It has been a while since I have updated this thread. I have been out chasing trout, working on other rigs, and beer. Most of the patches have been completed on the rear of the tub, I still need to buy some quarter patches for the rear quarters. No sense in trying to spend all the time and effort when someone else has already made one that is pretty close, Real Steel parts will be ordered soon.
Chasing a brake issue on the rear of my truck lead me to a damaged airbag, the steel cable that wraps around the bag to stabilize it has rusted apart and broke. So far Firestone has been pretty helpful (although I don't have a replacement yet), we will see how that goes. The rear brake issue comes and goes, I rebuild the entire rear brake system last year, new rotor/drums, calipers, pads, shoes, the whole nine yards. Now out of nowhere the rear passenger side brake started to stick, I think it is the parking brake portion, tried to adjust it out last weekend, problem came back on the way to work Thursday, went away on the way home............chasing a ghost, that will get repaired this weekend. It is a big difference between working on a FJ40 and a 1 ton Dodge dually, EVERYTHING is heavy and requires a big cheater pipe. And more beer.
Tried to teach my kids a little casting with a fly rod, got each one of them into a couple trout last weekend on a fly rod, keep them interested in it! Both of them did alright, just enough casting and just enough fish on to keep their attention while trying to teach them. Scouted out a few Brookie streams in south west PA, nothing big but looked like it may be a gem.
The 40 has been pushed to the back burner for a short time while other duties take center stage, prepping for a trip to CO, spring yardwork, and normal responsibilities. Still cutting, patching, welding, and grinding away at it. Pics to come soon.
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