Builds Stretched 1-Ton FJ40 (12 Viewers)

[Mike Shull]

It’s chaos in here this weekend! I uncovered the secret code to success. 309. I didn’t know that the factory wrote the paint code on the body before applying the paint. Interesting.

 

[Mike Shull]

Tall order for the weekend? It depends on the weather I suppose. Hopefully I can keep the garage above 60 degrees. Ha!

Check out my new heater. Don’t worry. I will turn it off while I am painting.

 

[Mike Shull]

Progress. Wait 12 hours? Maybe. lol.

 

[Mike Shull]

Sound control round #1

 

[Mike Shull]

It’s been a productive weekend! I’ll spray the heat shield sometime after work this week, then top coat and Raptor liner next weekend, then I am ready to put the shifters and e-brake in for the final time.

I ordered a radio and 9 rocker switches so that I can fit those in preparation for paint. I plan to put the switches where the old radio was. That area is pretty mangled so I think that welding in a switch panel in place is a good option. I’ll have to make a custom molded dash cover for the lower-right side of the dash since I’ll need more room for the switches. I thought about removing those pads altogether but I like them. I have no idea how to mold interior pieces so that should be a fun experiment. I’ve been watching various shows on Motor Trend and I am taking notes.

Here are a few screenshots of the two orders. I had to laugh at the warning from Amazon saying that the radio wouldn’t fit. They don’t know that I have a die grinder and a welder. Thank you once more for providing the source for the switches, @Godfather90

 

[Mike Shull]

I am bookmarking this for later.

https://www.eastwood.com/images/library/Eastwood-How-to-Paint-a-Car-color_June2023.pdf

 

[Mike Shull]

The switches arrived today and I am very pleased with the quality! I may have gone a bit overboard with the number that I ordered. The wiring harness for this might be bigger than the main harness to the fuse block, ha!

I am applying the Raptor liner today and I’ll send a few pictures of that later.

 

[Mike Shull]

Cool!!!

 

[Firemedic831]

Looks great

 

[Firemedic831]

my only concern is your doors. the rubber weatherstrip will be tough to get to adhere to the Raptor

 

[Mike Shull]

my only concern is your doors. the rubber weatherstrip will be tough to get to adhere to the Raptor

That is your only concern? Ha. I thought about that, too, and I might sand that area to get more surface area to adhere.

 

[Firemedic831]

That is your only concern? Ha. I thought about that, too, and I might sand that area to get more surface area to adhere.

I will sleep good tonite now

 

[Mike Shull]

I will sleep good tonite now

Yeah, that makes two of us. Painting the tub was more work than I expected.

 

[74fj40]

That is your only concern? Ha. I thought about that, too, and I might sand that area to get more surface area to adhere.

Wipe it with alcohol and then 3M adhesion promoter. It will be good.

 

[Mike Shull]

Wipe it with alcohol and then 3M adhesion promoter. It will be good.

Good tip. I’ll try that first.

 

[Mike Shull]

Here are a few more pictures of the transmission tunnel.

 

[Mike Shull]

I have some touch up to do but the fenders turned out pretty nice.

 

[74fj40]

Gonna be wheeling in the spring?

 

[Mike Shull]

Gonna be wheeling in the spring?

I doubt it as I still have quite a bit of work left once it’s painted. It might be on the road by next summer and hopefully ready for a trip to Moab by spring 2025.

 

[Mike Shull]

Goodbye old radio opening created 27 years ago with a can opener! Hello new switch panel.