Krondor
SILVER Star
I would avoid flux core and go gas. Flux core burns much hotter and can be difficult to weld sheet metal with. Especially for a beginner. Can it be done, yes but with gas shielding it’s easier.
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That sounds like a great option. Thanks for the info.I too would avoid flux core and go gas.
I know a lot of people don’t like them, but look at Eastwood welders. Yes, they are just a branded offshore copy of something else. I have their tig and one of their plasma cutters and for home use, pretty hard to beat (and I have lots of experience on high end tig machines).
You can usually get their mig machines with a spoolgun or other accessories cheap and lots of Black Friday sales and stuff. They make a 135 mig that is 120v and can use gas for under $400. They also have a 185 mig (?) that’s dual voltage so can run on 120v or 240v, you’re just limited when on 120v and I think it’s $500-600?. Worth a look. I don't know anyone who has used one that had complaints.
Another thing I personally like in a welder is a rheostat voltage setting and not a position switch. This just makes it more infinitely adjustable.
I owned a 10/77 FJ40 years ago. Very well known truck too. (Google "Zebranator")VIN plate says production Oct. 1977 so is this an early ‘78. That’s what the most current registration says. Waiting on the title.
I would also advise to buy a big box of cardboard tags and tag every part you remove with the name, where it goes and date You pulled it. Take lots of pictures and create photo files. File Categories electrical/suspension/steering/etc. etc. have fun!
Thanks, Great advice.I would also advise to buy a big box of cardboard tags and tag every part you remove with the name, where it goes and date You pulled it. Take lots of pictures and create photo files. File Categories electrical/suspension/steering/etc. etc. have fun!
Awesome, thanks for the tips and the encouragement.If you have the coins go 220v for sure but don’t think you can’t tackle virtually all the necessary welding with a smaller welder. I used a 110v MIG with gas for all of my welding. When welding sheet metal you’re going far too fast if you’re running into duty cycle issues. DEFINITELY tag and bag every single part…without exception. What you’re positive you’ll remember will be long forgotten in a 2-3 year period. I took 850+ pictures of my rig as I disassembled it. My recommendation is to take a picture of the general area of the part so you know exactly where it goes, and then take a pic of the part specifically. Make sure you include the bolts removed in the baggie when disassembling, even if you don’t intend to reuse them. I took it a further step and measured and wrote on each baggie the length and thread pitch of every bolt because I knew I was going to replace all the hardware. Made it a lot easier putting everything back. I also bought a bunch of cheap food storage containers to store larger parts. View attachment 2795147
One last thing I would recommend (I didn’t do this but I wished I had) was restore/refurbish parts you intend to reuse as you remove them. It may keep the project on track. Versus having a million things to refurbish before putting it back together again, which can be overwhelming when you realize the work involved. Just my .02¢.
Most important thing is to double what you think it will cost, have fun, and don’t be afraid to get in over your head and try something you don’t think you’re capable of. You might just surprise yourself. Prior to my resto, I had never done anything even remotely close to a frame off. In the end I did absolutely everything (minus the leather upholstery) myself, including the paint. It was a helluva journey and one I’m super proud of accomplishing.
I definitely want to have it running as quickly as possible. I plan to address the brakes and locked up transmission first but definitely need to work on the floor pan so I don’t fall out while driving. Haha.There is no shortage of basket cases out there from people who bought something and then tore it apart. If it runs and goes then leave it that way. Fix the brakes, change all the fluids, tune it up, and have some fun driving it. You will get lots of attention. It looks way cool.
Then, in a year, get all the sheet metal and money and parts and stuffed lined up. First do this. Then pull it apart.