Builds 76 Fj40 Face Lift

[Chungas Revenge]

The center arm rebuild was oddly satisfying. I have to do my steering box eventually. Have you found a source for gaskets?

It’s the simple things.

I like the “phone a friend” option. My 1st inclination is to reach out for a bolt on solution. Some, will chastise an aging gentleman with little patience and a “give a $#@+” attitude, for not doing it himself/myself. I get it, it’s valid but, I still don’t give a (edited for family viewing)…when I go on the “podcast”, I’m going on as “Chunga the defiler”… @mtn biker

You can find the center arm rebuild kits reasonably priced if you aren’t in a hurry and look around.

 

[MatthewMcD]

You can find the center arm rebuild kits reasonably priced if you aren’t in a hurry and look around.

Did that already, looking for the bits for the steering box.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Did that already, looking for the bits for the steering box.

Rogga, not quite there yet. But, I’m stepping up soonly. Keep me in mind if you score 1st.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Can’t seem to get the vid to attach. I’ll work on it. Consolation: here’s the quick latch from Summit if your inclined to give it a go..

 

[MatthewMcD]

Can’t seem to get the vid to attach. I’ll work on it. Consolation: here’s the quick latch from Summit if your inclined to give it a go..

View attachment 3891159

Does that "latch" by spearing through the door?

 

[pb4ugo]

On my 72 I hated the plate style carrier. I had a 31-10.50 on it. It rattled and shaked. Evetually it pulled a stud thru the sheetmetal. On my 75 I adapted the stk tube style and it works as it should. The hinge holes lined up with the old plate style. I had to mount the rubber tube support and hook for the latch into the rear sill.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

On my 72 I hated the plate style carrier. I had a 31-10.50 on it. It rattled and shaked. Evetually it pulled a stud thru the sheetmetal. On my 75 I adapted the stk tube style and it works as it should. The hinge holes lined up with the old plate style. I had to mount the rubber tube support and hook for the latch into the rear sill.

I made the choice to keep the sheet metal hanger. More for the aesthetics of a 76 than for the functionality. They just weren’t designed to hang a large chunk of rubber off of. You’d think by using a full on AQ tub etc, I wouldn’t give a rip for nostalgia…IMHO, this option helps me keep up a certain facade. Hey, I still have a 2f, I’m defiantly a sucker for nostalgia.

Can’t help it…

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Does that "latch" by spearing through the door?

Short answer - Yes.

Expanded view of the closeup posted above. 1st pic is looking at the mechanism from inside the bed. It has a “docking” type catch. You can see the collar above. ^^^ If you look at the male/plunger you can see a coiled spring. Insert/lock. Keep in mind, these are not YOTA rear doors. No qualms about opening up the aluminum.



I’ll try and figure out my digital deficiencies and post it up in the AM.

 

[RevISK]

Whoa.

 

[pb4ugo]

I made the choice to keep the sheet metal hanger. More for the aesthetics of a 76 than for the functionality. They just weren’t designed to hang a large chunk of rubber off of. You’d think by using a full on AQ tub etc, I wouldn’t give a rip for nostalgia…IMHO, this option helps me keep up a certain facade. Hey, I still have a 2f, I’m defiantly a sucker for nostalgia.

Can’t help it…

I'm for nostalgic aesthetics too. I have a number of older style parts on the front of my 75 40, because I like the look. Under the hood? not so much. I figured the later carrier was a stk style upgrade.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Exactly. I like the internal YOTA upgrades. Sorta “keeps it in the family”. I even thought about replacing the 76 front turn signals for the old style tuna cans at one point. IMHO they’re iconic.

Knock wood, the 2f still chugs along. In the event it I would need to replace it, I’ll be looking at options.

I'm for nostalgic aesthetics too. I have a number of older style parts on the front of my 75 40, because I like the look. Under the hood? not so much. I figured the later carrier was a stk style upgrade.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Working through some of the pivotal pieces of the Top installation. Plenty of room on the Aqualu tub for subtle adjustments on the twist locks. Footman loops will be color matched in Mule Brown.

Waiting on a parts order to finish up the driver/passenger doors.

In other sports news: Only 81” of ridge cap remaining to finish up the roof on the Meade Hall.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Rainy day in Babylon.

The great pollening has begun. I get some crazy inner ear reaction to the yellow/green baby powder that’s coats everything left outside. It’s like a late night on shore leave without the cold snacks.

Still marking time on the front doors. Placed an order on the 14th and it’s still “processing”. I hope that’s not shorthand for we’re really out of stock.

So, with the imminent move of 2.0 to warmer latitudes, I’m find myself scouring the MUD Classifieds/craigslist/etc looking for a suitable replacement for 2.0. Thinking SBC compliant, some (minor) assembly required and rattle can ready. Well earned patina is ok, the red scourge/rot is not.

Anyway, just kicking the can (tires).


Soft Top sitting loosely-goosey sans hardware/fasteners in the 1st mock-up. Letting the top relax a bit. JMHO, warm weather installation when possible, is the best option. A little time hanging out in the sun is a plus.

 

[RevISK]

The TROA top is best installed/fitted whilst warm.
In Our Humble Opinion

 

[Chungas Revenge]

What do you call it when you mix Japanese, Canadian and Colombian parts?! I’m going to roll with “Some assembly required”.

Current ops: You can see the rear ambi 1/2 doors taking shape. Keeping an OE-ish look with the hinges, handle and lock. Mods to the frames and top door hinge(s) also. I think it would have been easier, philosophically speaking, to use the fold down tailgate or 1/2 doors with the roll up rear window. Yup. Sometimes my little Infantry head doesn’t process rational thought when dealing with the Mule. You don’t see the Ambi door option in the wild very often soooo hey we got that going for us.

Future OPs: Outside door runs and chrome window trim (no wings) are holding us hostage ref: complete front door assembly. Meh…In the grand scope of things, if 2.0 takes up a Florida life, those doors will probably be hanging in the garage as wall art. And if it stays in the Land of Nod, those doors will probably be hanging in the garage during warm weather ops. Worse case scenario, for the near future, I’ll run the YOTA (who are we @#$&%£€ kidding) safety straps.

Twist lock/grommet/footman loop installation coming up on the event horizon. There were even some minor mods to the footman loops (why not )

End State: Should be rolling in Soft Top mode sans doors soon.

 

[charliemeyer007]

A while back someone was going to klooge a Mercedes with Japanese parts, I advised not to add any Italian parts or it might Axis up and try to rule the world.

But my favorite was the russian cosmonaut *I'll tell you the problem - Russian chips, American chips - all made in Taiwan

 

[MatthewMcD]

What do you call it when you mix Japanese, Canadian and Colombian parts?! I’m going to roll with “Some assembly required”.

Current ops: You can see the rear ambi 1/2 doors taking shape. Keeping an OE-ish look with the hinges, handle and lock. Mods to the frames and top door hinge(s) also. I think it would have been easier, philosophically speaking, to use the fold down tailgate or 1/2 doors with the roll up rear window. Yup. Sometimes my little Infantry head doesn’t process rational thought when dealing with the Mule. You don’t see the Ambi door option in the wild very often soooo hey we got that going for us.

Future OPs: Outside door runs and chrome window trim (no wings) are holding us hostage ref: complete front door assembly. Meh…In the grand scope of things, if 2.0 takes up a Florida life, those doors will probably be hanging in the garage as wall art. And if it stays in the Land of Nod, those doors will probably be hanging in the garage during warm weather ops. Worse case scenario, for the near future, I’ll run the YOTA (who are we @#$&%£€ kidding) safety straps.

Twist lock/grommet/footman loop installation coming up on the event horizon. There were even some minor mods to the footman loops (why not )

End State: Should be rolling in Soft Top mode sans doors soon.

View attachment 3895500

For what it's worth...I love my tailgate. The only issue is I have to open the spare but I have to do that for the hatch back anyway.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

For what it's worth...I love my tailgate. The only issue is I have to open the spare but I have to do that for the hatch back anyway.

Totally “get it”. Sometimes the Mule, by default , presents an opportunity for me to exercise the side of my personality that’s unfettered by logic or common sense…it’s a gift.

 

[MatthewMcD]

it’s a gift.

...and a curse.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

...and a curse.

Some days, it’s like having a jealous bipolar lover. It demands all your time and effort, won’t take no for an answer, will drain your account without remorse and leave you stranded on a rainy night.

But when it’s on, it’s on and you secretly want your buddies to see you riding it.