The 1974 Surf Wagon...

[lowtideride]

No apology needed.

Tanks normally mount to the body. The 55s tank is mounted on the rear of the body, since the frames are pretty different there is interference with keeping the stock 55 tank there. Just simply isn't room. Its mostly where the suspension mounts to the frame that takes up all the room. I didn't really want to run the 80 series tank in it's stock location either because it is formed to the floor of the 80 series body, again a very different shape. Where the 55 tank mounts to the 55 body is actually simple and should be easy to mount a custom tank to. The only problem is the tank might end up being too small. If that turns out to be the case it will have to be designed to be mounted inboard of the frame rails on the belly.

When I cross that bridge it should be easy to see with pictures.

 

[Delancy]

I understand clearly on the 80 tank, now, although I don't see it hitting the floor of the Pig. Might look funny, though.

Have considered a similar endeavor as a drivetrain swap to the Pig chassis along with suspension mods, to what you're doing, as far as body on the 80 chassis, to grafting the upper Pig body to the 80 floor and, possibly firewall.

It's a complex operation, any way you cut it.

Glad to see this one developing.

 

[PabloCruise]

Test fit of the KM2 and body mounts getting ready to go on...View attachment 905554

Hard to tell from the angle the middle picture was taken, but do the rear wheels/tires line up on center in the rear wheel opening?

So many SUA lifts on 40s end up pushing the rear axle forward in the wheel opening and just looks wrong.

A lot on this looks RIGHT! It also looks like you have a really cool work space.

 

[lowtideride]

I had the rear axle centerd with the wheel arch but after locating the body mounts from the axle center line it pushed the axle forward by .5-.75". I'm not thrilled with it but nothing is "burnt" in yet so I may move it back .25-.5"

My only fear in that is that when the suspension compresses the axle moves back which may cause rubbing of the wheel wells. Like I said I will prob split the difference. If you are looking at it straight on it looks pretty close but I agree it's enough to bug me as well.

 

[PabloCruise]

Splitting the difference sounds good, esp if the axle does move back when stuffed.

You are bringing some really nice skills to this build!

 

[scrapdaddy]

I agree Pablo, It's one thing to put a chevy in one, dime a dozen, but figuring out how to mount a 55 on an 80 frame...Skills!

 

[lowtideride]

Thanks guys!

You both have some awesome cruisers going on. I hope it will be as nice as your rides when its done.

 

[lowtideride]

Alright.... Haven't posted up in a few weeks. I have been still jamming out on Cruiser Fridays. Just not directly on the cruiser itself, but stuff indirectly for it (shop work ect. ect...) I did purchase some aircraft paint stripper and started stripping the quarters, I found a butt load of bondo but it was the first time I have ever removed bondo from a cruiser and didn't find rust underneath it. Just what looked like either trail damage or from being rear ended.

After stripping and sanding I put down 4 layers of PPG Epoxy Primer. Over all I am pretty happy with what I had found so far under the paint. Here are a couple shots of the fun!

 

[lowtideride]

A couple shots of the PPG epoxy primer.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Nothing much new on the cruiser ( waiting on parts). Also working on remodeling my house ( time vampire ) but I did get the go ahead to paint the house factory spec fj55 colors... lol should be funny.

Pics of FJ55 colored house please.

 

[lowtideride]

LOL, it got x'd after I put a sample on and the better half made that face. Ya know that face.

 

[PabloCruise]

LOL, it got x'd after I put a sample on and the better half made that face. Ya know that face.

You mean that face that conveys, "you are free to make your own choices, but if you make THAT choice, you will not be enjoying marital relations in the near future..."?

 

[lowtideride]

Still jamming' out just nothing to exciting to update with... stripped all the door jams. Picked up some factory cruiser colors, trying to figure out what direction to go in with the color. I wanted to head in the green direction (was thinking Nebula) but after getting a few samples I'm not to thrilled with the greens. Ill know better after I spray some test samples. I also got Lily White & Horizontal Blue mixed up. Both are early 40 series colors and they sure are purdy. The rig is far from a nut and bolt factory resto anyway. Started packing every part up and labeling them so I know what to do after everything is painted.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Picking colors, has got to be one of the hardest things to do. Really any regular color you pick will look great, once it's sprayed.

Just don't ask Pablo!

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Not a fan of the green. In any case it'ill be very nice, whatever you choose.

 

[lowtideride]

I agree. I have seen some "Nebula Greens" online that I have really liked but in real life I have not been digging them. I am pretty sure the cruiser will be Horizontal Blue and Lily White.

 

[PabloCruise]

Picking colors, has got to be one of the hardest things to do. Really any regular color you pick will look great, once it's sprayed.

Just don't ask Pablo!

Oh come on! I saw a Panther Pink Cuda at a car show yesterday that had 340/6-pack - awesome!

Did you look at my Nebula Green next to Jim's? Very different.

Did you pick up a sample of Fashion Green?

Also remember that these old Pigs will look good wearing colors we wouldn't pick for today's cars. Look at Ron's colors.
Kinda like your sister wouldn't look good wearing your grandma's clothes...

Last question - any progress with those decals?

 

[PabloCruise]

Oh come on! I saw a Panther Pink Cuda at a car show yesterday that had 340/6-pack - awesome!

Did you look at my Nebula Green next to Jim's? Very different.

Did you pick up a sample of Fashion Green?

Also remember that these old Pigs will look good wearing colors we wouldn't pick for today's cars. Look at Ron's colors.
Kinda like your sister wouldn't look good wearing your grandma's clothes...

Last question - any progress with those decals?

Seriously - isn't this a tasty ride?

 

[lowtideride]

@ Pablo...

Yeah I am sure I will like just about any old cruiser color. Just seems like a hard choice at the moment. AND yep on the progress of the decals. We were test fitting stuff last night

 

[PabloCruise]

Sweet! Keep us posted.