Dave's 1978 FJ40 long restoration project

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DSB345 said:
My wife used the term "our house is starting to look like Sanford and Sons" I'm trying to keep things organized and put away. :meh:
It's starting to wear on her I think. :eek:
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Wives need to form their own therapy circles to help them get thru this. When I went to visit @StaleAle in VA the first time, their upscale living room and dining room were the scene of a Landcruiser occupation.:eek:

I actually think it helps keep the wives equally motivated to see the truck get finished.:idea:

Of course, I could be wrong on this. YMMV.:meh:
 
DSB345 said:
I wish it was that easy :confused:
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65swb45 said:
Wives need to form their own therapy circles to help them get thru this. When I went to visit @StaleAle in VA the first time, their upscale living room and dining room were the scene of a Landcruiser occupation.:eek:

I actually think it helps keep the wives equally motivated to see the truck get finished.:idea:

Of course, I could be wrong on this. YMMV.:meh:
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You are both correct! But diamonds help a lot!
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I have learned the hard way over the years - wives are tough to figure out . I did learn if you involve them in decisions that they are interested in - such as colors and such , they take more of an interest in the project . My wife of 28yrs picked out our new-to-us 2014 pickup - she liked the color and I like the engine/drivetrain . A few things are missing that I wish it had , like a limited slip rear but none of them are things I can't swap out or add . She's so involved she'll be picking out it's nerf/step bars/boards and a couple of other add-ons . She likes the current rims , but I hate the 17" size since the truck was proportioned for the 20" wheels/tires . Current stock tires are almost shot at 20k so that will be "gently persuaded" over the summer . I can get a stock 20" wheel that looks identical to what it has now so it doesn't loose the character that she likes - that's the important part . If I change the looks , that will never make her happy and I'm not trying to outlive her Irish vindictive nature , either ..lol . She hates the manual passenger seat and the fact it's so stiff (don't think anyone ever rode in it) , so I'm on the hunt for a matching power 10-way bucket seat - the harness for it is already there and I can even add heated/cooled if I find one with the harness and switches in the dash . Nice that they are unit built now , makes it easier to make changes that weren't included in the original order of the vehicle .

Bottom line after a lot of wandering - involve her as much as possible with decisions you can live with and someone else getting their opinion accepted . With a 40 it took awhile for her to even accept riding in it - and she hates how rough it is , so I get a new suspension as soon as funds allow - that's how we cooperate and it works . The more you can get a spouse interested in what you're doing the better things go...

Sarge
 
Weber Sarge said:
I have learned the hard way over the years - wives are tough to figure out . I did learn if you involve them in decisions that they are interested in - such as colors and such , they take more of an interest in the project . My wife of 28yrs picked out our new-to-us 2014 pickup - she liked the color and I like the engine/drivetrain . A few things are missing that I wish it had , like a limited slip rear but none of them are things I can't swap out or add . She's so involved she'll be picking out it's nerf/step bars/boards and a couple of other add-ons . She likes the current rims , but I hate the 17" size since the truck was proportioned for the 20" wheels/tires . Current stock tires are almost shot at 20k so that will be "gently persuaded" over the summer . I can get a stock 20" wheel that looks identical to what it has now so it doesn't loose the character that she likes - that's the important part . If I change the looks , that will never make her happy and I'm not trying to outlive her Irish vindictive nature , either ..lol . She hates the manual passenger seat and the fact it's so stiff (don't think anyone ever rode in it) , so I'm on the hunt for a matching power 10-way bucket seat - the harness for it is already there and I can even add heated/cooled if I find one with the harness and switches in the dash . Nice that they are unit built now , makes it easier to make changes that weren't included in the original order of the vehicle .

Bottom line after a lot of wandering - involve her as much as possible with decisions you can live with and someone else getting their opinion accepted . With a 40 it took awhile for her to even accept riding in it - and she hates how rough it is , so I get a new suspension as soon as funds allow - that's how we cooperate and it works . The more you can get a spouse interested in what you're doing the better things go...

Sarge
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Amen sarge.

I've found the same thing. Now I'm only newly married, 7 months in, but my wife also appreciates being involved in some of the decisions, especially things like paint.

Just watch out for one thing...

If she gets into it too much, then she's gonna want one too! :D now, anyone know where I can find a sky blue 40? :p
 
Good advise Sarge!
I show her what I'm doing step by step and so on. My problem is space. My wife is a non clutter person. I don't have a separate man cave garage like some of you all to store my parts. I have many cabinets that line my garage full of parts that need restoring, tools, and heavy equipment items. I have many finished or new items for the rig that I have littered my office and extra room with for the build to keep them out of the enviroment. I think once I get the axles, motor and trans on the frame, it will be a little easier. But choosing to do this rig right takes time and a lot of patience. I won't rush this. With that being said, she apologized last night and she's been a real trooper.
Dave
 
Plodding along for the moment. Dizzy is almost cleaned up for reinstall. Replacement oil cooler is ready for powder paint. Fuel pump is on.
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Pulled the manifold set down last night.
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I put the paper towel underneath it to make it easier to see how well the manifold ears line up at the bolt circles.
 
Brought it in to the shop today, smoked the bolts loose that sandwich the manifolds, then started scrubbing. Now they're clean enough to go to the blaster.
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Oil cooler is back from the powdercoater. Bolts for it back from the plater. Just need washers and gasket for final install ( on order from Mr. T)

Tried to upload pic twice; uploader is frozen. Will post later.

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Carb linkage has good color:
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Intake looks like new:
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My god Mark that is some serious cruiser porn!!!!!!! Looking excellent.
 
DSB345 said:
I'm not going to want to start it :clap:
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Dave, this is definitely a nut and bolt resto it's going to be an awesome looking cruiser! :)
 
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If I remember correctly, Dave did want it to be a show vehicle..........looking like Concours type detail! JohhnyC may be a good source of originality details or wscbill............. Looking excellent!!
 
Dave

Forgot to mention. I took the core support along for an evaluation.cthey said it should beadblast just fine, even with the POR on it.:)
 
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