Grill on the Go for my Classic Land Cruiser (1976 FJ40)

Introducing my newest project vehicle: a 1976 FJ40 Land Cruiser! Thanks to ‪@Goodyear‬ for sponsoring this video and the first big project for this Land Cruiser. Go to bit.ly/goodyeariltms15 and use code ILTMS15 at checkout to get 15% off any online tire purchase!
Must purchase on Goodyear.com before 06/01/2023 with applicable promotional code to get this offer. Discount applied to regular price on Goodyear.com at time of purchase. Discount does not apply to installation, taxes, or fees where applicable. May be used in combination with Goodyear tire rebate offer. May not be combined with other promotional codes. Limit one redemption per transaction. Cannot be applied to previous purchases. Limited quantities, no rainchecks. All other standard terms and conditions apply. Offer may be modified or cancelled at any time without prior notice.
Goodyear is not responsible for the claims or activities of individuals of promoting products manufactured by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Goodyear makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, as to the planning, design and safety of the activities conducted herein.
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Grill on the Go for my Classic Land Cruiser
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[@ChaosShadoWolfe]

Probably already said but I'm gonna mention it anyways; One of the biggest things to aid in TIG welding Aluminium, is using a pedal on your AC/DC welder. Hold your material in place with a clamp or something, take a seat(trust me), put your foot on the pedal and start welding. Go full blast at first, then slowly ease off as you continue welding the seam. Add filler where needed but keep control over your little metal pool. Filler is used to cool it, your torch to heat it. And practice, practice, practice is everything.

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

Kudos to the team (Forby specifically) for editing this in a understandable, instructional format, but without any unnecessary frames. I usually skip 10 seconds when someone is shoeing how to mill material or cut stuff on a table saw, but there isn't a need for that in your videos. Superb job, as always.

[@alexanderwalley2639]

I do the same when someone is shoeing me something. Just not then they are Showing me something.

[@forby_]

❤

[@chrisomahony7166]

Another option for the Aluminium, which is definitely easier than TIG welding, is brazing the structure together. Great video as usual team!

[@balzacq]

I had a roommate in the late '80s with a mid-70s Land Cruiser. The roof over the back had rusted through completely and there was moss growing on it. 😀

[@DiomedesArgos]

Someone has probably pointed out that you’re going to want to add something protective between the grill and table to prevent vibration from marring the surface of both.

[@sweaver10280]

Great job! Hope there’s more videos on this Land Cruiser. It’s fun to do projects on these vehicles without them being full off-road projects.

[@ruroot8321]

You could save a lot of weight by cutting out some triangles in the box, you could even use those triangles for the supports for the outer edge

[@JointerMark]

I wonder how much weight would actually be removed and with the tools he used it would be very difficult and time-consuming to cut neat triangles. A plasma torch would make short work of the cutting, but there would still be work to clean up the edges. I don't think, IMHO, that the weight saving would be worth the additional work. It would be interesting to see how tidy of a triangle could be cut w/o the plasma torch?

[@jpalarchio]

Remember you talking about the aluminum to steel switch on the podcast a while back. Appreciate you showing that sometimes you have to change your plans. Nice job on the project.

[@ekhatchey]

Make sure the sheet aluminum isn't 7075 aluminum as it's not weldable. Also you should be pre heat the aluminum to assist with the weld.

[@gehtdinichtsan309]

nice project, but that 76 land cruiser def stole the show in my opinion. what a vehicle!

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

I knew when you started explaining the project that I may not have come up with the idea on my own (I am not usually o the inventor mindset), but I instantly saw the potential for how I could implement that idea into potential projects of my own! Again, thank you all for inspiring me to be a better maker!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

awesome!

[@jerryhuber3653]

To weld that aluminum, try arc welding it. It makes welding aluminum much easier once you learn how to control the arc. You also need to create a stacked weld to make it look like a roll of dimes.

[@joshsmith4488]

This was awesome. The next time you build something like that use the old hot rodders technique of drilling holes in your gusset panels and such. You will reduce the weight while still maintaining the strength of the piece. Also, it looks awesome.

[@PeteGeniella]

Yes! More Land Cruiser content!

[@lopaka76]

Bob is slowly building an armored vehicle. The aluminum was a red herring. Lol 😆

[@snowmewizakitty]

I don't know what all has been said. But the short time I remember doing TiG in classes, TiG is a little cheatable by running slightly cooler than you think. Also if aesthetics aren't as important, Add your filler material for your tack where you want, line everything up and pulse for a second or two. It'll create a strong enough tack weld for you to keep going. Aluminum is fairly hard.

[@BenTaylor11]

Didn’t see anyone mention it but the grill you are using is sweet. Seems like a camp stove I have but has both the grill and stove option on it. Perfect for camping or tailgating.

[@HeyZeus9285]

Great Table!! A few tips from an old Air Force sheet metal guy. When working with aluminum throw that de-burning tool in the trash. Use a file or a piece of steel instead. Works way better and faster. Also sand the edges of where your bend is going to be up to 400 grit. It will be a lot less likely to crack.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@socialmediumspace]

Very cool! I tried a couple of your hacks for your white SUV from a couple years ago. Can't wait to see what else you do for the Land Cruiser

[@Danman1972]

Nice work and slick Idea. Not to throw shade on your stuff just a few (hopefully constructive) suggestions. You maybe have already worked though these and went the route you did for a some reason or another. You might want to put the frame for mounting and hinge behind and under the the spare tire. That way don't have to unbolt the whole thing to take the spare off. You still use the spare tire carrier as a mount point, but off set the tire studs in your plate and design the frame to sit behind it so that if you need the tire you can just fold down the table and remove it.... change it and store the flat tire there and fold it up. The other would a cool cover, which I'm sure you already have in mind. Will keep thieves and crack heads from noticing the cook top there and if you make from something water proof help keep it nice. Awesome work though. Might be easy to do once you figure out the welding with the aluminum.

[@philipshuman]

Welding aluminum is also on my to-learn list. Looking forward to seeing how your journey goes!

[@jasonmcwhinnie118]

If you pre heat with a torch it helps!!

[@Earl3]

Really cool project, Bob! I've been binging 'Making It' and enjoy hearing about all the new skills you've gained over the years. I'm excited to see you improve your aluminum TIG welding skills in a future video!

[@12Cortana]

10:27 The frustration in his face seems quite familiar. I can´t tell how often i felt that pain in my projects. 😂

[@CascadeCreate]

Nice! One other alternative you could use in the future is to make the Al box out of angle and rivet it to the table top. Not as awesome as a welded structure, but it’d get the job done and still be significantly lighter.

[@PearlJam2k6]

I actually got an idea of what you can do with the square horizontal hole. Make a mount that you slide into it and use as a spitroast support above the grill itself. You could just drill out 2 holes on the opposite end of the table (the top when its folded) and have two thinners bars slot into it opposite the mount for balance, and the spit itself can just have a pair of folding legs that you can throw into the back of the pickup when you're done as a single unit.

[@brianemunroe]

You're going to be the hero of the soccer field parking lot scene with this!

[@tekviper9]

Hey Bob, You need a large heat sink (thick steel plate ) to draw the heat while you weld aluminum. This keep the aliminu, from warping and moving. 🙂

[@Dyl5250]

With aluminum gotta have that tungsten in the cup more to stay in the gas zone

[@kevinetheridge6153]

Really psyched to see the old LC finally. Looking forward to many more projects!

[@lemonbeast7526]

You basically made a portable shelf. This is very versatile on its own: use to cook, BBQ, or even change your baby's diapers

[@sparrowmict]

Great job and design I am impressed. Only thing I would change if I build this for my truck would be to raise the table by about a foot. That way I’m not bending over to use it and the stove. Good luck on the aluminum I eagerly await seeing that come to fruition

[@weekendstuff]

Cool car and grill table you have there. Thanks for sharing the process of building. Weekend Stuff

[@joepearson9704]

The one thing you need still though, a lock. Pretty easy for someone to quickly grab your grill and go. Great build though. Please let us know if you ever get the aluminum one done.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good call!

[@nickylongshanks]

The only thing I recommend is changing your method of how it's held for storage. It wouldn't take a long drive for the steel edge to wear through the strap, and dump your grill on the road. Weld a cap with a short pin on it over the spot you have your plastic cap. Then drill a small hole through the table top, so when you fold up the table, the pin comes through the hole in the table, and can be held in place by something like a lynch pin. Would be a much cleaner look, and any vibration could be dealt with by some cleverly placed rubber strips 😄

[@r.j.sworkshop7883]

I need tires for my F-350. That is a lot of tire, so 15% will be a welcome savings. Thanks for another good video. Keep working on the AL welding. Once you get it, it is more enjoyable than steel welding.

[@dudeman6926]

I have been tuned to your channel for years now…you getting a forty series is absolutely insane! Iv got one too and I eve have a business in which I sell parts for fj40s!

[@alankeith7866]

Aside from the awesome build, we have the humble manual choke when starting the engine...

[@jasonolson9348]

Welcome to the multiple cruiser club! That is a great 40 with so much potential, especially in your hands.

[@taylormcintyre5759]

Awesome idea, and have me ideas for my own. I would definitely suggest some sort of guard for that strap so the table doesn’t cut through it, maybe change it for a latch of some sort?

[@JointerMark]

A great idea Bob! I just put a complete set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on my truck. Thank you for the promo code. This gives me some good ideas for modifying my truck thank you.

[@marksrs69]

Love you guys and love the show. You guys keep me inspired. My 10 year old daughter loves watching too. She even built Bob’s bird house (from long ago). Keep up the good work!!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That is awesome!

[@officialWWM]

Love the Shorty 40!

[@hoguemr]

Very cool project and a very cool truck. Look forward to more videos for the Land Rover

[@Radtke_Makes]

Great video - love these utilitarian builds

[@TrevorAsay]

Nice job. That’s cool!!!

[@sofiarodriguez6768]

Good thinking on the ad guys! Watched the first few minutes and just knew I'd love to watch your channel. Subbed and hope to see this project come together. Great video!

[@RaccoonHenry]

the grill is so cute!

[@swissfreek]

8:21 "I just like to do things the hard way." Me, too, Bob. Me, too. 😂

[@nitababcock3977]

That's super cool!

[@kylehawk2377]

The way u weld it without deforming it is a trick called cold welding it is where you welding in a spot for a second then move to another spot then to another. It takes longer but it keeps the metal from warping and twisting

[@JaceTLittle]

Well done. Always great ideas. Gotta clean up those bolts though

[@coloradohigh3744]

This build was pretty fun to watch but I really hope you do stuff with the land cruiser kind of like the Volkswagen! I absolutely love land cruisers so I really really hope you do lots of videos with it because I would love to see it.

[@murphymmc]

Great idea and execution. I think you'll find the steel set up will be fine. TIG on thin aluminum is a skill you'll develop, far faster than I will (gotta get a TIG first😆). The guys who say you should mount the cook station behind the spare need to consider a couple of things. #1- which will be needed more often? My vote goes to the grill. #2- When was the last time you needed to use your spare? Yeah, not often these days with present day tire construction. Something you may consider, unfortunately, is some kind of anti-theft strap to keep from replacing the grill more often than desired.

[@patrickschardt7724]

This is bad ass. Instead of welding the aluminum you may want to look into extruded t-slot aluminum like 8020. I’ve seen a lot of videos of people using in their vans and cars

[@zakarymeakin6673]

Bob, have you considered a series of modifying a van/bus into a motorhome/ camper van. This would be an amazing series. This is obviously only worth it if your family would use a camper van.

[@Demasx]

I like that you detoured around the skill but that you still want it! Too often I let that stop me either from finishing the project or from acquiring the skill later. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good!

[@barrettdent405]

Need a nice pull-out awning over that cook station. Maybe on the back of a roof rack?

[@truck93]

Thats an awesome rig. I have a 77 Jeep CJ7 that was a barn find and I slowly restored it, now its my daily driver. I would love to see more content on that FJ, even if it is simple stuff.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

that's awesome! meighan (on staff with iltms) loves jeeps!

[@wyw876]

Follow-on project idea: roof-mounted deployable sun/rain canopy to pair with this camp-kitchen table?

[@charliedalmasso4672]

ho man at last we get to see the green land cruiser ! since you start speaking of it on the podcast i was waiting for it ! great build and very nice car !

[@StormHerald3D]

it's been a few years since i welded aluminum, but from what I remember aluminum needs to be cleaned with a wire brush, usually stainless steel that has been used for nothing else, along the joint your planning to weld. I don't see the dull scratched look from the brush on your parts, wire brushing removes aluminum oxide from the surface of the metal the oxide has around twice the melting point of the inside metal meaning that by the time you heat the oxide enough to melt and start your weld puddle the metal under the oxide is already liquid and just flows away leaving holes. From the look of the tacks shown in the video very ball like and on the surface looks like your not getting hot enough to fuse that might be because of the oxide layer. Better clamping of the part down to the table to control the warping might keep your parts together long enough for the tacks to hold. I don't know about having a big steel angle right on the other side of where your welding having never tried it but it might be interfering with getting enough heat. Heat spreads like crazy in aluminum where as the steel is a big cold heat sink soaking it away.

[@yossid422]

Amaze me every time. Keep it up

[@danthemakerman]

Awesome rig!

[@goku.lc80]

Yes, what could be better than projects for a FJ40

[@late_arvie]

That's actually a very cool thing.

[@deanv9197]

This guy is an excellent role model

[@VAXHeadroom]

Nice to see the land cruiser after hearing about it on the "Making It" podcast for all this time :)

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@nevet1212]

I do a tiny bit of aluminum welding at my job, tig welding aluminum does suck, especially when it can sometimes look okay but not be strong enough. I have heard that the aluminum welds better when it is heated up first, something so big would be hard to heat. I would suggest getting an aluminum spool gun for your mig set up, but that's not fool proof either, I've just found it easier to weld aluminum with mig.

[@mikemccartney4300]

Cool project. Next time make the wheel mount on Send Cut Send in 5 minutes on their site and save yourself about a half a day of labor. They’ll laser cut the plate with the holes in a perfect 5.5” circle and ship it to you for a few bucks.

[@hdpickles]

a 40 and an 80? best Cruiser line up for sure

[@spezz0253]

another option for welding aluminum is to use a stick welder and use aluminum rods. Then you don't have to flip your polarities or anything and its much easier than tig welding. Also it helps to turn the heat up and go fast at first to get a tack especially with thinner material. You have to go a lot faster than you'd think.

[@JoshuaRes]

Time for a This Old Tony collaboration to help with the welding? Awesome project either way. 😊

[@meckspeeder7047]

Very cool idea👍👌🇸🇪

[@nickmcmann4598]

You will need to remove all millscale from the welding area to get a good weld. Aluminum mill scale has a higher melting point than the base weldament so you will not get any penetration before the piece has begun to warp or base metal becomes overheated.

[@blainedrayer4776]

A redesign with it mounted under the tire would allow you to access the spare without removing the table set up.

[@matthewjohnston1400]

Great video.

[@amitdave1094]

should try aluminium brazing which is relatively strong and doesn't need constant heat

[@tattoosteveneo]

I learned to tig on al. It’s fickle for sure. Pulse tig is a better option but the machine is much more expensive. So best bet is just practice practice practice. And did I say practice? Great vid

[@jasonmcwhinnie118]

Ive seen it in the comments, but yeah you need to pre heat aluminum if you dont have a spool gun

[@navardal]

Cool project! 🤘🤘🤘 Not knowing how to weld aluminium just saved you from having to deal with galvanic corrosion... 🙂

[@matthysloedolff]

Nice video! I will probably never in the foreseeable future have a project like this; however, I have learnt several things from this video. Things such as design process, how to transfer/template a hole pattern, and it's ok to change certain design elements along the way. I thought that cut-out pattern in the steel looked really nice with the red grill behind it. Did you cut it using your water-jet?

[@bananachicken8385]

You should make the table able to pivot and lock into different angles, incase you're ever parked on a slope or something.

[@ddutton0]

Looking at the back of my truck and the tires I just bought… grill and time for new ties?

[@jorgeconcheyro]

I think you are ready for some small plasma-cutting equipment for the steel. And I think everybody welds aluminium with something that looks like a Mig torch with a wire cassette??? SV Seeker

[@nils1953]

I think either way with the welding you might get warping problems with how you designed the structure and you would have difficulties getting a flat table top. Ideally you would just weld some brackets on the understructure and screw the top to those

[@sqeegie]

I’m looking forward to another video of your personal project car.

[@DSCuber]

Hey Bob I'm working on my first woodworking project: refinishing a pine dining table. I just finished my sanding (80, 120, 220) first with an orbital sander and then by hand to get rid of potential swirls. I'm really happy with how the sanding came out but I have no clue how to actually finish the table. What would you recommend I use/do? I don't want to stain the table, from what I gather pine stains very unevenly. I just want to make the grain stand out with a nice sheen and make those subtle colors pop, while protecting the wood underneath from potential food and drink spills.

[@bmx4free]

next time make the aluminum with tabs and rivet it. Rivets do a very good job at securing everything down. in the future you can weld the aluminum if you wanted to. But i think the rivets would outlast you if you do it right

[@odiesclips7621]

I found myself counting how many times you said "basically," and had to rewatch for the content.😮

[@bigmouth0317ab]

So awesome! Love the idea. What camp stove has a griddle like that?!? Awesome

[@AlexFalkenberg]

Hike Crew. It's about $110 on Amazon.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Could you braze the aluminum parts together? Also I was thinking rivets or bolting it together.

[@GrantSpencer-Purple-Circle]

If you made the bottom section wider and bolted it behind the spare wheel, you wouldn't have to drop the whole assembly any time you needed to remove the spare wheel.

[@thatKONNORguy]

I'm sure there's a reason not too, but might I suggest making one of those caps with a magnet in it to help hold up the table when you remove the strap.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That's a great idea

[@bobby-c7731]

Hey Bob, fellow Bob here… Love the project. Cool build. Two quick questions. 1. How hard is it to get to the spare now? Is it a two person operation? 2. Did you give any consideration to having a space for your gas bottles? As I said, super cool Project. Thanks as always.

[@jonwills1957]

I really liked your comment about not having this skill right now!

[@gizmobowen]

Two comments: 1. Lightening holes are cool and could make the steel part lighter. 2. Check out the Making Stuff KZbin channel. He's making an aluminum jet boat and has been doing a ton of aluminum welding using an inexpensive MIG system made especially for aluminum. I bet you'd have better luck with a system like he uses.

[@m.maclellan7147]

So, wish you guys would just have a deal with Range Rover to build a "I.L.T.M.S." vehicle with this grill being 'standard' ! I am looking forward to how you tune up this @Toyota, but, I'ld love a set of new wheels with these perks ! To be honest, a deal with @Toyota would be even better ! Dependable beasts they are !

[@ultanerium]

I see you got office space to give your family more space in the basement, so you can take more space in the garage. Smart man ;)

[@tajjej3649]

The area where the cooker/grill will slide into has been designed to be a water catchall. I would suggest at least drilling some drain holes. Maybe a mesh bottom.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Yes, I did add some holes, just forgot to mention that in the wrap up 👍🏼

[@chtidu10]

Hey great build but I’m honestly worried about that strap cinched on a tiny metal edge

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

I'd be putting a new set of springs in the back before adding any more weight on. They look like there is a couple of broken leafs at least.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Yeah, full suspension replacement is on the list for the next year. It's trashed :)