Building A Four Door FJ40

[waiting for time]

Ummm...can I say "pass" to that one, Michael?

I was thinking of a bat theme for the Phantom.

 

[FouadHafeez]

I KNEW I should have kept my trap shut and not mentioned zebra stripes

Now, we have camouflage and aged camouflage, and zebra stripes and tiger stripes, and rust and patina, and a batman theme...ALL bubbling around in the cauldron!

Clearly, this place is not good for my mental well-being.

And no one state the obvious, and comment: "You're an FJ40 owner. Your state of mental well-being can't possibly be stellar, to begin with".

(and I have the feeling someone's bound to say that, anyways )

 

[FouadHafeez]

Well Done, Old Chap

We Pakistanis love cricket. Which is somewhat odd, because the sedate, laidback, utterly-unhurried nature of the game, is quite at odds with our frenetic, hyper-excited, volatile collective psyche.

On the one hand, whilst cricket is still very much a "gentleman's sport"...which calls for a high degree of personal discipline, restraint, and self-control...the way it's played in Pakistan (and India, and Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for that matter) is chaotic, colourful, charismatic, and crazy. Yes. We love our cricket.

Now, one might ask...why bring up something that is at such complete variance with off-roading, and tech-building, and extreme-wheeling? Soon, all shall be answered.

Back to cricket, though. One of the most endearing - if somewhat strange - things about cricket, is the celebrations that take place, on-pitch. A bowler for example...who bowls out an opponent...will keep a deadpan look on the face, while his teammates stroll up to him in an unhurried, leisurely manner. They'll shake hands and amidst the polite banter you'll inevitably hear a comment or two: "Well done, old chap".

The same is the case with a batsman. He'll make a hundred runs (called a century), and to celebrate the passage of this milestone, his partner at the other end of the crease will walk up to him sedately, pat him on the shoulder congenially, and inevitably murmur: "Well done, old chap"

The same with a fielder. He'll take a spectacular catch...diving five ways from Friday to scoop up the ball, mere millimetres from the ground. He'll get up, his team will jog over to him (never run, perish the thought)...gather round him, and celebrate a marvelous display of athletic ability. Yep. You got it. "Well done, old chap".

This thread is eleven days old. Somewhere, between the tenth and eleventh day, it gathered 10,000 'hits'. Accumulated over 200 replies. Picked up a dozen pages. And I think that's rather remarkable. For all the interest, the positivity, the warmth, the humour, the good cheer...I think that's pretty bloody wonderful.

A lot of people have wandered in and out of this thread, and have contributed to this space in so many different ways. With hardcore technical comments. With advice. With humour and wit. If nothing else...with good wishes, and encouragement. All of these people have played the part of bowler/batsman/fielder in reaching these milestones.

To all of you, I extend my gratitude. Oh...and of course: "well done, old chap".

Cheers!

 

[cult45]

Brilliant! You've just made two centuries [a double ton in Oz car speak] and one-tenth lakh hits in as many days. But a four door 40 will do that

Fouad - personal question: What accent do you speak with? I hear you in my head with a clipped English accent [based on the precise grammar and voluptuous use of the English language in your posts] but I'd hate to get it wrong.

 

[Coolerman]

Whilst some regions to the North West (adjacent to Afghanistan) are pretty dangerous, Tom, they're also strictly off-limits to casual tourism. Most of the other areas I've mentioned, are absolutely peaceful (and idyllic). On the other hand, some, have also literally been wrested back from the Taliban, and we're doing our goddamnedest to make sure they stay the **** out. This country belongs to 180 million people like ME...average joes who celebrate life, and the freedom to exist with values of our own...and NOT to a crazed-brained assortment of a few thousand f--ktards (pardon my French) who use violence and intimidation and a convoluted interpretation of religion, to further an agenda that is strictly political.

Now...about that OEM mustard colour...

That IS on the short list, mate.

I see your country is no different than the rest of the world: It only takes a few religious nuts to ruin it for everyone else. I wish you and the other 179,999,999 peaceful folks the best in attaining your goal of kicking the Taliban out for good.

Now back to important things! If we are voting on a color choice, I vote for the rust paint job or MUSTARD!!! That truck, being made to drive over the earth, deserves an earth color... I'd even go with pumpkin orange.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Brilliant! You've just made two centuries [a double ton in Oz car speak] and one-tenth lakh hits in as many days. But a four door 40 will do that

Fouad - personal question: What accent do you speak with? I hear you in my head with a clipped English accent [based on the precise grammar and voluptuous use of the English language in your posts] but I'd hate to get it wrong.

That's the ironic thing. Other than the occasional lapse into colourful language...I speak the way I type. I know...it's a ****ing curse!

 

[FouadHafeez]

I see your country is no different than the rest of the world: It only takes a few religious nuts to ruin it for everyone else. I wish you and the other 179,999,999 peaceful folks the best in attaining your goal of kicking the Taliban out for good.

Now back to important things! If we are voting on a color choice, I vote for the rust paint job or MUSTARD!!! That truck, being made to drive over the earth, deserves an earth color... I'd even go with pumpkin orange.

Thanks for the good words, mate. And I have no doubt that we WILL prevail.

Now...the task in hand. As a matter of fact, during this entire run-up to the current state, I can't tell you how many choices I've been procrastinating over. Initially, I'd wanted to do up the Phantom in "bumblebee" non-OEM colours...high contrast yellow and black. Then, a burnt rust orange and black. I've also considered (like I said earlier) zebra stripes and white tiger stripes. Camouflage (woodlands AND glacial). White, Matte black. And amongst the OEM colours; Dune Beige, Mustard, Freeborn Red, and Nordic Green. So, as you can see...the preferred colour palette "short list" is anything BUT short!

When I built my first "real" rig 20 or so years ago (a 60 Series TLC), I ended up painting each body panel a different colour (as a trial) and ending up selecting a beautiful cobalt blue from amongst the choices. I have this feeling that a similar trial to choose the final colour of this beast may also be warranted!

Cheers.

 

[romey]

This time...hopefully a "proper" picture of Lake Saif-ul-Muluk in Kaghan.

Once again...thanks for the correction, romey.

no worries!
still, what a beautifull spot and beautiful country!

makin me crave me some lahore tikka at our little india hood here! mmmmmango lasi's and bbq'd chicken! and mutton biryani!! lol.

keep up the great work! cheers.

 

[FouadHafeez]

One of my next "Photoshoot Pakistan" posts, should deal with Pakistani Cuisine and Recipes.

 

[SHUSH]

Well Done, Old Chap


This thread is eleven days old. Somewhere, between the tenth and eleventh day, it gathered 10,000 'hits'. Accumulated over 200 replies. Picked up a dozen pages. And I think that's rather remarkable. For all the interest, the positivity, the warmth, the humour, the good cheer...I think that's pretty bloody wonderful.

A lot of people have wandered in and out of this thread, and have contributed to this space in so many different ways. With hardcore technical comments. With advice. With humour and wit. If nothing else...with good wishes, and encouragement. All of these people have played the part of bowler/batsman/fielder in reaching these milestones.

To all of you, I extend my gratitude. Oh...and of course: "well done, old chap".

Cheers!

Funny you mention this. The "Rustbucket" thread did the same thing. I think what happens is this:

1. Mud member like yourself or Lee starts an amazing new thread
2. 10-15 guys start reading but dont think to include the rest of us until
3. one club or another starts to discuss in their homepage thread
4. word of an incredible build, story, etc spreads
5. the "wildfire" effect

My opinion is that your thread and Lee's incorporate much more than the truck. The thing that I love about these trucks is the history, simplicity, and where they can take me (with my family). I believe that we all share this desire/belief to explore, tinker on these trucks, and make them our own. (amazing how the same truck can take on so many forms) Your thread fuses the cutlure of your area and brings YOU off the page from the type and pictures.

I feel like I am watching an amazing lego project go together and as I watch it I am learning about culture, people, dress, your resources, etc. Not to mention, as you have, all the commraderie and excellent ideas flowing throughout your thread.

my .02 cents

 

[waiting for time]

I KNEW I should have kept my trap shut and not mentioned zebra stripes

Now, we have camouflage and aged camouflage, and zebra stripes and tiger stripes, and rust and patina, and a batman theme...ALL bubbling around in the cauldron!

Clearly, this place is not good for my mental well-being.

And no one state the obvious, and comment: "You're an FJ40 owner. Your state of mental well-being can't possibly be stellar, to begin with".

(and I have the feeling someone's bound to say that, anyways )

Agreed, for the general public a 40 owner has a questional state of mind.
However people always think they are normal and the rest of the world is crazy.
If you take a group with the same kind of insanity they all think others in the group are pretty normal.

In other words go with any collor/scheme you want it will turn out great.

 

[romey]

One of my next "Photoshoot Pakistan" posts, should deal with Pakistani Cuisine and Recipes.

yes! you do that! please! recipes for sure, just like how grandma used to make it back in the day in the old village!

i like the metaphor you used with the game of cricket. probably not a very familar sport to the americans, but we get a lot of exposure to it in the big multicultural cities of canada. and i'm still tryin to figure that game out, lol.

anyway, just be glad that your worries are picking what colour to paint the 40 and which vehicle to drive on which day... that's good stress.

i think the camo might get the wrong attention, in some parts of the neighbourhood, the zebra stripes, if done incorrectly, might just look like a ghey safari vehicle...the rusty dereclict look will probably be frowned upon by the locals, and they might not get it, not that it matters, lol (although i love that look!). so i say, imho, give it a standard factory 40 paint job, maybe in a satin finish, and call it a day! and wheel the hell out of it! not that any of this matters, it's your 40! that will always be the funnest part of owning a 40 series! haha, fun thread. i love that it's got more than just a build in it. cheers.

err, how about factory pumpkin orange with satin black fenders...?!

 

[singletrackjunkie]

X2 on including recipes with any food pics
I think airbrushed faux rust over an oem base color might keep people from looking at it too closely and act to deter theft and give it that classic 40 look and feel. Either way I'm really enjoying your thread

 

[fjwagon]

Yup, X3 on recipes/food pics. Well since you already have a white top, my vote is go with an OEM color. I truly believe if Toyota should of built this type of rig instead of the FJ Cruiser.

X2 on including recipes with any food pics
Either way I'm really enjoying your thread

 

[FouadHafeez]

Funny you mention this. The "Rustbucket" thread did the same thing. I think what happens is this:

1. Mud member like yourself or Lee starts an amazing new thread
2. 10-15 guys start reading but dont think to include the rest of us until
3. one club or another starts to discuss in their homepage thread
4. word of an incredible build, story, etc spreads
5. the "wildfire" effect

My opinion is that your thread and Lee's incorporate much more than the truck. The thing that I love about these trucks is the history, simplicity, and where they can take me (with my family). I believe that we all share this desire/belief to explore, tinker on these trucks, and make them our own. (amazing how the same truck can take on so many forms) Your thread fuses the cutlure of your area and brings YOU off the page from the type and pictures.

I feel like I am watching an amazing lego project go together and as I watch it I am learning about culture, people, dress, your resources, etc. Not to mention, as you have, all the commraderie and excellent ideas flowing throughout your thread.

my .02 cents

It's lofty praise indeed, for this rambling, meandering, somewhat-inarticulate thread to be compared to Sea Knight's marvelous writing. I'm a great fan of how he weaves "real-life" anecdotes and stories around all things automotive...and through his page, I feel as if I KNOW the MAN more than the MACHINE. To my mind, that is the biggest accolade for a writer: to be consciously aware of the empathy, passion, and sense of "hey...I can identify with that", he evokes in you. Sea Knight does that incredibly well. BEAUTIFULLY well.

You made a very important point about the 40s being "our own". The Phantom is a truck my better half LOVES to hate. It's the truck that my children are absolutely ga-ga over, and they can't wait until the weather clears up a little for them to practice their camouflage-painting technique on (yeah...I am so going to let them have their go, and then paint over it ). I own a pair of dogs (Lhasa Apsos; named Mojo and Juno), and even THEY are territorial about the beast, in comparison to the other vehicles I own (if Mojo's perpetual leg-cocking next to the left rear Super Swamper is any indication). So, yes...these trucks are inanimate objects...but they very much possess a unique "character" of their own, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the appreciation. It certainly translates into inspiration.

Fouad.

 

[FouadHafeez]

Agreed, for the general public a 40 owner has a questional state of mind.
However people always think they are normal and the rest of the world is crazy.
If you take a group with the same kind of insanity they all think others in the group are pretty normal.

I completely agree, Michael. And people wonder why I snarl when they refer to the Phantom as a "Toyota Jeep".

In other words go with any collor/scheme you want it will turn out great.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, mate. Like everyone else here in "Radical Rig Rehab"...you form part of a great support group!

"Hi, my name is Fouad, and I'm an addict. My thoughts constantly revolve around topless Land Cruisers, naked Series 40s, and stripped-down, unadorned, unmade-up rough rides..."

 

[FouadHafeez]

yes! you do that! please! recipes for sure....

X2 on including recipes with any food pics...

Yup, X3 on recipes/food pics...

Fellow foodies, bon vivants, and gourmands alike...let me allay thy fears.

My Grandma (rest her soul) made THE best Biryani...and I mean THE best Biryani, bar none...in the entire world. And amongst the treasure-trove of artifacts, trinkets, pieces of jewelry, and assorted bric-a-brac that survive her...is a yellowed, aged piece of paper that lists ALL her secret ingredients to this deliciously-decadent concoction she'd make for us.

Soon to be revealed, finally!

 

[bj40green]

I love food! I'm the cook in this household. Me being a 1/4 Indonesian and 3/4 Dutch, LOVE rice dishes but this Biryani I had never heard of, so I looked it up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biryani

Boy, that looks good and such a variety! Can't wait which one you're coming up with Fouad.

Rudi

 

[handcannon]

Funny you mention this. The "Rustbucket" thread did the same thing. I think what happens is this:

1. Mud member like yourself or Lee starts an amazing new thread
2. 10-15 guys start reading but dont think to include the rest of us until
3. one club or another starts to discuss in their homepage thread
4. word of an incredible build, story, etc spreads
5. the "wildfire" effect

My opinion is that your thread and Lee's incorporate much more than the truck. The thing that I love about these trucks is the history, simplicity, and where they can take me (with my family). I believe that we all share this desire/belief to explore, tinker on these trucks, and make them our own. (amazing how the same truck can take on so many forms) Your thread fuses the cutlure of your area and brings YOU off the page from the type and pictures.

I feel like I am watching an amazing lego project go together and as I watch it I am learning about culture, people, dress, your resources, etc. Not to mention, as you have, all the commraderie and excellent ideas flowing throughout your thread.

my .02 cents

This is my first post to this thread, but I have very much enjoyed it. The last three weeks. I've been running crazy due to three family reunions, church family camp, a wedding, and now leaving within minutes for Spokane Washington (about 500 miles away) for another wedding. My daughter is a bridesmaid in a friends wedding and we'll get to see several of my cousins.

So I've just now caught up with this thread, only to get behind again in the next few days. I have absolutely enjoyed this thread!! I think SHUSH has captured my feelings better than I could have portrayed them.

I think the magic of this thread really starts with the personality and attitude of the originater of the thread. You have a way of encouraging and building others up that makes others feel comfortable. I'd love to someday meet you, although I know full well that is something that will most likely never happen.

Got to go now, should have been on the road 45 minutes ago.

Don

 

[romey]

Fellow foodies, bon vivants, and gourmands alike...let me allay thy fears.

My Grandma (rest her soul) made THE best Biryani...and I mean THE best Biryani, bar none...in the entire world. And amongst the treasure-trove of artifacts, trinkets, pieces of jewelry, and assorted bric-a-brac that survive her...is a yellowed, aged piece of paper that lists ALL her secret ingredients to this deliciously-decadent concoction she'd make for us.

Soon to be revealed, finally!

haha, nice! woot woot! biryani away dude!!