Builds Starting my frame off Restore Project!!! Comments Welcomed!!! (1 Viewer)

[Hugh Heifer]

Hey guys, I got a question for you concerning rust.​

I had pretty much decided on sandblasting the entire cruiser, frame and all. As a matter of fact, every part except for the hood and tub is torn apart with nothing but metal on it.​

I was talking with a rep from SEM Products yesterday. They sell a bed liner similar to Durabak or Herculiner. It's called Pro-Tex and from what I've read, it's a little nicer than the other two. Supposedly something about being a 2 stage product.​

The boss and I have decided to coat the entire bugger inside and out. I checked at Line-X, but it only comes in black. Not to mention a quote of $3000.00 with ME taking all the parts apart, prepping them and bringing them to him ready to go... Ouch... ​

Anyhoo, my question is this: The rep from SEM sh*t a purple twinkie when I told him I was sandblasting. Said it "ruined the metal". He suggested "dipping" everything.​

Anybody know if anyone does chemical stripping on frames / tubs/ body parts without my having to drive to Florida?​

Also, any opinions on either option?​

Also, I'm thinking about changing my mind on the POR 15 on the frame and going with Powdercoating... any thoughts?​

Anyone know where a guy could get a frame dipped?

I'm in SW Idaho.

Thanks!!!!

Obviously there is a lot here if you search but there are many options. Blasting will take alot off but that depends ont he media. If you use something like walnut shells you will ot hurt the metal. If you use play ground sand, you could F things up for good. If you find someplace that will dip the whole car, great but you will never get paint in the voids and seams and end up with little areas of bare metal unless you can get the body dipped in paint (unlikely). = Don't do that. There have been a few folks get their tubs galvanized though. Seems to work w/o warping. An interesting idea.

As far as POR 15 goes, look at this:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=89817

He did a POR15 thing on the chasis that worked out great.
Good luck.

 

[alumacruiser]

I finished up a 5 month build on my project last spring and during the build I took about 400 pictures. If you search "ROTW alumacruiser" on this site you will find some of these images which may help you out. If you need more you can contact me at bmcdonald@aqualu.com . Enjoy your build-up!

 

[Dashboard Red]

Did you plan on any $$ on rebuild of the axles? Mine leak, so have significant $$ planned for rebuild kits & bearings...

 

[thegreencantina]

Progress... seems like there should be more...

Well, here we are...

Just thought I'd update a couple pictures of Maggie...

Almost ready to start dismantling the motor... God Help Me....

How can one vehicle have this many damn parts...

I've already gone through 100 tags and a couple boxes of baggies...

Haven't broken any tools or bones yet... some skin... so I guess all is going well...

I'm really hoping to get all of the interior removed next weekend including gas tank, heaters, and panel instrumentation... I'm also really hoping to inherit a large sum of money, but at least I KNOW that's not going to happen...

Any hints on removing the dash components, heaters or gas tank would be appreciated...

If all goes well, I'll be able to finish destroying the interior and hopefully pull the fenders and steps off next weekend... That's the plan at least. Of course the plan was to take my Christmas Lights down the week after Christmas, too....

Anyway... everyone take care and send me money... I mean wish me luck....

Jg

 

[thegreencantina]

Getting Tired

Hey all...

Just coming in from working on Maggie... I'm in the process of taking all the gages and switches out of the dash and the pedals off the floor...

This has definitely been my least favorite part of the whole process... I really hope it gets better, because I am definitely sick of reaching under the dash and unhooking switches....

I've got to pull the front heater and the radio out, but that's about it other than the pedals...

I think I'll get that done this weekend and be ready to pull the tub... God help me...

Any words of encouragement would be lovely...

Really wondering what I've gotten myself into...

I did get a line on a nicer tub. I've got to go pick it up... hopefully this weekend....

The more the parts keep stacking up, the more I think there will be some major posting on Ebay, cause I don't know if I'll ever get her back together... sigh...

Anyway, enough crying... I'm going to get a beer and smoke a cigar... clear the old noggin...

Have a great night!

Jg
Boise, ID

 

[Cuerno Largo]

Good to see someone post about the same pain I feel in my project. My plans for a 1 year rebuild has now turned 3 years old and I am just getting things started back together. I am learning as I go though so alot of time is spent agongizing over getting something apart and not getting it back together right. So far so good, but I have not arrived at the motor rebuild yet. Good luck with it and keep us posted with pics.

 

[thegreencantina]

Man, I wish I could get my frame galvanized, but there isn't anyone in Boise who can do it...

So I'm going to have it blasted and powdercoated... I think that's probably the next best thing...

 

[Cuerno Largo]

Blasting and powdercoating will work great and will look awesome. I looked at that route, but in my particular situation the acid dip and glavanize only cost me 250 dollars and here in town they wanted more than that to powder coat with me doing the blasting. Keep up the good work.

 

[thegreencantina]

My God, what have I done...

Just about there on the tub... How the hell does the Choke knob come off???

It's the only one I can't get... Figure it must be stuck... 30 years will do that I guess...

About all that's left on the tub now is the stuff on the firewall... Clutch, brake and gas pedal and a couple of modules and good framices...

Drew blood again today... Why do you always cut the exact same place. Right under the fingernail on the left hand index finger... Right where it can get bashed and reopened at least once a minute....

If I can stay out of the ER while removing the tub... I'll consider it a success...

Man... there are definitely plenty of wires to contend with...

I hope the pedals are easier to remove than they look...

I'll Post again soon and hopefully the tub will be off... right...

 

[thegreencantina]

Looks like a tool box exploded...

What have I done???​

 

[thegreencantina]

Onward and upword???

Hey All... haven't posted in a while, and thought I'd give a little status. Need to ask for some input as well...

Got the tub off... almost ready to start spending money...

I've decided to try and replace as much as possible, even if it means extending the build time...

I want to go 350 on the motor, and auto on the tranny... I'm at least going to rebuild the axles, and I'm thinking about swapping.

From what I understand, you can save some length by converting to a centered rear axle, and going with a straight drivetrain instead of the offset...

I read somewhere that you won't lose as much driveshaft.

Any comments?

If so, which are the easiest center diff axles to swap without having to shorten?

Also, motor/tranny/t-case suggestions are always welcome...

Later all and Ride On!!!

Jg
​

​

​

 

[cubbg46]

i bought a 10 gallonair compresser off e-bay works great might save you a little $$$$$$

 

[1973Guppie]

I would keep the axles you have, rebuild em, swap in discs f&r for sure, 350 with a 700r4 mated to an FJ60 split case would be a good combo, spring under suspension config you should be okay with angles and length of dshaft, you may have to run a cv joint in the rear for vibration though, no biggie, good luck.

Noah

 

[crazylandcruiser]

when you get back to get the front end together make sure you flip the bezel. have fun with restoration looks like you got a job ahead of you.

 

[thecrazygreek]

updates?

 

[Hugh Heifer]

updates?

I have ths same question. Wonder what happened to this.

 

[MattFreitas]

I think that one step at a time works best. But if I had a lot of money and all the time, why not call ICON and have them do it for you...nah! You can do it! I support you and your dreams. The advice I got from my Father was take it apart bit by bit. Tearing all apart part is necessary, but watch out for parts left over. One step at a time.

 

[antFJ]

The original poster last posted 6 years ago. I think your advice is a little late...

 

[Bambi Girl]

Hi all
I can only wonder how many of these restorers dreams make it back together again.
It's a big project to totally strip a 40 series and a bigger project to reassemble .
How many of these good intensional projects are left lying around gathering dust or worst still cast out side to the elements when the valuable space of the restorers dream is needed by the wife for a more important project.
The restorer may have the feeling of guilt seeing the dream cast outside and cover with a plastic tarp but is this out of site out of mind and I will get back to it one day .
If this day does come has the rust set in beyond repair? One can only wonder.

There is a big commitment to restore a 40 series that takes both time and money and lots of money.
If completed properly the reward is there and every time you drive your dream you will have that special feeling or smile knowing that you brought this 40 back to life.

Cheers


...via IH8MUD app

 

[White Stripe]

Its always easier to dream big. The real thing is another story, I guess he never made it.