Custom Front Fenders For The FJ40!!!!

[@clayfist4033]

If you go to classic cruisers, they have a fiberglass top for about $1500. All you have to do is look it up it’ll fit yours. Just wanna let you know I think with the time you trying to repair it it be better just to buy one or canvas top, good video. Keep up the good work I can’t wait to see the next one on that FJ cruiser. Thank you God bless.

[@aaronfoote7679]

Blood sweat and hard work no short cuts

[@clayfist4033]

@@aaronfoote7679 I see you left the comment no shortcuts I totally agree would not ordering a top and for that no shortcuts, so why did somebody go out and buy a front differential a rear differential a transfer case transmission and motor if no Shortcuts hard work you should have the original motor transmission transfer case, front and rear differentiallike you said no shortcuts you could’ve had them rebuilt just saying so when somebody says no shortcuts hard work only that’s what it means. God bless be safe thank you.

[@StormbornJKU]

Dude your work is so clean! You just get the bends and twists and curves and all so smooth! It’s just done right the first time and I commend you for your patience, your attention to detail, and how meticulous you are with literally everything.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks a ton!

[@joyridaz]

When I saw the title initially I assumed u were gonna be making tube and flat sheet metal fenders…. Love the fact u kept the oem styling!!!

[@Evo_JL]

so sick in my opinion you should leave the original lights on the fenders just drill new holes to the outer side to clear and maybe try to retrofit them with an led inside maybe use the housing of it and build a plate to retrofit some baja designs S2 or S1s idk that would look unique keeping the original style yet improved anyway loving the build its still in my list to also build one

[@fenton9620]

yes, this would look so good. I hope he sees this

[@riverrockfab]

You did great work on the fenders, it looks really clean. I think that was a smart move cutting the front fenders back so they don’t stick out front as far. Nice job, a labor of love for sure

[@jaykrahn6087]

Amazing fabrication work, love seeing the progression. However, having owned a 1980 BJ40 way back when...the signal lights on the fenders are the iconic Cruiser look. Love to see you incorporate them back in. Everything else is spot on.

[@larrybrewster9221]

Put the blinker in the headlight, lots of bulbs have the signal there

[@elijahsparrow966]

Looks sweet Austin, love that you don’t edit out your ‘mistakes’ and that your always admitting when your wrong or when you change your mind. Great content!

[@billroy7087]

Very impressive build, nice to see someone figuring shit out and hand fabbing it instead of just bolting on parts, very relatable guy,.,,, Kudos!

[@knowinowen]

“Not really sure what we’re doing but let’s get cutting.” Those are words of confidence.

[@DuanDao]

The only problem with your videos is that it ends too soon!! Great progress you’re almost there man

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!

[@mike158193]

Honestly you did well with the carbon fiber in the dash on the mini truck build. You have a roof mold, make one out of carbon fiber, I know it’s easier said than done but you’re gonna have to do a crapload of repairs on the fiberglass already and I don’t know that it would be less work, would be stronger, look better and be a 1 off for sure. Love the work so far, you’re an amazing fabricator and i enjoy every video!!

[@RJ4381]

Cant wait to see it all painted and done looking really good so far, always impressed with your skill and knowledge.

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!!

[@tanbenghooi86]

me too ! i really hope this is not rat rod style

[@chaseholmes9577]

Use torpedo cab lights on top of the fenders for blinkers. Whole build is looking rad!

[@marinmarinov1020]

I wish i had your skills. The metal work is something that I admire.

[@charlesadams9117]

Those round jeep headlights with the integrated turn signals I believe those look sweet and pluse no other planing on were the turn signals Gona go bro 13:53

[@NorCal_In_AZ]

I think adding a small lip to the rear fenders would be cool. One to match the match the lip on the front, two to give some ridgedity. Either way, your sheet metal skills have gotten really good.

[@shelbydog1100]

If you plan on repairing your fiberglass. If you want it to last you need to grind out the cracks and fill them in with fiberglass material. I repaired a ton of fiberglass semi truck hoods years ago. Mainly because fiberglass dust didn’t make me itch.

[@rhyswilliams695]

Nice work Austin. Looks sweet. If you need more clearance, you could cut about an inch off from the edge, along that pin stripe. Keep the hard top, just repair it or swap it for an aftermarket version.

[@marks7120]

Well done with the front fenders. I was worried for a minute you would leave them poking out 😂. Love this build.

[@seaforb13]

I'm not modifying my fj as much as you have ,but the way you approach the little probs is very impressive.

[@roberthowell8303]

Maybe it would look a little dorky, but I think you could have extended the fenders to cover the tires. That would have given you lots of clearance. Just a thought. Great job and great series.

[@userjarabecko]

These are great to keep mud and water all over your car tho

[@allenwilson9656]

Austin on the fender lights ( blinker) move your hole out from the hood some and reattach them it really needs the blinker since you removed the marker lights. JMO The fenders turned out schaweet

[@tomsloger4073]

The mods to the fenders came out really good ! They could pass for stock or the way Toyota could have done them for a TRD PRo version . Looking forward to see it in paint. Great video as always. )

[@jamesarnold6059]

Save that 70s blink, please! You can move it outward. You could use that oem hood latch if you move it forward

[@billybike57]

Your fabrication skills are phenomenal! Excellent work!

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!!

[@austin7smith3]

I don’t know much about fiberglass but I did work with a guy that did full body cars out of it and he would sand it down good and do what you said! Put more on it! You are killing it brother keep it up! 👌🏻🤘🏻

[@austinniemela]

That’s what I’m thinking!!

[@dezfan]

Fenders look rad! 😎 if it where mine, I’d try to keep it slick. Flush mounted blinkers, remove the stuff off the hood, etc… 👍🏼

[@TheCarEnthusiast]

I think the hood would look amazing with some diamond plating. Could help with your creasing issue.

[@MilesHolt]

Looks awesome b glad you decided to shorten them and 86 the blinkers. Looks much slicker

[@mach1man001]

Nice work! Looks great but after seeing the front fenders, I'd probably trim them even shorter in the front. Maybe another inch or 1.5 inches

[@Marcus_Woodard]

Maybe move the turn signals outboard? For the roof cap, make a new steel one. Time to invest in an English wheel, shrinker/stretcher, and planishing hammer.

[@denisstenin4329]

Nice job bro, it looks organically and aesthetically...I like how old brutal cars looked

[@MussaKZN]

A bit of advice when welding in patch panels. Never cut to a sharp corner, always have radius corners the heat stress is less concentrated..

[@austinniemela]

I have heard this, but never tried it!!

[@braddixon5825]

I hope you're able to use those land cruiser emblems from the fender somewhere else. I've always loved those.

[@ИльяПискунов-г2г]

Working with metal pieces in 3D...dream! Thanks for the video, you make it look easy (though it;s not like that, I assume)

[@austinniemela]

Thanks! Yeah the videos always make it look easy! haha

[@mikemater]

Shes a beaut, but keep those blinkers! Either way thats thing looks sick.

[@Dj-Worx]

hey, about the fibreglass, i have worked with a lot of fibreglass at work on busses and trailers you need to sand all the cracks down to the fibreglass, they are probably only in the gellcoat, and they will come right back if you dont sand them all the way to the gell-coat then reaply gelcoat or just use bodyfiller and if you want reinforce, do it on the innside with fibreglass

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

Whenever I have seen the old pros do any kind of weld in thin metal, they will lay a wet cloth on the area and use it to cool down the metal to prevent warping

[@austinniemela]

Yes you can do that or compressed air like I did! The welds shrink no matter what you do!

[@kanecarolan9663]

Check behind the door and windshield hinges, on my truck there was no primer just bare metal and lots of surface rust. I guess they assembled the whole body and then spray it.

[@MrEmmers13]

You make building this truck look so easy and it turns out so good!

[@dannystitt]

Please keep the roof white as you plan for the top restoration. Looking great!

[@lowtidecustoms1166]

You keep stepping up to the plate and knocking them out of the park! Super fab work on those fenders!

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!!

[@jamesarnold6059]

Thank you for moving that fender back as well. You must have heard us screaming

[@optimalCALM]

Looks great! It's hard to believe where this thing was a few months ago!

[@austinniemela]

Thanks! Yeah it’s slowly evolving!

[@rosendofj40bigblock7]

Your build is amazing great attitude and attention to detail, I reworked damaged top along time ago used the fiberglass from the local auto parts store it filled in cracks and was able to repair the damage I believe I was into it under 50 bucks, I’m sure whatever you do it will look great

[@austinniemela]

Thanks! I think ill go this route!

[@jasonlaurence9518]

The earlier style blinker (I've got a '68 with one) was smaller and round - might still fit. Lookin' good!

[@jamesarnold6059]

Get marine grade fiberglass roving cloth for the cap. Roving cloth is flexible & super strong.

[@rxcalvosa]

Innovative mind and plenty of elbow grease. You make it look easy- must be great editing . haha

[@JoshuaBarker-s3x]

Great job on the fenders. I believe you can buy a whole new fiberglass cap for the top. Maybe they aren't available any longer???

[@joshslackslack8115]

I would add tube to the fender and use the factory features as a skin and try to keep it looking as factory as possible the cap I would think would be like repairing a fiberglass boat or something like that

[@jamesenloe2791]

My top had a sunroof in it and I filled in the hole. It was pretty easy and not as expensive as buying a new top. I watch KZbin videos from Boat Works Today. With that said, that looks like the gel coat. Sand it down and reapply the gelcoat by using Total Boat products. It a bit more expensive, but its eaier to work with and is a great product.

[@austinniemela]

Sweet! I’m thinking about reinforcing with a layer or 2 of glass! Do you NEED gel coat after glass, or can you epoxy prime and paint?

[@jamesenloe2791]

@@austinniemela I am by no means an authority, but I sanded the gel coat down, primer and painted over it. It’s been 3 years and no issues. However, my rig is a princess that has a permanent parking spot in the garage.

[@bake162]

Nice work Austin, I’d consider a restraint cable to prevent the hood from hitting the cab again

[@bradywilliams2666]

There is supposed to be a rod the hood sits on holding it up when open. Problem is just like an old Jeep. It's easier to open the hood all the way and rest it on the roof. Guys tend to drop it hard on the roof denting the hood. I'm guilty with my Jeeps.

[@tareqsh9317]

Professional work, great tools, and I also love the Milwaukee company

[@abpsd73]

On the top, it depends on how deep the cracks are, if it is into the fiberglass or just the gelcoat. The top gelcoat can crack and blister horribly with age. If it is just the gelcoat and the fiberglass is still structurally sound, sand it away with something like 50 or 80 grit discs. Mop on a couple coats of new gelcoat, with the last coat having air-dry additive. Once the gelcoat is cured, you should be able to sand it smooth much like you would with finishing glaze.

[@RM_Garage]

You can check out some boating channels or ask a local boat repair shop to get some excellent tips on fiberglass.

[@robertoparrajaime]

Excellent work, I would´ve cut the fenders in half and that would´ve save a ton of work but awesome!

[@mursalarabia]

I wonder if having a 3d scanner would've help speed things up.. modding the fenders in a 3D software after scanning them and sending them out to be printed? I don't know ... awesome video as always tho!!

[@naminazakii]

Hey buddy, I'm always watching all video rebuild FJ40, this is insane and inspiring.. Great from Indonesia🇮🇩 brother..

[@mattw4662]

That fiberglass roof is going to need to be repaired top and bottom to assure that the cracks don’t reappear. The fiberglass will need to be cleaned down to bare fiberglass with at least 80 grit to ensure a good tooth for the new fiberglass mat and resin to adhere to

[@austinniemela]

Yes that’s what I had planned, sand down to bare good clean fiberglass and a couple new layers on top of that!

[@richardvargas9224]

I’m loving this build! Keep up the awesome content Austin.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Somewhere there's an FJ owner wailing buckets of tear watching that old metal get cut. 🙂

[@billocampo1365]

Cut the fender in half, and weld a piece of metal in the middle whatever size you need

[@peterp4319]

great body work ! but sorry to see the original paint and decorations go away - was hoping that you could rustomod the truck

[@ianandrews4518]

Nice work Sir . That truck is gonna be pristine

[@ianandrews4518]

No problem .

[@jonathanemocling3826]

Wow learned something on this video! Keep up the amazing build

[@austinniemela]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@CTMadModz]

There’s a lot of times on your builds when you say you don’t like the way it looks and I’ll be all like “shoot ide leave just like that” then you fix it and I like it better…. I think that means I need to push myself more on the cosmetics of my projects 🤣

[@holdthatdown6695]

Classic Cruisers out of Colorado sells a replacement top. Its a little pricey but its new.

[@wrenchestoadventures]

You do some awesome work! I love the attention to detail you put into it. I cant wait to see it all finished up.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!

[@bernie9469]

Hope you fabricate a front end facelift just like the jeep Wrangler. That will it makes it more aggressive..

[@van111111111]

Keep the blinkers dude! Just move them over on the fender. It’ll look wrong with little flush mounts and nothing where the blinkers go 😢

[@loydheckenlively9426]

Are you good? Move your Fender where the Toyota sign and take your flecked it off and move it right up to the edge of the hood. Then move it forward, might look better and give me more of clarence is my opinion.

[@cmac956]

great job on the finder body work, actually all the body work you've done is very good .

[@jeremyshawver4095]

You should try the hood latches like fabrats did on his 45. It's more like hood pins on a race car.

[@That_Dyna_Guy]

Nice body work! Any plans to line up the bottom of the fenders to the body? Insane build

[@austinniemela]

Thanks! I’ll probably run my rock sliders there to fill in that area

[@ricardobrown8882]

I think you must also do back Fenders too

[@Jmonzy1]

For the roof, there is a video on Wheeler dealers that fixed that

[@utilityart]

Digging this build.

[@__Lurch__]

Not sure I caught it in the video, were the TIG welds easier to form with a hammer and dolly than the MIG ones?

[@austinniemela]

Yes they were definitely easier to move afterwards!!

[@archiwart3322]

Круто мужик, легендарная машина, круто что даёшь ей вторую жизнь, может нужно было ее раширить

[@s.w.1981]

Hello Hedlamps with LED Ring with Turn signal lamps ! Good Job , Thanks from Germany

[@rizalkenady2180]

Perfect fender, absolutely liked

[@austinniemela]

Thanks a lot!

[@richiebrownlee9001]

Looks great man. Love seeing the progress you are making each week.

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!

[@gabefernandez5915]

Do the tires tuck that much with the bump stops installed?

[@landonfoss5234]

It's looking great! Been following this build .

[@austinniemela]

Thanks 👍

[@matthewwisdom6691]

Great video! Loving this build

[@almirlima860]

Vai ficar top quando terminar a reforma do Jeep 😮👏👏👍

[@chrismortensen4183]

Switch to the older round style blinkers. Much smaller.

[@tradeMark182]

Imma hop on this video as soon as im home ... great videos Austin 🎉

[@MassacrePoon]

Just clear coat/Penetrol the whole car how it is Looks great

[@FlawedOffroad]

You decided on paint? Gonna be so sad to see the red patina go I love how it looks

[@timbales3652]

So will you get Crap from the infamous Super Troopers for the tires outside the fenders? Over here on the east side of the State they live for it.

[@claudioalves1197]

Dude, find a way to attach the original blinkers on that fender otherwise it'll loose the essence

[@jevans4379]

Front fenders look great.

[@ronthompson2366]

Looking great 👍... every step is just looking better and better. Looking forward to seeing what's next. 😎 👍

[@jotterson1156]

Could've made clearance just taking the lip off the fender?

[@adamdiscovery8181]

Great job Austin mate 👍

[@curtisrosselot6973]

Unbelievable work again! 👏

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!

[@Camcodrummer]

Great job on this Yota too!!

[@neffwai]

I'm thinking roll cage n seats for the build and interior design