Builds Previously known as the 'One Week Resto' now Pathetically keeping it alive... 500k (1 Viewer)

[notaclue]

reaping what you sew?
great job!!!!!!

 

[JohnnyC]

@notaclue thank you!

A few pictures of where I'm at right now

Still need the straps put on and all the common sense fastener grommets and minor stitching at the top door corner

 

[whitey45]

Looks great Johnny, wish I had the nerve to make a troopy top! Love the rear access, great idea.

 

[78fj40mg]

@notaclue thank you!

A few pictures of where I'm at right now

Still need the straps put on and all the common sense fastener grommets and minor stitching at the top door corner

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Very nice sewing bro!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Yeah - I've learned too , it's no fun trying to stuff several yards of heavy material into an old Singer and actually run a decent straight line .

If you do much soldering - I'd seriously consider this iron , just got one and already used the snot out of it -
http://www.amazon.com/Portasol-010589330-Super-125-Watt-Heat/dp/B003H6NN2Q

I've never had an iron that will solder 10ga wire within 20 seconds of lighting , electric or butane , period . Ran it on low for almost 3hrs working on the led strip lights on my pickup topper as well as cut some plastic . Tips and all parts are definitely top-shelf quality - same level as my Harris torch and both built in Ireland - win/win ! Thought it might burn up the flexible circuit board strip on the led lights , was no problem on lower settings on the gas valve and on the lowest setting it seems to act as a pilot light . There is one slight catch - be careful of the vent in the tip heads , as there is a serious plume of hot air coming out , just make sure it's pointed in the up position if you set it down . Otherwise , it will burn the table surface or whatever it's resting on . Best tool I've bought lately....

Btw, your stitch work is looking great - nice job .

Sarge

 

[JohnnyC]

Looks great Johnny, wish I had the nerve to make a troopy top! Love the rear access, great idea.

Thanks Whitey!
The kids are going to like it most ... Modeled after the later folding bows rear access door ... Friend called it the 'Johnny Door'

Very nice sewing bro!

Thanks !! Wishing I was home finishing it up... Stuck at toyota getting wife's car inspected

Yeah - I've learned too , it's no fun trying to stuff several yards of heavy material into an old Singer and actually run a decent straight line .

If you do much soldering - I'd seriously consider this iron , just got one and already used the snot out of it -
Amazon.com: Portasol 010589330 Super Pro 125-Watt Heat Tool Kit with 7 Tips: Home Improvement

Btw, your stitch work is looking great - nice job

Thanks Sarge!

That solding iron does look killer... I do alit of solding and will be handy for sure... The tips look too big for how I am using it... I have one with a cutting tip as well as soldering tip... It's thin and perfect size to make a perfect hole for the rivit ... I use basting tape to hold the webbing where I want it ... Use the iron to make the three holes (two on top of the buckle and one under)

Goes right thru three layers of nylon webbing and two layers of poly canvas and seals them all the way thru

Then rivit

I am going to be using aluminum rivits

Will post some pictures later most likely

We like pictures

Pic: me waiting in the North Country Toyota (Saratoga) service department waiting area

 

[handcannon]

Looks good Johnny! There are times when I wish I had a soft top (summer time, and occasional rain), but there is one big drawback--MONEY.

Looks like you have an eager apprentice there. Teach them right and pass on the abilities and knowledge.

Don

 

[JohnnyC]

@handcannon

Thanks!!! Feeling better about getting it done... My little one 'miniC' (Daniel) is a positive and encouraging type ... He's a helpful one



Pics:

Straps

Straps hung using basting tape

Poke hole with soldering iron ... Then rivit

Now onto the common sense fastener grommets ... Positioning

 

[JohnnyC]

Mostly finished!!! Just need the curtain panel tie backs riveted on... Going to make it the the insides are removable so they aren't dangling

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Bravo Mr C...Bravo!!!

 

[JohnnyC]

@Chungas Revenge

Thank you!!

I think I was a bit more excited to get my new tires today... The old coopers are worn down .... A lot!

These are like my 9th or tenth set for my truck ... I usually don't go more then back to back identical sets ... These are my second run on Cooper Discoverer ST's

255/85r16


Look at the difference of old and new

 

[78fj40mg]

Hey Johnny, very nice tires!

How many miles do you normally get from your coopers?

 

[JohnnyC]

@78fj40mg

I don't know off hand ... I am thinking its about 40-45k maybe higher

It's been like 5 or so years on them and these days I avg 10k a year

 

[JohnnyC]

BTW

My wife's car passed inspection
(tech commented on how well the car is maintained )

And...

My truck passed the piss test
(not nearly as maintained as my wife's car lol)

 

[Weber Sarge]

The tips on that iron are smaller than they look - I was able to easily solder 22ga wire onto those led light strips and their scary-thin copper tape with no issues . Also , there are a ton of other tips available from them - shoot an email and they will respond with the rep here in the US.
Sarge

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Excellent choice on the CD-ST's Mr C.

Obviously a performance minded man of ample chutzpah...

 

[awynne56]

@JohnnyC that 8 day resto came out great. I cant tell you how amazed I am on how the top came out...the rear softtop door, genius.
Also on a side personal note, being adopted .. it takes special people to adopt...

 

[JohnnyC]

Excellent choice on the CD-ST's Mr C.

Obviously a performance minded man of ample chutzpah...

Thanks

I was looking at the Maxx copper ST's as they were actually cheaper and with a better sidewall imo ... But always liked the industrial look lol

I was looking (and still looking) at several 8.25r16's in a high ply deep tread ... There are some (China) brands that look great... But... Can't see getting 50-100 of them lol

The 8.25r16 size is an almost full 34" tall x 9" wide tire meant for the small width rims

I'll look in the fringes of the WWW till I find the perfect one

@JohnnyC that 8 day resto came out great. I cant tell you how amazed I am on how the top came out...the rear softtop door, genius.
Also on a side personal note, being adopted .. it takes special people to adopt...

Wish my 8 days was more like 80 lol ... I scrimped and skimped but it did come out well and for most part stayed pretty well... I'm not too impressed with the rust bullet... But... Still 1000% better than what the truck was before

I'm still very happy with the outcome considering it was under $500

Thanks your the positive adoption comment ... It's encouraging hearing it!! Our littlest (adopted) daughter is 'challenging' ... But not as much as our biological oldest one lol

We are in Maine now bonding with our two little ones

Again THANK you!!!

BTW love how you made the rack... I was/still am toying with making one for my cruiser (since giving away my conferr) to use with my FST ... I gots billions of ideas for the cruiser just need the time to do them

 

[JohnnyC]

Cruiser sighting in Maine ... Nice blue fj60 lifted with rack

too bad you can make out the ambulance behind me better than my intended target

 

[JohnnyC]

Fan shroud is rotted out at bottom

Hit the fan ... Plastic 6 blade Fan is cracked and ends all have chunks out

Great