Builds Utah... the "new blue" - the unforeseen build

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Nissan fitting. I cannot remember pn

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Toyota 4Runner and Pickup: Waterproofing Tricks
Nissan axle fitting pn in link

 

[2fpower]

Sure is fun to play on the Lathe.

Got the modified spindle on the bumper, squared up and tacked in place. The spindle goes all the way through the 2x4 1/4 wall square tube, welded at top and bottom and with the hole that I made for the early taillights, I was able to weld a nice bead in the center too. This is not going anywhere.

 

[2fpower]

My son is finally getting the Land Cruiser bug, granted he's 13 years old Now. We found a very affordable 80 series for him locally, so he came out to the garage to work on both vehicles. Not too often that we get to say we put an engine in today

 

[corleykj]

Great job! Keep up the good work!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

nice

 

[2fpower]

I know I have OCD, fully aware. Ever since I got this rig, I hated these industrial truck lights that may look like a heep. Figured now is a good time to get rid of them. Aluminum is kind of fun to play with. I was able to use my woodworking tools for this. Only had about an hour to play, however already feel better having the pieces shaped. Now to do a bunch of research on how to use a spool gun on aluminum Corectly.

 

[2fpower]

And I should say that the bumper will have the new/old taillights. New in the fact will be LED, old and the fact they are 1967 toyota lenses

 

[northumbrian]

Nice work, enjoyed reading this

 

[2fpower]

thanks! Been fun so far!

 

[2fpower]

Well I could not sleep very well so decided to get some work done

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Nice copper trick!

 

[2fpower]

Yeah, and what a difference the heat sink makes for welding aluminum! With the curved section of the quarter, I could not fix the copper very well and that section did not weld very nice.

Got all the extra holes welded up on the back half of the tub, time to clean them up and then do the ones on the firewall.

 

[northumbrian]

Looking good

 

[2fpower]

Looking good

Not sure about "good" but less Jeep like.

 

[northumbrian]

When it's all cleaned up, who cares what it looks like now.
As long as it's serviceable weld, and holds up.

Do you weld Aluminium all day everyday??? No you don't, so it's about learning, and that is not bad for starters, well done

 

[Weber Sarge]

Looks like you're running a bit short on argon cfm , should be around 20cfm . Tight fit on patches is a must for beginners , as well as shielding the back side of the part to trap the gas , or use a purge box...
I take it this was a spool gun ?

Sarge

 

[tomcrusr]

Well I could not sleep very well so decided to get some work done View attachment 1226817View attachment 1226818View attachment 1226819View attachment 1226820

Are the side panels steel or Al? I always thought having steel and aluminum together will cause electrolysis and corrode both pieces. Or am I missing something?

Love checking out these build threads.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[2fpower]

@Weber Sarge , yes started at 20 and moved it up to 30 because I had a lot of that black soot and yes, using the spool gun. 1/8 inch aluminum using .035 line. Used heat level 4 gun speed 70 on the miller 210.

I much prefer tig welding aluminum; but don't have an AC Tig access anymore. Anyone have a suggestion of what unit I should start watching c-list for?

@tomcrusr Yes everything is aluminum on Aqualu tub, the plate you saw was copper heat sink. The cage is steel, so I will have rubber pieces in between to stop any electrolysis.

 

[northumbrian]

I use DC TIG for Ali, with pure Helium for shield gas.
Scrub the Ali to an inch of it's life, and weld fast and hot..
Torch negative, for thick stuff.
Positive for thin.