Builds Roma's 78 fj40 gets a refurb

[roma042987]

Are you going to paint the frame?

I'm not. It will have a factory bumper and a brush guard up front. The back will get new factory pewter bumperettes. If the bling is still too much for me I will put a kaymar bumper out back. I didn't have the frame quenched when it was galvanized so it will be more difficult for paint to adhere to it. I could use a latex based paint but Im afraid over time it could flake and reveal bright and shiny galvanizing. I believe the corrosion protection is allready there so don't think I will do anything further. The truck is certainly not a show rig with smooth shiny paint. The powder coat body shows every flaw not that there are a ton. I see this 40 as a rust resistant semi economical daily driver that will also see plenty of cross country travel as opposed to a factory original resto that will sit in a garage on all but the prettiest days.

 

[roma042987]

Reassembly of the rolling chassis is taking a bit longer than expected. I was fully aware of having to retap all of the weld nuts after galvanizing but, I had no idea how hard the galvanizing actually is. I would say its pretty much as difficult as making new threads entirely. And on top of that mistakes like this one don't speed the process along either. I ASSUMED the arrows pointed forward. Shock allignment says otherwise lol so I spent this evening turning around the front leafs.

 

[roma042987]

I'm rolling again! OME 2.5" lift installed.

The trail was calling my name so I didn't get nearly as much done today as I had hoped. So I wasted half the day riding.

Did manage to bolt the drive train back in. Hope the drive shafts still fit with the lift. Sorry for the night pics.

 

[roma042987]

Well after a three plus month wait from the powder coater I finally got my tub back!

 

[KY Longhunter]

Cool. Looks great!

 

[roma042987]

I was happy to find out my patience was reflected in the bill. The first few photos are from Monday after loading it on my trailer I noticed a few thin spots so it got a second coat of powder and back in the oven Tuesday. I picked it up today very pleased.

 

[roma042987]

Cool. Looks great!

Thanks!


Oh an update I had plans of this being finished three months ago and a road trip to Montana. I couldn't beat old man winter so I revised my itinerary. I'll be headed to death valley, the seqouias, and red woods as soon as I throw it back together.

 

[Rock Island]

This truck looks fantastic, great work with the diesel swap! I love that in the first few pictures the leaf springs are laid out on a beautiful quilt and the tub is inside on the hardwood floor. If there is a women in your life that let you do that, marry her (if you haven't already).

Cheers

 

[roma042987]

This truck looks fantastic, great work with the diesel swap! I love that in the first few pictures the leaf springs are laid out on a beautiful quilt and the tub is inside on the hardwood floor. If there is a women in your life that let you do that, marry her (if you haven't already).

Cheers

thanks! I have land cruiser parts stored in four different rooms at my house lol. she is very tolerant of my hobbies and i havent yet but its certainly in the works

 

[roma042987]

Dropped the tub off for Bedliner under coating. Got a discount for the color

 

[PRFJ]

Great work, keep it coming!

 

[sid79]

After leaving Huntsville at 2am and driving to chatanooga for the galvanizing I took a detour to Seymour Indiana to pick up a new toy. Long haul 600miles so far and still 2 or 3 hundred more to go.

where in chattanooga did you do the galvanizing?

 

[roma042987]

where in chattanooga did you do the galvanizing?

South Atlantic Galvanizing

 

[roma042987]

Great work, keep it coming!

Thanks!

 

[78fj40mg]

Excellent work! Look forward to more.

 

[SteveH]

Great resto story. Can't believe what little you paid to galvanize the frame.

 

[roma042987]

Excellent work! Look forward to more.

Thanks! I'll be first to admit a lot of my inspiration has came from this site.

On a side note: I purchased some aftermarket replacement tail lights from one of online vendors over a year ago and recently noticed they are 79+ tail lights so they have an additional wire (ground) and the plug is different. They were shipped with butt splices now I know why lol. Here is my problem I'm soldering my 77 pig tails onto the 79 lights well the only colors that are the same between the two is the red back up light wire. Got that one soldered so im left with three wires on the 77 pig tail green, green/yellow, and green/white. Obviously I can look at the 79 light to see which wire corresponds to which bulb (two to brake/tail and one to turn signal) however looking at a 77 schematic it doesn't have a grn/wht but instead has a grn/blk. So can anyone look at a 74-78 taillight and please tell me which wire runs to which bulb.

 

[lcwizard]

That yellow is close to factory. What powder mfg did you use?. Is it a gloss, satin or texture?

 

[roma042987]

That yellow is close to factory. What powder mfg did you use?. Is it a gloss, satin or texture?

You know I'm not sure of the manufacturer the color is called honey yellow and was suppose to ressemble mustard. It's interesting that it looks different in different light conditions. I would say its a semi gloss but the tub for some reason turned out slightly duller in color and more textured. Same box of powder just coated over a year apart.


I have had several people ask how much the powder coating has cost me. The tub, tailgate (for when its topless), transmission tunnel, and kick vents cost me 700 bucks. I've been keeping a total and all the parts I had previously done cost me 400 bucks so 1100 to do an entire fj40. The powder coater is somewhat of a friend and I have delivered all the parts to him allready sand blasted to decrease prep work for him. I think my patience has payed off because I am more than happy with the prices. The Linex on the other hand is going to be 500 for the bottom side alone. I am debating on doing the interior floor with color matched Linex but the 675 I was quoted is a bit hard to swallow.

 

[lcwizard]

Powder is far cheaper than paint. I've powdered a couple tubs with same results as far as color changes in different light. It's not dramatic rather really cool. The low gloss or textures hide imperfections much better.
I'll look at the mfg's for that color description