Hope both of you have a great day Dave!!
Builds Doc's 1978 FJ40 Rebuild
- Thread starter TractorDoc
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- Thread starter
- #602
Big Thank Yous to Everyone for all the Well Wishes.
Don, I will say that we are in the double digits. . . low double digits though as we just turned 30 when we got hitched.
I survived the shopping trip; I held my usual post standing outside the store door holding bags while she did whatever wives do on the inside. Spent yesterday cleaning house and wrapping gifts -- a tough and rugged man weekend for sure.
I should be back with wrenches in hand sometime this week when the new tractor transmission parts arrive; I've still managed to keep the 40 in the heated shop up to this point by working in a smaller than usual workspace. The cover gets lifted now and again to say everything will be ok and that its not been forgotten. . .
Don, I will say that we are in the double digits. . . low double digits though as we just turned 30 when we got hitched.
I survived the shopping trip; I held my usual post standing outside the store door holding bags while she did whatever wives do on the inside. Spent yesterday cleaning house and wrapping gifts -- a tough and rugged man weekend for sure.
I should be back with wrenches in hand sometime this week when the new tractor transmission parts arrive; I've still managed to keep the 40 in the heated shop up to this point by working in a smaller than usual workspace. The cover gets lifted now and again to say everything will be ok and that its not been forgotten. . .
- Thread starter
- #603
Reflecting back on a great year. . .
Looking forward to what 2018 has to bring. . . wishing everyone on MUD great times with their 40 and a Happy New Year!
Looking forward to what 2018 has to bring. . . wishing everyone on MUD great times with their 40 and a Happy New Year!
Thanks doc, happy new year to you and your family too.
Happy New Year!!
Happy new years!!!
Michael B
SILVER Star
Happy New Year Doc!
Here's to completing the 40 in 2018
Here's to completing the 40 in 2018
Happy New Years Dave! I have some new adventures planned soon.
greenbeasty
SILVER Star
Happy New Year Doc! I have enjoyed your build!
- Thread starter
- #612
As a youngster, I was rather mischievous. After some of the adventures my brother and I embarked upon it is hard to believe my sister ever came to be a few years after. We were the types that would make a round peg fit into a square hole. . . or try to fit any available object into any inappropriate opening. Potatoes in the toilet, car keys down the vehicle's gas filler pipe, rabbit ears antenna into the electrical socket. . . it is a wonder we are even alive today (from our parent's hand and/or our own!).
With nephews running around I thought it a good idea to use my life experiences for some preventative maintenance. The lack of a hard top gives the 40 a nice open feel, but leaves the B pillar holes temptingly wide open.
I am going back and forth between making a simple cover plate or something more questionable. . . like a upholstered/padded cover that also acts as an elbow rest. The latter idea may not look right in the end, but I thought Id start the process anyway.
Cut out a piece of card stock to use as a rough template:
Then cut a base out of yellow pine(?) leftover from the old bank barn overhaul.
The base will be secured on the bottom/inside of the post opening. The idea is to put a layer of foam atop the wood and then cover in the same black material used on the seats.
Sitting in the driver's seat confirms the location is appropriate for resting the left elbow (when cruising with the right hand on the wheel). There is a lot more work to do, plus I need to convince the Amish seat man to take on the upholstering process. It may or may not look right in the end, but as of now I think it helps the transition between the door and tub.
And that's all. Minor update. The Massey is all back together and ready for a test drive -- winter has had its way and Ive been hibernating more indoors than usual. I did take advantage of the indoor time to teardown and refurbish one of my pinball machines. . . just in case you were thinking I was sitting on the couch eating bon bons.
With nephews running around I thought it a good idea to use my life experiences for some preventative maintenance. The lack of a hard top gives the 40 a nice open feel, but leaves the B pillar holes temptingly wide open.
I am going back and forth between making a simple cover plate or something more questionable. . . like a upholstered/padded cover that also acts as an elbow rest. The latter idea may not look right in the end, but I thought Id start the process anyway.
Cut out a piece of card stock to use as a rough template:
Then cut a base out of yellow pine(?) leftover from the old bank barn overhaul.
The base will be secured on the bottom/inside of the post opening. The idea is to put a layer of foam atop the wood and then cover in the same black material used on the seats.
Sitting in the driver's seat confirms the location is appropriate for resting the left elbow (when cruising with the right hand on the wheel). There is a lot more work to do, plus I need to convince the Amish seat man to take on the upholstering process. It may or may not look right in the end, but as of now I think it helps the transition between the door and tub.
And that's all. Minor update. The Massey is all back together and ready for a test drive -- winter has had its way and Ive been hibernating more indoors than usual. I did take advantage of the indoor time to teardown and refurbish one of my pinball machines. . . just in case you were thinking I was sitting on the couch eating bon bons.
- Thread starter
- #613
A bit more time spent on project elbow rest today.
I finished up the driver side prototype base after installing the mounting points.
This first piece of wood had several cracks in it and I did not want to use it for the final product. Once I had the mounting points measured I cut out two more bases (one for the passenger side) and installed the mounting bolts/tabs. I used a piece of leftover "tailgate" steel for the "L" tab.
The base test fits in place well.
I was able to touch base with the upholstery man earlier in the week; he thinks he can work with the bases and add the foam/same material as the seats no problem. I will drop them off this week and he said he will work them in when he can. . . should not take too long according to him (but this is Amish time we are talking, much different than our "English" time).
Is this idea going to look right when done? Honestly, I do not know. If I can keep the top of the elbow rest even/flush with the top of the door that would help. The good thing is this is bolt on, not permanent. I will take the chance on getting them covered and will see how things look in finished form. If they are an eyesore and take away from the rest of the truck I will simply toss them in the "It was worth a shot" box and cover the holes with a simple metal plate. . . painted blue of course.
I finished up the driver side prototype base after installing the mounting points.
This first piece of wood had several cracks in it and I did not want to use it for the final product. Once I had the mounting points measured I cut out two more bases (one for the passenger side) and installed the mounting bolts/tabs. I used a piece of leftover "tailgate" steel for the "L" tab.
The base test fits in place well.
I was able to touch base with the upholstery man earlier in the week; he thinks he can work with the bases and add the foam/same material as the seats no problem. I will drop them off this week and he said he will work them in when he can. . . should not take too long according to him (but this is Amish time we are talking, much different than our "English" time).
Is this idea going to look right when done? Honestly, I do not know. If I can keep the top of the elbow rest even/flush with the top of the door that would help. The good thing is this is bolt on, not permanent. I will take the chance on getting them covered and will see how things look in finished form. If they are an eyesore and take away from the rest of the truck I will simply toss them in the "It was worth a shot" box and cover the holes with a simple metal plate. . . painted blue of course.
Michael B
SILVER Star
Doc its good to see you're not sittin' on the couch gaining weight. I think your arm rests will blend into the seats behind them visually, so it should work out just fine.
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Is this idea going to look right when done? Honestly, I do not know. If they are an eyesore and take away from the rest of the truck I will simply toss them in the "It was worth a shot" box.
This is a cool idea....
Wait, did you drill holes for this?
For future readers, the sano way is to attach EMT to the bottom of the rest, equal in length & dia to the HT post, and secure it in place with the hidden set-bolt on the rear of the B-pillar.
OK, got that off my chest, carry on with beautiful build.
- Thread starter
- #616
Do not worry Jim.
No tubs were harmed in the making of this modification. You can look back a couple posts to my first pic of the open B pillar and you will see the two holes I am using. . . both were pre drilled in the tub before my ownership to secure the hardtop.
I will be adding a rivnut to the "L" bracket on the base for the B pillar (roughly marked by the black dot on the prototype). I have not drilled the hole for that yet because I imagine the added vinyl covering will raise the wood from the tub slightly. I hope that makes sense. . .
No tubs were harmed in the making of this modification.
You can look back a couple posts to my first pic of the open B pillar and you will see the two holes I am using. . . both were pre drilled in the tub before my ownership to secure the hardtop. I will be adding a rivnut to the "L" bracket on the base for the B pillar (roughly marked by the black dot on the prototype). I have not drilled the hole for that yet because I imagine the added vinyl covering will raise the wood from the tub slightly. I hope that makes sense. . .
- Thread starter
- #617
Picked up a new accessory to add to the 40. The CAT label is probably nothing more than a decal (vs. an indicator of quality/performance) but I was drawn in and the marketers hooked me this time.
Being a flip phone guy, I can go all day (or days) without needing a charge. The Mrs. on the other hand has the Apple Phone and before we go anywhere in a vehicle she locates the car charger to stay powered up. The 40 has the original cigarette lighter (to accept DC) but so many things have a USB port in the modern age so I thought an inverter would be handy.
As of now, it looks like the best place for mounting will be under the driver's seat. Don't worry Jim, I will not drill any new holes but will need to make a mounting bracket to tie into existing tub holes. Please excuse the dusty seat rails.
Mounting and hookup should be straight forward, as you can tell from the first pic I will need longer +/- cables though.
To determine just how long to make those cables I wanted an accurate measurement. I was looking for a piece of string to tie to the inverter, run thru the tub, and route to the respective terminals but instead found a small diameter ground wire leftover from a home light fixture install (have I mentioned I do not throw much away?) that worked perfect. I simply followed the desired path and measured the length of wire afterwards -- I will make up some 6AWG cables when I have the proper materials.
On my first vet truck I had a similar inverter installed under the seat. When on it powered an AC plug receptacle on the back of the truck -- it ran my ultrasound, clippers, etc. for the times I was out in Amish Country or the middle of a farm field. Definitely handy then. . . while I do not see the 40 making farm calls it would be nice to have AC Power on hand. Coffee maker perhaps? Hot Plate? Charging camera batteries or the laptop for posting on MUD? As long as its under 1000 watts (and inverter compatible) we have it covered.
Being a flip phone guy, I can go all day (or days) without needing a charge. The Mrs. on the other hand has the Apple Phone and before we go anywhere in a vehicle she locates the car charger to stay powered up. The 40 has the original cigarette lighter (to accept DC) but so many things have a USB port in the modern age so I thought an inverter would be handy.
As of now, it looks like the best place for mounting will be under the driver's seat. Don't worry Jim, I will not drill any new holes but will need to make a mounting bracket to tie into existing tub holes. Please excuse the dusty seat rails.
Mounting and hookup should be straight forward, as you can tell from the first pic I will need longer +/- cables though.
To determine just how long to make those cables I wanted an accurate measurement. I was looking for a piece of string to tie to the inverter, run thru the tub, and route to the respective terminals but instead found a small diameter ground wire leftover from a home light fixture install (have I mentioned I do not throw much away?) that worked perfect. I simply followed the desired path and measured the length of wire afterwards -- I will make up some 6AWG cables when I have the proper materials.
On my first vet truck I had a similar inverter installed under the seat. When on it powered an AC plug receptacle on the back of the truck -- it ran my ultrasound, clippers, etc. for the times I was out in Amish Country or the middle of a farm field. Definitely handy then. . . while I do not see the 40 making farm calls it would be nice to have AC Power on hand. Coffee maker perhaps? Hot Plate? Charging camera batteries or the laptop for posting on MUD? As long as its under 1000 watts (and inverter compatible) we have it covered.
- Thread starter
- #618
Sure does seem like time ticks faster the older I get. . .
We have officially started greenhouse operations again and the tables/baskets are slowly filling up.
My contributions are mostly in the form of labor; occasionally I get asked if something looks right/nice but I think the asker has their mind made up before I answer. On Fridays we get up early and drive to a big commercial greenhouse about 45 minutes away to take advantage of stuff they grew too much of, orders that had been cancelled, etc. It is the plant grower's version of black Friday sales. . . they keep you behind a barrier until a certain time then say "go ahead" and everyone rushes to the racks of plants to find something they need, want, or don't want anyone else to have. In years past there has been some elbows thrown and harsh words spoken in the fray but so far in 2018 interactions have been civil.
In between filling pots with dirt I rounded up materials to create an inverter bracket.
I have to admit I was questioning the initial placement/proximity of the inverter to the fuel tank and lines. . . after @GA Architect brought the same concern up in conversation I decided to move it closer to the driver side. Will the foot or so really make that much difference? Off the top of my head I do not know the concentration of fuel vapor in air that will ignite with a stray spark; I hope to never find out the hard way!
A few cuts, a few bends, and a few holes (not in the tub!) later the inverter is secure utilizing the seat and body mount bolts.
The seatbelts are hideous but these were put in place to get on the road while I work on getting the proper shoulder strap units working/cleaned up. When the weather warms I may give the inverter brackets a coat of black to make them "go away." Measured again for cables and called it a day. A couple other 40 surprises/upgrades on the horizon but we will talk about those next time.
We have officially started greenhouse operations again and the tables/baskets are slowly filling up.
My contributions are mostly in the form of labor; occasionally I get asked if something looks right/nice but I think the asker has their mind made up before I answer. On Fridays we get up early and drive to a big commercial greenhouse about 45 minutes away to take advantage of stuff they grew too much of, orders that had been cancelled, etc. It is the plant grower's version of black Friday sales. . . they keep you behind a barrier until a certain time then say "go ahead" and everyone rushes to the racks of plants to find something they need, want, or don't want anyone else to have. In years past there has been some elbows thrown and harsh words spoken in the fray but so far in 2018 interactions have been civil.
In between filling pots with dirt I rounded up materials to create an inverter bracket.
I have to admit I was questioning the initial placement/proximity of the inverter to the fuel tank and lines. . . after @GA Architect brought the same concern up in conversation I decided to move it closer to the driver side. Will the foot or so really make that much difference? Off the top of my head I do not know the concentration of fuel vapor in air that will ignite with a stray spark; I hope to never find out the hard way!
A few cuts, a few bends, and a few holes (not in the tub!) later the inverter is secure utilizing the seat and body mount bolts.
The seatbelts are hideous but these were put in place to get on the road while I work on getting the proper shoulder strap units working/cleaned up. When the weather warms I may give the inverter brackets a coat of black to make them "go away." Measured again for cables and called it a day. A couple other 40 surprises/upgrades on the horizon but we will talk about those next time.
Awesome build! Very inspiring. Cpl questions. How is the charcoal canister fuel line routed and where is it mounted? mine currently is plugged at the outlet just past the small filter.
Also, your painting looks great! Going to try painting myself.
Did you use epoxy primer first, then basecoat/clearcoat? How many layers?
Sorry for all the questions.
thanks!
Also, your painting looks great! Going to try painting myself.
Did you use epoxy primer first, then basecoat/clearcoat? How many layers?
Sorry for all the questions.
thanks!
Ocho77
SILVER Star
Looking good, Doc! I like the inverter idea, nice work!
My family and I drove through the western side of your state last week, on our way to Florida. As I passed multiple farms, I often looked for a blue 40 parked inside a barn...
Glad to see you're staying busy in the cold months!
My family and I drove through the western side of your state last week, on our way to Florida. As I passed multiple farms, I often looked for a blue 40 parked inside a barn...
Glad to see you're staying busy in the cold months!
