Dave's 1978 FJ40 long restoration project (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter DSB345
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You mean I can finally borrow the dolly? 
So that ‘squeaky wheel’ ‘ come to Jesus’ talk you told me and Brian about three weeks ago paid off. Very cool.
Time to put a portable AC in the garage!
Dont overdue your back. Easy to do when you get excited.
So that ‘squeaky wheel’ ‘ come to Jesus’ talk you told me and Brian about three weeks ago paid off. Very cool.
Time to put a portable AC in the garage!
Dont overdue your back. Easy to do when you get excited.
Looks great.
DSB345
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- #785
Do you really need the dolly?
You mean I can finally borrow the dolly?
So that ‘squeaky wheel’ ‘ come to Jesus’ talk you told me and Brian about three weeks ago paid off. Very cool.
Time to put a portable AC in the garage!
Dont overdue your back. Easy to do when you get excited.
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Nah. The engine dolly doesn’t even have a place inside currently. I’m in the middle of another reorganization.
You can store it for me for a while.
Update!
DSB345
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I haven't posted in over two years. Time for a update! I ended up moving out of California to Austin, TX. it's been quite a ordeal to say the least. First, the snow storm and freeze.
That was a experience I will never forget coming from a native born Southern California guy. Overall, moving to Texas was the best decision I have made.
It took me about 6 months to get settled in to our temporary home that has turned out to be 2 years now. I had to put body parts on the red one I started restoring over that year off and on while it was in California for work so I could get it here. My wonderful manager was helping me one day and dropped the brace between the windshield frame and side panel onto the floor board putting a couple chips in the paint.
when I saw what he was doing, I told him to stop, but it was too late. I watched it tumbling in the air a couple times as he tried to catch it over and over on it's way down. My fault for not putting down a blanket first. I couldn't get the cruisers here for about a year, but they are tucked away in storage here now.
I take the TLC, the tan one, out once and a while. when the weather is just right and not a blazing 112 degrees outside. Too hot to work on the project rig in the summer and my back has been in bad shape since the move. I plan to get some more done this winter God willing. Just got another epidural shot in my back yesterday so I will hope for the best.
This is where I stand now. I bought the wrong replacement hood. I have a bigger than usual gap at the hinges and it runs over the front bib a 1/4". I didn't know there were different lengths of hoods but apparently there are. I will need to find another and have it painted. Warning! Make sure you do your homework on body parts. Again, my fault for not checking first. I have most everything done and ready to install. I just need my back to cooperate. a couple pics of the progress so far.
That was a experience I will never forget coming from a native born Southern California guy. Overall, moving to Texas was the best decision I have made.
It took me about 6 months to get settled in to our temporary home that has turned out to be 2 years now. I had to put body parts on the red one I started restoring over that year off and on while it was in California for work so I could get it here. My wonderful manager was helping me one day and dropped the brace between the windshield frame and side panel onto the floor board putting a couple chips in the paint.
when I saw what he was doing, I told him to stop, but it was too late. I watched it tumbling in the air a couple times as he tried to catch it over and over on it's way down. My fault for not putting down a blanket first. I couldn't get the cruisers here for about a year, but they are tucked away in storage here now.I take the TLC, the tan one, out once and a while. when the weather is just right and not a blazing 112 degrees outside. Too hot to work on the project rig in the summer and my back has been in bad shape since the move. I plan to get some more done this winter God willing. Just got another epidural shot in my back yesterday so I will hope for the best.
This is where I stand now. I bought the wrong replacement hood. I have a bigger than usual gap at the hinges and it runs over the front bib a 1/4". I didn't know there were different lengths of hoods but apparently there are. I will need to find another and have it painted. Warning! Make sure you do your homework on body parts. Again, my fault for not checking first. I have most everything done and ready to install. I just need my back to cooperate. a couple pics of the progress so far.
Last edited:
Thanks for the update Dave. Didn’t you have a ‘78 green one if I recall correctly? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Tom
DSB345
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Hi Tom,
That was the color it was painted. I took it back to the original Freeborn Red. Good to hear from you. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
Thanks for the update Dave. Didn’t you have a ‘78 green one if I recall correctly? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Tom Thanks for the update Dave. Didn’t you have a ‘78 green one if I recall correctly? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Tom
That was the color it was painted. I took it back to the original Freeborn Red. Good to hear from you. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
Thanks for the update Dave. Didn’t you have a ‘78 green one if I recall correctly? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Tom Thanks for the update Dave. Didn’t you have a ‘78 green one if I recall correctly? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Tom
Dave it looks great in Freeborn Red but I am biased, my ‘78 is original Freeborn Red too. Code 309 if I remember correctly
Did you do single stage or base plus clear coat? PPG? I have a ‘76 that was originally Mustard Yellow 532 I believe and I want it to be as original as possible as it was my brothers. Thanks.It's 309! Just looks a little different in the pictures.
Dave it looks great in Freeborn Red but I am biased, my ‘78 is original Freeborn Red too. Code 309 if I remember correctly
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Dave
I think your conclusion about the hood is premature. The hood attaches to the cowl, and the cowl has no direct support from the frame: it floats. The first support is at the running board stay, under the rocker panel
You won’t really know if your hood has an issue until you bolt ALL of the hardtop back on AND hang the doors. You might find it hard to imagine, but installing those things often sets off a chain of readjustments on the whole front clip.
I think your conclusion about the hood is premature. The hood attaches to the cowl, and the cowl has no direct support from the frame: it floats. The first support is at the running board stay, under the rocker panel
You won’t really know if your hood has an issue until you bolt ALL of the hardtop back on AND hang the doors. You might find it hard to imagine, but installing those things often sets off a chain of readjustments on the whole front clip.
DSB345
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- #795
Hey Mark,Dave
I think your conclusion about the hood is premature. The hood attaches to the cowl, and the cowl has no direct support from the frame: it floats. The first support is at the running board stay, under the rocker panel
You won’t really know if your hood has an issue until you bolt ALL of the hardtop back on AND hang the doors. You might find it hard to imagine, but installing those things often sets off a chain of readjustments on the whole front clip.
Interesting! I will post my issues currently for your evaluation. Good to here from you and Merry Christmas to you and you family. Thanks for the help!
Fixed it for you. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too.
Awesome! Kinda forgot about this build.
Took a bit of my own leave from Mud for about 8 months.... work was out of control.
Glad to see you made the move to Texas i hear good things.
Took a bit of my own leave from Mud for about 8 months.... work was out of control.
Glad to see you made the move to Texas i hear good things.
DSB345
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I took some pictures of the gap and overlap in front where the bib should line up with the hood, @65swb45 . The hood hinges were temporarily installed for the move to Texas. I have the painted originals that I will install later. I used Teflon washers so I wouldn't scratch the paint.
