- Thread starter
- #441
Second skin damplifier pro down and a coat of second skin spectrum. Pulled the h42 to prep for the h55 instal which is waiting on the bench in the background.
Tornado takes the top off 1964 SWB FJ-45
- Thread starter tornadoalleycruiser
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #442
Wasn't happy with just flat black epoxy on the frame and a ton of test fit scratches all over. I painted the splash shields and front bumper brackets with chassis black. They stuck out like a sore thumb. So took a trick I saw @wngrog use and went to dollar general for some alum foil. Wrapped off everything and shot some chassis black on front half of the frame. Will try to stab the h55 tomorrow evening.
- Thread starter
- #443
Neighbor helped me move the h55f off the workbench where she has sat for the last 5 years. Set her on the transmission jack and got her stabbed. Time for her to get to work. It will be nice to have the real-estate back on the workbench! Been a bit since I've stabbed one of these by myself.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Can you take a pic of that slave cylinder bracket/spring, and I can take a look later today to see if I have one.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Yeah, the picture reminded me that we might need to find one for Chef's rig. If you can get a closer pic, I will look through my stash.
2fpower
SILVER Star
looking amaze ballz......
- Thread starter
- #449
Tub back on the chassis. Started putting in pedals, booster, steering column. Can't bolt the chassis down in the final position until I get the head back.
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- #450
Decided to do some fabric welding to finish up the seats. There is a small piece of plexiglass between the seat adjusters and the fabric/ frame I had to replicate. Drivers seat done. I added some snaps to the back for a future sewing project to add some pockets later. One creature comfort was heated seat mesh.
- Thread starter
- #451
For those playing along thought I might give a little insight to doing upholstery 101. Sew foam is glued to the fabric then the fabric is sewn to the sew foam to get the lines in the seats. Next is making patterns for the sides.
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- #452
Next is patterns. This time I hit the easy button to save material. Broke the sides down into 4 pieces with a half inch sew allowance for the seam. Piping gets sewn into a piece and cut down for a half inch sew allowance. Sewing 2 pieces of fabric at a 90 allows for a longer run of Piping and a less visible seam. Piping foot keeps it in place on the machine. The machine is a singer 211 with reverse. I added a servo motor and a needle position sensor to stop the needle in the up or down position. I can heel the pedal to stop it up or i have it set to normally stop in the down position to keep the fabric from moving.
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- #453
Sew the sides together. Then I mark my foam centers on all 4 sides. This is used to mark the sew foam bottoms so when putting the sides on you know if your in the right spot. Lay the foam on the sew foam pleated bottom and trace. Half inch sew allowance is marked. Cut your bottom pattern.
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- #454
Next is the hard part. Putting the patterns together. Pleated sew foam bottom, piping, side fabric. I use a hand stapler to baste. Sew that sucker together
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- #455
Test fit then I sew trim around the feet cutouts. To instal I ratchet strap the assembly to a table and put in the trim screws. Then set in the truck. Im not a pro but I like doing things myself. Fabric welding 101. I did add snaps to add a dog bed for my passenger Roo the cattle dog.
Thanks, this is interesting stuff.
- Thread starter
- #457
Ask away with questions. I didn't like either of the two color options and sure didn't want to pay an upholstery shop. I kinda flew thru with the pictures. I did the top half of the seats with my previous singer 111w. No reverse walking foot. Super cool old historical WWII era sewing machine. Finally traded up. Like going from an FJ40 to an FZJ80
- Thread starter
- #458
Windshield hinges assembled. Scratched the paint in a couple spots. Bronze bushings and stainless pins. I can touch up the paint later. I used single stage on hinges. The stainless pins need to be lightly sanded to work.
2fpower
SILVER Star
Somehow I missed the finished seat pictures you posted above. Really amazing work. In all of the threads I have read and watched, I don't recall anyone ever making their own new seat covers! That is pretty darn cool.
I'm just following along and need to say what a great job you're doing. It takes a lot of talent and time to be able to sew up your own covers. The truck is turning out so nice. 
