Dave's Cruiser Lab

[davegonz]

Since it looks like I'm finally going to be able to build a workshop/garage/loft I decided to start a build thread. We're still in the early stages getting bids (got one so far and two more on the way).

I live on an acre lot in NW Austin and have been working in my cramped two car garage for the last 13 years. This past year my wife and I decided to do a major house renovation (kitchen/living areas). My wife gave me the OK to build a shop as long as I could do it without making a huge dent in our house remodel project. So, the shop will be the first phase of our overall home remodel.

The shop will be based on a design (Behm design 1476-4) that I found online. It's a 32x28 two car garage with loft storage and dormers.

The shop will house my 1977 FJ40 project in one bay and the other bay (the side with the stairs) will be the used for tools/shop. The upstairs will probably just be for storing ****. I'd love to eventually use it as a man-cave.

Pics of current project (1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40):

 

[davegonz]

Garage wants:
-Garage doors with windows.
-Door on left side (mirrored from plans)
-Hardiplank siding.
-Stone front to match house.
-Concrete pad in front of garage.
-220V hook-ups inside for plasma, welder, air compressor.
-Insulated

Here's where I'm putting it. The survey shows the old neighborhood build lines per the now expired covenants. I checked with my neighborhood association president and I'm good under the new neighborhood bylaws/covenants.

 

[jbrentd]

Nice job so far on the FJ40 restoration!

Looks like it'll be a nice shop for you to work in. I look forward to following along as I'm in the same staged of the process. I too live on an acre lot and am curious about why you chose to put it so far back on your property. Just want to know if there's something I'm not considering.

 

[davegonz]

I have pretty uneven land near the existing driveway and also some electric and septic lines that make it a pain in the ****. The rear location keeps it sort of hidden (wife's request) and the area is also pretty flat (cheaper slab).

 

[TexZ]

Subscribing, looks like a fun project!

 

[rjmarks]

Very nice, I like the design. Just a suggestion from my own experience as my shop is similar to this...I started just as you are with a two story design with plans to use the 2nd floor for storage. You may think about incorporating a beam upstairs that you can put a 1,000lb. electric winch on and build a 4'x4' trap door in your ceiling, if you have room because storage things can get hard to haul up and down stairs. As I get older, I look back and realize that this is one of the smartest decisions I ever made when I designed my shop. I can back in with my truck and hoist things straight up from the truck and I know that whoever has to get things out of there after I'm gone will certainly agree. It wasn't an expensive adder, but it most certainly was worth it. I used a barn door hanger from Lowe's as a trolley system upstairs with a Harbor Freight winch so outside of my labor and few scrap 2x6 to frame up the trap door, it probably cost around $200. Good luck with your project.
Ronnie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[davegonz]

That's a good idea. I really don't plan on storing heavy things, but my wife has a ton of holiday decorations that aren't that light.

 

[rjmarks]

I didn't plan on doing it either, but now my table saw, plainer, jointer, drill press and other woodworking tools are upstairs because I use them less than I use to. In short, my storage area became my woodworking shop as I outgrew my downstairs area. But, I have 2"x12"s on 16" centers supporting my floor upstairs, with your truss design you may want to limit your storage weight. Just food for thought because it's easier to make changes now rather than later. And you may be a very smart and disciplined man that plans out things methodically, myself on the other hand, would outgrow a 60'x100' foot shop if given the opportunity to. Lol, again I wish you well and hope you enjoy your shop.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[NedNorton]

I'm in. Subscribed. I hope you pull in some of the LC rebuild to the thread. My wife said as soon as the shop is done I can start looking for our FJ 60/62 project! God I love that lady!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[davegonz]

Just a quick update. My contractor has started the permit process and also had the concrete slab guy over to get a final look at the project. He came back saying the following: The material list specs out remesh and some rebar, remesh is not the way to go it should be rebar only. Not only a perimeter footing he suggested a stiffening beam down the middle. Makes sense, if you are going to pull engines that adds support to the slab to allow for that.

The cost delta is around $5600 from his original estimate for the slab material and labor. To me, it seems like overkill. I don't have the vertical room to have a two post lift. As far as pulling engines, I don't think that that's significant enough of a load to quantify running a beam down the middle of the slab. What do you guys think?

 

[davegonz]

Here's the note on the Behm Design plan for the slab.

 

[ICT_Kevin]

The floor center beam is more than I did. A plain slab 4" thick over soil is supposedly adequate for most lifts. Pulling an engine shouldn't be any worse. A 5" slab isn't a terrible cost hit for a lot more strength. Just going to rebar is a good step beyond most.

9' isn't much height for a lift, but it could still be really handy in the future. Having the car 3 ft up might be a big help doing an engine or transmission. Lift manuals usually say how much slab thickness they want.

Some extra strength upstairs could be handy since you like projects and tools. If you use the 24" centers truss and bring it down to 16" centers, you'll get a bit of margin for heavier gear than a typical bedroom.

Kevin

 

[dhubbard422]

Just a quick update. My contractor has started the permit process and also had the concrete slab guy over to get a final look at the project. He came back saying the following: The material list specs out remesh and some rebar, remesh is not the way to go it should be rebar only. Not only a perimeter footing he suggested a stiffening beam down the middle. Makes sense, if you are going to pull engines that adds support to the slab to allow for that.

The cost delta is around $5600 from his original estimate for the slab material and labor. To me, it seems like overkill. I don't have the vertical room to have a two post lift. As far as pulling engines, I don't think that that's significant enough of a load to quantify running a beam down the middle of the slab. What do you guys think?

A $5,600 increase to change to from some mesh and rebar to all rebar and to add a center beam? Sounds a bit high to me... About 14 months ago I paid an extra $600 for center beams that ran both directions (formed a cross) on a 30' x 36' slab that was 5.5" thick, but it had been previously quoted with 3/8" rebar throughout (so no idea as to the delta for all rebar). I did have him back out this past April to do my driveway and concrete was certainly more expensive, but not by an amount that would justify that size of increase.

PM me if you want the name and number of the guy that did my slab and driveway.

 

[davegonz]

I got three bids on the project and decided on the current contractor because of the price and the fact that 4 of my friends have used him for some big remodel projects and were very happy with him. When comparing the slab line item on each bid, his was the lowest and the other two were pretty much the same. The other guys had slab prices right around $11k. Even with the added cost, my contractor's cost will be lower than the other two bids.

Don, I'm sending your concrete guy's info over to my contractor to get a bid on the slab. Hopefully, it will be cheaper

 

[MacTexas]

Looks like you are off to a good start.

I am reminded of the joke. There was a yacht in the harbor with a small dingy on board. When I looked at the rear of the yacht and dingy, the dingy was named contract and the yacht was named change orders.

Good luck with the build.

 

[Jagmandave]

It's too small.......I promise you you'll regret not making it at least one bay bigger.......

But, better than not having a shop, that's for sure!

 

[davegonz]

I know, but I have a large kitchen/house remodel coming after this and I have to keep the wife happy

 

[davegonz]

Man, the city permitting process is killing me! I had to get a new survey done for the city arborist. He wanted all of the large trees documented in the survey. That's now done and onto the next roadblock.

 

[MacTexas]

The most dangerous words in the English language---"Hi, I'm from the government and I am here to help.

 

[davegonz]

Well, the latest in the permit saga is that the arborist signed off, but now the city is giving us grief because the prints that were printed from PDF's aren't aligning 100% to their scales. WTF?!?!?! Can't they see that there are dimensions on the drawings? This is killing me!

 

[theoldwizard1]

I love a 12:12 pitched roof especially with functional dormers !

 

[Rigpig]

Nice Cruisers! I've had several diesel wagons, a '77/45, a few BJ42's also. Currently only an '84 BJ42 and its in photos of my build thread oh here somewhere.

I've had similar experiences with the permit people as well. Just jump through their hoops and make sure you have their approvals documented also. Seems like it takes forever to get some things done but it'll be all worth it in the end.
Good luck and post up your progress pics.
Cheers!

 

[davegonz]

Thanks guys.

Rigpig, I just checked out your build. Sure is nice to see another cruiserhead!

 

[dhubbard422]

Hang in there Dave! You've made it much further along with the city than I ever did. They always just, flat out... told me "no".

Good luck with the city! Just remember to bring your persistence and patience when you meet with them!
Don

 

[davegonz]

My contractor updated me on Friday and said that we are 2 weeks out from starting the build. So, I got out yesterday and cleared out the area with my riding mower. It's fun to intentionally scalp the ground The recent wet weather made it easy.

 

[dhubbard422]

WooHoo! You must have made progress with the city!

That looks like a nice FLAT spot for your shop, which isn't always available in NW Austin... Good luck with the build!

 

[davegonz]

Quick update. The city rejected our plans and said we needed the Behm design plans approved and stamped by a PE. They also were under the assumption that the workshop would be a garage apartment and not a workshop and were demanding that I put in a 9' wide asphalt or concrete driveway to it. That would be around 200' long!! We were able to convince them that was not going to be a garage apartment and they dropped the driveway requirement. We're currently getting a PE to sign off on the slab and plans. I'm hoping for the slab to be poured in the next week or two. I hope

 

[Dragster Racer]

Really! A PE for building a garage...

 

[davegonz]

Yep. Freaking City of Austin.

 

[davegonz]

Update!

After getting the plans checked/stamped by a local PE, we re-submitted them to the city. With the holidays in the way, the city finally signed off on the permit. This has been a long process. Hopefully, the build will go smoothly........ I hope.

Before the holidays, I installed a Netgear Arlo wireless security camera in the back. So, I should have daily pics of the build.

 

[Carp]

Congratulations on the approvals. Should be a great build to follow.

Nice job on the 40 resto. It will be much easier to finish in that garage, that's for sure.

I'd really like to know more about that 60 in your avatar. I've got a 87 FJ60, 3" lift, 285/75R16 KM2s and a bad water pump currently. But love those trucks! Are you on Ih8mud?

 

[davegonz]

Yep, I'm on MUD under the same name.

That's my old Cummins 4BT powered FJ62 (with FJ60 round headlight conversion).

Pic Gallery

Congratulations on the approvals. Should be a great build to follow.

Nice job on the 40 resto. It will be much easier to finish in that garage, that's for sure.

I'd really like to know more about that 60 in your avatar. I've got a 87 FJ60, 3" lift, 285/75R16 KM2s and a bad water pump currently. But love those trucks! Are you on Ih8mud?

 

[dhubbard422]

Congratulations! Getting a permit from the City of Austin... that's a good trick!

Your FJ62 with a Cummins sounds cool. Any other pics (oops... now I see the link to pics) or a write-up to share?

Best of luck with the build! Lookin' forward to following along,
Don

 

[dhubbard422]

Nice FJ pics! One of the pics made me wonder if it was taken at Katemcy Rocks? I used to love riding my trails bike on the big granite near Mason.

 

[davegonz]

Yes, it's been to Katemcy .

 

[Carp]

Yep, I'm on MUD under the same name.

That's my old Cummins 4BT powered FJ62 (with FJ60 round headlight conversion).

Pic Gallery

I knew that it looked familiar. Great build. I'm on Mud as well, same user name. My truck needs a lot of work to be near yours, but it's mine, so that's a start. Here's mine:

 

[76cruiser]

Love the IH8Mud thread! You can probably tell by my handle that I have a 1976 FJ40. I have had to put it off for awhile since I have been working on my 64x40 pole barn. You are fortunate to have found a decent project. The tub is pretty rough on mine. Exploring options like the Aqualu tub, but pricy.

 

[davegonz]

What's your budget on the tub? I have a buddy that might be willing to sell his Aqualu half tub.

 

[davegonz]

Woot! They started setting the corners today! So, trenching/forms this week and they will pour next week!

It's about damn time!

 

[davegonz]

Afternoon update