Looks like it needs to have wires run to it. I hate wires!
FJ40 - Driving at night with flat glass
- Thread starter GA Architect
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I want a front mounted BB gun mounted on some sore of steering wheel controlled gimbal like the headlight on a Tucker to blast out all these super-nova bright headlights... or maybe a gun-monkey
. Passing oncoming vehicles with them leaves me night blind for 10-20 seconds afterwards. Even worse are the people who tailgate you with these things who have no idea that their headlights are adjustable. I actually called a guy on it at a stoplight a few months back after he was behind me for a mile or so. I could actually see my silhouette projected on buildings and objects in front of me as I was driving down the road because his headlights were aimed at the back of my head instead of the roadway. His reply was "They came like this from the factory". All I could think was "Gun Monkey: Activate!".The glare thing hasn't really bothered me so far but I do know it happens. I'm already so on edge driving the 40 in traffic that I guess I don't notice it. At night I'm seriously craning my neck all over the place all the time already so a few more reflections likely go unnoticed.
Relaxed at home it's another story. Even with the curtains drawn some of the side range of the modern headlights is so wide that my living room will light up like a prison yard. That definitely gets my attention.
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Another reflection I have noticed happens late in the day driving into the sun. If the sun hits my windshield just right the big interstate signs suspended over highway get super illuminated. I know the reflection is off of me because I see it move up and down as I'm bouncing along at 60 mph.
- Thread starter
- #44
I want a front mounted BB gun mounted on some sore of steering wheel controlled gimbal like the headlight on a Tucker to blast out all these super-nova bright headlights... or maybe a gun-monkey
The glare thing hasn't really bothered me so far but I do know it happens. I'm already so on edge driving the 40 in traffic that I guess I don't notice it. At night I'm seriously craning my neck all over the place all the time already so a few more reflections likely go unnoticed.
Relaxed at home it's another story. Even with the curtains drawn some of the side range of the modern headlights is so wide that my living room will light up like a prison yard. That definitely gets my attention.
What, did you watch the below special on PBS - "Gun Monkey"?
.........num - that was a good one! I totally get your post....."prison yard"....Hilarious, man!
I don't have a solution for the actual springs but I recently picked up a pair of "Wiper Snuggies" that slip over the arms and supply a little tension against the glass. They come in a vinyl coated black or chrome and are $5.00 at NAPA. They seem to work but I can't say for how long - i.e. made in Taiwan. They seem to be going through a part number change....
Old #s
BLACK = TWD 047-2121
CHROME = TWD 047-2120
New #s
Black = LUNCO 124-02121
Chrome = ?
How did you get it down the stairs?
- Thread starter
- #46
Most people just about crap themselves when they see what I have in the basement - including a lathe and 2-stage air compressor .
I guess I could just replace the arms , there is almost no spring tension left in them .
Someone mentioned polarized lenses and seeing the "spots" and haze on windows - there is an interesting story about that . Back when Dad worked for a Dodge dealer , I had noticed with certain sunglasses in low light conditions and especially under street lamps those spots and haze on the rear window of my '75 Monaco (think Blues Brothers , but brown...) . Finally got it just right and showed Dad - he contacted a rep from Chrysler and got a call back with an explanation :
It's the dye in the vinyl interior bleeding off a gas that creates a film on the windows , sort of like cigarette smoke . Use our glass cleaner , he said and gave the part number . A trip into the Parts room and grabbed a can , paid the owner and cleaned those windows - the dots were gone ! I'm certain the stuff is outlawed by now - it had so much ammonia in it all the doors/windows had to be open and you really needed a fan , there was even a warning on the can not to get it on the interior . It was a Mopar part-numbered item , maybe it's still around .
All I know is , never found a glass cleaner since that works nearly like that .
The reflections in mine are not better or worse since my latest pair of glasses with whatever voodoo coating for UV on them - they are Transitions but I've noticed a difference in window glass and sometimes it's downright aggravating how those reflections block your vision .
Sarge
I guess I could just replace the arms , there is almost no spring tension left in them .
Someone mentioned polarized lenses and seeing the "spots" and haze on windows - there is an interesting story about that . Back when Dad worked for a Dodge dealer , I had noticed with certain sunglasses in low light conditions and especially under street lamps those spots and haze on the rear window of my '75 Monaco (think Blues Brothers , but brown...) . Finally got it just right and showed Dad - he contacted a rep from Chrysler and got a call back with an explanation :
It's the dye in the vinyl interior bleeding off a gas that creates a film on the windows , sort of like cigarette smoke . Use our glass cleaner , he said and gave the part number . A trip into the Parts room and grabbed a can , paid the owner and cleaned those windows - the dots were gone ! I'm certain the stuff is outlawed by now - it had so much ammonia in it all the doors/windows had to be open and you really needed a fan , there was even a warning on the can not to get it on the interior . It was a Mopar part-numbered item , maybe it's still around .
All I know is , never found a glass cleaner since that works nearly like that .
The reflections in mine are not better or worse since my latest pair of glasses with whatever voodoo coating for UV on them - they are Transitions but I've noticed a difference in window glass and sometimes it's downright aggravating how those reflections block your vision .
Sarge
Here is another "FJ40 Illusion" that Ive noticed (is it just me?) when I first started driving it. Being used to my 80 series then going to the 40, it seems like the car behind you is right on your bumper and very close. "whoa! that guy is right on my a**!?"
In reality, being that the back of the 40 is only a few feet from my seatback , the car isnt driving any closer - just appears that way.
Biggest inherit problem for me is the blind spots... I put those small blind spot mirrors on my regular mirrors recently ... Don't know why I never did it before... It helped alot... Now I don't have to Rely on my kids when I ask "do you see anybody on your side?" ... They are my 'double check' now 
I think he was referring to the Trunk Monkey
JohnnyC, did you see my mirror project, I like them so far, spread them out far enough, you can see the trailer ball,
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/door-mirror-opinion-option.822084/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/door-mirror-opinion-option.822084/
Biggest inherit problem for me is the blind spots... I put those small blind spot mirrors on my regular mirrors recently ... Don't know why I never did it before... It helped alot... Now I don't have to Rely on my kids when I ask "do you see anybody on your side?" ... They are my 'double check' now
I get grief (especially from GA) for not being able to use the over dash mirror. I use side mirrors exclusively and have the small spot mirrors - they help a lot.
But, what really works well for me, for eliminating blind spots, is turning my head...
Of course, my youngest kid is almost 42... if I ask her "do you see anybody on your side?", she would respond with "is your neck not working?".
I have not had a problem with glare on my 1981 fj40, but will most likely notice now that i have read this post. We live in Atlanta, just install your soft top. This cold weather will not last long.
And yes my hard top is currently on, i am a chicken when it comes to cold weather.
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Same here, GA. Every 30 seconds it seems like something is comin' up on my right, when it's a refelction of something on my left.....
Sometimes, I turn the dash light on... and just ignore the other reflections.
Sometimes, I turn the dash light on... and just ignore the other reflections.
Sarge,
Your right.
In vinyls and other plastics there is in use plasticizers (helps with solubility, flexibility, etc.) and it will evaporate out of the plastic.
This is part of the equation why vinyl cracks after years of exposure. When it evaporates some of it condenses on the interior windows. It really does act like cigarette smoke residue on the windows.
I think in years past I used acetone to clean it off. A guy might try acetone on a paper towel to help get the residue off but like your original warning on the can said "Don't get it on your interior" as it will dissolve some plastics and paints.
I was floored the first time I'd heard of this and just listened to a comment from Jay Leno about interior plastics and dye emissions from older cars . Those odd halo spots under a street light in the right humidity are very noticeable and distracting , way tough stuff to get off completely . I know of no current glass cleaner that will remove it including ammonia/water mixes and even vinegar straight from the bottle . I'm curious if the polishing compound would remove it and stop some of these reflections ....?? Don't have a warm shop to test this , but I know my front windshield and side door windows are pretty covered in the spots .
Sarge
Sarge
YEPPR
Ammonia, Vinegar and Rubbing alcohol won't cut it they're polar.
I would try acetone first though as it will probably dissolve the residue on the window onto the rag, easily evaporates, and is readily available.
Now......if you could get your hands on some Benzene that's some good solvent!!!! But alas it as good a solvent/reactor on our body as what your trying to react or dissolve it with so they outlawed it.
FULL DISCLOSURE: The above statements and two dollars will buy you a cup of coffee.........Here! But not on the West or East Coast!!
Ammonia, Vinegar and Rubbing alcohol won't cut it they're polar.
I would try acetone first though as it will probably dissolve the residue on the window onto the rag, easily evaporates, and is readily available.
Now......if you could get your hands on some Benzene that's some good solvent!!!! But alas it as good a solvent/reactor on our body as what your trying to react or dissolve it with so they outlawed it.
FULL DISCLOSURE: The above statements and two dollars will buy you a cup of coffee.........Here! But not on the West or East Coast!!
I must say that I think I'm in the crowd that I don't really ever notice the issues regarding the flat glass. I'm putting my topper on tomorrow (Haven't had it on for 2 years.) and I will take a closer look in the coming weeks to see what you guys are talking about.
JohnnyC,
You want to talk blind spots. I'm going to mention the dirty word...... FJCruiser. My wife has a FJCruiser and wow oh wow the first few times driving one of those you think the truck needs to come with someone hanging their head out the side looking to see if someone else is there. It has huge blind spots.
Ok I've realize the Scotch and Water has taken full effect and I probably should concentrate more on reading than posting.
Good Thread though.
GA good topic.
JohnnyC,
You want to talk blind spots. I'm going to mention the dirty word...... FJCruiser. My wife has a FJCruiser and wow oh wow the first few times driving one of those you think the truck needs to come with someone hanging their head out the side looking to see if someone else is there. It has huge blind spots.
Ok I've realize the Scotch and Water has taken full effect and I probably should concentrate more on reading than posting.
Good Thread though.
GA good topic.
Now that is funny. I was just in a debate with a FJ Cruiser owner he was telling they have no blind spot and I told him that he was full of s***. I test drove one a few years back and it felt like a coffin. I need fun house mirrors to see properly out of that thing.
I've got the glare issue as well, but I think it's a combination of my aging eyes, the flat glass and the modern lights that resemble my 50000 candle power auxiliary light I had on my 40 in high school.
My 81 and 84 both have zone tempered windshields. There is this hellish rainbow pattern that appears every time I try to use sunglasses. In addition relatively reflective surfaces get brighter and darker with the slightest movement of my head. I can't find any sunglasses that are not polarized. I might have to get welding glasses to solve the problem. It's especially bad in the snow.
Did the late model U.S. trucks not have these tempered windshields?
The side glass reflections I find to be especially distracting in large parking lots. It only really gets me on the drivers side. If there is some on d of a to reflective coating that would not affect the transparency I'd give it a shot for sure. When I first got the truck it did take a good while to get used to it.
Pete
Did the late model U.S. trucks not have these tempered windshields?
The side glass reflections I find to be especially distracting in large parking lots. It only really gets me on the drivers side. If there is some on d of a to reflective coating that would not affect the transparency I'd give it a shot for sure. When I first got the truck it did take a good while to get used to it.
Pete