Builds Stretched 1-Ton FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[Ditcherman]

Thanks for the input. At this point it seems to make the most sense to run with this and see what happens. I will see what I can do to splice another gusset between the spindle sleeve and the hoop, and somehow through the license plate bracket.

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It looks like you have some room to work with form this perspective, it doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference. You currently have about 5.5 - 6” of weld bead on the spindle; if you add a small triangle gusset 2” on one side you’re increased the inches of bead by 30%.

 

[Broski]

No amount for welding or gussets is going to stop the 13/4" tube from twisting in the center JMO

 

[DirtSniffer]

Maybe reinforce with 2" .120 wall over the 1 3/4 instead of redoing it all?

 

[Ditcherman]

No amount for welding or gussets is going to stop the 13/4" tube from twisting in the center JMO

I don’t disagree. Or twist just past the gusset.

Maybe reinforce with 2" .120 wall over the 1 3/4 instead of redoing it all?

By the time everything’s cut away to slip tube over you might as well start over, IMHO.

 

[Ditcherman]

Mike, as you said ‘just see what happens’, you might weigh those costs. If you can secure the tire to the truck you won’t lose it on the interstate, short of that a dented scratched tailgate seems worse to fix than redo a still-in-the-raw bit.

Did you put the tire on and see how much it could move?

I don’t mean to be busting your balls for sure my man. Just concerned about that.

 

[Broski]

Seem pretty straightforward to just cut everything just above the bottom tube and reuse it all
The hardest part would be to cut it off the spindle, still not that bad.

 

[Mike Shull]

I appreciate all of the concerns and thank you for the tips. I have moved back to finishing the lower bumper as I will need to finish welding in gussets and additional mounting points before I can put a load on the tire carrier. The four bolts in the center of the bumper are enough to keep the bumper straight for mocking in place, but there is no support yet on the outer portions of the bumper and those aren’t sturdy enough for me to step on at this point.

I am working on the taillight mounts as I will need those to be welded in place before I am able to plate the backside of the bumper. I will also need to do some repairs to my frame where I notched it for the old bumper many years ago. I imagine that I am a few weeks out before I am able to load the carrier so please stay tuned.

I may have to switch gears altogether as I am getting closer in the queue to take my cruiser in to have the soft top made an interior redone. I still need to create a few brackets for the top, but I am waiting for parts to arrive. There is nothing like having a bunch of unfinished projects staring you down.

 

[archie73]

There is nothing like having a bunch of unfinished projects staring you down.

This is the way.

 

[Mike Shull]

1/2 of my Bestop rails arrived and they don’t quite fit as well as my old ones. I don’t know if my tub is too thick, the bed liner is in the way, or the rails are different. If I screw the rails down flat to the inner lip of the tub I don’t have much material to grab the soft top, but I don’t have a top to know whether this will work.

Is this right?

 

[Zukrider]

1/2 of my Bestop rails arrived and they don’t quite fit as well as my old ones. I don’t know if my tub is too thick, the bed liner is in the way, or the rails are different. If I screw the rails down flat to the inner lip of the tub I don’t have much material to grab the soft top, but I don’t have a top to know whether this will work.

Is this right?

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Doesn’t the factory tub have an angle right there? So it would sit flush.

 

[Mike Shull]

Doesn’t the factory tub have an angle right there? So it would sit flush.

I don’t know and I am having a hard time remembering what my original tub looked like. I have been searching through pictures and the two below are the best pictures that I have of my previous setup, but they aren’t detailed enough.

I sold my top to @EWheeler. Evan, did you happen to install this on one of your Cruisers? If so, could you snap a few pictures of the retainer rail mounted to the body, please?

 

[EWheeler]

I don’t know and I am having a hard time remembering what my original tub looked like. I have been searching through pictures and the two below are the best pictures that I have of my previous setup, but they aren’t detailed enough.

I sold my top to @EWheeler. Evan, did you happen to install this on one of your Cruisers? If so, could you snap a few pictures of the retainer rail mounted to the body, please?

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I also have your old tub….

The top is not currently installed, I will get you some photos.

 

[Mike Shull]

I also have your old tub….

The top is not currently installed, I will get you some photos.

Thanks, Evan. I forgot that you also have my old tub. Could you get a quick measurement of the inside lip, too? I’m wondering if my lip is taller on the Aqualu tub.

 

[Ditcherman]

Thanks, Evan. I forgot that you also have my old tub. Could you get a quick measurement of the inside lip, too? I’m wondering if my lip is taller on the Aqualu tub.

I’ve test fit some stuff on my Aqualu tub and nothing really fits like it seems it should. I decided at the time there were more important things to do but that time is coming soon.

Eta I didn’t put together that your using bestop parts to put soft top on.
I have city racer ‘hardtop to tub weatherstrip’ and I’m sure that’s different.
Seems to fit ok now.

 

[Mike Shull]

I’ve test fit some stuff on my Aqualu tub and nothing really fits like it seems it should. I decided at the time there were more important things to do but that time is coming soon.

Eta I didn’t put together that your using bestop parts to put soft top on.
I have city racer ‘hardtop to tub weatherstrip’ and I’m sure that’s different.
Seems to fit ok now.

Evan send quite a few pictures to my phone and we found that the weld seems are different. The weld on the Aqualu tub isn’t consistent and every 5-10 inches the weld is a little larger, which is not allowing me to push the soft top rail all the way to the outside of the lip on the tub, which is something that I should have inspected prior to paint. Evan suggested to put aluminum flat bar spacers to raise my Bestop rails up.

I am using a combination of FJ40 and Jeep rails as this seemed to be the easiest route. Ha.

 

[Mike Shull]

On another note, the taillights are in and the frame is patched. I’m aiming to have the bumper anchored tomorrow, and maybe a spare tire on the back.

 

[Broski]

Looking at your pictures that's what came to mind space the rail up

 

[Blackknight1]

Done!

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I like it ! Very well done .

 

[Mike Shull]

I like it ! Very well done .

Thank you. DJ deserves the credit on the “well done” part. I just provided terrible drawings and welded some of it together. It turned out amazingly well!

 

[Mike Shull]

I’m making great progress on the bumper. I still need to add a few more supports and mounts but it is getting pretty sturdy.

This is how I lifted the tire up on the carrier.

I need to lift the rear up a few inches, but it does fit in the garage this way.