Builds 76 Fj40 Face Lift

[Chungas Revenge]

I go through em like salt through a goose. 1st paycheck and they’re out the door.

Good help is hard to fine these days.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Been “Out in the County” for the last couple of days. Major moves on the Meade Hall..

Reading through the daily SITREP/Reports. The “West By The Grace of God Virginia” plate holder is mounted. Frames for the top of the ambi doors are dress right dress. OE handle and lock.

I’ll post up the “one off” 2.0 misdirection aspects later..

Edit: Docking Station up and operational..

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Meade Hall moments.

“Roger LEM you are clear for docking operations”

“Copy Houston, initiating docking sequence”

“We show green light LEM”

“Roger Houston, docking complete”

The two halves are one. Old cabin meets new Grand(e) Meade Hall. Joining header added. This ties the old and the new together (in theory ). Geezer buddy is doing geezer things, so I’m one offing it. Translation = I’m low and slow but making progress.

Slipping in a pic of the one off “Ambi door removable frame” in full regalia, just to keep it tech for those who follow this thread for rare insightful tech tips..

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Better throw in some 2.0 progress to keep the moderator hounds of my heels.

Prerequisite, and I think unique to a soft top ambi door. This is the removable portion of the door. One of the “must haves” in early discussions…

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Twiddling my thumbs this AM before I go lumber shopping.

Mating the Canadian doors w/the Colombian frames and making them convertible required copious amounts of head scratching. Toss in OE hinges and hardware and it started to look like a Chinese algebra problem.

Following the Laws of Continuing Upgrade Physics EG, for every mod there is an equal and opposite upgrade problem to solve. The rear doors were no exception. By adding the must have convertible variable into the equation, upper frame stability became an issue.

The vertical braces were added IOT limit flexing/stress on the aluminum lower door(s). 10 minute job to fully remove the upper doors.

Edit: Vid shows the OE hardware and the solid lockup.

New video · Tuesday, Jun 17 🎬

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[RevISK]

That is going to be awesome. Removable rear door tops should've been mandatory from the get go. Someday I hope to be tempted to set my beer on the fender.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

That is going to be awesome. Removable rear door tops should've been mandatory from the get go. Someday I hope to be tempted to set my beer on the fender.

100% . I wanted to be able to roll up the sides, yank the doors, pull off the Ambi’s and still have a functioning tailgate.

Many beer rings will bear witness to the telling of the tale(s)…

 

[wchevron]

One small step for man, one giant leap for '40kind.

 

[MatthewMcD]

One small step for man, one giant leap for '40kind.

I was jealously watching the 2 fingers to close the tire carrier latch, then I remembered you added the "thru-door" stabilizer.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I was jealously watching the 2 fingers to close the tire carrier latch, then I remembered you added the "thru-door" stabilizer.

It’s not just my playground humor that thoroughly enjoys the new mechanism. It really is functional.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Door seals going on. Should drop the decibel level down to a dull roar and keep most of the moisture out.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

What do you do while you’re waiting on parts? Detail and wax.

@RevISK Good shot of the fit and finish of the soft top. Waiting on a clear day to get a photo in the wild. Fluorescent shop lights give it a charcoal vibe instead of a deeper black.

Thumbs up again to Alex and Dan at Alexander Restorations @Atram for working through my puddle of ideas. You guys really pulled off the “what if, why not, can you do this” Innuendos. And, your out of the box work arounds are 1st class. I’ll see you at the Amelia Concourse next year!!! 1st rounds on me..Ok, maybe 2nd and third round too. Who am I kidding, it’s on me…

 

[MOTOV8R]

What do you do while you’re waiting on parts? Detail and wax.

@RevISK Good shot of the fit and finish of the soft top. Waiting on a clear day to get a photo in the wild. Fluorescent shop lights give it a charcoal vibe instead of a deeper black.

Thumbs up again to Alex and Dan at Alexander Restorations @Atram for working through my puddle of ideas. You guys really pulled off the “what if, why not, can you do this” Innuendos. And, your out of the box work arounds are 1st class. I’ll see you at the Amelia Concourse next year!!! 1st rounds on me..Ok, maybe 2nd and third round too. Who am I kidding, it’s on me…

View attachment 3931504

Are your running boards body color or black?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Are your running boards body color or black?

Running boards are the same color as the body.

 

[knuckle47]

Are you happy with those Dollie’s? Been seeing them more and more. Thinking still of getting a set

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Are you happy with those Dollie’s? Been seeing them more and more. Thinking still of getting a set

Those belong to the shop. But, from watching how easy they are to maneuver, I’d say it would be money well spent.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Running boards are the same color as the body.

View attachment 3931773

Looks great! I am painting my 4+ running boards body color as well.

Edit: got one bolted up. Powder coated as close a match as I could.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Rain delay. No siding on the Meade Hall today..

After ticking off a couple Honey Do’s this AM, I put my feet up and started flipping through some ideas for door cards. I was wandering aimlessly through one of @JohnnyC old threads circa 2014, Trim Code ... Post up what you have - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/trim-code-post-up-what-you-have.824425/ looking for inspiration. The thread is a good read, there are some interesting combo’s.


FA31 was a Saudi (80’s) LX w/ a paint code of 202. Factory Black paint with red white interior. I think there were a couple of JDM models with a similar code. Fact checks welcome in the event I’ve misconstrued the info. Member here on mud has a Saudi Spec with that pattern. @kreativecid

Anyway, said all that to say this, the FA31 factory door card pattern caught my eye. Thinking about reproducing that look/pattern with the MGV in brown I used on the seats with a black MGV insert or vice versa. Kinda giving a wink and a nod to the
factory pattern with a Mule 2.0 twist.

Anyway, just kicking the can on a rainy day.

 

[knuckle47]

So depite 5 decades of car stuff…. Who makes up door cards? Where would I look locally? Or not

 

[Chungas Revenge]

So depite 5 decades of car stuff…. Who makes up door cards? Where would I look locally? Or not

My local upholstery shop is making them. Same guys that made my seat covers. I’d say any reputable shop can make them for you. If you have a spare/old card take it down and let them put their hands on it. Or, drive your 40 down .