Project PHOENIX-Gene's new LV (1 Viewer)

[Land Cruiser Junky]

gene, what did you use to bend the tubes? i have been thinking about doing the same on my rig,i just haven't gotten around to it.
-Mike

Hey Mike, I looked into bending them and it was a fortune. I made a template from the originals and then cut and welded the tubes. I'm gonna make a jig and bondo the outside to give it a smooth curve. The bondo at it's thickest point will only be 1/16". I know most people hate bondo but I love the stuff.

 

[mderrick]

sounds like a plan. i was tinking of sand packing a tube and making a jig to bend around... it's a little time consuming so i haven't done it yet.

 

[spdwaver]

WOW - I have not been by in a while, and have been busy trying to source a new Cruiser (never told you, but my '91 got wrecked on Stillmore/Whites Canyon Dec. 11th); I will need to stop by and check it out!

 

[fj40forlife]

Glad to see you got the 60 running. It was a really nice wagon.

 

[zimcesar]

Nice fj60 Gene

 

[PabloCruise]

Any updates?

 

[fj45lv]

Hello Gene, how's the family and the 60? I hope you are doing well. Any more progress on the 45? I loved the paint that you had laid down on the dash and cover! Would like to learn the technique! Please keep up posted!

Eric C.

 

[Land Cruiser Junky]

Gentlemen,

Yes, after 7 years I'm back. And this time I'm really back. Although I want to keep this thread about Land Cruisers, I do feel I owe this community an explanation for my absence. I'll try to keep it short and to the point.

2009 - 2011 were definitely the most challenging years of my life, and in the years to follow I was working my way out of them. As Mark had mentioned in an earlier post, I had lost a job that I had held for 31 years prior, and the new job forced me to drive 100 miles each day. My mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and lived with it another 4 years. I found out that my wife (at the time) was having an affair and stealing from me. Then we found that my older sister also had cancer and she passed shortly after my mom. If this wasn't enough, after my X left in 2011, her son who I adopted was in a car accident. He was at fault and because he was on my policy I was being sued for $250,000. During all of this I came very very close to losing my house. As you can guess, there wasn't a lot of time to devote to Land Cruisers.

The good news...
I never forgot the outpouring of support and the selfless acts of those here on the board, so I never considered abandoning this project even once. I didn't lose my house. The other party in the accident settled with my insurance company. I changed jobs again to a much stronger company only 30 miles away. I met a wonderful faithful woman and got married. And... I recently sold my house and moved into one with a nice big garage to store and work on Land Cruisers. God is faithful.

The FJ60 has recently received a lot of attention. Rebuilt motor, and everything right down to the A/C is working. There are a few more things I'd like to do but not right now.

The FJ40 has been getting a lot of attention for the last 19 months and is almost complete. The original plan was to fix and sell it, and use the money to finish the LV. After it started to really shape up my wife and I decided we wanted to keep it.

Two days ago, I did something I haven't done in a very long time. I started working on the LV again. You would think after working on the 40 for 19 months I would be ready for a little break, but I am pumped and more excited to work on this than any Cruiser. The LV is definitely my favorite, and it's amazing how different things are when you're not living in a constant state of crisis. Good times again.

First on the list is cutting out and replacing the front and mid floors and replacing the rocker panels. I am doing the removal and fabbing the parts, and my buddy Jimmy Bassham is doing the welding for me. I'm starting to practice welding, but I need it done right.

So after far too long guys, here's the first days work. There will be no more long periods of time where I am absent from this site. Thanks to all of you for your patience.

 

[D'Animal]

Welcome Back

Glad to hear you overcame all of the challenges placed in front of you.

 

[JackA]

Welcome back and like stated above glad you made it thru the tough times.

It's good to see another LV getting worked on. It's seems so many LV projects get started then fall off the face of the earth.
I look forward to seeing your LV progress.

What springs are on your wagon? It looks like a nice stance.

 

[Old Red]

Your perseverance is an inspiration. I would do well to follow your example. Thank you for sharing.

 

[whitey45]

Wow, what a tough few years, sure puts things in perspective for me, great to see you here again,and look foward to the build!

 

[merbesfield]

I too am glad to see you are doing well. My LV has also sat still for a long time. You are an inspiration to me that some day I will get back at it one of these days. Keep us all posted on your progress.

 

[orangefj45]

YEEEEEEEES!!!!!!

Great day for the cruiser community.



Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[theSherpa]

Hey, Gene! Long time no hear! Once upon a time I brought a pig to a pig roast, hosted by Georg, 2005 FJ45 Run.
So glad to hear you've come out the other side happy and healthy! Still hanging with Mark? I too have been away from ih8mud for a very long time...Steve Fox

 

[Tancruiser]

Another LV inspiration story it gives hope for mine.

 

[Land Cruiser Junky]

Thanks to all of you. I will never forget how this community came together for a guy that most didn't even know.

A special thanks to Georg and Mark. This whole thing was Georg's idea and he organized, raised funds, and put this whole thing in motion. Mark stepped right in with organizing the build down south, providing the shop, and I know they both did a lot more than I was aware of, along with many of you. You guys know I can never repay this completely, but SURFPIG wrote something on the banner you guys gave to me back in 2008. He wrote "Pay it forward", and that's something I have been doing through the years one part at a time.

Because of all that you did for me, I have always really wanted to make you guys proud of this LV. I've got a few things planned that aren't found on any others. This should be fun. Thanks again to all of you.

 

[Land Cruiser Junky]

Hey Steve, I remember you and that trip very well. You had just bought that pig and drove it to the run if I remember correctly. I just saw Mark yesterday. Good to hear from you brother.

 

[Land Cruiser Junky]

What springs are on your wagon? It looks like a nice stance.

I couldn't tell you. The rear still have some good arch but the fronts are pretty flat. Once I get the bodywork done there are many things like this to go through before driving it.

 

[JackA]

I started reading this thread from the beginning. Seems the springs are combo of ome and some other stuff. Thanks for the response though. I look forward to watching this LV come back to life.