Slow FJ Cruiser Build

[FabricatorChris]

So I'm doing my first crawler build ever and I'd like to share my progress, even though it may be slow, with the community. I picked up my fj from a member on here, new bright body on a CC-01 chassis. The body was in okay shape but had some holes in the roof and body for mounting. I wasn't a fan of the holes so I started some body work on it.
First time trying my hand at Bondo so far so good!
I also sanded down the mold lines on the body to try and get a more realistic bodyline.
Next comes paint, still deciding on a colour scheme

[grimacium]

Nice choice! How will you be mounting the body?

[FabricatorChris]

Originally Posted by grimacium

Nice choice! How will you be mounting the body?

I'm thinking magnets. Either that or an internal mounting system, we will see which works better!

[FabricatorChris]

Well think I've decided on a colour scheme, despite having a tough time finding it, I picked up a can of tan spray paint. Thinking tan/black would look very sharp! (Tan is hard to find this time of year because duck season just started in Canada)

Got the wheels painted and working on the body now. Also smoked all the lights.

[FabricatorChris]

Some more body progress today, got the base of the fj painted! The roof, bumpers, rockers and fenders still need to be painted black, but since it is getting dark it will wait for another day.
I've been looking for fj mirrors but can't seem to get anywhere. So for now I have used some jeep mirrors from a new bright body. They look OK but nothing too fancy
Rough mock up! That's all for today.

[FabricatorChris]

Black trim is done!




Weak flex in the rear lol

Also made a temporary internal mount for the rear

Magnets will be added to the mount and the inside of the body. Next up custom bumpers, hitch, and swing out spare tire/jerry can carrier. But that's for another day!

[kongluc]

nice...

[grimacium]

Parts tree H from the FJ Cruiser kit has the mirrors.

[FabricatorChris]

So last night i fabbed some little parts. I have never brazed or silver soldered before so I figured I'd give both a try. Since I only had a MAPP gas torch and not a oxy-mapp torch, I had greater success with silver solder. I had a hard time getting the brazing rods to melt. First thing I did was made a test piece and dropped it off my back deck onto my cement patio. It held up no problem, and I figured if my fj falls more than 8 feet, the last thing I'll have to worry about is the solder work lol.

Here's the rock sliders I made, haven't made mounting brackets yet though.

Here is the spare tire swing I made. I'm not sold on it yet, may scrap the whole thing and start fresh. It will be mounted through the rear bumper and will have jerry cans on a bracket at the end.



For being my first time trying silver soldering, I was pretty impressed at myself lol I will get better still.


That's all for now folks!

[eddievedder]

Looks great. I actually like the wide stance on this one.

[kongluc]

are you using the complete gpm steering system up front likw the c's cvd's and knuckle?

[kongluc]

are you using the complete gpm steering system up front likw the c's cvd's and knuckle?

[FabricatorChris]

Just knuckles I believe

[kongluc]

I'm gonna get some soon-than-later just don't want to buy the wrong parts and have to spend more money