Her 74 40

sarca · Jun 7, 2013

Well, its been awhile-hasnt it? To be honest as winter faded - I took full advantage of temps and have enjoyed driving my 40. As Jane and I are hitting our one year anniversary and she seems to be in no need for immediate or important mechanical - I've decided tomorrow I'm taking Jane to third base.

Yep. You heard right. I'm taking her top off and starting to paint. I've accumulated most of the necessary parts..I think. Weatherstripping , hardware, primer,paint. I might've forgotten one important thing..but I decided to play it by ear and see what's up when the fiberglass top comes off. I'm not sure what the proper name is..Im drawing a complete blank..its a channel that runs between the sides, striping and white cap..SOR sells em for a few hundred bucks..oh well. I've got to do some last minute research before the work begins tomorrow.

Cheers!

Snowdogyyz · Jun 7, 2013

Good luck! Wanna see some pics!

sarca · Jun 7, 2013

I believe I owe you a jumpseat sir! I plan on doing that this very week!

Pictures are a must. Wait till you see what we have planned for the cap...I can hardly wait.

Caddisfly · Jun 8, 2013

sarca said:
I'm not sure what the proper name is..Im drawing a complete blank..it's a channel that runs between the sides, striping and white cap
Cheers!

The roof gutter?

I just replaced mine. If that's the part you are looking for, I'd recommend you shop around. At the very least, try to get a $hipping quote from SOR (aka $OR) BEFORE you place your order. (Good luck trying to get one over the phone . . .)

As far as weatherstripping is concerned, make sure that you get OEM stuff from Toyota. The quality and the fit are better than most of the aftermarket stuff. (You probably already know that.) cdan and/or some other mud vendors will give you a good discount.

Phares · Jun 9, 2013

Make sure you post some pics with your top off! I've been thinking about taking mine off to install a roll bar and head liner.

sarca · Jun 9, 2013

Well, starting the fiberglass cap removal was relatively easy...Until we got to the rear hatch. Here's what Ive got.

When we got to removing the corner gussets for the hatch - they aren't moving, EVER AGAIN.

You can see from the interior shot that the rust is pretty serious on the inside - there is nothing left of the raingutter in the corners.

Ive got an extra set of gussets - should I just drill out the screws on the gussets?

Im at a bit of a crossroad. Im split between moving forward and restoring the hardtop, which is obviously in rough shape. More than likely based on what we've seen so far, that crossmember is probably toasted.

A new hatch crossmember $300+
Raingutter $300+

Ive got all the weatherstrip, paint, and hardware. I have so far enjoyed using my own two hands (and my huz's patience) to repair and fix things. Part of me says look for a hardtop in better shape. Part of me says do it right and then the logical economical side says - Im not doing a huge restoration, I bought it to drive it...but I.just.cant.leave.it.alone. I have to do these beast some justice and at least manage the damage already done but actively watch for replacement pieces.

advice? wanna see more pics?

sarca · Jun 9, 2013

sarca · Jun 9, 2013

sarca · Jun 9, 2013

Sidenote - the shiny bolts on the outside windshield we attached when I first got the 40.

sarca · Jun 9, 2013

Another option - to permanently go to softtop and bows.

JohnnyC · Jun 9, 2013

Soft tops are great ... Kinda wish I never got rid of my old hard top however... You may want to get an FST and rebuild your hardtop as you go

Snowdogyyz · Jun 9, 2013

Charity- check with Roxx to see if he has the parts you need. Last I checked, he had 2-3 parts trucks, but I'm not sure about hardtop pieces.

TCSTARK · Jun 10, 2013

PM 74HogGuy. He has a 74 top that he was looking to unload. He may have people lined up for it but it may be worth a shot.

sarca · Jun 10, 2013

I <3 mud. You guys rock at finding solutions!

sarca · Jun 16, 2013

For those of us that dont spend hours 'mudstalking' me

I started a different thread showing Janes top off..

sarca · Jun 24, 2013

Got my replacement hatch crossmember today! Rain gutter has been ordered and a lil prodding from my club led me to an auto hobby shop on camp lejeune where I can get the welding done for the gutter and the patches in the corner window sections that rotted out. If the weather is nice, Saturday Ill drive her topless!

Snowdogyyz · Jun 24, 2013

Looks great Sarca! I warn you though, driving MeJane topless could be addicting!

sarca · Jul 28, 2013

Well thanks to Vae Victus thread on his experimentation with electrolysis, Ive just dipped my first part in my bucket..Ive got bubbles, which tells me im doing it right..