Vel's '76 resto-mod (3 Viewers)

[velillen]

@hopdup95 has some nice tubs for a decent price and could probably help you arrange shipping.

How is your frame (the most important part)

Ill get in contact with him and see on the tubs. For time and money it might just be the smart option overall. As much as I would like to do it....I think its going to end up taking a lot longer than I think it will

The frame actually appears to be in great shape. All the parts I have seen on it so far are solid with only surface rust if anything. Course once I get the tub off it could show more but its one area that looks great.

 

[velillen]

Well after thinking about it all day and talking to @hopdup95 i think ive decided I am going to go with one of his tubs. Once I got home and really looked at what i had in the garage I came to the conclusion that time would be the limiting factor on the tub i have. I might keep my tub and work on it as I have time...or not we will see.

So with that...am i going to encounter any real issues using a '72 (or '75) tub with my windshield, doors, ambulance doors (hinges might be an issue here), or upper half portions?

 

[Jdc1]

The 72 with a toolbox is meant for a bench seat. I am not sure when the ambulance doors arrived but maybe @JohnnyC could explain the differences.

Go to CCOT's website and add a bunch of body panels to your cart and it will make you feel better about a replacement tub.

 

[JohnnyC]

If your keeping the ambi door setup and gas tank inside you want a 75' - 78' tub

79' + has tank under

72' is most likley setup for the barn doors ... Possibly tailgate... And 'many' other differences

 

[velillen]

@JohnnyC so my best bet would be to pick up the '75 tub that @hopdup95 is selling then?

Which looking at schematics on SOR seems to agree. Fuel tank is for '73-'78 plus the rear doors. So looks like the '75 tub is the one to go with unless im missing something.

 

[hopdup95]

There are small differences, but overall the tubs are pretty similar. I have had guys take tubs from early 70s and put them on later frames and vise versa. All depending on what you want. The 75 did come with the ambulance doors and the 72 is set up for barn doors. Not too difficult to swap, but whichever you want. I have a guy interested in the 75 and looking into shipping it to Hawaii so let me know Thanks

 

[JohnnyC]

75' is a direct swap for your 76'... Off hand I can't think of any complications that you would have

72' is doable ... But... With mods to what you already have

 

[velillen]

Good to hear. Ill shoot for the 75 tub then. The 72 doesn't look to bad but there are definitely changes I would have to do.

 

[velillen]

Well not a whole lot to report. Just more tearing it apart. But a few things

-Ordering a new tub definitely became the only way to go. Got the windshield folded down and its ugly. The dash would need tons of work too. Luckily I claimed the '75 tub from @hopdup95 and paid for it. Now just to see how I get it up to me lol.

-The heater. It didnt work when i tried it. But while taking things apart it might have just simply been unplugged. Which brings me to the wiring. The PO hacked it up a fair amount. Ive found quite a few plugs that are unplugged. Some Im sure arent needed due to the 283 instead of the 2F but some I have no clue what they would go to.

-The hard top actually isnt that bad. A couple small areas to patch on the passenger side that I know for sure. The actual fiberglass top is just dirty but Itll clean up nicely (did a small test spot). The gutter though...lets just say its not there anymore. It conveniently was in pieces small enough to fit in the trash bag...... Now to figure out the best way to drill out all those rivets.

-Start draining systems as needed. The fluids so far have actually looked pretty good. Nothing looks that old or abused. So good to see that!

-All the rubber hoses are stuck pretty well to whatever they hooked up to. I had picked up a "hose removal tool" a couple years ago for cheap thinking Id never need it. Boy did it come in handy. Its basically just a sharp tip bent in a U that you get the tip in and just run the tool around the edge of the hose to break it loose. Worked quite well and better than the screw driver i normally use!

But on another noted here is basically why I "thought" the body was actually in decent shape.

Doesnt look bad even for peeling this part off. Tapping it both inside and out felt pretty solid.

Well pull that bondo/fiberglass piece off and Im left with this. So basically rather than fix rust the PO just fiberglassed/bondo'd over the rust. Which wasnt bad for him since it was just a vehicle to go from point a to point b from what I understand.

The list of stuff to do before the tub can come off is getting smaller!
-Finish pulling the heater apart inside
-Remove everything from the firewall (or least disconnect it)
-Finish tearing the dash apart.

I will say its nice being able to go slow and steady. Work on things for ~1 hour, switch to working on the shed, go back to the FJ or go inside and relax for a bit. Repeat.

 

[Jdc1]

Check out this thread:

A step in the right direction...

@Phatty is doing a similar build.

 

[velillen]

His build is one I must have skipped over so thanks for the link. Ive actually looked at a crap ton of builds both before and after I purchased mine. Ive actually be following your too @Jdc1 . But is funny cause someone will say see person x's build and Ill click on it and go "o i already looked through that one" lol

 

[Jdc1]

His build is one I must have skipped over so thanks for the link. Ive actually looked at a crap ton of builds both before and after I purchased mine. Ive actually be following your too @Jdc1 . But is funny cause someone will say see person x's build and Ill click on it and go "o i already looked through that one" lol

I love looking at all of the different types of builds here and over at Pirate. Everyone is different and brings something different to the table. My absolute favorite is @DAD2SIX s build.

 

[velillen]

I love looking at all of the different types of builds here and over at Pirate. Everyone is different and brings something different to the table. My absolute favorite is @DAD2SIX s build.

Im the same. I love seeing how each person goes their different routes both on parts they buy and method they fix things. Plus just the differences in making it a driver vs restoring it. I have a huge spread sheet of things to look into from other peoples builds. Im not a big fan of pirate and thankfully there are plenty of builds here to keep me busy at work

 

[cult45]

I just did all this on my Australian 1970 FJ45. If you have time, read my build thread, make a list of the way I did things I did the first time and then do the exact opposite [which turns out to be the way I did things I did the second time]. I'm thousands behind because I was stubborn but was determined to stick to my vision, which I ended up changing as my life circumstances changed. Good luck though man, ain't nuttin like drowning out the 2F brigade with that V8 roar!

 

[velillen]

I just did all this on my Australian 1970 FJ45. If you have time, read my build thread, make a list of the way I did things I did the first time and then do the exact opposite [which turns out to be the way I did things I did the second time]. I'm thousands behind because I was stubborn but was determined to stick to my vision, which I ended up changing as my life circumstances changed. Good luck though man, ain't nuttin like drowning out the 2F brigade with that V8 roar!

Ill check out your thread. Havent spent much time looking at the FJ45's to be honest. I do like them though! Mind sharing what you mean by the make a list? Do you just mean a list of what needs to be done basically? I have a pretty good idea on the order I will be doing things overall. Which is pretty much take it down to the frame. Do frame work. Then work on the axles (plan to rebuild them) and do the brakes. Then suspension. At that point itll be a rolling frame. Then get the engine remounted. Then start the body work. Once thats done Ill go ahead and start buttoning things up.

Course thats subject to change and things can be worked out of order like doing some body work thats not on the FJ (patching some stuff) and also check fitting the new tub with everything on the frame still.

Ive also been considering swapping the TH350 thats in it to a manual. But not sure how much work that really would involve and is definitely something I have no experience with.

 

[cult45]

Yeah like look at the fact that I refused to replace my wheel cylinders with aftermarket ones and got them rebuilt despite all the cries from 'Mud. Then spent the next year finding obsolete fittings. Or how everyone said convert to a dual circuit braking system. Nope, didn't listen there either. Did my single circuit system up, got it running good. Then broke an axle, which snapped a brake line, allowing me the experience of having no brakes. Guess what? Just converted to a dual circuit lol Learn from my stubbornness haha

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

good choice on the new tub. neat build

 

[velillen]

Yeah like look at the fact that I refused to replace my wheel cylinders with aftermarket ones and got them rebuilt despite all the cries from 'Mud. Then spent the next year finding obsolete fittings. Or how everyone said convert to a dual circuit braking system. Nope, didn't listen there either. Did my single circuit system up, got it running good. Then broke an axle, which snapped a brake line, allowing me the experience of having no brakes. Guess what? Just converted to a dual circuit lol Learn from my stubbornness haha

Gotcha. Im sure when I get to the point it could be driven I will feel that desire to just put it back together. But I am hoping I can resist the temptation!

good choice on the new tub. neat build

Thanks!

 

[hopdup95]

Wow that thing is RUSTED! I'll leave whatever wiring is in the tub to help out with time if you want.

 

[Ian Macdonald]

Budget is important, but you need passion and perseverance. Also known as a little crazy. Lots of fun, satisfaction AND swearing ahead. Enjoy. Welcome.