The Life & Times of Shasta (86 FJ60 conversion to HJ60)

[GLTHFJ60]

I'd check out the frame shop that Ramon posted. Old school is the way to go with a body on frame. How the frame is pulled back has tons to do with maintaining as much structural stability as possible. The frame I am swapping was pulled back poorly and actually compounded the damage to the frame.

Good luck with the frame repairs guys!!

Ramon had good luck with the shop in Zebulon, so I'm hoping he can do a good job on Shasta as well.

 

[NCFJ]

My fingers are crossed

 

[ontherxs]

Oh yeah, on the grinding thing................I've been know to set a shirt on fire from time to time. Under a hood and wearing ear muffs your nose sends a signal "Hey I smell smoke, something is burning" ahhhhh yeah, it's me

I stopped a few times to ask Johnny if I was on fire. I wasn't.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Heck I have some pants here that have a good sized burn hole in them from grinding. I just took my hat off and put it out and kept grinding. I would of never known except I smelt burning hair.

 

[ontherxs]

Shasta - The search for metal.

As you can see, this rear quarter looks pretty decent. But wait, if we sand this paint off we should see metal. Right?

No you get Bondo. Mountains of Bondo. Whoever repaired this truck after what must have been serious accident was the
Michel freakin angelo of Bondo.

I mean it's almost a quarter inch thick in places.

Only choice now is to cut out the cancer and give Shasta a little nip and tuck.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

That's some serious bondo work! WOW. I had a similar discovery on my 67 Mustang… The neighbor backed in to it and chipped off some bondo… I should have just patched it, but I was curious how much was there. Plenty, but I think you might have beat me.

 

[lt1fire]

ahhh bondo gotta love it. Found the same on an old Malibu I was thinking of putting a lsx motor in. After the discovery I just big blocked it, raced it and sold it.

you're getting there keep at it.

 

[ontherxs]

Some more pics from Saturday's work on Shasta's body

Decided to give the rear quarters the tuck and roll.

A driveway full of FJs and grease.

First step cut the bumper off. Bolts were seized. Time for power tools.

Rear frame crossmember is a bit rusted added to the list to be cutout.

Next tape out the lines for the fender cut.

 

[ontherxs]

The tuck and roll.

But first, Pizza.

Obligatory shot of my tuck having more parts in it then on it. Plus had to pull out anything that would catch fire including the wiring.

Johnny's Mr. Miyagi advice - "You can always cut more. Go add 1/2" to your line."

First cut done.

Same side done.

 

[ontherxs]

More tuck and roll.

DS done.

PS done. That corner is going to need some repair bit otherwise all the rest of the rear quarter cancer is gone.

PS done.

Shot from the rear. Looks good and pretty even. Next up templates for steal to box in the bottoms

 

[ontherxs]

Pics of boxing in the rears to come when I'm ready to do the welding. It was a long 12 hour day of petrolhead bliss. So we'll switch over to the respray of the lower half tomorrow.

Sunday now. Looks dark but was actually about 10am.

Taped out the stripes. Stay with me here. I have a master plan. So here are various pics from masking, to sanding, to priming.

 

[ontherxs]

Monday. Time to lay down the color. This is anthracite grey plastic-dip you can order from dipyourcar.com. side note go check out their video of turning the Porsche alien purple it's fascinating.

Also time to pack up Shasta for a trip to the frame shop. Big thanks to Ramon for lending truck and trailer. You rock. I owe you a 12pack.

But first to Lowe's for some ramps

 

[ontherxs]

Up onto the trailer. I think at this point I've unlocked an achievement. Shasta has gone farther being towed then I have actually driven her.

 

[mtweller]

You don't owe me squat man. Happy to help. Just make a deposit in the Cruiser Karma fund and I'll hope it helps me get Dozer done in time for LR. BTW, sorry I couldn't help / hang out this evening. Mondays suck for me and in fact, just sent out the report I had to get done.

Ramon

 

[ontherxs]

This is the third rainy weekend in a row. So since Shasta is at the frame doctor, here are some picks of the drop off to tide you over.

Howard's frame shop is a thing of wonder. Like a magical emporium of grease and true grit.

 

[lt1fire]

what's johnny doing on that hot rod tractor???

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'm gonna call Howard today and see if he's had a chance to look at it yet.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Just called him and he says he hasn't had time. Will call again later this week.

 

[ontherxs]

Johnny just got the call from Howard. She is ready and straight. The cruiser gods must finally be happy with me! Now, if it actually not rain for the next week or so, I would know that stars have aligned.

 

[kulangot]

SCHWEEET! I am really glad to hear that is sorted out. Keep up the momentum!