1978 Custom Toyota Landcruiser FJ40
The performance and durability of the zinc coating will withstand harsh off-road conditions without compromising the steel and its protective capabilities. Galvanizing also gives us a better protection without the added millage that powder coating or inferior paint protection would add. Galvanized steel outlasts all other types of coating in the market and holds a solid track record of being durable, strong and easy to maintain.
The frame was a standard dip for our galvanizer who helped educate us on the potential warping of the frame. We did have to white blast the frame so that all oil and grease was removed to help with the pickling and galvanization of the frame.
We had very little issues with adjusting our frame to fit all original fittings and added accessories.
This is a unique project that I have been contemplating to undergo for many years now and is one of several projects that I have galvanized in the past. My customers are amazed by the durability of the galvanized frame and what it has to offer them. Older classics are meant to be around and enjoyed. I feel like there is a market for extending the life of a car.
I have owned the Landcruiser for 33 years now and not only have I enjoyed the features that this amazing classic road warrior has to offer but so have my children. My boys learned to drive in this truck and have given it their fair beatings growing up. I took on this project thinking that I would be doing this for me . . . a way of holding onto the past and tuning it with the better mechanics of today. I wanted a show piece to enjoy for many years to come and I added some to it. I put the Landcruise on Ebay; putting a high price on it; hoping not to sell it. I was amazed by the number of hits I received from it and had to part ways with it. I really focused on the details of this project. I galvanized the chassis frame and coated the body with PPG Epoxy Primer and the underside of the body with Polyurethane bed liner. I coated the inside of the body with a color matched bed liner to increase the life of the body and floor pans which take on the most corrosion. I put in a newly rebuit 351 Windsor with electronic fuel injection and upgraded for a Ford C-6 automatic transmission. I upgraded the drivetrain and put a rebuilt Dana 20 2-speed transfer case, Ford GT headers with dual cusom exhausts. I put in a Dana 44 with 3.5 gears and Tru-Trac differenctial for the front axle and for the rear a Ford 9" with 3.5 years and a Detroit Locker differential. This truck is a classic dream machine with the upgrades. Now the truck can do all the off-roading and mud runs it can handle. With the solid galvanized frame along with the added features of the protective body coating, it should withstand corrosion for many decades to come wihtout having to worry about rust.
