You and me both!! With so many horror stories on here, I'm always nervous to outsource. Guy is local, works at a brick and mortar business, has delivered on everything so far, paying as work is completed, fingers crossed...

Soooooo, 5 months later. Very little to report. Interior has not been progressing as I'd hoped. Starting to move forward now and I'm hoping the momentum will carry through....

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413763217.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413763220.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413763221.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413763219.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413763218.jpg

....and a repost of the front seats...

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../413411298.jpg

Jeff-

Keep it rolling, this is an exciting project. Not many put in the detail you do :popcorn2:

Matt

interior
 

Wow Jeff ... Killer work, now you got me thinking about panels in the rear, very nice detail

Steve

I love this thing!!

Update
 

Jeff ... any update on this thing ??
You better not let me build my 2nd one (starting next month) before you finish this !! LOL

Steve

Same frustrating story I've seen played out on here a dozen times.... upholstery jail. Everything is done but the door panels. He keeps putting me on the schedule and the boss keeps pushing me back and taking in dealership work (their main focus, what pays the rent). Hard to be mad at my guy, he does exceptional work at fair prices and I know he would rather be working on my stuff...

I've got other projects that I'm working on (mine and friends stuff) so I've had a distraction to keep me from getting too bent out of shape but this project is for my wife and she is tired of waiting, if I gotta take some heat, so does he.


Jeff-

Finally got the interior wrapped up, no pun intended .....

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014267.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014268.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014269.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014270.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014277.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414014278.jpg

Hopefully going to enjoy it as-is for the next couple months while I collect the rest of the parts for the LS3 conversion....

Wow that is incredible. Worth the wait for sure.

Don

WOW! Can we get more pics!? Looks great. I don't think i've seen a 40 with that nice of an interior! Excellent work!

I love it!!

wow
 

Holy crap ... Jeff, came out amazing
The amount of work and detail is outstanding, no wonder it took this long !

Well done sir !

So how long until your driving her, I cannot wait to compare notes on the driving characteristics now that I just started driving mine

Steve

That came out fantastic!

The urges to do a 4x4 of some sort myself are strong...and you all aren't helping either by posting your updates. :D

I'm actually driving it now... still with the 2F and 4spd. Ordering parts this week for the LS conversion but probably will wait for winter to take it back apart... (I know, why didn't I already have the parts here... had to make sure the wife was still behind it after a year in interior jail)

It really is different to drive, the "handling" takes some getting used to. We have all new Emu springs and shocks and while I think the ride quality is really good for what it is.... it does seem to "wallow" a bit when getting on and off the throttle. We discussed going to a larger wheel / shorter sidewall tire but I'm resisting because I really like the look it has now... I did order a set of sway bars to try, off road articulation will never be a concern at the mall.....


Jeff-

Finally after many many nights and weekends of absolute fun in the shop, our FJ is back driving!!
Took it up to the GoodGuys Kentucky Nationals for her debut, had a fantastic time!! Folks were very positive about it and we heard some great FJ stories. The GG folks gave us a Mequiar's Magnificent Masterpiece award and took lots of pics.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414314901.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414314903.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414314902.jpg

Holey cow! that interior looks awesome! More pics of it please.

Love the valve covers also...

WOW! Being a cruiser guy, I have 200% respect for that build! Maybe I can contract you to build us one! Great work, it will win MANY awards! :trophy-1302::trophy-1302::trophy-1302:

Thanks guys!
Lance, interior was done by a guy local to me. Works in a stereo shop doing leather swaps in new cars for dealerships. AMAZING talent but cant get clients... he's not one of the "known" hotshots so people either won't hire him because they cant brag a name...or they think he should should do it for nothing because they're "helping" him out...

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414315987.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414315986.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414315985.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414315984.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414315983.jpg

A few more ....
He also did the audio install.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414316016.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414316015.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL26.../414316014.jpg

That looks amazing! Nice job.

That is freaking amazing!! So nice...

Very nice.

I'm about to start on my 74 FJ40 (6.0/4l60e swap), and have a few questions.

-Steve (sheck44) used AA engine mount on his. Did you use the same mount as well?
-How's the fit with the 6l80? Did you run into any issues with the drive line angles, with the 40 being so short?
-Looks like you use the tank in stock location? How did you address the fuel delivery for the LS? I've been thinking of using the Blazer tank for the engine, and go away with the stock tank.

Thanks.

Tu

Thanks!!

I also used AA engine mounts, but made my own trans mount.

If I remember right, the transfer case ended up 6 inches farther back than stock because of the 6L90e. I did have to have the rear driveshaft shortened. I am having some minor driveline vibration and have been looking at the pinion angle as the possible culprit. I added a couple of degrees pinion shims to the rearend and it helped some...still trying to sort that part out.

My FJ has a one-year only midmount stock tank. Impossible to use it with everything being pushed back. I ended up having a custom tank made (http://www.boydwelding.com/) and moving the tank to the very rear. I'm also trying the new Holley fuel pump with Hydromat setup. So far it works great.

Jeff-

Fy
 

Jeff ....


:king:



Well done sir !!!
Cheers
Steve

Absolutely gorgeous! Your interior guy did a fantastic job! You should post his name and contact to help him get clients. He deserves clients if he's that good.

Congrats on the positive showing!

I would love to help him get clients!! We've had several conversations about it, how hard it is to get your name out there but mostly how to get the right clients... because he's not a recognized name, they seem to think he should do work for a heavily discounted price?!? And people really have no idea the man hours in something like this, or the material cost...

His infos... Brian Galdonez is based in Memphis TN. Works at a full service stereo shop called SoundWaves. 901-377-1001.


Jeff-

Very true about the right clients. That can be the most difficult part. He shouldn't be giving his work away to get his name out there. He just needs to promote himself more. I wish him well cause he did a hell of a job on your FJ

Like most truly talented people I've met, Brian is humble and soft spoken. Not much of a self promoter. I've been trying to get his name out there via our FJ and it has garnered him some work. Hopefully next season will bring more!


Jeff-

Instagram and Facebook might be good avenues to get exposure.

Congrats Jeff...wow!

A lot of creativity in your interior. 😎