joyota 73 cj5 i guess now it's a "gladiator" build

[Smileyshaun]

got the bedsides mostly done now time to work on the lids for the tool boxes

 

[Smileyshaun]

Got the tank moved to the back and mocked up to its mounting point . Need to make some mounts, figure out a skid plate , figure out the fuel filler, extend the fuel lines and the pump wiring.

 

[HappyOurOverlanding]

got the bedsides mostly done now time to work on the lids for the tool boxes

View attachment 70050 View attachment 70051

Looks great. Still in awe at what you're doing.

 

[Smileyshaun]

Looks great. Still in awe at what you're doing.

thanks man !! I just hope it turns out the way I have it envisioned , after the tank is all bolted in I want to work on getting the body set in its final place and get the majority of it painted so it looks a little more complete and so I can contemplate moving the motor and trans back a couple inches to help with shifter placement and possibly get rid of the electric fan . But I'm going to take a bit of a break from it started doing a bit more woodworking and have a bit of a bug for turning some bowls, it's fun and a nice break from welding and cutting metal .

 

[Smileyshaun]

got the rest of the bed welded up and painted

 

[HappyOurOverlanding]

got the rest of the bed welded up and painted View attachment 72957

Liking the color

 

[Smileyshaun]

Got the bed back on and the fuel lines mostly figured out need to get a connector for the filler hose, I have to modify the fuel in Labs but I was able to keep the Toyota factory setup.

 

[Smileyshaun]

 

[Smileyshaun]

every time I head to my dad's to work on the jeep I get distracted by the lathe and end up making bowls , probably because its warm and dry in the woodshop .

 

[Smileyshaun]

Well I had a fairly productive 4 hours today.
I got the fuel filler all hooked up

got a tail light installed but somehow managed to lose the other one somewhere so got to go order one of those

Pulled out the factory under the seat tool box, drilling out Factory spot welds a dicey process go a little too far to pop right through the other side.

And finally got around to installing the twin sticks now I have all the shifters for maximum amount of fun

 

[Firemom]

Dude, you have some serious skills. Can't wait to see the "finished" build

 

[Smileyshaun]

Well thank you , I also can't wait to see it done but as things are looking unfortunately as soon as I'm done with it I might be selling it for money for a downpayment for a house. But that's kind of a last-ditch effort that I hopefully don't have to do.

 

[HappyOurOverlanding]

Well thank you , I also can't wait to see it done but as things are looking unfortunately as soon as I'm done with it I might be selling it for money for a downpayment for a house. But that's kind of a last-ditch effort that I hopefully don't have to do.

Well your Bowl turning looks good. Maybe you can turn and sell bowls for $$$ instead. [emoji848] hate to see ya sell It before you have fun in it.[emoji41]

 

[Smileyshaun]

Well your Bowl turning looks good. Maybe you can turn and sell bowls for $$$ instead. [emoji848] hate to see ya sell It before you have fun in it.[emoji41]

I will take it out at least once b4 it would get sold .... you gotta test it to make sure it all works right ?

 

[Firemom]

Well thank you , I also can't wait to see it done but as things are looking unfortunately as soon as I'm done with it I might be selling it for money for a downpayment for a house. But that's kind of a last-ditch effort that I hopefully don't have to do.

Yikes. Hope you don’t have to do that but understand the need to prioritize. Sending good financial thoughts your way.

 

[Smileyshaun]

got the fuel lines extended to the tank , took a little reworking due to not being able to find a 8mm line with 14x1.5 inverted flare fittings .Thankfully its close enough to 5/16 so it was just a matter of cutting off the metric fitting ,reflaring the line with the standard fitting in its place and doing the reverse on the other end of the extension piece of hardline .

 

[Smileyshaun]

well sad soup, responsibility is getting the upper hand in life and the jeep is going up for sale . Need funds for a down payment on a house and to pay down some debts . Makes no sense to keep borrowing shop space and using money that should be getting dumped into savings on a toy .Im going to try to finish up as much as i can by the end of the month then it's going for sale , My Hope Is I can find a buyer that will have nearly the same vision for it as I do and it won't end up just being parted out.

 

[HappyOurOverlanding]

well sad soup, responsibility is getting the upper hand in life and the jeep is going up for sale . Need funds for a down payment on a house and to pay down some debts . Makes no sense to keep borrowing shop space and using money that should be getting dumped into savings on a toy .Im going to try to finish up as much as i can by the end of the month then it's going for sale , My Hope Is I can find a buyer that will have nearly the same vision for it as I do and it won't end up just being parted out.

Sorry to hear you're selling but the direction you are going is smart. I'm sure you'll end up building a new one down the road since dreams and visions stay with you. And I'll be there to cheer you on.

 

[Smileyshaun]

in all actuality I think down the road i want a first gen Toyota pickup longbed , it was the rig that really got me exploring back roads and wheelin in the snow . I've missed it ever sense I sold it many many years ago. i want something simple I can just put together and play with , plus having a truck again will be nice .

 

[Overland_Mitsu]

I recently had to do something similar. But I sold a 1999 Honda XR80R lol. Not as much of a heartbreak but still was sad to see the little guy go! Damn you responsibilities!!