well rust is always an issue ..
another 4runner rolling into the shop for a complete make-over ..
fiber 1/4rs , front fenders , and L trims , windshield , and some trim idems .. as well as complete paint

 

so started first by removing the inner trim so the roof and 1/4r glass can be removed .



and poped out the side windows ..






and off with the roof .

 

I love following your restoration sequences. Keep the pics coming

 

more tomorrow .

 

so with the roof off , interior out .. I can start to strip it .


bumper ends , rear door , rear seat bottoms tail lamps .. every accessory on the exterior .



started cutting off the 1/4rs .. I like to cut the main section out , and go from there



and so now all the old parts gone .



Time to start cleaning


.

 

Hey do you know where to get those little wire mesh headlight covers?

 

That looks weird having the side open.

 

Slacker it must be a great job to turn these hurt babies into sweet rides again,not unlike a plastic surgen(DR.90210)
Thanks for sharing.

 

x232433

 

far as i know .. they have been discontinued .



Yes it is ... I love my job , but unlike a plastic surgen , I dont quite get paid the same amount


.

 

so started the clean up , and fit .
cleanned all the rust up on the inside , and primered with epoxy . I took it right down to the steel , and layed down a 1" strip of tape , where the glue would be (glue must have direct contact to bare metal)






also .. trimmed the panels and fit them ..

 

fitting the panels is quite easy .. because of my removing the old panels .. ther is now a bit of a gap ..


just needs a ;little frendly perswasion



and with the pinch molding on ..




door gaps






and fuel filler







done fitted and ready for glue .


.

 

and on go the sides PERMINANTALLY ... 3M guarentees the bond for LIFE* if done correctly .

glue


and clamped .







and now time for the front .

.

 

That is kick ass!! You must have quite a waiting list for your work. Do you do the paint work yourself?

 

thanks .. there is a waiting list .. always .


I can do paint , and do most of the work .. but I do have a shop on line that does the actual prep and spraying for me .. I just dont have the time to do it .

 

Thats awesome. How do you ensure that the sides are square and level when you clamp it all down? Also, is that top plate (with the glue on it) originally under the quarter or did you just not cut it out of the original quarter?

Thanks

Andy

 

great work, i enjoy reading your rebuild threads. Keep up the great work.

 

PRE-FIT ... I pre-fit the panels 2 or 3 times before they are glued .. trimming and fitting . Tailgate area is really the only place that needs to be fiddled with . you need to put the gate back on to line up the lines , and then back off to glue ..
really .. there isnt much to do .. the panels just fit .

Yes .. the top plate is the original part of the "skeleton" . original panel is spot welded to it .


Thanks .. more to come later today

 

ok so epoxy glue is dry .. and got the tailgate back on ..


also started the front fenders ..
fairly easy to do .. just need to set them on , and drill some holes for the bolts and the antenna .





fenders are trimmed large , so you need to do your own gaps .



also fit the moldings , and lamps and pre drill all the holes .




and shes off to the paint shop .

 

Jeez, I feel like a little kid at a major league baseball game hoping someday thats me out there impressing fans and doing the world a service. Ok so maybe I exaggerate but I dont see how a 4runner could get any better than that. Keep up the pics (a few more days of looking at them and Im gonna order those quaters and L trim!). Amazing.