Build 76 Fj40 Face Lift

[Chungas Revenge]

Wiped everything clean with alcohol, all remaining dust and residue from the gutter channel before taping. Flex seal goes on with a slight gloss but dries to a non-gloss transparent finish..Sealer was applied to the inside of the gutter only. Takes one hour to dry before applying the next coat. If needed I can shoot with some touch-up paint .

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Two coats of paste wax added while waiting on the sealer to dry. Top has a nick or two and a scrape that I may touch up later. Paste wax brought the shine back nicely..

Before and after pics:

Before.

 

[Jdc1]

Two coats of paste wax added while waiting on the sealer to dry. Top has a nick or two and a scrape that I may touch up later. Paste wax brought the shine back nicely..

Before and after pics:

Before.
View attachment 1186489

It's amazing what a little elbow grease will do.

Sent from my SM-G920V

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Festivus continues..

My hood prop went MIA during the painting process...I am sure it's sojourning in the back of my former painters garage..Chris @TCSTARK offered a spare (powder-coated). The "new" prop arrived today neatly packaged and in excellent condition! Hats of to ya Chris..

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Another bit of functional bling from the postman..I will be hitting up the TLC wiring harness "Big Kahuna" AKA @Coolerman for a functional fog light harness and a couple Male/female plugs for one of my rear brake lights...

 

[TCSTARK]

Looking great! Keep it up.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Took on the Ambi door hinges today. Didn't take long to remember why I only removed one hinge last year. I believe the hinges are original and were not removed for the dune beige repaint from sky blue. True to the factory assembly there were no gaskets installed. The acrylic enamel over the factory paint was like super glue. Soooo, I broke out my $5 E-bay super weapon. The Vessel impact driver (model 2500) made short work of the reluctant door hardware. The Vessel even took care of a "wollard" (<it's a word ) head. Best $5 I ever spent...

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Looking great! Keep it up.

Thanks again..The hood prop made my day!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Rear hinges + neoprene gaskets + stainless hardware mounted to the hard-top and the drivers side quarter. Hit all the hinge points with dry lube too...

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Rear license plate bracket is an eyesore. I'll take it down the the media cabinet and see if I can salvage it. Soaked it down with PB. Only able to remove 3 of the 4 screws holding the light brackets. I'll see if I have any luck in the AM...

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Cleaning up the rear tub to hardtop gasket(s). They look a little dirty from storage. I'll clean these up, dry them out and spray them with a light coat of silicon spray before installing. Hardtop sans the doors should go on this week. I figure if I stand around the hardtop scratching my chin looking puzzled some of my "young" co-workers will figure I lack the skill and finesse to lift it up and install it properly. I reckon I'll let em' show me how it's done....

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Last rambling for the PM...The gaskets ^^^ were missing the small rear corner section that rests on the top mounting portion of the tub, just beside the ambi door opening (not sure what they are called) . I had some left over gasket material from the tranny hump installation. So, I made a couple for trial...Eh they were free!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

OK I lied...

This is the last rambling...If you don't have a set of the Vessel impact drivers (2500) "get one"...You'll save time, energy and $$$ removing some of the rusted, corroded and otherwise obstinate hardware on your TLC. I picked this set up for $5 used. It's like an anchor or an anvil, you have to try real hard to break one.....Just say'en.

 

[dfclimber]

Top is cleaned and tapped off for the addition of some seam sealer to the inner portion of the gutter (clear/flexible/paintable). It does not leak and I have no rust at this time. I do have some very slight paint separation where the old gutter mount(s) were located.

What seam sealer did you use?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

What seam sealer did you use?

I only had a slight separation of the paint where I used a set of Yakima gutter mounts. So, with the minimal "damage" I simply used a flex-seal. Aerosol application, dried in a hour (used two coats). Taped everything off prior to the application. Tried this as a means to prevent anything weeping under the separated paint. Takes 24 hours to cure and is paintable. I wont mount anything to the gutter again. IMHO regardless of the "mount" it adds unneeded stress to the gutter....But, if you are doing a full on re-hab I would use a good 3M seam sealer (or a similar product)...

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

What seam sealer did you use?

I used the SEM sealer a little over a year ago on my top, not a single problem or complaint from me about the stuff! I have the applicator gun if you need it also.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

on my top

Cashed in some sweat equity today on the top. Have you ever used a "gutter mounting system" on you fishing buddy? I regret using one...in each of the mount locations I had chloro-philic (it's a word ) infestation and, I could see where I had some slight separation of paint..Just say'en - "GOBI"!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

No gutter mounts here, but I have been looking to go that route.............

 

[Chungas Revenge]

but I have been looking to go that route

Not a fan..

Maybe it was the Yakima mounts? Gorilla installation? Neanderthal attention to maintenance AKA PMCS? Over loading? In any event, I think I'll take a different route this next go round. Not being skilled in the metallurgical arts, or a Smitty per say, I do favor a non-gutter application...

Gobi stealth is looking like the answer...Only downside I can see is the princely sum their asking....

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Better get your powerball ticket punched!