1966 FJ40 build-up

[JasonH]

Originally Posted by swilson

My 2nd daughter was born Jan 19.

Congrats!

Awesome build.

[swilson]

I can't find the receipt for it... and I bought it nearly 2 years ago. Its been sitting on the shelf waiting to be installed.

I got it from Santa Clara Truck Wreckers (408) 727-2244.

The other cool thing about it I forgot to mention.... you don't need to cut the reinforcement off the firewall on the late model cruisers to make room for a vacuum booster... or have to run any adapter to space a vacuum booster off the firewall. I did make a cut through the reinforcement to clear a hydraulic line, but I went way overboard and will be welding it back up. It really only needed a cut the size of a fingernail to clear the hydraulic line. Other than that the hydroboost setup clears the reinforcement rib.

[swilson]

Originally Posted by JasonH

Congrats!

Awesome build.

Thanks! Now if she'd only let us sleep through the night... sigh.

[swilson]

Got my dash finished up, minus the wiring of course. The aluminum plate was inspired by the one Jack Rice made for his truggy. It won't stay aluminum color, it'll be painted or powder coated. I filled all holes including the ash tray hole.



I didn't realize I was going 40 MPH... hmmm.

[65SWB45]

Scott, something about my size 13 feet made me cringe when I saw the placement of your gas pedal. That looks even tighter than the stock location. What was your motivation for putting it there















...............other than making sure I never steal your truck!

[swilson]

All I can say is, pedal placement is still evolving

[mudtoy67]

I love your build. The detail is amazing!

I must admit...I'm going to steal your dash.




The idea that is

[ToyTech]

I'm surprised you haven't put a Can-Back topper and swilson-bilt custom tire carrier on it yet...slacker!

Hi Scott!

[swilson]

Originally Posted by ToyTech

I'm surprised you haven't put a Can-Back topper and swilson-bilt custom tire carrier on it yet...slacker!

Hi Scott!

Holy smokes, its Jim Brink! And you're on the wrong side of the country now! And you wheel a.... RAV4? PM on the way

[swilson]

Originally Posted by mudtoy67

I love your build. The detail is amazing!

I must admit...I'm going to steal your dash.

Hey thanks for the comments. Its yours for the stealing... 'specially since I ripped it off from Jack's truggy.

[NORCALFJ40]

Looks great Scott! very nice work on the bezel!

[SCALLYWAG99]

nice job scott! Ive been following your build for awile. I also have a 66 fj 40. can you pm me w/ a contact # I wanted to pick your brain about your hydroboost set up and stuff. Your instrument panel is killer.. Is that an overlay you bolted on or welded? Did you make or buy it? Anyway, thanks for the inspriation you do nice work.

[smokd]

Nice work! Where did you find that tailgate?

[swilson]

Originally Posted by SCALLYWAG99

nice job scott! Ive been following your build for awile. I also have a 66 fj 40. can you pm me w/ a contact # I wanted to pick your brain about your hydroboost set up and stuff. Your instrument panel is killer.. Is that an overlay you bolted on or welded? Did you make or buy it? Anyway, thanks for the inspriation you do nice work.

Thanks. Its bolted on. I made it. Started with posterboard, transferred that to steel, then decided I wanted it thicker... so I got a sheet of aluminum. Once it was cut out I put a radius around the edge using a flap disc on an angle grinder, then a file, and finished it up with a dremmel with a sanding drum.

I'll PM you about the hydroboost.

Originally Posted by smokd

Nice work! Where did you find that tailgate?

Its made by Aqualu (http://www.aqualu.com), I sourced mine from Rocky Mountain Cruisers (http://www.rockymountaincruisers.com).

[freds40]

Nice build. It's nice to see ya putting in the time on cleaning up all the little things. Makes me think of all the little things I bi-passed so I could wheel. Now I need to spend a TON of time to clean up my build.

[swilson]

Here's what the new hydroboost bolt pattern looks like beside stock master cylinder bolt pattern (same as the clutch MC bolt pattern)


Boy did I goof when I cut the rib on the firewall. Tonight I welded the piece back in and with only a slight bend in the firewall rib it cleared the hydraulic line.

[dieselcruiserhead]

if it helps, good cheap source of hydroboost these days is out of some "M" series GM vans, astros, Safaris, etc. Setup looks almost identical to your power stroke. I got mine for $40 at pick n pull, seems hydroboosters seldom fail as far as I can tell...

[Gunmetalcruz]

Looks great, I wouldn't give up the ash tray on mine. I love it for holding extra valve cores and fuses.

[swilson]

Mounted the PS cooler today.


This was a big moment for me... I've actually never seen this cruiser with the windshield and hood on since I bought it in pieces. I'll have to work on aligning the panels a bit more tomorrow.


And yes... the cage in back is a hint of things to come I liked the back half of the cage that came with my FJ40, but the front half didn't cut it. I bought a Metal Tech front cage kit and will be putting it on the back half of my existing cage.

[OnTheSpot]

Why did you build the grill hoop so much lower than the radiator? I would be worried about it getting squished in a rollover or something.

Oh and that dash is sick!!!!

[swilson]

Originally Posted by OnTheSpot

Why did you build the grill hoop so much lower than the radiator? I would be worried about it getting squished in a rollover or something.

The radiator hoop isn't done. I couldn't finish the top hoop until the hood was on... and the hood just went on yesterday.

Originally Posted by OnTheSpot

Oh and that dash is sick!!!!

Thanks

[swilson]

Battery trays went in today. Welded 'em into the Metal Tech Fenders. Blue Torch Fab makes some cool stuff.







Minor update on the 28 gallon Aussie tank. Modified the filler spout to fit. The instructions claim its as easy as cutting the stock filler shorter and rotating it a bit. Ha! The reality was I had to cut the end of the stock filler 3/8" shorter, lengthen it 1/2" (be welding in some new tubing) before the bend, and rotate it.

Not a huge deal... but if you're installing this tank, don't expect the filler to be an easy install.

[Towner]

Amazing build....would love the chance to bend up such a clean build....thought I'd throw a killer company out there for your rubber intake hoses http://store.airflo.com/rubber-hoses---clamps.html

[Tack]

Good job man , your pics give idea for me !!

[swilson]

Worked on the cage today. Spent hours with the grinder removing the welds from where I removed the front half of the cage.



Then I welded in some sheetmetal boxes I made for the corners. Each box will hold a 6x9" speaker and a 2" round LED light. The front of the cage will have a box housing 2 more 6x9s and two more LED lights.