78 FJ40 Build
- Thread starter dustybaird
- Start date
dustybaird
New member
Thanks! its getting close!
Updates!
Got my new passenger side door handle on.
And we decided that we needed to do something with the giant holes in the body. Eventually I will be going through the tub and patching everything but thats a while away so for now we will band aid the problem.
The problem
The band aid. These were in the pile of parts that came with the truck. Had to do a little trimming to match up to the cuts on the rear wheel wells and then coated them in bed liner.
Decided the rear quarter panels would look best also being black for now.
First coat.
Then riveted the panels on and put on another coat of bed liner.
Tire carrier back on.
Also got some weather stripping for the rear ambulance doors. Had my helpers stare at me the whole time trying to install it. They seem to like it in there.
Also found this little flag in my safe so i decided to stick it on the dash. Merica!
Thats it for now. The speedometer parts came in the mail yesterday so thats what il try to get done next. Then test drive time!
Updates!
Got my new passenger side door handle on.
And we decided that we needed to do something with the giant holes in the body. Eventually I will be going through the tub and patching everything but thats a while away so for now we will band aid the problem.
The problem
The band aid. These were in the pile of parts that came with the truck. Had to do a little trimming to match up to the cuts on the rear wheel wells and then coated them in bed liner.
Decided the rear quarter panels would look best also being black for now.
First coat.
Then riveted the panels on and put on another coat of bed liner.
Tire carrier back on.
Also got some weather stripping for the rear ambulance doors. Had my helpers stare at me the whole time trying to install it. They seem to like it in there.
Also found this little flag in my safe so i decided to stick it on the dash. Merica!
Thats it for now. The speedometer parts came in the mail yesterday so thats what il try to get done next. Then test drive time!
dustybaird
New member
It drives!! Drive it around the block and so far everything's working like it should. You can see in the video the taillights aren't done but we are close.
[video]https://youtu.be/UmqW96r5YZc[/video]
Added the most important part, The bottle opener!
My kids got involved as well, They built me a new glove box tether.
We are converting the rear taillights to LED so i don't get rear ended but someone not seeing the dull factory lights. We had to convert the flasher to a LED compatible one and then we welded these light boxes on the rear. We are waiting for our taillights to come in the mail. So far im liking them a lot.
Corner lights popped in and boxes bedlinered.
Need to work on getting plates for it and insurance!
[video]https://youtu.be/UmqW96r5YZc[/video]
Added the most important part, The bottle opener!
My kids got involved as well, They built me a new glove box tether.
We are converting the rear taillights to LED so i don't get rear ended but someone not seeing the dull factory lights. We had to convert the flasher to a LED compatible one and then we welded these light boxes on the rear. We are waiting for our taillights to come in the mail. So far im liking them a lot.
Corner lights popped in and boxes bedlinered.
Need to work on getting plates for it and insurance!
dustybaird
New member
Motor 99% done. Need some minor things
And LED taillights in. So far im very happy how they have turned out.
And LED taillights in. So far im very happy how they have turned out.
dustybaird
New member
The rear door latch had seen better days. it was very sloppy and barely worked. We pulled it apart and welded the back of the rivet in place. Works fine now and the price was right.
After this i moved the 40 back to my house. Drives good, needs an alignment and some minor leaks fixed. Now im waiting for funds to register and insure it. Then il start driving it more. I never realized how big this thing was til it was parked next to the expedition.
Have it sitting outside with all the vents and windows open today to try and air out the stale smell inside from sitting for so long.
After this i moved the 40 back to my house. Drives good, needs an alignment and some minor leaks fixed. Now im waiting for funds to register and insure it. Then il start driving it more. I never realized how big this thing was til it was parked next to the expedition.
Have it sitting outside with all the vents and windows open today to try and air out the stale smell inside from sitting for so long.
dustybaird
New member
Found my original fuse box cover hidden in a box and covered in dirt. Cleaned up really nice though.
I bought an ammo can to use as a arm rest. Had to convert it from both sides opening to just 1 and letting it swing up. And added a lock to it, will be nice to have a lockable space when the doors are off.
Mock up.
Padlock added
And all bolted in.
I plan on making a padded top for it, and doing something about the seat bottoms.
I bought an ammo can to use as a arm rest. Had to convert it from both sides opening to just 1 and letting it swing up. And added a lock to it, will be nice to have a lockable space when the doors are off.
Mock up.
Padlock added
And all bolted in.
I plan on making a padded top for it, and doing something about the seat bottoms.
Stoffregen Motorsports
Explorer
I don't know if you've ever had anything custom upholstered, but it's not necessarily as expensive as you might think. I bet you could have a local guy redo those seat bottoms for a couple hundred bucks.
Truck's coming along nicely.
Truck's coming along nicely.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
Thank you!
Re: the flange that didn't fit. We spec those for the common 6529 style box with a 13/16" input and a 4.25 lock-to-lock turn. Some of the smaller inputs mean they come from cars with as low as a 3 turn box which will result in a very twitchy steering. Worth looking at. Either way we can swap out that flange you didn't use for some other Cruiser goodies when you're ready.
Last edited:
dustybaird
New member
Thank you!
Re: the flange that didn't fit. We spec those for the common 6529 style box with a 13/16" input and a 4.25 lock-to-lock turn. Some of the smaller inputs mean they come from cars with as low as a 3 turn box which will result in a very twitchy steering. Worth looking at. Either way we can swap out that flange you didn't use for some other Cruiser goodies when you're ready.
Thank you! You guys were life savers with my power steering setup. Bryce is who told me where to find the replacement flange locally. Again you guys rock. The steering box that came with my truck was luckily rebuilt to 4.5 turns lock to lock so im hoping it works out fine. I will have to shoot you guys an email about the flange im not using to get some more parts i need.
dustybaird
New member
Updates!
Dome light, Check!
Wired my rear heating fan to a switch so my kids can turn it on or off from the rear seats.
Mounted my maglite by the door. Tried to keep it somewhat hidden for when the doors are off.
Dome light, Check!
Wired my rear heating fan to a switch so my kids can turn it on or off from the rear seats.
Mounted my maglite by the door. Tried to keep it somewhat hidden for when the doors are off.
Stoffregen Motorsports
Explorer
You know you're old school when you still have a mag-lite mounted in your truck.
I have mag-lites...
I have mag-lites...
dustybaird
New member
Haven't updated this in a while here so I will try and catch it up. Ive decided this cruiser needed to be refreshed so I've done some work on it lately. Here is a quick update of where it is now.
New quarter panels
All body work done
Quarters, rockers and fenders painted, the rest is the previous paint just buffed and polished.
New quarter panels
All body work done
Quarters, rockers and fenders painted, the rest is the previous paint just buffed and polished.
dustybaird
New member
All paint work done.
And am re-doing the front seats. Driver side is all done!
This is where I currently am and hopefully it will be back on the road soon! My plan is to take the hardtop back off for the rest of the summer and patch a small hole in it and add a headliner.
And am re-doing the front seats. Driver side is all done!
This is where I currently am and hopefully it will be back on the road soon! My plan is to take the hardtop back off for the rest of the summer and patch a small hole in it and add a headliner.
Rezarf <><
Explorer
Wow, that looks fantastic! Keep it up.