Builds Helga: 1966 FJ40 FST

[KennyBob]

Looks soupy.

My boy and I were packed to go but had to call it the day before for other reasons.

You going to SAS?

Sorry you missed it. Next year!

Gosh I wish, such a great trip. I had a ticket last year but got laid off in February, so I had to duck out. Missed the starting pistol for this year. Probably wouldn’t have happened anyway. Too much going on with buying/selling and moving.

 

[KennyBob]

Not much work to report on, but I’ve been collecting parts here and there for a few things.

Only things I’ve really done is attach the TEQ mud flaps and put some repop hubcaps on (need pictures). The 40 is currently at my cousins while we prepare to move to Marble Falls. It’s given me the opportunity to hang out and wrench with him again which has been really nice. He just so happened to have these stout little brackets in his stash. Worked pretty damn well IMO. Not sure if I’ll stick with this location or move them towards the wheel. Have to watch out for the tail pipe. Also need some leveling. The cattywampus-ness will drive me nuts.

 

[KennyBob]

In other news, I’ve scored a set of course spline Warn hubs from @Lifelong40Fan to replace the old Selectros. TBD on when I’ll be able to slap those on among other things. Probably have to wait until after the move.

I also placed an order with TROA for a soft top and bows. Show be here next month sometime, hopefully.

 

[RevISK]

In other news, I’ve scored a set of course spline Warn hubs from @Lifelong40Fan to replace the old Selectros. TBD on when I’ll be able to slap those on among other things. Probably have to wait until after the move.

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I also placed an order with TROA for a soft top and bows. Show be here next month sometime, hopefully.

I’ve got a set of those I pulled off my 40 for parts if you need anything from them. Lots of parts inside. I have a post in the classifieds.

 

[KennyBob]

I’ve got a set of those I pulled off my 40 for parts if you need anything from them. Lots of parts inside. I have a post in the classifieds.

Wouldn't mind having the parts. Heck, I might need them. I haven't had a chance to make sure I've got everything with this set of hubs. Will likely have to wait until get moved into the new house.

 

[RevISK]

Wouldn't mind having the parts. Heck, I might need them. I haven't had a chance to make sure I've got everything with this set of hubs. Will likely have to wait until get moved into the new house.

you are officially first in line.

 

[KennyBob]

you are officially first in line.

Thanks brother!

 

[KennyBob]

Soft top showed up this morning! Had to have it delivered at my cousins place because the FedEx driver said his truck was too big for the trees in the neighborhood… I’m just glad he called me and was willing to work with me rather than taking it back to the warehouse without saying a word.

Hopefully I’ll get a chance to at least unbox it this weekend. Won’t have a ton of free time as this is moving weekend 1 of 2.

 

[KennyBob]

Finally got the old girl home to our new house. Spent an inordinate amount of time yesterday getting the tow bar and wiring set up for the journey. Only issue I had flat towing was the wheels turned the opposite direction while maneuvering in a parking lot.

Made a little progress on the top during all of the moving madness. I need to snap some pictures.

 

[KennyBob]

Got some time this evening to work on the bows for the top. I didn’t realize it would need quite so much cut and test fit to make it work. Had to trim these spots to make them fit:

Trimmed this little flange to clear the bow.

Trimmed this channel to clear the body…

And the forward edge of this flange to clear the windshield frame.

Had to open up both holes on both b-pillars to allow the bow to pass through and had to force the bow past the nut welded inside.

 

[KennyBob]

But, I ran into some issues… The junctions at the windshield frame can’t go both inward and down at the same time. A lot of it seems to be excess material to me. Not at all sure what needs trimmed and by how much here:

Any help by the gurus on this situation would be very much appreciated.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

But, I ran into some issues… The junctions at the windshield frame can’t go both inward and down at the same time. A lot of it seems to be excess material to me. Not at all sure what needs trimmed and by how much here:
View attachment 3647711

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Any help by the gurus on this situation would be very much appreciated.

I am curious to what you find. Mine should get here by friday. Its really close today but who knows with fedex.

 

[nuclearlemon]

But, I ran into some issues… The junctions at the windshield frame can’t go both inward and down at the same time. A lot of it seems to be excess material to me. Not at all sure what needs trimmed and by how much here:
View attachment 3647711

View attachment 3647712View attachment 3647713View attachment 3647714View attachment 3647715

Any help by the gurus on this situation would be very much appreciated.

Never heard of troa, so i did some research and found this post by "whisky"
"The bows are another can of worms and I knew going in that there would be some massaging needed. The door bows in this kit don't attach to the normal windshield captured nut and instead are bolted through the outer edge where the soft top snap or bolt would be. I believe OEM door bows are two pieces and this is a single piece"

 

[Living in the Past]

Never heard of troa, so i did some research and found this post by "whisky"
"The bows are another can of worms and I knew going in that there would be some massaging needed. The door bows in this kit don't attach to the normal windshield captured nut and instead are bolted through the outer edge where the soft top snap or bolt would be. I believe OEM door bows are two pieces and this is a single piece"

OEM soft top door header are one piece. The hard top door headers are two pieces. They mount the same as hard top door headers at the front. The bent end that looks to bolt on the outside of the windshield goes behind like on the hard top models. I'm just glad I was able to secure plenty of OEM FST bows over the years and not have to deal with aftermarket that requires a lot of work.

 

[KennyBob]

Thanks for the input y’all! I’m now wondering if I should cut a relief like so in the bent section to clear the frame or if I should bend it in to meet the frame on the inside as @Living in the Past seems to be alluding to.

Also thinking this section may need some more trimming depending on which route I go.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I just got mine in yesterday and I am thinking I may cut those parts you highlited on the front part where it connects to the windshield. Curious to what people say. Kinda goofy as I dont think I have seen that on other soft tops.

The B pillars have the window channel extending doward too far I feel like. and the holes for the tubes are too small on mine too. Ill post pictures on mine soon when I start installing it.

I am very impressed about the top though! its nice!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I was rewatching this video to help me with my installation to wrap my head around it all. Looks like Ben either cut those tabs off or it never had them on.

 

[Krondor]

I have a set of the Real steel bows. This is what mine looks like. I did have to notch the corner there to make it fit the angle of the windshield.

If I can get any other pictures, let me know.

I also have a later model door header as an example of what that front tabs intentions were.

 

[KennyBob]

Interesting. I’m definitely thinking that I need to either bend them to fit or cut them off at this point. Need to locate my cutoff wheel after moving to either score the material or cut it off completely. Looking at it yesterday after work the material is fairly heavy duty right there.

 

[red66toy]

Definitely interested so see how this turns out and solutions! Hoping to get one of these tops and bows as well.