The Blue Bomber

[laguna80]

Some new pics of an old rusty hunk of a car.
1: Half door I cut today. Gonna seal everything up soon.
Pictures 2 and 3 are of the pieces I tacked into the top bedside.

 

[CarmMontana]

I'm excited to see the final product, should look awesome!

 

[Rusty55]

Your pretty motivated! I will be watching. What are you going to do with the back area keep open or??? I thought about changing my tailgate out and doing something different just because of the window issues and the availability of rubber for it.

 

[Rusty55]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/343136-fj55-dual-cab-ute-conversion.html

Here is another thread of someone doing the same thing. Then there is one that is doing the Chevy avalach trim.

 

[laguna80]

Your pretty motivated! I will be watching. What are you going to do with the back area keep open or??? I thought about changing my tailgate out and doing something different just because of the window issues and the availability of rubber for it.

The back area is going to be kept open. I had thought at one point to extend the frame and bed another foot, but it's too much time/effort to do and I want to start driving this around. I'm going to use a parts rig tailgate and cut off the top of it then enclose it like quarter panels. I'll keep the bottom weatherstripping and if it ever wears out, I'll use cheapo stuff seeing as how I won't be worried about keeping water out anymore.

 

[Rusty55]

laguna80 Hey there is a guy that I saw landcruiserman has a complete soft top on his. That gave me the idea just to cut the whole top off and turn it into a camper shell type of top.

What degree are you going for at UH? I graduated from Boise State another WAC school.

 

[laguna80]

I may have seen that on this board before? I do like the idea of having a removable camper shell. Although it may take some fabrication in my case. I'm getting a BA in Biology next fall and applying to med schools next summer. With a whole lotta luck, I'll get in over here in Hawaii and still be able to drive/work on my cruisers.

 

[laguna80]

So someone did a photochop on another board. I like the look! I'm gonna use the rear fixed windows behind the driver and pass to make sure there aren't any blind spots (something I love about old cruisers that newer cars seem to have lost)

 

[Rusty55]

Well good luck with your school! I couldn't go for that long I got my Bachelors in 3 years I didn't like school that much.

I love the FJ55s but I would like a convertible or removable top we like to cruise around the mountains on all kinds of logging roads and go to Lookouts. We have a VW Thing too, it doesn't quite go everywhere I would like to go. I've got a newer truck and don't like to scratch it up.

 

[Rusty55]

I think I figured out what to do with my rear window. I saw a picture on here with a rear window that opened like a camper shell style and I think I'm going to do that. I have a friend who is good a fab. The only thing I need to do is figure out the window mounting.

 

[laguna80]

Some updated pics.
1) Side door tacked in.
2)Bracing almost finished.
3) Floorboards-same pic as the today thread.

 

[laguna80]

Little update: Cab is enclosed in the back...course I ran out of welding wire. Pics tomorrow. I wanna try to get the pass fixed windows in and the cab 100% enclosed by Friday. Then I can paint the inside with por-15 and put spectrum all around.

 

[laguna80]

Here's the pics. Rear cab portion...still have to cut it down a bit.
Bed rails are enclosed and pass side rear door is mounted. I'm going to do the fixed rear pass windows soon and finish up the cab before I concentrate anymore on the bed.

 

[laguna80]

Big question: I'm going to eventually create a swinging cover for the open cargo sides, what material would be best to use? Metal, diamond plate, plastic? I want to create a possible storage area and have the sides drop down. I suppose I can make them lockable as well.

 

[OinkOinker]

sweeeeeeeeeeet! looks awesome i might end up with one like this(in the far distant furture), but bobbed.... looks cool.

 

[Juntura]

That looks awesome! Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[uglyoinker]

....

This is quite the transformation! Maybe someday I can be this brave with a sawzall.......

 

[CarmMontana]

Any updates? I want to see the finished product!

 

[laguna80]

Updates will be on the way. It has become imperative for me to finish this as I may be moving sometime this year and who knows if I'll even have a garage anymore.

 

[laguna80]

Finally got it out onto the street for some pics and a stand-off with my FJ60. Pics following of course!