Builds Project 'Fresh Start' RestoMod (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sheck44
- Start date
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Sheck44
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #183
Ahhhh ... yes it is the Real steel
Ok, I did promise a while back that I would explain how we did this because it was a PITA ...
So what we noticed immediately was the vertical panels do not line up with the Aqualu tub door frames. The Real Steel panels have to come out about an inch to properly line up ...
Screen Shot 2018-11-26 at 6.54.43 PM by Steve Heck, on FlickrSo, that means that the vertical interior bracing bar will NOT go through the panel and sit in the Aqualu pocket. We therefore cut off the bottoms of the vertical support braces and welded our own supports at the bottom of the panels that sit perfectly in the pockets with the door jambs perfectly aligned
IMG_0053 by Steve Heck, on Flickr
IMG_0054 by Steve Heck, on FlickrSo, what do this tell us ... that with enough patience and some skill you can make an Aqualu tub, joined to a 73' cab work with a Real Steel soft top and 1980 doors ... Not easy but It CAN be done
And yes, we made the door latch plates from scratch because now the position of the door latch mounting bolts completely changes
Cheers
Steve
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@Sheck44 , I'm planning on , essentially doing the same type of build you have done and, as I've been following along, was wondering about your power steering conversion. Would you mind expanding on what you did?
1. Did you use a an FJ80 power steering box? If so, why and was there any issues with using it? I noticed the steering box looked pretty hug and had some insulated lines that, presumably , came with the unit when you pulled it off an FJ80. Is that right? The fj60 steering box requires one to modify the radiator support shroud to clear the box. Since the FJ80 box is even larger in diameter did that affect your radiator support or placement?
2. Did you have to make a piece of plate steel on the inside of the frame with crush sleeves the way the Ironpig 4x4 kit does? If not, how did you secure the power steering box to the frame?
3. It looks like you used an aftermarket steering column with tilt. What did you use? Also wondering if you used some extended steering shaft components similar to borgenson to reach the steering box from the firewall?
4. I noticed you cut into the shock tower as required for this type of conversion. Did you then leave the mount as-is or did you reinforce or replace with another shockmount such as the F-250 shock tower .
Lots of questions so thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Derek
1. Did you use a an FJ80 power steering box? If so, why and was there any issues with using it? I noticed the steering box looked pretty hug and had some insulated lines that, presumably , came with the unit when you pulled it off an FJ80. Is that right? The fj60 steering box requires one to modify the radiator support shroud to clear the box. Since the FJ80 box is even larger in diameter did that affect your radiator support or placement?
2. Did you have to make a piece of plate steel on the inside of the frame with crush sleeves the way the Ironpig 4x4 kit does? If not, how did you secure the power steering box to the frame?
3. It looks like you used an aftermarket steering column with tilt. What did you use? Also wondering if you used some extended steering shaft components similar to borgenson to reach the steering box from the firewall?
4. I noticed you cut into the shock tower as required for this type of conversion. Did you then leave the mount as-is or did you reinforce or replace with another shockmount such as the F-250 shock tower .
Lots of questions so thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Derek
Sheck44
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #189
Derrick, my apologies I never saw this until now
Yes, ok I used a 60 box in this one and a 80 series box in my new R2.8 build .. both trucks are completely custom rads so I have no idea of interference issues with OE rad setups
I used plates that Tor (Torbuilt) sold me ... google Torbuilt, I believe he's in Washington
He also sold me the expandable steering shaft tat we used with Borgenson joints
Left the mount as-is, Im assuming if your into serious 4x4 offloading you may want to consider strengthening the tower
Hope this helps
Cheers
Steve
Looks Great Steve !
The speaker and courtesy lights on the bottom of your doors are pretty clean. Anymore details on the set up?
How are the mirrors doing? Now that you have some miles on them. Do they vibrate? I know they are reaaaalllly expensive. But I need to spring for mirrors and I want a good set of mirrors. Let me know how they are performing and if you think it was a good upgrade. Thanks.
Old post....but thanks for not cutting the rear fenders and/or using flares. Ruins the whole truck when that is done.
Hats off to you Steve for an incredible build one of a kind. I know it’s a resto mod, but I’m not a big fan of the appearance of your transmission hump. Looks too square/boxy/big in my opinion. Anyhow, overall this Cruiser you built is insane! I hope you get some big bucks one day from a buyer, all you want From her. You deserve it!
IMG_8026
Sheck44
GOLD Star
- Thread starter
- #197
Thank you ! Got some miles under her belt this summer and she was amazing with only a couple of minor issues that we will address this winter while we finish the 66'
Did you see the finished product with the carpet ... came out soooo clean ??
Using the same tranny setup but using the original 66 tranny cover ... a LOT of work
Cheers
Steve
lelandEOD
SILVER Star
Where'd those turn signal lights come from? They remind me of the ones on a buddy's G63.
On bring a trailer it looks like?
