Oregano Crewpy

[RPskater]

Amaurer,
That sounds like a deal. I'll remember your suggestion as soon as I get this rig on the road. I've only driven it once. From Larry's Automotive to home (5 minute drive). I just got it registered last week!

 

[FJ40Jim]

Just curious, how does a truck with no cali emissions sticker get registered in cali?
Seems like a lot of 'mudders have trouble getting their US spec trucks road legal in the peoples republik of Kali...

 

[RPskater]

I'm not entirely sure. I have not completely registered it yet. I went to the California DMV and gave them the Aussie registration papers, and the customs papers. Because I did not bring the rig in to the DMV when I did that. I need to still have the VIN verified. If I take the rig to the DMV for that, I know they are going to go down a list to make sure its a truck or SUV. I paid all the fees and just need the authorization. I am probably going to go to a VIN officer at the sheriff's office so just a VIN is verified and nothing else I am told. I'll let you know how the final step goes.

 

[RPskater]

Day 1 of rust repair.
Today was big step for me in fixing up the rig. I have been dreading the thought of replacing sheet metal. Replacing sections of sheet metal in this adventure is similar to the part where Indiana Jones gets thrown into the pit of snakes with Marian. I feel like I just got out of the pit by successfully replacing my first piece of sheet metal. I still have some to learn on my patch job like how far to grind down and what to do with some warpage.

 

[RPskater]

Does anyone have advice on taking the warpage out of the panel. I was thinking of welding a couple of small struts inside rather than filling the outside with bond. I noticed it while grinding. I am not sure what caused it.

 

[Weber Sarge]

You have to take your time welding in new panels pieces , heat is the enemy and will warp body panels easily . Small spot welds and jump around from place to place a lot , spend a lot of time letting it cool completely or you'll have a warped panel like that . It's not going to be easy to fix that kind of warpage at that point in the body now - you can try hammering it out but it will likely crease the body .
Sarge

 

[RPskater]

Sarge,
Would cutting a slit in the worst areas relieve the compression the panel seems to be under? Then reweld it slowly as suggested. I definitely went faster than I should have. A lesson learned.

 

[1973barnfind]

Flip the bezel

 

[RPskater]

I was told somebody would notice the bezel from the mud site! They were right. I will flip it when I sand it down and paint it oregano!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Cutting a slit at this point is about the only solution - welding it quickly expanded the joint and forced the upper part of the panel to move away - a slit will allow it to return to shape but may need some persuasion . Go slow and really take your time - no place to get in a hurry here .
Sarge

 

[RPskater]

Well, I've been out of the country for a week and look forward to putting in some time on the rust repair. I was in Bangkok and Shanghai. I had 1 day off from business in Bangkok and went to the Flowhouse. In the locker room I saw the coolest poster on the wall. Being a surfer, I really had an appreciation for it.

 

[RPskater]

I decided to work on the very back end of the truck bed so that I can eventually line the truck bed and water seal it so I can mark that off my list. I was able to get a set of barn doors from an old rusted out FJ40 for $75. Unfortunately the price of the doors came with a "price"....rust.

 

[RPskater]

more...

 

[RPskater]

The inside of these doors will be coated with Herculiner and the outside will be bondo'ed up and painted. Next I need to weld in mounting brackets to mount the doors to.

 

[My71FJ40]

Looking good, learning as you go.

 

[RPskater]

I am focused on just having one section of this rig in a finished state. I am trying to teach myself to "enjoy the journey" but when I look at it and there isn't a square inch that doesn't need some form of repair, it's a challenge. This is why I installed the barn doors finish patching holes in the bed and bed-lined it.

 

[RPskater]

Putting barn doors on was harder than I thought. I did not realize that there were modifications that still needed to be made for a fit. I had to round the bottom corners to fit the round frame of the tub. The mounting of the doors was on the edge for both sides. The doors were almost too narrow. Another 1/2 inch overall would have made the mounting better. Also the hinges make the doors stand out away from the body. Is that normal without rubber gasketing?

 

[apeterson]

this is cool!!! keep going!

 

[RPskater]

Thanks Apeterson.
Today it rained and no top on the rig. It looks like the Herculiner holds water against the wall I made. I think I will have to drill holes in the valleys so water does not accumulate.

 

[RPskater]

Arron,
Went through your build. Great comeback after the engine fiasco. That must have been a hard hit. Very inspiring!