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- #21
I actually don't mind not having power steering to be honest. Keeps the forearms strong!
Only one of my 5 vehicles currently has it, the Cayenne, and I'm likely selling that soon
Builds Eureka - a 1974 Factory Soft Top FJ40 preservation (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter DailyDrive_FJ45
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Only one of my 5 vehicles currently has it, the Cayenne, and I'm likely selling that soon
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- #22
Uncovered a couple of interesting bits of this 40's history, while I was sorting out the title and going through the few papers that hadn't disintegrated, including why I think it was never registered after 1989.
As I previously said this vehicle had one original owner, James. (I'm not counting the guy parting it out from whom i bought it.). James was from Eureka, CA where he lived his whole life until he passed away in 1997 (found through googling).
I did find paperwork indicating it was purchased at the above dealer, Paoli Brothers Inc in Eureka in 1975 (but seem to have misplaced it before getting a picture). Paoli Brothers was also an MG, Austin-Healy and Jaguar dealer.
Cool that I still have the plate frame. I'll run that.
Not sure when the rig was desmogged, but I did find a CA Emission Report indicating a smog test failure.
The version date of this particular DEQ form is from 1986 which theoretically lines up with a test in 1988-89ish when the 40 needed to be renewed.
Entirely speculation from this point, but I'm guessing the smog failure pulled this off the road. James was in his late 50's and this point and I would assume had other means of transportation that allowed him to park this, maybe to eventually get around to restoring.
James passed away in 1997, and the 40 sat until his daughter finally decided to part with it this year (2024) According to the guy I acquired this from she said it had a lot of sentimental value as they would always take it on family camping and beach trips. I was able to find the daughter's name so perhaps I'll reach out and see if I can find any other info or pictures from when it was new.
As a result, I've decided to name this project Eureka, after where she lived her entire life.
As I previously said this vehicle had one original owner, James. (I'm not counting the guy parting it out from whom i bought it.). James was from Eureka, CA where he lived his whole life until he passed away in 1997 (found through googling).
I did find paperwork indicating it was purchased at the above dealer, Paoli Brothers Inc in Eureka in 1975 (but seem to have misplaced it before getting a picture). Paoli Brothers was also an MG, Austin-Healy and Jaguar dealer.
Cool that I still have the plate frame. I'll run that.
Not sure when the rig was desmogged, but I did find a CA Emission Report indicating a smog test failure.
The version date of this particular DEQ form is from 1986 which theoretically lines up with a test in 1988-89ish when the 40 needed to be renewed.
Entirely speculation from this point, but I'm guessing the smog failure pulled this off the road. James was in his late 50's and this point and I would assume had other means of transportation that allowed him to park this, maybe to eventually get around to restoring.
James passed away in 1997, and the 40 sat until his daughter finally decided to part with it this year (2024) According to the guy I acquired this from she said it had a lot of sentimental value as they would always take it on family camping and beach trips. I was able to find the daughter's name so perhaps I'll reach out and see if I can find any other info or pictures from when it was new.
As a result, I've decided to name this project Eureka, after where she lived her entire life.
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- #23
Also the first of probably many hillbilly-ish fixes to get this thing back on the road. Gas tank was actually in pretty good shape, but did have a few areas of pinholes, decided to try out JB tank weld with some fiberglass cloth, and will probably do an additional layer of fiberglass cloth with West Marine epoxy resin once this cures. Should hold at least for a while, I'll probably be feeding it ethanol free gas just to be on the safe side though.
firemanj92
SILVER Star
Keep the Blue/yellow plates. You will be able to register it in CA since the plates never left the vehicle (registation speaking) and it shouldn't fall under the YOM program of DMV.
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- #25
I'm keeping the plate as a keepsake, probably to hang on the garage wall, but I've already transferred the title to Oregon
firemanj92
SILVER Star
Glad you know the history, it's always makes for a great story. 
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- #27
Also, in the interest of keeping things within a somewhat friendly budget, my replacement rear sill will be coming courtesy of some 16ga 2x2 I had sitting around the shop from a different project. Tons of that and other scrap laying around bc I apparently don't get rid of anything.
Free if I don't count my own labor!
Free if I don't count my own labor!
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- #28
I actually did reach out the daughter on Facebook. I'll see if she gets back to me. Would be really cool to see some pics of it in its prime.Glad you know the history, it's always makes for a great story.
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- #29
Also, since the original seats were toast.
And I mean TOAST
Eureka will be getting some nice, extremely comfy Volvo V70 seats courtesy of the pick pull, and a custom frame I'll build, again with mostly scrap j already have laying around.
Easy two wire hookup for power, 4 wires if I decide to wire in the seat heaters too. If only I could manage to get these damn headrests off. There's supposed to be a tab you press on the back under the leather, but it's eluding me, or stuck.
And I mean TOAST
Eureka will be getting some nice, extremely comfy Volvo V70 seats courtesy of the pick pull, and a custom frame I'll build, again with mostly scrap j already have laying around.
Easy two wire hookup for power, 4 wires if I decide to wire in the seat heaters too. If only I could manage to get these damn headrests off. There's supposed to be a tab you press on the back under the leather, but it's eluding me, or stuck.
Fj80oregon
GOLD Star
Hey that truck looks familiar! Good to see so much progress already. Keep up the good work!
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- #31
She ALMOST fired up yesterday.
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- #32
2x2 is marked up for drilling the bolt holes, will be working on that today, and getting the contour for the outer wings.
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- #33
Wings shaped and cut
Mocked up, just needs welded.
Mocked up, just needs welded.
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- #34
Highly recommend picking up some of these contour gauges. Very handy.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I believe I have the same problem. In my defense I only bought one FJ40 for over $2,500. My 73 FST was offered to me for a grand. I tried to sell on mud for $3,500 in 2007. One interested party but shipping was too expensive so keeping in tradition I just kept.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
If you plan on using an OEM tire carrier would add any reinforcement and fixed nuts now before you weld that area shut.
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- #37
I'm actually going to be cutting holes for body mount access (that I'll cover with rubber plugs to prevent dirt getting in)
so I might just go ahead and cut access for those too as there wasnt a good way to do it with the way the wings are structured anyway without cutting a hole in the back.
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- #38
And just like that we have a new rear sill.
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- #39
It was way more difficult than I anticipated getting the old sill out with just a sawzall and a cutoff disc. Because of course the body mount bolts were rusted to hell, and not easily accessible with a blade unless I chunked out pieces of the sill to get at them. Should definitely get myself a cutting torch at some point. But it's out! And the new sill looks like it will be a great fit.
Watching this. I’d like to see where the soft top bow project goes. I’ve been thinking of doing the same.
