Well... I really didnt want to sale my pig to begin with. But I felt it was a decession that had to be made for the better of my family. With gas prices continuing to increase and things needing to be done on the 55 that cost money... well I felt like I was between a rock and a hardspot. I actually had the truck sold to a fella that backed out... and another army fellow.... he didnt get back to me in the time it took me to say to myself, "Phuck It I'm a pigman and thats all there is to it!"
So I pulled the pig into my over crowded two car garage with four vehicles stuffed into it and started to pull the pig apart. There are some areas that do need some serious attention but for the most part the tub is in very good shape. Some surface rust that will need to be neutralized and treated for paint and some areas that need to be cut out and new metal welded back into place.
I was in the process of marking the body for a crewcab truck conversion when my wife walked out into the garage and asked what I was doing.... she said she wanted this body to remain intact.... so its not going to be a truck.... oh well... not sure if anyone ever saw the mockup I did a few months back but I think it looked sweet!
The roof is in great shape with no cancer or rust. The window channels in the body are all solid as a rock. Well the rear ones anyway as I have not taken the windscreen out. That is to come soon. Most of the rockers are in good shape with a few cancer areas. I took a pointed scribe and tried to punch thru the metal... only the areas with cancer seem to be affected. One of the rear 1/4 rockers will need to be cut and replaced. Floor boards and extremely solid with only one area of concern about the size of my fist. I did an inspection top and under the floors... very good.
So what are the plans?
-Sandblast tub
-Replace all rotted sheet metal.
-Treat metal.
-Prep and paint tub.
-Sandblast, treat, paint frame.
Basically a frame off restro as much as I can afford to do... most of which will be done myself.
The four doors are in decent shape with only the usual stress fractures in the doors where the hinges bolt on. Tailgate needs some serious TLC. All in all it was priced very well for what the truck is... not a whole lot of cancer and less then most pigs I have seen or owned.
I ordered some tires this week for the pig too.. 35x12.50x15 Goodyear Silent Armor's at 143usd each. They will be mounted on the aluminum rims and the 16" splitties are going onto the FJ40. The 40 will be getting 235/85x16's.
http://www.goodyearwrangler.com/
The FJ60 axles will be going under the pig and the 55 axles will be going onto the FJ40 to upgrade the braking system to disc brakes. I will be converting the 55 to RDB's (rear disc brakes).
I have located an Isuzu Diesel engine (4BD2T) and am trying to work out a deal.. if not then looks like another MBZ TD conversion as I already have a turbodiesel ready to go. Im converting everything over to biodiesel... if you need a decent 2F then let me know.. anyway... im tried and going to get some food then rest... have to work tomorrow.
I have been doing pigs for a very long time. Long before I ever joined TLCA. Places like California, Washington, Colorado.. might have a decent number of FJ55's due to the number sold in those areas... but some States and regions have none. If you can find a pig with very little rust and cancer, all the new parts and upgrades I have done to this one for 600 bucks... I say the cruiser gods are smiling upon you.... after all the FJ55's I have posted here... or on other cruiser or FJ55 orient forums.... and all the time invested in just this series of cruiser.. I don't think I am being unrealistic with my expectations on my own FJ55's value. First off there were not that many made to begin with... awhile back I posted a url that had all the information on the FJ55... how many were produced and where they were shipped to. The FJ55 is becoming harder and harder to find... the time is coming when you wont be able to buy a decent FJ55 for 500 bucks. ok im off me soapbox
