Restoring 1983 FJ40 Esmeralda in Colombia comments needed

[CHAS404]

Thanks chamba. I am awaiting responses. This is why they need gringo management there. They don't understand what we want. Most seem to say the job is well done but we will see.

My plan was to put 33 x 10.5 x 15 with white wheels on it. the narrower BFGs. It does not have a lift just longer shackles. the springs seem to be good though.

 

[CHAS404]

Changing the subject a bit as I suffer through the great wheelwell debate and decision here is the new model for the same govt entity that this green Esmeralda came from.



EPM means Empresas Publicas Medellin I think. They do the water and gas etc.

Talked to the guy. He looked tired after a long day driving around. But alteast he has a Land Cruiser for a company truck!

 

[CHAS404]

ordering a bunch of stuff now. stainless steel bolt kit for exterior. found ashtray to replace chipped one (yikes $50). new emblems etc. $425. This is an expensive hobby I gather!

 

[Chamba]

ordering a bunch of stuff now. stainless steel bolt kit for exterior. found ashtray to replace chipped one (yikes $50). new emblems etc. $425. This is an expensive hobby I gather!

Metric tlc has the ash tray and most stickers/emblems you'll need.

Yip, parts ain't cheap but at least for you labour is

 

[CHAS404]

Yea colombia cant get the new OEM aftermarket stuff. but I am finding used parts down there on the cheap. This may lead to something parts wise. Apparently my driver found original AC units which i am super excited about.

 

[CHAS404]

Oh. FYI. is the H55F the only 5 speed that will bolt up? I read there were plenty of modifications to be made. I think I can do the upgrade but we will see.

 

[Chamba]

That will bolt up, yes. There are kits out there to use the nv4500 but why? The h55 is a really good gear box and well suited to the 2f and 3b.

 

[CHAS404]

I want the stock or the h 55. Right now trying to determine whether to fix the fenders or leave them as is. I want the 33 x 10.5 on wagon wheels. they seem to look great. looked here on mud and some had fender flares and looked off a bit with the 10.5s on steel oems. i think it will look good in the end either way.

 

[CHAS404]

You guys know how to get that bracket that allows you to put a 4x6 speaker under the dash? or maybe mount some small boat speakers under the dash discretely. Dont want to cut speakers into my new door panels.

wont sound great but i just want somehting original and basic for now.

 

[CHAS404]

Great wheelwell debate. Remember this is my first restoration. So originally we had a nice tub with just some rust in the sill underneath. no rust showing above and no rust in the pan or wheel wells.

Well then after looking at the pan floor with the small dents etc I said mmm well we ought to just replace the floor make it nice and shiny and straight when painted.

Then you guys caught the wheel wells which I swear running around I just missed somehow (newbie mistake) and my body man missed too. I was all set to just keep the cut outs and squeeze some nice 33 inchers under there like it has.

but in the end i decided i really think original style is better so we are installing a NEW TUB. we will see how it all turns out but i think this is the best decision. no cutting and no welding.

still havent decided on the interior but I am leaning more to leaving it alone.

 

[CHAS404]

Here is the frame prior to cleaning and repainting.

Looks to be in good condition. Cleaning 30 years of Colombian dirt off her. There was a slight tweak I remember in the left rear tail light but not on the frame.





Further updates:

got a quote on original factory AC install along with heat. Also on a used H55F. Not sure I will do all these but I am learning now for future projects.

I sent the seats to be recovered in OEM style grey.

I am splitting the bench into 2 USA OEM style seats for room for a console and am leaving the 2 man benches. making it a 6 passenger beach buggy. I think I am leaving out the rollbar to hold down cost and let the future owner chose whether to put an OEM style or do a longer custom roll bar for the 2 long benches (it will fit).

decisions decisions.

 

[CHAS404]

More photos. The floor patches are in. They sourced 2 OEM style floor pans made in a factory in Colombia. Comments welcome on how it looks. This is my first attempt at this and the idea was to show the entire process.







Sending my guy back to take clearer photos but I think you can get the idea.

 

[CHAS404]

New rear tub is delivered and going in.

 

[CHAS404]

I personally inspect the project today. It looks GREAT! the attention to detail seems to be there. very happy we got the new tub. there was some more rust in the existing tub. you never know what you get in one of these i guess until you tear into it (like redoing an old house I guess). the lead body man has over 35 yrs working on these trucks and is the top man at the owner's shop. they are moving along QUICKLY. however, they seem to be taking their time to line up the tub with the rest of the body and the hard top to get the right fit.







I am very very pleased so far. Feel free to chime in.

 

[CHAS404]

This truck will be ZERO RUST. two front floor pans are repaired. rear tub all new. We are using a primer base that is for corrosion protection ( i think the red color ) and then the grey primer. then 2 coats of the factory green. I believe the brand is PPG paint need to confirm. We also are painting a textured undercoating under the fenders and the body. not sure if you can see it in the photos. he is painting the hood and doors and fenders inside and out all separately.





Not sure if you can see but the inner fender vertical well will be shiny green but the top of the fender will be green but with the textured undercoating (similar to the 3M product but we are using I believe PPG paint).

The idea is to give the original shiny look but have some modern anti corrosion protection.

I am very very pleased. The doors and hood are perfect. this truck did not have many dents to start with which helps.

 

[CHAS404]

We really are trying to sweat the details too. We are retaining the original factory imperfection 'dimples' on the hard top. Also we have the original data plate on the firewall and the body manufacturer plates in the cab.



i need to figure out how to fabricate something to keep a few speakers hidden under the dash. we are not cutting into the door panels.

 

[CHAS404]

Beast of a motor removed from chassis. You really get a sense of HOW BIG this motor is sitting next to that small short wheel based truck. When we finish the body we will work on the mechanical. Everything will be reviewed. We are going to really detail the engine bay too. Plan to pain the engine block and the head.





another shot of the floor pan work.

 

[CHAS404]

One more shot of the hard top and new tub. Note we are not having to use much filler/putty.

 

[DTSkyCop]

Looking good Charlie... Out of curiosity, how much is the factory A/C down there..??

 

[CHAS404]

The paint is PPG. They bought out the local Medellin/Colombia paint company.

AC unit seems pretty cheap. So cheap I dont want to say! It is the nippodenso used unit but I have not met the guy yet so I want to confirm what is included. I want to get it installed here in Colombia if I go for the option.

i was under the impression that the nippodenso units are hard to find in the US. I like the vintage air setup. I think I had that in my 92 wrangler.

So give me a week to see what the guy says I have not met him. I only sent my driver so far.