The TORFAB HJ60 Rust Removal, err body swap

[torfab]

We got some SERIOUS work done on it this week (so far)

I took the dash out of both vehicles, and worked on the electrical. Removing the dash is really easy, if you know what nuts/bolts to undo.

1. remove the cluster and glove box
2. remove 4 nuts from upper dash, and 2 screws to slide it out
3. now you're committed

I removed all the heater hoses, and wiring from the FJ62. and left a blank slate for me to move the HJ60 stuff over.

When I pulled the wiring harness from the HJ60, I left everything still attached (relays, control boxes, etc) so it would be easier to identify it. Installing everything wasn't that hard, but it would have been hard if I spread that part out over a few days. The human brain can only handle so many little details before it implodes

 

[Mental1]

Hey Tor how about an update? I know you are way ahead of what this string has.

 

[torfab]

"While we were in there"

We pressure washed the frame, and put a nice coat of paint on it, and used Castrol Super Clean to degrease everything. The engine turned out nice, and the frame looks great with some flat black on it.

Cleaned and painted the axles, cleaned the interioir since everything was ripped out. I used cleaner, and a scrub to clean the interior floor before installing the new carpet and seats.

The electrical is all in, and the dash is halfway put together. It will be completely assembled once the engine is in, and I know everything works.

 

[Mental1]

Ok you were right it does kinda look like I'm giving a boatswain mate some sea time. Glad you put some more shots up.

 

[Mental1]

C'mon Tor ya big slacker. I know you drove it around today, go ahead and post the rest of the pics. Did you get it detailed yet?

 

[chukardog]

Done already? you work fast! lets see it!

 

[torfab]

yea, it's done, but the brand new glow plugs I ordered from Australia don't work. Unbelievable!!! Now I have to get a new set, and they took over a week last time...

Good thing I saved the old set

 

[cruiser_guy]

So it took you a week of work only?

That makes me feel much better about doing the same thing later this year with my BJ60. My frame is great but the body needs replacing. I plan to simply (yeah right!!) roll the frame/drive train out from under the old body and under the new one and then transfer the wiring and other guts over.

 

[torfab]

it's TEN TIMES easier to roll the frame out then do what I did. Keep in mind that I have Coastie Extraordinaire helping me out with turning wrenches.

I did the frame swap in the V8 Banks Turbo FJ60 that I built 2 years ago. Keep that body nice and steady while you do the frame rolling. Make sure you have at least one set of hands available to help

 

[chukardog]

Where's the pics damnit??? this thread is useless without more pics!

 

[torfab]

I'm sorry, but I'm a total slacker with these threads. You can always find me in the shop working on cruisers, but I'm always too lazy to upload pics for this stuff all the time.

Anyways, here are some pics of the interior after the dash and wiring harness swap

 

[Mikesta]

Here is another one when he was almost done.