Opinions please.

[audaciousduo]

I'm going to tackle the rot on my 70 this winter. I have two options and am looking for votes as to which way to proceed. The areas that need replacing are; rocker's, the floor next to the rockers, both rear wheel tubs and both rear lower quarters. I have a set of new rockers and a JDM tub that has been hit hard but I can cut most of my patches out of it. The tub itself is not usable as a whole.

1) Work with what I have and weld in patches and new rockers.

2) I can buy a mint JDM RHD 71 tub I have a line on. I could cut out the fire wall off my tub and convert the RHD tub to LHD and replace the whole tub.

I can do all the cutting, welding, body work and paint my self but wonder which route is going to be less work. As I dive into the 70 I'm finding more and more rust. The 70 I have has been scabbed together once already and I'm sure I'll find more surprises.

Thanks in advance

 

[Joe Egolf]

Option #2 will turn out best if you plan on keeping the cruiser for a long time-IMOP

 

[lumpy70]

I converted a RHD BJ74 to LHD, and I can tell you it's a lot of work that I wouldn't do again.

Here's the thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/212526-bj74-lhd-conversion.html

Personally, I would cut the good parts off the good tub and weld them into the bad tub, as believe me it is less work that way. The firewall portion and lining everything up is a HUGE pain and it has to be exactly right, especially since the RHD one won't have the captive nuts so you need to align everything up and weld in your own.

This includes but not exclusive to:
Brake booster
Clutch booster
All 3 pedals
All heater components
Heater Lines
Steering column
Cold air vent (that one REALLY sucked)
etc.

I guarantee that even on your rotted tub the firewall is still good (mine was) so stick with what you've got, and fix the rest.

Just my two cents.

Craig.

 

[Greg_B]

Having somewhat salvaged a Cdn 60...there is no end to the rust. You will never get it all. Any seam which is not exposed during the build likely has rust already happening, just waiting to pop out. If you can make it happen, start rust free...spray the crap out of all the nooks and crannies every year with fluidfilm, rustcheck, and waxoils. Even then it will rust...but it will be years away.

With a 60 series, the nicest and cleanest (and lines everything up factory) is to swap a LHD firewall into a JDM body. Strip it down, drill out the pinch welds, fix things up if needed, line up pinchweld spots, reweld.

I have not taken the time to look at the 70 to see if this would work. If the firewall does not include the wipers (does on the 60) this could add complications. This eliminates the lining up issue that Craig experienced.

I have a LHD Cdn 70 firewall in the shop if you want to come by and take a closer look. Like I said, I have not taken the time to see if mimicing what makes sense on a 60 makes sense on the 70.

But...getting into a complete body swap means lifing the tub off the frame. Which likely will show you much much more then you want to see. Patching, then using/wheeling the truck might just fit the bill.

hth's

gb

 

[audaciousduo]

After looking at lumpy70's post I'm leaning toward cutting and patching the one I have. If I could only find quarter panels I'd be golden. I don't feel like fabricating them. After all the truck is a wheeler and I'll be spraying a box liner on the lower portions after I fix the rust. I think your right Gregg. I'n the past I've always ended up restoring them and getting mad when I do scratch it. No point in a frame off restoration if I'm using it for wheeling, fishing and camping.