheels
Tires (TBD)
New shocks
New seals for the windows and doors
Replacement blower for the vents (under hood)
2F engine
4 spd. Tranny
4 spd tranny hump thingy (I understand I need to change that out)
Thinking about IPOR bumpers
Bag of Money....

I am sure I need a lot more than all that to do the engine swap. And I am sure that I will need therapy after and during since I have never done this before. But since this thing has such a straight body, I think I want to make it so I enjoy driving it and can mildly wheel it on expedition trips and what not.

I am also thinking a 2F is a good plan so I can add A/C and do a power steering conversion....

All that being said...I am just going to keep plugging on the body for now, do the new springs, shocks, etc. and pick at the rest of it until I am ready for the the tranny/engine swap.

 

[clemson55]

The difference in an f and 2f is like 12hp or something like that not sure thats worth it. Just going to a 4 spd and regearing would probably be just as effective and less work. All the other stuff sounds kick ass to me though, better get some of it ordered up for your HAMOM we'll have to make a trip to GA everyone who can fit on your floor.

 

[CandyPants]

Well, the shopping has begun.

Today I spent the better part of the day at Urban Land Cruisers cutting out a rear floorboard. Big thanks to my good friends Rick and Cat for coming over to help out! Nexr Sat morning I plan on finishing and also grabbing the front pass floorboard (near the body mount).

I am going to order springs and shocks this week.

I am on the hunt for a 4spd tranny and a Tcase to swap in.

I have a carb from a 74 (and the linkage) waiting for me in SC courtsey of turkeypen (fellow UC member).

Things are moving along again...

 

[CandyPants]

OK, so I have made some decisions...based on lack of time and money. Here is the plan so far:

I really want to get the pig ready for the pumpkin pig run in October and am trying hard to put some time into it over the next few weeks.

So my plan is:

Gather parts for the 4 speed swap. The Upstate Cruiser guys are going to help me with this one (YEAH!)
Order Alcan Springs, new shocks, new shackles and get those on
Find hubs...I thought someone had some for me, but I can't find where
Finish stripping the pig and repair the rust
Remove all glass and order new seals, etc.
Sand, patch, prime, paint
Reinstall all glass with new seals
Put interior back together
Replace heater blower
Rebuild rear heater
Swap out weber carb and replace linkage
Remove electric fuel pump and replace OEM
Replace air filter assembly

Sound a bit ambitious? Yep, I agree. Ugh.

 

[Trollhole]

OK, so I have made some decisions...based on lack of time and money. Here is the plan so far:

I really want to get the pig ready for the pumpkin pig run in October and am trying hard to put some time into it over the next few weeks.

So my plan is:

Gather parts for the 4 speed swap. The Upstate Cruiser guys are going to help me with this one (YEAH!)
Order Alcan Springs, new shocks, new shackles and get those on
Find hubs...I thought someone had some for me, but I can't find where
Finish stripping the pig and repair the rust
Remove all glass and order new seals, etc.
Sand, patch, prime, paint
Reinstall all glass with new seals
Put interior back together
Replace heater blower
Rebuild rear heater
Swap out weber carb and replace linkage
Remove electric fuel pump and replace OEM
Replace air filter assembly

Sound a bit ambitious? Yep, I agree. Ugh.

Heather check the link in the shops section in UC there is a link to an online place you can get your fuel pump cheap.

David Davis gave me an air cleaner housing but It's a later style. I don't know if it will fit a F motor. You are welcome to it if you need it.

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks Marshall...I have my stock air cleaner housing. He took it off, but kept it. Thank goodness.

I'll check the link in the shops section. Thanks again!

 

[CandyPants]

Well...I got off my a$$ and did some work tonight. Many thanks to my brother for coming over and helping!

Now the piggy is naked (well almost) and about ready for some serious sanding, cleaning, welding, and what not.

I did find a good amount of rust on the driver's side, which sucks. But I am going to try to keep after some parts on the piggy that is giving it's parts to make mine whole again.

We haven't pulled the headliner yet...that's tomorrow. Also the front doors and tailgate are still on. I can't get the darn tailgate off because all the screws are stuck. PB blaster is on and I'll just wait to see if I can get them off later. Oh, and I need to pull the glass as well.

Then working on the doors, and then....and then....

 

[Southeast Overland]

Good progress Heather. Your rust doesn't look too bad. Are you set on welding in patches that are factory? Sometimes a little cheap sheetmetal makes the job much easier. I recreated my entire driver's door sill and floor w/ regular old 16 gauge sheet. I'll post pics tomorrow.

 

[CandyPants]

Good progress Heather. Your rust doesn't look too bad. Are you set on welding in patches that are factory? Sometimes a little cheap sheetmetal makes the job much easier. I recreated my entire driver's door sill and floor w/ regular old 16 gauge sheet. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Thanks! And I'd like to see pics. I might even try to convince you and your wife that you need a day in ATL...I sure could use a little welding help. I am not set on getting stock patches, but if I can get them, I am going to try this weekend (or maybe I'll have to take a day off to have enough time).

 

[Southeast Overland]

Um...my welding skills . You probably want Richard, Marshall or someone liek that to teach you how to weld. My welds are ugly but they work for a trail truck. I would be happy to come down some day and work on the Piggie and even weld if you sign my disclaimer!

 

[clemson55]

Um...my welding skills . You probably want Richard, Marshall or someone liek that to teach you how to weld. My welds are ugly but they work for a trail truck. I would be happy to come down some day and work on the Piggie and even weld if you sign my disclaimer!

Thanks

 

[CandyPants]

A little more progress last night...just taking off lights and weather stripping and what not in prep for body work.

Question...and it's a dumb one: How do you take off the window handle?

 

[Pighead]

The handle that rolls the window up and down?
Heheheh...little trick. Theres a springy clip holding the handle to the regulator with the open end of the clip towards the handle end of the handle. Slide a cloth rag under the handle and pull it up towards the regulator shaft where the clip is. Pull the rag back and forth, to catch one end of that clip, the clip will pop off, the handle will come loose.

Question...and it's a dumb one: How do you take off the window handle?

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks Pighead, I'll give it a try.

Today was a good piggy day!!!! David Dearborn at Urban Land Cruisers has a piggy that valiantly gave it's rear floorboard to my swine today. It's in really good shape and should weld in nicely! Very exctied!

While there I also picked up stock front and rear bumpers, coarse spline hubs, and some badly needed odds and ends.

Many thanks to David for the parts, the use of his shop and tools. And a shout out for my friend Cat for all her help today.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Nice job Heather. Good luck with the welding.