Builds 1969 FJ40 named Mavis (1 Viewer)

[firemanj92]

I finally got some time off from tornado cleanup, doing a timing set and water pump on my kids new to them minivan and other sundry items to get back on Mavis.

I pulled the old, crazed windshield and while prepping the new windshield, dropped the d*mned thing and broke it.

Ordered another one from Cruiser Corps and while waiting, will fix some other items.

First, finished reupholstering the rear jump seats. Super easy job and was sure to use 14 gauge wire to strengthen and improve the look of the seams. Helpful tip is to fill in the seat bases with 1 inch thick foam, then fill the cushion with 2 inch foam.

View attachment 3525889
Then, I replaced the turn signal mechanism.

Looking back on it, I would've left the upper portion be, and just replaced to lower portion. Replacing the upper portion was a PITA, and didn't really improve anything. But the blinkers work without dinking to find contact, so that's a good thing.

View attachment 3525897

BTW, the upper hole is threaded M10 1.50 and is a major pain to remove and reinstall and the replacement unit comes unthreaded and is a PITA to hold firmly enough to thread it without warping the unit.

Also, are those little ears automatic cancelling devices? I'm told they can interfere with the steering wheel operation and have heard they should be removed. Thoughts?

Those ears are what holds the blinker in place when used. The cancelling pin is on the underside of the steering wheel which can interfere with steering operations and that should be removed; not ears in the blinker unit itself.

 

[120mm]

Finished hooking up the new turn indicators and simultaneously solved a couple evidently related issues.

Brake light was only illuminating the left rear light before and was getting some headlight weirdness.

After rewiring the new turn signal switch, both issues went away, miraculously, in the case of the headlights.

Go figure....

 

[120mm]

My lovely bride has suggested, and I've agreed to, a journey in this rig along Route 66 this spring. Trying to avoid the worst of the late winter as well as the heat of late spring/summer in the process.

Going to bring both dogs, and have tested that the double kennel fits in the back. Will build a platform so luggage will fit underneath, and are thinking about taking some extra fuel somehow. Probably will pull the back seats out to accommodate this, which makes me sad, since I just got them finished, but it's just bolts.

We'll put new rubber on it, and I have a full set of new tie rod ends I need to install.

Other than that, I don' think it needs much to get ready for a trip like that. Anyone have experience doing something like this, and want to chime in?

 

[70fj40]

I haven’t taken that trip yet but it is on my short list of things to do in my FJ40. I’d say good idea would be AAA membership and line up a few Mud members along your route. I figure things will break somewhere along the way and if you have some Mud guys along the way waiting to help you’d be in good shape. It sure would be great to read a realtime travelogue of your trip.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Just do it!
If you feel like it is dialed In and you feel confident
That it will make it. Well nothing should hold you back. You put enough time and effort into this rig go for it.

 

[1911]

Just do it!

I have taken many 1500 + mile trips either alone or with one of my daughters (wife is not as enthusiastic as yours), but no dogs. I have done as many as 750 miles in one day by myself, but recommend that you go slower and stop frequently, which you may need to do anyway for the dogs. Getting out and stretching every now and then is advisable, especially if you still have the stock seats.

Cup holders are sure nice to have. I have a Tuffy console with cup holders.

I like to drive with music, and installed an amp and speakers to play my phone through, but the volume required to overcome road noise at highway speed is headache inducing. My answer is to use earphones/headphones for at least part of the day when I'm solo.

I have a 4+ swing-out rear carrier that holds three 5 gal. NATO jerry cans. When full, that is a lot of extra weight hanging off the rear, so in practice I only carry them when off-road for a week at a time. When just on the highway, I have never worried about making it to the next gas station. I do have the later gas tank that is 19 or 20 gallons.

My 40 is stone reliable and has never left me stranded; I would drive it across the country without a second thought or any extraordinary preparation.

Have fun on your trip! Take pictures and post about it here.

 

[120mm]

I will document it, but I am debating whether to start a separate thread in the Trails-Events-Expeditions section or here.

Big 10-4 on the stopping often and exercising dogs. We average an hour and a half of dog walking a day, and will definitely keep that up during the trip.

We will probably excise Illinois completely from this trip, as it is Illinois and we can a) we are already familiar with that section b) it requires backtracking and c) **** Illinois. The Saint Louis to Santa Monica section is a natural route from Clarksville Tennessee.

 

[120mm]

Cup holders are sure nice to have. I have a Tuffy console with cup holders.

I have the 71-72 split seats and I find the gaps in the seatbacks to be an acceptable cup holder.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I have the 71-72 split seats and I find the gaps in the seatbacks to be an acceptable cup holder.

I do that with mine haha. and some times if I am parking with a coffee cup, I lay it on the transmission tunnel and it actually stays there.

 

[Catching Neutral]

These work well. Just need a spot of metal to allow it o hold.

MAGNETumbler 20oz with Lid Verge Camo

The patent-pending Verge Camo MAGNETumbler is a magnetic 20oz stainless steel insulated tumbler with lid that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours.

www.boteboard.com

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

My 40 is stone reliable and has never left me stranded; I would drive it across the country without a second thought or any extraordinary preparation.

This.


Same here, it takes a long time to get it to that point, once it’s there it is great!!! I’d be willing to take mine to some pretty remote places without a thought, just a stop at the gas station for extra fuel and beer. Cross country trip, I’m confident it would make it without a hitch.

 

[Green Bean]

Original bench seats. This may help.

 

[Thechief86]

I think this is a great idea! The rig your engine came out of made it to Moab and back, wheeling some great places along the way. Long trips in old vehicles are sooo worth the discomfort and extra preparation to make it happen!
I can't wait to come back to Colorado this summer....

 

[120mm]

Now let's try this again; this time with less broken glass.

 

[61twpw]

Hope it goes smoothly.

 

[120mm]

Hope it goes smoothly.

What I learned with the first one, is that installing the gasket on a flat piece of glass is harder than on a curved piece.

The windshield gasket fits poorly on the corners, bothe inside and outside the curve.

This time I will have help doing it

 

[120mm]

Just to be sure I'm on the right track here. I'm assuming the narrow portion of the gasket goes against the glass side. Note how crowded the gasket gets in the corners.

Also, narrow side of glass is oriented up?

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

My window gasket looks to be even-ish on both sides, and also looks like the narrow side of the glass is indeed the top.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

A heat gun may help a ton. Also I used a few plastic knives from my camping gear to help facilitate that mess.


Any chance you can remove the windshield frame and work on it while it's on a flat surface? I did mine on my dining room floor, I also remember my fingers hurting for a week once I finished.

 

[120mm]

To me, it looks like the long side on yours is against the glass. I'd really like to avoid removing my windshield. I'd need to drill out most/all of my screws to make it happen, I think.