Steve's 81 Toyota "angelo" build

[sixstringsteve]

thanks AGAIN to eric for saving my butt on Friday night and helping me wrench for an hour to get ready for my trip.

 

[sixstringsteve]

started the bed bob tonight. 19" bob. That's quite a bit. I've never done this before, but it doesn't look like rocket science. My neighbor couldn't believe i had the guts to just start hacking up my bed. (he obviously didn't look too closely at the rest of the truck).

I wanted to use a jigsaw with a metal blade, but didn't have a metal blade, so I just used the cutoff wheel. It went a lot straighter than I thought it would.

 

[sixstringsteve]

by tomorrow I should have it tacked back together.

 

[AlienXtx]

I wanted to use a jigsaw with a metal blade, but didn't have a metal blade, so I just used the cutoff wheel. It went a lot straighter than I thought it would.

that would have been a bad idea, what you used is the best way to cut body panels. I always lay down a piece of 3m painters tape to give me a straight edge to cut on.That looks kickass i cant wate to see the finished product.

 

[I Lean]

Cut a slice of the discard piece, to use as a backer when you're tacking it back together. It'll make your life a LOT easier, since you won't be blowing holes in the thin sheet nearly as often.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've heard from lots of people that the jigsaw with a high tooth count metal blade is the most accurate way to do it (they preferred it over a cutoff wheell, jigsaw, skillsaw with metal blade, etc). Doesn't really matter now, it's cut.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Cut a slice of the discard piece, to use as a backer when you're tacking it back together. It'll make your life a LOT easier, since you won't be blowing holes in the thin sheet nearly as often.

Do you mean to weld it in, or just to temporarily place it behind to keep it from burning through?

 

[I Lean]

Do you mean to weld it in, or just to temporarily place it behind to keep it from burning through?

I weld it right on the backside. You probably won't have a choice anyway, once you start tacking it will become apparent that piece won't be leaving again.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I just need a bit sheet of brass to back it...


It can't be any worse than welding my floor or tranny tunnel.

 

[zukking01]

I have seen brass or copper that has been magnetized for the purpose of welding sheet metal together. It keeps it tight together and is a heat sink to prevent warpage.

 

[sixstringsteve]

that's awesome. Where do you get it?

 

[zukking01]

I cant find it but I have seen it. I think it was on here that I read an article on them. Normally brass and copper are not magnetic so they must be an alloy but they are plates like 3x6x1/2. Maybe someone will remember and chime in.

 

[sixstringsteve]

i guess i could just use welding magnets to hold a regular brass or copper sheet on the back.

 

[AlienXtx]

They make a brass/copper tool that you use for patching small holes in sheet metal, you should try a welding supply store. It has a handle and the other end is a flat paddle made of copper or brass, the weld won't stick to it.

 

[Cascadia]

Did you get that bed welded back up? I'm a Jeep guy but I'm looking to sell my unlimited and start a build on a 1st gen like yours sos I'm enjoying your build and everything you've done is new to me. I was with the second group Friday night and got to see your truck at about 1 in the morning. Was hoping I could see it in action though. Maybe next time.

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, maybe next time. I'm glad to see another jeeper seing the light and moving to toyota

These 1st gens are awesome little trucks. I didn't get the bed welded up yet. Sadly, nothing i've done is really revolutionary, I just copy others who have great ideas. I guess the gas tank was my idea, but it may not be a good idea.

 

[Cascadia]

Haha. I don't know if I'm seeing the light, just want to try something new and not have my daily driver be my trail rig. I may see the light though once I start wheeling one. I guess we'll see. It's kinda hard to come up with new ideas these days since everything has been around for sol long now. We're bound to run out of ideas someday, hopefully not though. Even if you didn't come up with the ideas, it still takes some skill to do what you've done.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks man. I've definitely learned as I've gone, and I've gotten a lot better at cutting/fabbing/welding, etc.

Got a little more work done. Cut off the back of the bed.

and then I removed the 19" that I don't want.

I forgot how much I love the look of a bobbed bed. Thursday night I'll probably start to weld it up. I will say that I wish I had used a jigsaw for the bottom of the bed. Those ridges make it IMPOSSIBLE to cut with a 4.5" cutoff wheel.

 

[zukking01]

Are you missing a lug nut on the back passenger side?

 

[sixstringsteve]

Yes I am. It's somewhere in my garage. I haven't found it yet.