Hello All

bsmith123 · 05-15-08, 07:43 PM

Keep up the good work!

sebass17 · 05-16-08, 03:46 AM

Your son is a great American, a true American hero. I am truly grateful for his ultimate sacrifice. Jackson will be grateful to you someday for this great gift, he will be driving a legend just like his father.

jabxyz · 05-16-08, 07:49 PM

I have never been so moved by a post in any forum. As other have stated I don't know how I missed this before but I can guarantee that I won't miss it again. I am not sure what aspect of all of this has had the greatest impact on me, your son and his young family's sacrifice, a father's love and sense of duty to honor and preserve his son's memory for the next generation or the image of your grandson sitting, with a loving assist from his mom, in his dad's seat. Whatever the reason your story has touched many here and as just one of many I just want to thank you. Thank you for your son's sacrifice, may we all cherish this country and the freedoms that he died for. My sincerest condolences to you and your family, I realize that some time has passed since he passed, may God comfort you, keep you safe and give you and your's the gift of his peace. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think that you know by now that you are among folks who truly care about you and will support you in all that you do.

JamesR · 05-17-08, 11:16 AM

I can't believe it's been almost 8 months since Josh was killed.
I very much appreciate all the words of appreciation of Josh's sacriface. I know he's a hero. It just is nice to hear others say it as well. I also appreciate all the words of incouragement I've received about rebuilding Josh and Jackson's FJ-40.
I've taken the starter in to test it and it's locked up. So I guess the first thing to do is replace the starter. Then I'll tackle the carb.
I've had some offers to help wrench. I feel bad about accepting those offers now that gas is an "arm and a leg"...it was bad enough when it was just an "arm".
Now that summer is here, I'm sure I'll pick up the pace. I would like to get it running so I can drive it around town while I work on it.
This is a great forum. I know I'll learn a lot and hopefully I'll be able to contribute also.
(You know, I think there should be an American flag icon to add to posts.)

julstirn · 07-28-08, 12:37 AM

Sorry for your loss, I just arrived home from Iraq about a month ago, I think it is a great thing your doing in his memory. Wish you the best.

eventhough · 07-28-08, 06:27 AM

PM sent.

JamesR · 07-29-08, 10:24 AM

Thank you for your service. Jean and I continue to pray for the safety of our countries soldiers. I'm grateful you're home.
James

FR3533 · 07-29-08, 07:22 PM

i am a new member here on mud, i spent 8 years in the Marine Corps i spent two years in iraq, my heart goes out to your son and family, this thread means a great deal to me, its good to see there are good people in this world, i send my love to my fallen brother in arms, Semper Fi

pbgbottle · 10-21-08, 03:01 PM

any updates .

FJ40_68_Nick · 10-21-08, 03:22 PM

I am sorry for your family's loss, great way to remember him.

JamesR · 10-25-08, 12:03 PM

I'm still in the reading/gathering information stage I guess. After I bought a battery, I've removed the starter and had it checked. It's locked up. I've downloaded the service manual and bought a less informative manual.
To be completely honest. I've spend more time sitting in it than working on it, to this point. I keep thinking how much fun Josh and Jackson would have had. I know I need to just, suck it up, and start working on it. That what I'm going to do.
Thanks for ya'lls continued incouragement and support.
James R

JamesR · 04-14-09, 08:47 AM

This past Saturday I pulled some plugs and ckecked for water. The guy that kept Josh's FJ while he was deployed must have gotten it stuck very badly. The interior has a lot of mud and the engine bay has a lot of mud also. I'm going to borrow a steam cleaner or maybe just use a hose and try to clean it. My goal is to get it running before I do anything major. I'll probably take a photo or two along the way and post them so I can get some help about where some of the parts go. (For instance, the carb is just sitting on the intake and there's a hose attached to a part that looks like it goes under or between the carb and the intake.) Let the fun begin.

fueg0 · 04-14-09, 10:00 AM

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear you're still moving forward with this project.

do you have a current parts list that you're shopping for ?

--jeff

brewhaw · 04-14-09, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesR

This past Saturday I pulled some plugs and ckecked for water. The guy that kept Josh's FJ while he was deployed must have gotten it stuck very badly. The interior has a lot of mud and the engine bay has a lot of mud also. I'm going to borrow a steam cleaner or maybe just use a hose and try to clean it. My goal is to get it running before I do anything major. I'll probably take a photo or two along the way and post them so I can get some help about where some of the parts go. (For instance, the carb is just sitting on the intake and there's a hose attached to a part that looks like it goes under or between the carb and the intake.) Let the fun begin.

James this is my first viewing of this thread so let me say thank you for your sons service and sorry for your loss. i live in athens, ga jsut down the road from you. if you ever need to take a look at my fj engine/wiring or whatever during your restoration please dont hesitate to contact me. i will drive it over to your place no problem. or if you just want someone to help turn a wrench. i can put you into contact with some others who actually know what they are doing if you have questions as well.

JamesR · 04-16-09, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewhaw

James this is my first viewing of this thread so let me say thank you for your sons service and sorry for your loss. i live in athens, ga jsut down the road from you. if you ever need to take a look at my fj engine/wiring or whatever during your restoration please dont hesitate to contact me. i will drive it over to your place no problem. or if you just want someone to help turn a wrench. i can put you into contact with some others who actually know what they are doing if you have questions as well.

I appreciate your kind words and the offer. I would like to look at your engine etc. and maybe take some photos. I'm going to replace the plugs and starter nearer the end of the month. There's the Joshua Harrison Memorial 5K this weekend at UGA; Jackson (Josh's son) and Leslie (Josh's widow) are coming down this weekend for the run so I'm pretty sure I won't be working on it this weekend. I live pretty close to the Oconee Connector and 315. I'll keep in touch.
Thanks again.

brewhaw · 04-16-09, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesR

I appreciate your kind words and the offer. I would like to look at your engine etc. and maybe take some photos. I'm going to replace the plugs and starter nearer the end of the month. There's the Joshua Harrison Memorial 5K this weekend at UGA; Jackson (Josh's son) and Leslie (Josh's widow) are coming down this weekend for the run so I'm pretty sure I won't be working on it this weekend. I live pretty close to the Oconee Connector and 315. I'll keep in touch.
Thanks again.

no problem. contcat me whenever.

JamesR · 08-29-09, 07:06 PM

Hello All, Today Jared, my son, and a buddy installed a new starter on Josh and Jackson's FJ. There are some wires that I don't know where they go. I'm going to try to upload some photos. Hopefully, someone can tell me where they go. I know the engine turns over.
There's a green wire coming off the starter; a red wire coming off the coil, a red wire coming off the postive battery cable lead, and a white wire coming off this small relay looking like thing bolted to the side of the right inner fender.
I appreciate ya'll help.

JamesR · 08-29-09, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesR

Hello All, Today Jared, my son, and a buddy installed a new starter on Josh and Jackson's FJ. There are some wires that I don't know where they go. I'm going to try to upload some photos. Hopefully, someone can tell me where they go. I know the engine turns over.
There's a green wire coming off the starter; a red wire coming off the coil, a red wire coming off the postive battery cable lead, and a white wire coming off this small relay looking like thing bolted to the side of the right inner fender.
I appreciate ya'll help.

Here's the white wire that I don't know where it goes.

PappaSmurf · 09-11-09, 10:14 AM

Just got through reading the whole thread. Don't give up James it will be worth it when you are done! I don't know really what to say. Thank you, your daughter-in-law, and your grandson for their sacrifices. I have the '40 my dad taught me to drive in sitting in my garage needing some attention too. (well actually a lot of attention) I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to lean on the apron (body part above the fender) next to my dad reminiscing about this or that obstacle or stuck situation or that heep we pulled out. He is still here and I am more thankful now than I was 30 minutes ago for the opportunity I have to laugh with him and hug him. Thank you for sharing man!!

Please don't give up ... you will regret it I promise. Get 'er done! Wish I was closer so I could help with the only resources I have right now ... time and elbow grease.

apeterson · 09-11-09, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesR

Here's the white wire that I don't know where it goes.

what you are pointing at is the horn relay has nothing to do with the starter in this case..

cdv3286 · 09-11-09, 11:52 AM

As all the others before me just had to drop a line and say that I think it is awesome what you’re doing.
As a cruiser owner - My cruiser was given to me by my father when I turned 16 and it and the memories of working on it with him are some of my most cherished possessions. I can only imagine how this one will be cherished. As a fellow Soldier with 3 tours to Iraq... let me just say while I fully believe that the sacrifices of my Brothers and Sisters in uniform are that of heroes... I also believe that the families that left behind... deserve just as much respect, admiration and the title of hero. People like you and your family are the reason we are willing go where our country asks... thank you for ensuring that any American Soldier that stands on foreign soil...never has to do so alone. Please know that your son is truly an American Hero...and you are truly a Soldier's hero.

eventhough · 10-14-09, 03:01 PM

Not much has been posted on this thread in a bit but I've been working with JamesR on some of the problems with Josh and Jackson's 40. I'm hoping to see him in a few months and try to work on some of those issues. Anyone from the GA, SC or NC or anywhere else who would like to lend a hand please post up AND send me a PM.

Trollhole · 10-23-09, 07:41 AM

I'm assuming since you got it started that you figured the white wire went to the battery. You need a fuseable link in between.

77HesterSue · 10-23-09, 01:16 PM

JamesR,

I've just come across your post almost 2 years later and am very touched by your story and the outreach of this forum community. I work as a hospital chaplain supporting patients and their families. The death of a child, no matter their age is always tragic and unnatural. We expect to say goodbye to our parents and perhaps even our siblings, but never to outlive a child. Time may help lessen the grief you feel about Josh's death, but you will never be the same.

I appreciate your plan to keep Josh's FJ40 and build it for Jackson. It is a great way to honor your son and give a legacy to your grandson. No matter what you accomplish with the 40, it has the possibility to help heal some of your pain and loss. Sitting in it can bring you closer to Josh. The last time I saw my father before he died, he visited me and rode in my Toyota Tacoma. I would sit in the truck and talk to him, remembering how it felt when he was with me there physically. I kept the truck much longer than I intended because I didn't want to "lose" the memories of where my dad had been.

I want to encourage you to not be too hard on yourself about finishing or even starting the build. It may be that keeping the truck out of the elements until Jackson has interest in working on his dad's truck is your "job" for now. It's okay to let this unfold as it will. This forum will continue to be here and willing to help when the time comes to move forward.

May you and your family know God's comfort in your feelings of loss and grief. May you enjoy and love Jackson, a great gift of life from Josh. I will continue to keep you and your family in prayer.

Jennifer

eventhough · 10-23-09, 01:43 PM

Sorry everyone - I thought I posted a link here.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-upstate-c...lled-iraq.html

I am arranging a wrenching weekend to get Josh and Jackson's 40 up and running strong again. Please check out the link above.

We are tentatively looking at the weekend of Jan 16-18th, 2010 which is MLK weekend. I've enlisted the help of several, local TLCA clubs and a bunch of members are stepping forward with offers of wrenching assistance, parts, and monetary donations. Starting last night I believe we are already up to appx $200 in donations!

We plan on having a scoping weekend where we look over the 40 well and make a list of what needs to be done - this will hopefully happen soon. After this we will prep and get all of our ducks in a row for MLK weekend where we hope to tear the 40 apart in a whirlwind build.

If anyone wants to get involved feel free to PM me or post up.

mudpig · 11-03-09, 07:02 AM

I have only just found this thread, but my deepest sympthies for your families loss. I think this is a great thing that you are doing, and i think i speak for everyone here when i say that i was really touched by your story. Keep up the good work, lets these guys help you, they know what there on about

and i think we would all love to help and be proud to help you in you work.
keep up the good work! Wish i could be there to help!

Lynchmobracing · 11-03-09, 09:53 AM

I too have just found this thread, so I am grateful it got "bumped".

JamesR, my sincere condolences on your great loss. We are priviledged that your son worked to protect us. I am sure God takes extra-good care of our fallen military heroes.

Good luck with the project, and I truly agree with 77HesterSue that whether this 40 is done tomorrow or in 10 years (or whenever) it will be fine, let your heart and gut dictate the speed at which you work while you heal from this huge loss.

P.S: To fellow MUD members, if you follow eventhough's link him and a bunch of other great folks are working on quite a plan for helping JamesR, and donations of all sorts are welcome (time, money, parts, etc.) - Thanks to eventhough

!

eventhough · 11-03-09, 10:05 AM

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the support from everyone!

FYI we are lining up some corporate sponsors but need more. Please spread the word and let me know of anything you find!

twoturtlesracing · 11-03-09, 10:26 AM

I only just today found this thread, but I will pray for you and your family, and you have my deepest sympathies. I think it is a wonderful thing that you are doing for your son and grandson and wish I lived closer so that I could help you wrench on it! Thank you for raising a Hero. His sacrifice, as well as yours and his other loved ones, is appreciated.

God Bless

JamesR · 11-15-09, 07:01 PM

Hello All,
Leslie and Jackson were down this past week. Jared, Josh's brother, Leslie and I talked about the wheeling trips that we'd taken and the trips that Josh and Jared took. Josh and Jared both had jeeps (XJ's at the time). We laughed, cried, laughed some more. I told her about MUD and the responses that have been shared. She was amazed that so many people, that don't know us, never met us, have shown such compassion and gratitude toward us and Josh.
Thank you for your kind words, your willingness to support this project, and your love for this great nation.