Builds Hi, My name is..……………….(yellow 76 FJ40)

[firefighterjed]

Amazon provided an affordable upgrade to my winch. This wireless remote was easy to modify so that it could be added to my solenoid pack without disconnecting the plug for the wired remote, or making any other permanent alterations to my 8275.
The convenience of this is incredible. I highly recommend some sort of wireless controller.

 

[mtn biker]

It’s been a minute. I got distracted by another project:
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And I’ve been daily driving my ‘40 this winter so some of the fixes have been mundane, and I didn’t even take pics. My windshield wiper linkage came apart. There is a bushing that had worn down to nothing so I fabricated one out of a plastic sprinkler fitting. Wish I had a pic to share.

On of my wheels has a leak at my widening weld. Re-welded that seam and had the wheel re-powder coated but the leak persists. I’m going to try a thick layer of oil based paint on the inside of the rim next to see if that will seal it up. I’m suprised that the powder coat isn’t air tight.

I get some drips of rain behind the dash, leaking from the seam where the hood cowel meets the windscreen. Enough of those drips landed on the radio apparently, because it stopped making music. I never liked how modern that stereo appeared anyhow.
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The PO cut the radio hole out to single DIN size, so going back to OEM look isn’t an option until I get to paint. I’ll weld in an OEM radio opening at that time. For now, I have some options.

A while back I purchased a BlueTooth Amp like the ones Crazy Greek builds knobs for.

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I intended to use it on that LandRover, but this radio failure created an opportunity. I purchased a single DIN sized storage box with lid off eBay.

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The storage box is built to fit inside a DIN bracket, so it’s slightly narrower than standard DIN width. It fits perfectly between rubber knee pads on either side of the radio opening. Trimming the rubber pads was not an option, so I was relieved to find that this would be a good fit. The box also left the DIN bracket visible on the top and bottom, so i cut up the stereo trim ring and used it above and below the box to give it a more finished look.

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I cut apart and glued half the storage box so it would provide a surface to mount the BT Amp i mentioned earlier. Next time I have it apart I’ll take some pics. I’m very pleased with a plug I built for the speaker wires, and hot the box modifications worked out , but for now you only get to see the finished product. When the cubby door is flipped down a volume knob is revealed. Along with an AUX cord input and storage for an aux or USB cord. I’m thinking I’ll add a USB power plug in back of that area so the cord can stay discreetly plugged in and I don’t have to remove my cigarette lighter for USB receptacle.

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Laslty, here are a couple pics from this last fall.
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that storage box looks better then that stereo did

 

[suzuguru]

Man, I really love those yellow 40's. If I could manage to find say a '79-'84 that's fairly nice, I'm going to try to buy it. I would rather put my 1HDT in one of those, than my blue '72.

 

[firefighterjed]

Back in the 1990’s I had this yellow ‘77 fj40. That one lit the fire that is currently burning in my ‘76 today. Couldn’t get them out of my head. We found this great clip amongst my late grandpa’s VHS home movies.

 

[firefighterjed]

Took a little drive through the Owyhees in Souther Idaho. It was a nice trip, planned by the teenage son of one of my good friends. He’s building the Jeep Cherokee that’s in the group picture. He planned a good route, but we ran into some locked gates so we had to adapt our plans and find a new objective. I’ve always looked with curiosity toward these peaks which are visible to the south of Boise. The new mission became to summit these peaks and visit a little quasi ghost town called Silver City. We enjoyed a nice camp along a tumbling stream and great views during the drive. Only a few spicy spots along the trail , and most had a bypass option.

Proof she’s not a pavement princess.

 

[Vandal FJ]

Made that trip 100's of times on atv's. So many trails out there end up at Silver City. Hoping to get the 40 out there someday soon!

 

[firefighterjed]

enjoyed an evening exploring between Star and Emmett Idaho. Found a spot to set up and shoot some ground squirrels. Snapped this beauty of a pic from one of the hill tops

 

[firefighterjed]

My entire life I have wished to see the northern lights. I’ve never made it far enough north to see them so I was thrilled that they came down and visited us tonight. Seriously a bucket list moment. I’m still struck with awe, even an hour later. So magical.
They started green and faint but eventually got very very pink and all across the horizon. We drove the 40 to the hills to get away from the city lights and it was amazing. Kevin the dog thought it was pretty cool too.

 

[mattressking]

I'm so jealous you got to see them! Of course it is when I'm out of the country...

 

[CondeCruiser]

That's awesome. Definitely on my list to see, as well.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Had your thread marked for a proper “read” during Saturday coffee. Enjoyed it immensely. Kevin is a classic. The fly rod story and the “94 vid” we’re cosmic coffee cake to go with my morning brew.

 

[knuckle47]

Lucky ….that too has been on my list as well. Several year ago when my wife and I were driving to see her mom in Vermont, I swear we’d seen them. It was late at night, the mountains easily obscure a lot of things but the flashes of color was outstanding. I guessed since we were 5 miles from the Canada border, the likelihood of getting a view could be realistic.

As we get close to the house…. The ski area was holding an event of some kind and it turned out to be FIREWORKS . My excitement fizzled immediately…

Tonight here in NJ they were reporting that it would be viewable around 10pm to 2am…. Freaking rain all day, clouds all night.

Congratulations on those outstanding views

 

[firefighterjed]

Checked out a couple fun trails with friends. The Jeep in the group withdrew early due to a mechanical issue, but the 1982 Toyota Pickup and I pressed on. We headed up a pretty rowdy trail and had fun exploring the capabilities of these older rigs. There were scenic meadows, water crossings, shale slopes and wooded trail that all led up to a mid-creek rock shelf that posed a real challenge. We poked at it for a while until my carb linkage came apart and had me stuck for a while. After the repair we decided to turn around. Some fellow cruiser heads happened by and helped me get winched out of the way and then showed us how it was possible with locked diffs and rock sliders. They hit the sliders pretty hard so I’m glad we didn’t get up the ledge because I really don’t want to take any body damage.
Pics from day 1:

 

[mtn biker]

@rkymtnflyfisher and i talked about you in the podcast this week

 

[firefighterjed]

Day 2 found us on a road up to a high mountain basin that was once home to a modest mining operation. More trees and scenic water crossings led us to easy uphills and snow spotted mountain peaks.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

My kind of action right there.

 

[Green Bean]

The scenery is absolutely stunning. Sooo jealous.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Checked out a couple fun trails with friends. The Jeep in the group withdrew early due to a mechanical issue, but the 1982 Toyota Pickup and I pressed on. We headed up a pretty rowdy trail and had fun exploring the capabilities of these older rigs. There were scenic meadows, water crossings, shale slopes and wooded trail that all led up to a mid-creek rock shelf that posed a real challenge. We poked at it for a while until my carb linkage came apart and had me stuck for a while. After the repair we decided to turn around. Some fellow cruiser heads happened by and helped me get winched out of the way and then showed us how it was possible with locked diffs and rock sliders. They hit the sliders pretty hard so I’m glad we didn’t get up the ledge because I really don’t want to take any body damage.
Pics from day 1:

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So it went from a jeep to a heep within minutes. Love the cruiser and the pickup. Wouldn’t mind finding a 79-83 pickup but so much harder to find in good condition.

 

[Eddieboy3]

I’ve been a long time read, joined recently and have learned a lot since joining.

This has been a cool thread to follow along. I’m also in Idaho. I’ve been tinkering on my rig slowly gettting her road worthy from sitting a bunch of years. The usual stuff, gummed up carb, seized brakes rotted fuel lines but luckily in good shape. Between work, kids in college and life itself. I tinker when I can and happy to be a member and owner. Been wanting one for a loooong time!

 

[firefighterjed]

I’ve been a long time read, joined recently and have learned a lot since joining.

This has been a cool thread to follow along. I’m also in Idaho. I’ve been tinkering on my rig slowly gettting her road worthy from sitting a bunch of years. The usual stuff, gummed up carb, seized brakes rotted fuel lines but luckily in good shape. Between work, kids in college and life itself. I tinker when I can and happy to be a member and owner. Been wanting one for a loooong time!

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Looks a little like East Boise. Colombia village area? And is that a 76 ? Looks great!!