Thanks Mark, the little one is determined to help me fix that truck!

 

Hahaha... Yeah, I had my grandson out at the wheel, yesterday, but the pic didn't turn out, lol. Updated my build thread with some cool pics! lol

 

Any day you can use your tractor to fix your truck...is an awesome Texas day!

 

I finally have an update for the body repair. Got the tailgate on last night. Might sound easy but it was by no means. I had to break the quarter panel back loose in several places and adjust it to fit the tail gate. Spent a total of 5 hours cutting, welding and test fitting but I think I cam out pretty good. Also the rear quarter is fitting much better now and is pretty much welded where it is going to stay. I am ready to put the body work behind me for awhile and work on other stuff. Next I need to figure out the wiring for the rear window and get it working, I need a new switch to operate it off of, anybody have one or know where I can find one?



Notice how close the gap is.


It goes up and down pretty effortlessly. Latches like it is supposed to.

 

LOL, I guess you are right. My dad sold his 1948 Ford tractor last year and bought that Kubota, he loves that tractor and comes up with more interesting excusses to use it than you can imagine.

 

Dang Rob that look great!

 

Thanks Brain! I was pretty frusterated with the way it was looking so I enlisted the help of my dad and he sure did a good job helping me recover from the hack job I did on my own.

 

strong work rob!

 

STRAIGHT UP FANTASTICAL! LOL. So happy for ya, brudda! Hope you are HICCUP free, from here on out!

Can't wait to see you roll it out with new paint and NO SIGNS(a lil is ok, lol) of the 'Mean Tree Incident'! lol. GREAT JOB, ROB!

Mark

 

Thanks Aaron, Mark. I did get the new tail light in / working and started playing with the wiring for the rear window, that is going to be a pain.......

UPS dropped off a box for me this moring. Downey idler arm brace! They are not making these anymore since Downey is out of buisiness, I got lucky and tracked down the guy who bought out all of Downeys stock when they closed. Got it from Victors Offroad for $64 shipped, not bad IMO. Cheaper than a new idler arm and I have been through 3 of them so far. I am hoping that between the bronze bushings I made awhile back and this brace my idler arm will last this time.

 

Nice truck. I'm pretty impressed with how well the paint held up to the rear end damage. I also like the aluminum plate idea for the gauges and CB. I will be stealing it stealing it for sure.

 

Oooooooh, I shoulda thought of that, eh? lol... So, the support arms.... Jim, the owner, doesn't have any anymore? (tojo?)

Can't wait to see you roll her out the garage, Rob! Good score, btw! Hope it does all you're hoping!

 

Thanks, the paint did hold up amazingly well, it is some tuff stuff.

No Jim does not have any, I can PM you my source if you like, he has a few new ones left. These idler arms have a bad tendency to bend when you abuse them, also the plastic bushings fail pretty easy.

 

Sure, Rob, I'd be very interested in knowing more and possibly getting me some. My Idler arm is a Brand New HD one, supposedly, lol... but it looks like that wont matter if I wind up in a situation where it finally SNAPS! lol.

Still excited and anxious to see your finished project/repair in some more pics! Hope the tailgate issues go well(wiring stuff).

 

I've broken 3 idler arms so far Mark, I cantell you that they are a weak link once you start lifting.

far as the body repairs go, I am not sure what I am going to do next. Honestly I am leaning toward just slapping some primer on the bare metal and leaving it for next spring, lol. It's getting a little chilly out of be painting outside & I have a few projects that i really WANT to do this winter. I really do need to get the window working though, I am not planning on leaving my Tacoma outside all winter while the 4runner sits pretty in the garage, I want that window up so that I don't have to worry about it getting rained in and what not.

 

Rob, go down to HFreight and pick up a 18x24 HD Tarpulin... They're on sale right now! Maybe it actually does more harm than good, but I would think it would keep OFF the water for the most part, no?

 

I got the idler brace installed last night, 15 minute job at best. It fits really well and I am very pleased with it. Sorry for the crappy pic, seems as though the flash on my camera decided to quit working so I'll try again when there is some daylight.

 

ooooh perdy!

 

I WANT ONE! hahaha... GREAT job, Rob. Hey, if you don't have a flash, just use the 100LED mag like I had to do a few times, hahaha. Can't wait for more pics of her wheelin! Oh, and I'm hoping to chat it out over some of the other stuff, Rob.... no hurry, YOU let ME know when you have time. I'm down, G! lol.

 

Thanks Mouse / Chef, I got some better pics earlier. Finally found some time to upload them.