Lookin’ good Scott!
Build 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - Puttin’ her Back Together
- Thread starter Vae Victus
- Start date
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Was discussing that with @kevos37 last week. It seems to be an acquired taste.
Dune Beige! That was the only color for me, then I picked up a spring green 45. Gotta say that color grows on me. I am going to do a complete paint, and spring green is at the top of the list!
Nice 40 vaevictus!
Cheers
KevO
In a world of gray, black, red, navy, white and biege. Spring green is a breath of fresh air. Is it the Og paint code?
Months ago, Scott asked about my thoughts on a color change for his truck. I first told him it was his truck and he could do what he wished. My only request was that he stay within the "family" of Toyota colors.
He then asked me what I thought about this color and that color and I was like blah blah blah....boring!!
And then he mentioned Spring Green! I said "THAT IS IT!!" So I'm taking some credit on Scott's color choice!
Definitely the most refreshing color out there!
Green Bean
SILVER Star
Scott:
Whew-hoo! I just finished reading all 96 pages of your amazing build thread. As many others have observed, your attention to detail and ability to learn/adapt on the fly is nothing short of inspiring. The frequent posts; write-ups; and pictures have undoubtedly helped countless 40 owners wrestling with some of the same issues. It has been a long journey and it appears that you are finally close to crossing the finish line. Hats off to you for the incredible job. I know it has been tough balancing family, work and squeezing in 40 time, not to mention the hit these take on our family budget. (As one who has also kept a spreadsheet of costs, it is frightful how things add up. After a while, it becomes like Monopoly money.)
Anyway, congratulations on your wonderful build.
Mark.
That sounds familiar. It looks like you'll be finished before me!
A three year hiatus will do that. Ah well.
Looks really good!
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Thanks Michael! How are your projects?
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Very pretty! What I really like is the brown interior inside!
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LOL and I am picking up that you have not yet acquired that taste Mark?!
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Ok, well the story is not QUITE in that order.
I said "Doug, I'm thinking about CHANGING from my Spring Green choice from 2014 to something else" , and Doug said "Don't do it. Stick with your gut. Spring Green is a great color!" I think he even said that his sheets on his bed are spring green. Or maybe it was his underwear was a nice shade of pink that would compliment the spring green. I can't remember.....
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Thanks @kevos37 - appreciate the confirmation!
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Ah, no, it is actually 1/3 Mustard Yellow and 2/3 Red. I think you'd call it a "mutt". That's why I had no problem taking it into a new direction, and even taking into a color that is incorrect for the model year. It's a 'throwback on a throwback' if you please. It's like putting a rumble seat in a '76 Corvette.
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Very kind words Mark! They are really helpful as I walk out to look at what I need to do "next".
I'll admit to times when the project overwhelms me. Little things like the fear of running out of yellow zinc fasteners in the correct length because I can't remember which ones go where haunt me (silly isn't it?). I know there are solutions to those problems but they take time and more money and that just is part of my personality where that bugs me. Fortunately it doesn't stop me, just makes me sweat a bit! LOL. It's especially silly when I have a bucket full of nice shiny yellow zinc new and refinished ones, as well Rainman who has another bucket full, and Raging Matt (sorry, now "Toyota Matt") who has a new stash of period correct JIS fasteners....
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I've taken a total of about that long off, spread over 8 years.... I force myself to do "1 little thing" to get going again when I find myself avoiding it. That technique has helped me a lot in the past 2-3 years to keep going on several things in my life.
Good luck. Tell us what your 1 little thing is this week that you did!
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Sorry all for the replies to everyone who has posted recently. I know I could just hit the little "Like" button, but everyone's posts have been very uplifting and confirming, so I thought I'd reply to each (hopefully).
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As far as updates go:
Began to work on installing the @Racer65 version of the electronic steering. Very nice kit. Very solid. High quality parts. I've heard about but have not yet looked up the "Prius electronic steering conversion" - heard it was available. Anyone know anything about it?
Started taking apart the steering column, removing the ignition cylinder and cable module. Got into the ignition lock cylinder to find out that I needed to replace my current one due to the fact that:
- It has a single sided, non toyota looking key-cut.
- the retaining pin on the side of the cylinder is broken, and the cylinder was held in by a broken off small screw (not even a grub screw)
I'm not even sure this is a Toyota cylinder.
Retaining pin bent (I already tried to straighten it - it was bent down enough to allow it to enter the module without engaging the pin itself). And, key detail. Doesn't look like a Toyota pattern.
I also realize that I will need to get all my cylinders (ignition, doors, ambulance door, gas) keyed the same, so I'm reaching out to @ToyotaMatt and his keying expertise to help me with all that.
Of course, I also remembered that on the day I purchased the vehicle, the sticking key in the "start" position was what caused the started to continue to run, which caused it to overheat the wire from the battery, which caused it to catch fire, which caused be to start this whole damn rebuild in the first place. Thus I took out the Ignition Switch Key Lock cable and found that it indeed has a "catch" in it when I turn it to the starting position with a screwdriver, and release it. So, it too needs to be replaced.
There will be very few original parts on this when I'm done that have not been replaced.
I swear that EVERY screw on this truck will be touched when I'm done.
Began to work on installing the @Racer65 version of the electronic steering. Very nice kit. Very solid. High quality parts. I've heard about but have not yet looked up the "Prius electronic steering conversion" - heard it was available. Anyone know anything about it?
Started taking apart the steering column, removing the ignition cylinder and cable module. Got into the ignition lock cylinder to find out that I needed to replace my current one due to the fact that:
- It has a single sided, non toyota looking key-cut.
- the retaining pin on the side of the cylinder is broken, and the cylinder was held in by a broken off small screw (not even a grub screw)
I'm not even sure this is a Toyota cylinder.
Retaining pin bent (I already tried to straighten it - it was bent down enough to allow it to enter the module without engaging the pin itself). And, key detail. Doesn't look like a Toyota pattern.
I also realize that I will need to get all my cylinders (ignition, doors, ambulance door, gas) keyed the same, so I'm reaching out to @ToyotaMatt and his keying expertise to help me with all that.
Of course, I also remembered that on the day I purchased the vehicle, the sticking key in the "start" position was what caused the started to continue to run, which caused it to overheat the wire from the battery, which caused it to catch fire, which caused be to start this whole damn rebuild in the first place. Thus I took out the Ignition Switch Key Lock cable and found that it indeed has a "catch" in it when I turn it to the starting position with a screwdriver, and release it. So, it too needs to be replaced.
There will be very few original parts on this when I'm done that have not been replaced.
I swear that EVERY screw on this truck will be touched when I'm done.
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- #1,919
Re-greased the steering column bearing. It's pretty smooth, so I'm not replacing it. (I know, an original part!) This part is getting moved to the new electronic steering shaft, so the entire shaft of the old steering mechanism is not used. (Anyone need it?)
I forget where I found these used German Knipex pliers, but they are much better than the red handled, multi-headed snap ring removers that I have. They were key in removing the very strong retaining rings on the ignition module.
I need to blast and paint the steering column retainer and get or cut a new seal for that.
I forget where I found these used German Knipex pliers, but they are much better than the red handled, multi-headed snap ring removers that I have. They were key in removing the very strong retaining rings on the ignition module.
I need to blast and paint the steering column retainer and get or cut a new seal for that.
Au contrare. By 1991 two of my friends were driving survivor 1971 FJ40s and they were just SO clean that I was won over.
Survivors in ANY color rock.
