Builds Project Which Pedal (1 Viewer)

[willyhoff]

More teardown. Took me quite a while to get the front and rear bumpers off. Got the bezel and bib off too. A few holes in the frame from the PO winch mount. Will figure those out when I put it all back together.

Tomorrows project is to clean up the garage to get the FJC back in.

 

[Drake2]

Is that a wooden frame for the top ?

I did not notice that. Had to go back and check it again

 

[willyhoff]

Everyone who has looked at this thread will be happy to know... this is what the wood 'roll cage' looks like now.

 

[1911]

Everyone who has looked at this thread will be happy to know... this is what the wood 'roll cage' looks like now.

View attachment 2233662

It would look even better, cheerfully burning in the fireplace and emitting a warm glow.

 

[willyhoff]

More teardown. Finding some parts I don't recognize but my haynes manual has come in so I will spare everyone the dumb questions until after I read it.

Found out the front of tub had been welded over which doesn't necessarily surprise me given the gaping hold in the back.

Snapping off more bolts than I'd like in the frame but I guess I will have to drill them out and retap? To be determined after sandblasting. Frame needs some repair anyway but particularly the brackets that hold the fenders in place... the back of the bolt seems to be hidden by the engine mount.

Pretty sure the welding on the front of the tub is hiding the back of one of the fender brackets which is frustrating but straightforward to figure (cut) out.

This has been quite the learning process.

 

[willyhoff]

Got the gauge cluster, all switches (only broke one) out and, i think, everything off the tub from the engine bay. Next is the steering wheel assuming Autozone is open to get a puller and figuring out what to do with a half full gas tank.

I'd like to thank YouTube, random Mud threads and WD40 for getting me through this section of the teardown.

 

[TheHardWay]

A pox on the Previous Owner! And what is that shiny thing sitting on top of that cruddy engine?

 

[willyhoff]

So much filler. Any tips on getting it off besides chipping away? I saw maybe a heat gun would help, don't really want to sand it as I think it'll take forever and will throw dust everywhere. As i continue to find more rust on the tub its increasingly tempting to just go aluminum or new steel.

Still cant get the damn windshield bracket screws out so I'll be investing in some new screw extractors this weekend before I resort to drilling

I think im pretty close to being able to lift the body off the frame. My current goal is frame blasted, repaired and powdercoated by Memorial day assuming those businesses are open.

 

[Kris]

You should get one of these on an air hammer. Makes a world of difference o the windshield screws.

Amazon product ASIN B008M23A6Y

 

[middlecalf]

I used a propane torch on the bondo on my rig, with a scraper. Wear good heat protectant gloves, hot bondo is a good burner.

 

[willyhoff]

@middlecalf i was thinking that would be better than the heat gun.

@Kris Step 1 buy an air hammer. Step 2 buy that tool

Thanks y'all

 

[jim land]

Go aluminum

 

[willyhoff]

Go aluminum

I think I am going to. Upstate NY and I plan on driving the rig pretty frequently. Aluminum seems to make sense.

 

[willyhoff]

Back at if after some quarantine home renovations. Got the tub off and it is beyond unsalvageable. Some parts were OEM metal, bondo with oem paint, sheet metal, bondo, paint then rattle can in that order. That plus the holes all over the tub made it scrap.

I have saved the cowl and windshield frame but am not optimistic about those as the patchwork seemed to continue onto the cowl as well.

Frame is in good shape but needs a little repair after sand blasting.

Still thinking full aluminum tub unless i can find a decent steel tub in the northeast which I am guessing is near impossible. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.

Hoping to have the frame to the blaster in a few weeks and get back to building it up.

Some pics attached of pre power wash and post.

 

[SergP]

Wow. You are moving fast.. I have seen this rig for sale a few months ago. I also in Upstate NY, 100mi from you. Congrats and good luck with you project.
BTW.. In text "..its a Toyota" (on your windshield glass) is missing beginning of the original sentence..

 

[willyhoff]

I think i found a decent tub on the east coast about 3.5 hours from me. I know its rusty but looks repairable versus a new tub for $$$. What do y'all think? Looks to be hacked up a bit on the rockers and fenders. I have good front aprons i salvaged from my rig so that can be fixed. I keep going back and forth with a buddy who's telling me its a POS. Selling it for 1k, its a 78 and I have a 77 frame.

Thanks for any input

 

[mattcamp]

That tub looks like it needs some work. It looks like the rockers are cut off and has rust. If you plan on putting it back to stock, and repairing rust, you can make your own panels or purchase replacement body panels and weld them in, but do the math and see if by the time you fix that tub, maybe you could have saved that money, added it to the purchase of a nicer one. You are tackling a major project, that's cool. Also, I would probably replace the front crossmember, looks pretty chopped on, pretty sure you can get replacements. Can't wait to see the rest of the project, cheers -Matt

 

[willyhoff]

That tub looks like it needs some work. It looks like the rockers are cut off and has rust. If you plan on putting it back to stock, and repairing rust, you can make your own panels or purchase replacement body panels and weld them in, but do the math and see if by the time you fix that tub, maybe you could have saved that money, added it to the purchase of a nicer one. You are tackling a major project, that's cool. Also, I would probably replace the front crossmember, looks pretty chopped on, pretty sure you can get replacements. Can't wait to see the rest of the project, cheers -Matt

Thanks, Matt. Noted on the crossmember. I am not going back to stock. I am trying to get it back on the road (which it hasnt been since the 90s) the quickest i can without half assing it. The cut out rear and rockers doesnt bother me (now) but i still have some time until im ready to drop a tub on

 

[mattcamp]

That tub is definitely better than the old one and I can tell a little hard work doesn't scare you, I love it when a Cruiser is spared from obscurity, so all the power to you!

 

[archie73]

Man- talk that down to $500-700, maybe. replacement tubs are not cheap( I paid ~$4500 to my door for a 3/4 aluminum tub), but they do move the timeframe up. Not for a purist, but what’s your time worth. Just my opinion