My stolen recovered fj60 rebuild

[heavytlc]

You will never want to use a cherry picker again. It’s game changer when you are trying to lift or place anything heavy. Gantry crane‘s are really cool but they take up space. When you mount the turnbuckle just make sure it is on the same vertical plane as the pin that your I beam pivots on. You will get a little binding at the far end of the swing because of the difference that the turnbuckle pin pivots from the I beam but that’s only at the far end. Maybe the last 10° or 15° at each end of the 180° arc.
Mine is just a Home shop. For an industrial application with employees operating it it would need At least one down leg to add triangulation on the vertical beam. I know the limitations of what I have and avoid doing stupid things. In my shop I am the only idiot that I have to idiot proof for.

 

[heavytlc]

Dropped the wagon off with the man that painted it. Knocking out the touch up on the door tops and fixing the chips and scratches I put in it. Should be picking it up Thursday.

 

[matzell]

Pics of tow rig?

 

[heavytlc]

2017 4500 6.7 Aisin 4x4 . Full delete and tune.
Probably going to go back to a 2019 3500 crew cab. I like last year of production. Still have my 2001.5 I bought new.

 

[heavytlc]

Door tops got dialed in. Did a little more paint work in the engine compartment. I want to powder coat the inner fenders, and that will probably happen since I am pulling them anyway while I detail up the rest of the plumbing and wiring under hood. It was not a hack job, but my standards have gotten higher in 16 years since the v8 swap.

 

[matzell]

Please tell me you still have the Beastie Boys sticker on the back of the black Dodge!

 

[heavytlc]

Please tell me you still have the Beastie Boys sticker on the back of the black Dodge!

I do. Other than bumpers and new carpet it’s the same plus a few more go fast parts have been added. Always said I would keep that truck for 20 years. It’s been 18.

 

[mattressking]

I’m digging the interior change up. Any plans to do the lower dash frame black as well?

 

[heavytlc]

I’m digging the interior change up. Any plans to do the lower dash frame black as well?

I am going to pull the lower dash from my parts 60 and do it in the same wrinkle black. Not sure I will like it, but I have that option.
Got all the paint work dialed in and stripes added. I had the new wheels that I had spray painted machine grey sand blasted and powdered coated the same color. It works out better and the 295/75r16 bfg at’s I ordered are 6-8weeks out. Since I will not have the option of factory hub caps I had pulled the caps off on one side so I could have a visual. The news wheels look real close to stock steel wheels. The tires are 2” taller. They measure 33.5” mounted 11”wide. They work out to the same height as a 35” Goodyear but skinner. There is a company coming out with a 35x10.50x17 by the end of the year. That will be the next set of tires I go to.
I am really happy with the look of the stripes. Nice to finally see it coming together. Filled the gas tank up for the first time in 6 years. It runs better with fresh gas.

 

[matzell]

BAJA T/A KR2 - Jackson Motorsports Group

35 X 10.50 X 15

 

[heavytlc]

I wanted at least a load range d tire, really prefer an e on something as heavy as th 60. Stepping up to a 16” accomplished that. I am seriously contemplating a set of the Baja ta tires in 35 for my sleeper white Tj. Life was good when I had a tire sponsor. Now I have to Actually wear out a set of tires to justify replacing them.

 

[heavytlc]

Had a few minutes last night and this morning to spend on the power door locks. The rear door has plenty of room but not many spots that you can get a straight pull on the actuator. The front door has basically one spot to mount the actuator and it is a nice strait shot.
I tried to post a video, not sure if it works.

 

[heavytlc]

I have a fj62 rear hatch so all I have to do is hook up 2 wires to make it work. Tomorrow night I will install the new front door window regulators, window glass, run channels, new door speakers and hopefully assemble the doors for the last time. It’s not huge progress, but it is progress.

 

[heavytlc]

I ended up having to source all the lock linkage for the 62 rear hatch. It is on the way. All I had was the solenoid. Also found out the lock was different. It is amazing how difficult such simple things can become.
The retro sound radio came in. After trying to deal with acquiring a factory am/fm radio to send off for a $600 retrofit and still have less performance, it was the logical choice. I needed the radio in hand since I am pulling the windshield to run the wiring for my wits end mirror bracket/backup camera mirror. That way I can also mount the microphone for hands free. I am still trying to figure out a clean way to get a usb up there. I have ordered a pile of usb cables and mounts, so something will come together.
Ordered a grill from Kelly Saad, Landcruusergrilles.com
I really liked the idea of a set of amber driving lights in the grill. The Hella 500 amber are the look I want, the Kc day lighter pro6 led with amber covers are probably closer to the performance I am looking for. I have both coming so it will come down to performance/ aesthetics and how big of a difference there is between the two.
Got the jw speaker 8700 heated evo2 dual burn lights in chrome. I am running jw speaker 6150 fog lights on the bumper. They are more modern of a look then I like, but I have them on one of the tj’s and it is really nice to actually be able to see at night. As I have gotten older that has become an issue that performance matters more than Aesthetics.
Changed tire size to 255/85r16 Toyo mt. I had originally built the wagon around 35x12.50x15 tires. Ran a set for a couple of years, went to a 255/85/16 and then 33x9.50x15 on early hubcap wheels. The skinny tires have better acceleration, braking and no real downside for my use. I like the load rating that I get from the 255’s. The Toyo is the tallest tire in the 255 size that I could find.