Nurture My Pig!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I don't know when you get to Colorado, but the reverend horton heat is playing with the supersuckers in Breck on Jan 25. You could check out the show and stay with your inlaws.
 
RLMS said:
love the story! Good luck on the move, the springs is a great place to live!

Justin
Click to expand...

Thanks man, looking forward to the move.

Sno bored said:
I don't know when you get to Colorado, but the reverend horton heat is playing with the supersuckers in Breck on Jan 25. You could check out the show and stay with your inlaws.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Rev never disappoints. Met him the last year when he was in town. Very cool guy. We'll be out there in time, just depends on how fast I can unload the uhaul :).
 
Very :cool::cool::cool: Pics---Luv Horton Heat...saw them years ago at the Masqurade in ATL...always loved Bad Reputation and the song Eat Steak.

Good luck and god speed on your progress!!!!!!!
 
Good luck with the move! I'm jealous, my wife and I have always wanted to move to Colorado, It's a beautiful place. Send pics of the Piggy progress when you get all settled.
 
So have you gotten moved to CO Springs?

After looking at your rust pics in the other thread, you might be better off (in the long run) taking the body all the way off the frame and sending it out for a media blast.

I know this requires a LOT of work up front, but in terms of being able to patch all the rust you will have to, this might be the best way to go. Especially if you can mount the body on a rotisserie so you can rotate it.

SOR has fiberglass fenders and upper aprons that you could go with for the front end.
 
Yeah, we finally made it to the Springs. We are renting now, but close on a house next week, so that had me thinking "do I really want to move this thing again?".

But in reality, it's hard to imagine not having it around.

I like the idea of media blasting the whole thing. It's hard to tell from the photos, but it is actually off the frame. I just couldn't find anyone in my neck of the woods back in Missouri to blast it. I'm sure I'll have more luck out here.

As for the rotisserie, I have seen some pretty neat ideas here and on some of the hot rod websites I frequent. I'm thinking of going with a modified dual engine stand set-up (maybe :)).

Thanks for the ideas!
 
Last edited:
Cool story Fitzgerald. My two cents would be to source as much good used replacement parts as possible. Keep a lookout for the parts rigs that might have those inner outer and upper fenders - with less rust! Right now, Pighead is picking one over near him. There's one in Tuscon, AZ, and there's a parts cache in Southern Cali. a guy is looking to get rid of. Might help the project move along quicker, and possibly save your sanity:)
 
I'm Back!!!!

UPDATE:
  • The move from Missouri to Colorado went off without a hitch (well, except for much of the 55’s glass being shattered)
  • Bought a house and turned the garage into a little workshop.
  • Traded my 2WD Tacoma in for a 100 which is now the family truckster, freeing up the 55 for some more “adventurous” duties.
  • I’ve been ignoring my 55 as of late exploring “Colorful Colorado”.


NEW PLAN:

Went out with several of the guys from Colorado Land Cruisers this weekend and had a blast. Totally got me in the mood to get the 55 up and running. A couple of them were out there with 37’s and 39’s and it sure looked like fun. Since my pig is about as far as you can get from a candidate for stock restoration, I’m now thinking MODIFICATION!!!


Here’s what I’m thinking:


  • BODY : Replace the rockers, floor pans, and body mounts with the kit I bought from bobm. (Thanks again Bob!) I’ll also need to patch the PS A pillar, tailgate, all four doors, both fenders, the roof above the drip rail, the rear quarters, the inner rear wheel wells, and the entire rear section below the tailgate. I may start looking for a few replacement items instead of trying to patch EVERYTHING. ??? I also looking into slight body mods (especially around the lower rear area).

  • SAFETY : Rollcage - With all the structural bodywork repairs needed, and the fact that my kiddos will be riding in it, better safe than sorry.

  • TIRES : 35’s …maybe 37’s (although I remember reading somewhere things get a bit crazy above 35’s ???)

  • LIFT : ??? SOA , total custom job ??? (still a lot I need to learn about lifting a 55)

  • ENGINE : 350 ??? (still very much on the fence on this one) The old F has 120,000-ish miles on it, but still runs fine. But, with modification in mind and the fact that everything is off the frame, now seems like it would be a good time to make the change. And I know a lot of you here LOVE diesels, but man, I think they’re stinky and loud. (no offense to you diesel lovers ;), just not my cup o’ tea)

  • TRANS : No idea what so ever.

  • AXLES : Stock? 60 series? BIGGER?

  • BRAKES : Would like to go to disc on all four corners.

  • STEERING : Definitely want to go power steering (PS cooler ???)

Wow, ok then, feels good to get all of these ideas out. Sorry for the rambling :). Sort of Pig therapy session I guess.

So…. It looks like I need to sit down, do a bunch more reading on the MUD, develop a plan, then when I have a good idea of what I really want and /or need -> move forward.

In the meantime, I can start on some of the little jobs I know I’ll need to do no matter which direction I go.



As always, any ideas / thoughts / concerns are always appreciated.



Thanks,
 
WOW! you're off and rolling now. I would start reading and saving all the build threads. There are plenty of good ones. I go back and pick up stuff, with each new project.

Also, try to figure out how to sneak all the packages, past your wife. [ just kidding ] :). The UPS guy, will become your friend.

get a tool budget going, you will need alot of new tools.

Keep it on the Fun level and the whole Family will feel better about you living in the shop.

Good luck, Ron
 
Well I think that 35s on FJ60 axles would be about perfect with a SOA on stock springs. Obviously redo the steering completely, and there are plenty of options for that. Discs can be done faily cheaply for the rear as well. Most of everything you are contemplating has been done before, and most of it documented here on MUD.
 
Congrats on moving to Co. I grew up there and love the wheeling. I would go with the chevy conversion for sure. When you are driving up all the mountain passes to get to the trails you will love it. Also disk brakes and dual circuit brake system and roll cage. I have seen a couple of fj55 after a roll and the roof buckles pretty easy. Talk to CTS in Aspen park (colorado toyota specialists) Joe does alot of conversions, axle cut and turns etc. He will point you in the right direction. Keep the pictures coming.
 
V8, Here I come!!!

Thanks cuisertom, I'll have to check Joe out when I get to that point. I usually like to do things myself, but I probably could use some help with something that critical.

By the way, my 1F is free to whomever needs it. Check out the classifieds: Click Me!
 
No on the 3 speed, probably will keep the transfer case for now (until I learn a bit more about what I'll need for a swap).

Green Flash...huh...I'll have to check it out. Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom