- Thread starter
- #221
Picked up the 40 today. Put my doors on. Holding out as long as I can for the top. Check out that dry garage floor 
Flatlander’s 1974 FJ40 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Flatlanderfj40
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #222
Another major breakthrough today: named the Land Cruiser, Ethel. I’ve been thinking of a name for her for over a year.
I’m a big fan of a Howard Stern personality who created Ethel Mertz making phony phone calls, Richard Christie. He’s also is from KS.
In 1974 Ethel was the 955th most popular name, which is funny.
Finally, I checked the Urban Dictionary-
Ethel
A girl name.
One of the only good girls left in the world; she is beautiful both inside and out.
Guys beg for her, and girls envy her.
If you're lucky enough to date her, never leave her or give her reason to. You will never be able to find a girl like her again.
Impossible not to love.
Guy: Man, I saw this girl the other day, and I swear I was captivated for at least 20 min!
Guy Two: Yeah, it must have been an Ethel
Seemed fitting and checked all the boxes...
Anyway, anyone else struggle coming up with a name for their rig?
I’m a big fan of a Howard Stern personality who created Ethel Mertz making phony phone calls, Richard Christie. He’s also is from KS.
In 1974 Ethel was the 955th most popular name, which is funny.
Finally, I checked the Urban Dictionary-
Ethel
A girl name.
One of the only good girls left in the world; she is beautiful both inside and out.
Guys beg for her, and girls envy her.
If you're lucky enough to date her, never leave her or give her reason to. You will never be able to find a girl like her again.
Impossible not to love.
Guy: Man, I saw this girl the other day, and I swear I was captivated for at least 20 min!
Guy Two: Yeah, it must have been an Ethel
Seemed fitting and checked all the boxes...
Anyway, anyone else struggle coming up with a name for their rig?
- Thread starter
- #223
Made #visitkansas Instagram. Ethel is a rising star. 
Instagram post by Visit Kansas • Nov 17, 2017 at 4:14am UTC
Instagram post by Visit Kansas • Nov 17, 2017 at 4:14am UTC
Wow i wish it was still that nice out up here!!! lol
Its full on winter at this points compared to 40deg temps last year this time. My 42 has been parked since sept 5th in the garage as i was out of town since then till now. Hardtop still off also... "fail" haha. Was working on a hoist for installing it back on on my own. Sadly its hard to find a few friends to come put it back on and off.... Wish i had gear cruiser heads near me.
Its full on winter at this points compared to 40deg temps last year this time. My 42 has been parked since sept 5th in the garage as i was out of town since then till now. Hardtop still off also... "fail" haha. Was working on a hoist for installing it back on on my own. Sadly its hard to find a few friends to come put it back on and off.... Wish i had gear cruiser heads near me.
Yes my 1 friend i can count on isnt that big of a guy haha
Honestly i hate asking people for help. I look at it as a challenge to build my own hoist. Then i work on my terms not around other schedule. My top need work also it has one lower edge that has rust starting oddly. The opposite side is perfect grrrr. Thants a next winter project i think.
Honestly i hate asking people for help. I look at it as a challenge to build my own hoist. Then i work on my terms not around other schedule. My top need work also it has one lower edge that has rust starting oddly. The opposite side is perfect grrrr. Thants a next winter project i think.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
Wow no leaks... someday... or not lol.
- Thread starter
- #228
After taking off the output shaft nose cone the first thing we found was the seal was original and half of it was missing. New seal and gasket and that was fixed. Then, moving backwards, the rear seal was new but incorrectly installed. One of the PO’s had also put massive amounts of silicone/FiPG between the e-brake and trans case. This was obstructing a vent that apparently keeps the gear oil in and instead it was filling the e-brake drum with gear oil. Also, the stake nut wasn’t staked, and the bolts weren’t tightened correctly.
Finally, the speedo housing was missing all the gaskets. Took that all apart and added 2 seals. Fixed.
Everything in there looked a great which made me happy. Surprisingly, it was never run dry.
Now my floor is clean and I have an e-brake. I’m not the most mechanically gifted but luckily I have a 50 year Toyota mechanic I can rely on to shoot me straight.
Yes those old boys are hard to find these days. Wish i had one i could go to for more stuff. My sister in laws husband is a master toyota techbut only works on newer stuff. I keep grilling him to find me NOS items haha.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
I'm pretty certain my rear seal leaks as does transfer case/transmission. Very small, a drip here, a drip there. I would like to address it but that is a LOT of work... 
- Thread starter
- #231
I'm pretty certain my rear seal leaks as does transfer case/transmission. Very small, a drip here, a drip there. I would like to address it but that is a LOT of work...
It is. He billed me for 6 hours but it was worth it.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
I have read that when it's time to do the clutch, that is a good time to do all this fun stuff. Hopefully not anytime soon!
- Thread starter
- #233
Yes. My transmission was rebuilt sometime from 2000-2009 by PO and I’m hoping he also did the clutch at that time. Thanks for reminding me to email him.
- Thread starter
- #234
Also, fixed my horn and added a new relay. Super important to have 
The process of collecting weatherstripping for my doors and hardtop has begun. I have 2 caps and 2 drip rails. The plan will be to epoxy everything, lizardskin the inside of the cap, then paint everything Cygnus. Only rust proofing the sides as I’m keeping the original patina’d paint.
The process of collecting weatherstripping for my doors and hardtop has begun. I have 2 caps and 2 drip rails. The plan will be to epoxy everything, lizardskin the inside of the cap, then paint everything Cygnus. Only rust proofing the sides as I’m keeping the original patina’d paint.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
Thought you might like a vintage ad for Ethel...
You can thank Marv Spector/Spector OffRoad for those mats. RIP Marv.
- Thread starter
- #238
Update on the hardtop resto-rivets and some weatherstripping are about all I’ve collected.
It’s cold and salty outside so Ethel is tucked in the garage.
Decided to start another project...
It’s cold and salty outside so Ethel is tucked in the garage.
Decided to start another project...
Nice! That Red rig will look good in there with the white walls
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
Update on the hardtop resto-rivets and some weatherstripping are about all I’ve collected.
It’s cold and salty outside so Ethel is tucked in the garage.
Decided to start another project...
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Have you ever used the Schluter system for showers/tile? Love that stuff totally water tight.
