Builds 1969 FJ40 named Mavis (2 Viewers)

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Ground down the generations of booger welds and additional bolts to return the bumper to stock ish configuration. Drilled out and tapped the bumperette bolt holes and slopped some black to inhibit rust. Also did a rattle can restore on the bumperettes and spare tire latch.

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The real steel sill isn't perfect. The spare tire carrier latch captive nuts we're off by a skosh, but I made it fit by drilling outsized holes on the latch assembly which allowed me to "just" get the bolts in. I've snapped bolts off using this chicanery before but lucked out this time. I'd almost rather they leave the captive nuts off and let the owner use their own captive nuts solution.

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The big surprise with putting the bumperettes back on is how much they "shrunk" off the bumpers. Had to put some force on them to expand them back to fit.
 
I was surfing Facebook while having dinner tonight and found someone in town who was parting out a 1970. Had a beautiful correct hood. All it's missing is the ornament. Now to find one of those.
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Dude also has the engine/transmission/transaxle for sale in case anyone is looking.
 
Mounted the hood and have to say it looks much better. Just need another section of washer hose to get the dual washer system working.

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I now have an excessive amount of spare FJ40 parts and would like to see them go to a new home. A late model hood, restorable radiator and gas tank are the largest bits. I could see them going away for cheap.
 
Finally got around to mounting the troop seats, complete with the new mounting legs.

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I don't know if this is normal, but there is only a mild resemblance of symmetry between the two seats. Still, made them fit and it works great.
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Also fixed the rear heater and installed it to get it out from underfoot
 
Finally got around to mounting the troop seats, complete with the new mounting legs.

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I don't know if this is normal, but there is only a mild resemblance of symmetry between the two seats. Still, made them fit and it works great.View attachment 3414456
Also fixed the rear heater and installed it to get it out from underfoot
Nice! I have a set of Dave’s jump seat supports inbound. Hoping to do the install without removing the seats.
 
Button head socket cap screws. Or, Can you weld them up with a mig then grind the welds down?
 
I'm currently searching for similar solutions to various holes in my floorboards.
 
I'd ordered some soft top twists from SOR on the 16th, and as I usually get SOR orders fast enough that I can't use tracking, I realized I still hadn't received this order. Checked the tracking number and discovered the package from SOR has been traveling back and forth from Nashville to Pleasant view 18 times and counting. I'm sure the hard working and efficient workers of the USPS will get this package to me someday.
 
I'm currently searching for similar solutions to various holes in my floorboards.
Yeah for small holes I went the mig route with a copper backer, for larger had to cut some metal to just fit into the ID. I still forgot a few holes...
I also chose not to do bodywork on the interior floor board so where I welded isn't the cleanest :(
 
Took 10 days off to sail up the Columbia and Snake rivers. Mostly enjoyed it, but would've rather been doing the driving myself. Realized how much I despise being on someone else's schedule.

Got back to work on Mavis, and now have a fully operational FST.

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Only found one kinda sorta serious flaw. This seam is single stitched and not sealed, but will reinforce it and leak proof it using a tent kit.
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Overall I think it's worth the price, but like others, I checked the supplies hardware and bought my own from SOR/OEM.
 

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