Tub restoration thoughts.

[audaciousduo]

So I'm going to wheel my BJ70 for the summer and then fix the ever growing cancer problem in the fall and over the winter. I bought a set of new rockers, a damaged RHD JDM tub and should be able to patch her back together with the sheet metal I have acquired. Although I'd love to locate new quarters. I've done a few frame up restorations before but never a land cruiser. It's not going to be a trailer queen or show truck but I want to do it right so it lasts another decade or two. This has lead me to the current plan of attack of pulling the tub off, building a rotisserie and welding in all the sheet metal properly and cleanly. I've never done a car on a rotisserie before but know that the rocker panels are structural on a unibody car and need to be repaired before being placed on a rotisserie. The land cruiser is not a unibody and I think it will be fine despite my rocker panels being swiss cheese. The weight isn't too bad and the over all length will be short. Any thoughts? Should I brace it up first or repair the rockers, not that there is anything to weld them too at this point. I love the truck and hate doing things half arsed, if I'm going to put the work into it I'll do it right. I hate crawling around on my back with a mig, besides I'm sure I can sell the rotisserie after I'm done with it.

Anyone done this?

Ohhhh and some cool 70 footage here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOlH4m_6Li0&feature=related

 

[ForealBoreal]

theres a guy in quebec that makes really nice thick quarters for about 430cdn.
give it a search

 

[crushers]

cut the rear quarters flat and add a cool ass rear bumper.
cut the wheel well lips off and install larger tires.

unless it is a show rig why keep it stock? mod it to fit your personality.

 

[audaciousduo]

A cool ass bumper is in the plans for sure. I'm going to build one with a winch tucked up under the arse end. I'm also planning on sliders, front and rear nerf bars as well. Just from a resale perspective I like to keep from radically altering body work. These old BJ70's are getting rare and are going to be a collectable one day for sure. I'm planning on keeping the truck but I was also planning on keeping the 1969 Dodge Dart GTS I finished last spring as well. I find I have a short attention span for vehicles and enjoy the building process more than the finished product. I have found if I keep most of the mods bolt on vehicles retain there value. There is a good chance I will keep this for along time because its the family wheeling, fishing and camping vehicle. My kids love the adventures it takes us on. Not to mention the good old HST now applies to private sales and makes swapping vehicles every time your board expensive.

 

[crushers]

nah, not rare at all...
tons available, i have forgotten how many i have brought in now...

seriously, build it to the way YOU want it. with the bumpers changed out and the side bars installed it isn't original anyway... those that come to buy will not be looking for stock but for solid.

if they are looking for stock then they will be looking for purity...

 

[audaciousduo]

Yeah, that said, I'll keep the body intact. I like the look of the little 70 and hate to carve it up so I guess thats is the way I want to build it. I'll likely spray a box liner inside though to protect the floor after I have all the rust fixed.

Thanks