Builds Schmutz FZJ80 build thread (1 Viewer)

[120mm]

Did you use the wheel paint as the base coat, and bumper & trim as top coat then? As far as the Plastidip goes, I wonder if it would be as durable as the paint. I wheel through a lot of low-lying brush and scrub up here, and am afraid the Plastidip might chip/peel more easily. The Sagebrush which covers our foothills is very abrasive

Naw, I had a couple cans of each and used them up without regard to what I was using, where. I can't tell the difference in the end result. Don't fear chipping paint on rims. It takes less than a second to touch up, if you care, that is. And once you've done it and realize how easy it is I bet you won't.

 

[Schmutz]

Naw, I had a couple cans of each and used them up without regard to what I was using, where. I can't tell the difference in the end result. Don't fear chipping paint on rims. It takes less than a second to touch up, if you care, that is. And once you've done it and realize how easy it is I bet you won't.

Good to hear. That puts me at ease. This month is the wiring and roof rack. Will put wheels on my list for October then

 

[Schmutz]

it's been a busy week, but I have been steadily plugging away at my tasks. Here's a little progress...
Fab'd a bracket for the ARB compressor an installed it in the PS rear quarter panel.

I removed the small storage locker, and made it an access panel for the air hose and attachments:

 

[Schmutz]

Installed all three of the 12v power ports. Used the Blue Sea Systems product:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U4ZZPK?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_34
Two of these in the back of the center console should eliminate all the kids' wires cluttering up my 'cigarette lighter':

And one in the cargo area for the fridge...

 

[Schmutz]

Started removing the factory roof rack. Just for kicks and giggles, the whole thing with hardware weighs 21.9 lbs. Unfortunately one of the riv-nuts gave me problems... Eventually plan on Monstalining the 80, so will do a proper grind & weld at that time. Looks kinda naked now, doesn't it?

So does anyone have a good trick for removing that adhesive strip under the roof rails? I must say I am impressed how well that stuff sticks after being up there for 20 years... Toyota

 

[hamishpotter]

Started removing the factory roof rack. Just for kicks and giggles, the whole thing with hardware weighs 21.9 lbs. Unfortunately one of the riv-nuts gave me problems... Eventually plan on Monstalining the 80, so will do a proper grind & weld at that time. Looks kinda naked now, doesn't it?
View attachment 1132868

View attachment 1132869

So does anyone have a good trick for removing that adhesive strip under the roof rails? I must say I am impressed how well that stuff sticks after being up there for 20 years... Toyota

I'm told this works pretty well:

 

[Zimbwanabe]

One other storage tip, toos a cover over it. I bought one for a Yukon and fits pertly with my big roof rack. You can even lock it.

 

[dogfishlake]

Nice build, subscribed. Love white 80's. That's a great idea on the power panel behind the kick panel. Don't write off powder coating as bad- done wrong it is, done right it's great. I'm biased cause its what I do. If you do go paint, the suggestion to wash them with detergent well is a good one, your enemy is silicone from tire products, detergent will wash that off. From there give the surface "tooth" by sanding chips and then use a red scotch Brite to scuff all areas well. From there paint away. When the paint fails, find a good powder coater! Good luck!

 

[Schmutz]

I'm biased cause its what I do...When the paint fails, find a good powder coater! Good luck!

Primarily due to budget restraints, (Gee I'm sick of that being the determining factor in so many of my decisions), I'm going to go with paint. So genuinely thank you for the tips. When the paint fails and I get sick of retouching it, I'll drive over to Greenville MI and you can splash some powder on for me

 

[Schmutz]

Fired up the ARB compressor today but was disappointed with the noise and vibration. So I unmounted it and fab'd a gasket out of some thin rubber material. Sandwiched the gasket between compressor and its mounting bracket, and then the bracket to the truck body. It helps a little with the vibration. But that's one noisy little bugger! Mind you, once we get all our stuff crammed in the back, the sound should be significantly muffled

 

[Schmutz]

I'm told this works pretty well:

That reminds me...I actually have one of those laying around somewhere from when I had to remove some pin stripes on another vehicle. Not the 3M brand, but same thing. Had completely forgotten about it. Thanks for jogging my memory

 

[ppc]

You need some ribs, bends or angle iron to strengthen, stiffen and dampen. What you have there is the same as a drum.

 

[Schmutz]

You need some ribs, bends or angle iron to strengthen, stiffen and dampen. What you have there is the same as a drum.

Good analogy. And that's exactly what it sounds like too: a bunch of mad squirrels in there banging on a drum. All right, back to the drawing board...

 

[Schmutz]

Had some time to devote to the mess on the roof today. Had to grind off the rivnuts, trying to minimize damage to paint and metal. Punched the remaining rivnut into the interior. I now have 20 or so rivnuts rolling around in my headliner, which I will need to liberate at some point. Unfortunately I could not locate my eraser wheel, and did not want to wait two days for a replacement from Amazon to arrive. Instead I invested a little elbow grease and removed the grey adhesive foam with a paint-stripper gun and 1" flat knife. Then I turned to my good ally: General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, by 3M, which made short work of the residue. It came off in a manner resembling rolled nasal mucus.

Then the trim panel clips which I had painted white, (got the idea from someone here on MUD -thanks), went in the factory holes, along with a little silicone to seal out moisture. For the time being, that should work. Next spring I hope to Monstaliner the 80, and at that time I will weld the holes shut properly. Yes, I lament that the color isn't a better match...

 

[Schmutz]

Tomorrow I head up to Missoula, to pick up my steel for the roof rack. Have located a fabricator who will make the 90 bends for me. Looking forward to getting started on that project

 

[Schmutz]

There's a saying that goes: "Life happens while you're making other plans". Well, sickness, work, and other obligations have all 'happened' upon my plans, and I haven't been able to touch my roof rack project since gathering all the materials. Aargh However, on a brighter note, I pulled the trigger and ordered a new ARB winch bar, and Trail Gear sliders today. Have a trip coming up at the end of the month on the White Rim in Moab. Must have the roof rack and sliders installed before that. Also want to build some swaybar disconnects, and need to do various PM items. Going to have to put in a couple of serious weeks work to accomplish the foregoing...Hopefully life will happen less during the next few weeks

 

[Schmutz]

oh goody, the sliders arrived

In the meantime I have been struggling trying to figure out how to attach them. Hence I started this thread: rock sliders -bolt on or weld???

Note to self, next time (1) have a lot of disposable income at start of project, and (2) just buy a kit

 

[Schmutz]

the smaller box pictured above was some gusset mounts, also from TG, that were supposed to fit my sliders and truck. Unfortunately they don't fit my truck . That's the down side of buying even reputable merchandise over Amazon -sometimes the details are missing or plain misleading and inaccurate.

 

[Schmutz]

spent these last few days fabbing for the roof rack. Started to take pictures, then got completely engrossed, and forgot to take more pictures. So here's my jig for coping the crossbars on the lower platform:

 

[Schmutz]

Today was productive. Despite having to watch the kids (no school on Fridays) coz the missus went hunting, I managed to get both the lower platform and upper loop all welded up today. Tomorrow they shall become one. Oh, and my ARB bumper arrived!!!