Wisdom Turns Folly (WTF). 1973/75/76/78/85 Mashup

[Comet]

Body on (sorta) and sifting through the multiple body parts available. Burrito engine safely covered from the elements. Getting a feel for how WTF will look when I can complete the mechanicals and put it back together for a voyage at a later date. Everything lined up nicely due to the fact that there is so much adjustment room with the panels.

 

[Comet]

I am getting a lot of experience with welding nuts to snapped off bolts. As dirty as this metal is (rusted) I have a 75% success rate getting the weld to hold. My “once sanded and out of the weather” pile of parts is coming along nicely.

 

[Comet]

I figured since I will be getting plenty of opportunities to cut out rusted metal and welding in patch panels that I could start on a non conspicuous area. The engine belly pan seemed like the best bet. The sacrificial metal was from a Gravely 16g rear fender from the 80’s

 

[Comet]

I looked at the original ‘73 bumper and the ‘75 winch bumper and decided to modify the winch bumper. ‘73 was a twisted mess on one end and the ‘75 has a slight bend due to some glorious mishap I’m sure. Plan, measure, cut, heat, and bend.

 

[Comet]

The first version of WTF will be a soft bikini top with half doors and no roll cage. There was a “family” roll cage from a company that I forgot. That will be the direction I go later. Metal Tech or something like that?

Also, wondering how big a tire I can stuff into the wells. 37” seems about right. Haha!!!!!

 

[mwalls54]

37" ftw

 

[Comet]

Original bent bumper. Modified one with the winch plate on it. I plan on adding tow points and a simple stinger on top. I really like the catchers mitt look attached but it’s too much for my simple approach. The 4 plus front bumper is the bomb (to me). Green and red are shamelessly stolen from MUD, sorry if I encroached.

 

[Comet]

Apparently you can have more than one look to your rig if you own a 40. A few bolts allow you to take off the fenders and side apron. Just so happens the red fenders will stay intact and rust repaired while the tan ones will give up a lot of sheet metal to give a lot of clearance for fair weather wheeling. Don’t be surprised if the tan sheet metal makes it into the red fenders.

 

[jbee]

Please don’t paint it, just hit that single stage paint with a buffer and leave all of those panels in their original color.

 

[Comet]

I purchased some 0000 steel wool the other day to try my hand at bringing out the luster of the red fenders. I have seen the beauty of patina and I like it.

 

[Comet]

The fender looks to be giving up some patina for glorious red. Only issues are the rust and my inexperience at joining good metal to the thin sheet metal.

 

[Comet]

Cut, bent, welded, grinder. Not great but not too bad for my first attempt. Many more patches to be made throughout WTF.

 

[Comet]

Also broke out the cheap F2C plasma cutter. Rough cut the ovals (center holes) in the belly pan.

 

[SteveH]

Making progress, and I see more OSHA-approved welding footwear!

 

[Comet]

I picked that tip up from @OGBeno years ago. #steeltoedsandals

 

[Comet]

Three into one, not busting up and cherry rigs, seems normal to me. This is addictive. Windshield on, bumper on for a visual (needs more protection). Jurassic Park top held on with Zip Ties to a piece of a roll cage so I can pile all the parts in the back and cover them with a tarp. Hoping to borrow a buddies 8274 so I can get an idea of how to add metal to the bumper for protection. This vehicle is not for the purists but at least the bezel isn’t upside down.

 

[Comet]

It is hard to believe that these three piles of treasure have been consolidated into a semblance of a cruiser.

 

[Comet]

The angle grinder disrupted more than my neighbors lives yesterday. Grey Bondo queen is becoming smaller and the piles of cruiser crap are definitely yielding copious amounts of rust. It’s a shame these rigs rust out so badly.

 

[Comet]

Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one. I am curious (not about holes but opinions) thoughts on the repair of the back sill. Do I just bend up some sheet metal and replace the rust or do I utilize the old front bumper to incorporate it into the body as a way to bolt everything down to the frame? Or other thoughts?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Iirc there was a company who made rear sill replacement pieces. Edit: yeah, here you go. Imo this is worth spending a few sheckles on:

Rear Sill (1975-1978) - https://www.realsteelcruiserparts.net/products/rear-sill-1975-1978

In general, bent sheet metal is the way to go though. Closely match the form of it to the original look on the outside, and put some gussets where it feels right on the inside.