Mike's 1978 FJ40 Build

[kevos37]

I also started my ConFerr roof rack installation with a few modifications to the roof brackets since the rack is only 54" wide and it needs to 60" for the bracket to reach the roof gutters. I purchased 3/4"x1-1/2" tubing and cut it down to 12" lengths to extend the rack width by 3" on each side.

3" shy on each side

More fabrication to follow.

The rack looks good up there!!! Nice work on your rig.

 

[78fj40mg]

The rack looks good up there!!! Nice work on your rig.

Thanks Kevin!

That rack is so heavy I had to employ my wife's help.

 

[Vossie]

looking great mike! that overhead console is awesome, hope you dont mind that i will be "borrowing" your design for my 45 will start work on it once shes back from the auto sparky next week

 

[65swb45]

Mike

I suggested FULL LENGTH crossbars for a reason. I like R&Ring my rack and still having crossbars on the roof when I'm not sporting the rack just for the random stuff I need to throw up there. I guess If I'd spent another minute with you on the phone, I could have made that point clearer.

All I can say about your man cave is, it's a good thing we're typing. Cause if we said the words NICE RACK out loud, our wives would unplug the computer before we could explain!

 

[78fj40mg]

looking great mike! that overhead console is awesome, hope you dont mind that i will be "borrowing" your design for my 45 will start work on it once shes back from the auto sparky next week

Thanks Vossie! Feel free to grab what ever you need and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Vossie]

Thanks Vossie! Feel free to grab what ever you need and let me know if you have any questions.

actually mike i do have a question... in your console i see you back-packed your speakers with insulation and sealed them. big difference to bass response?

 

[78fj40mg]

Mike

I suggested FULL LENGTH crossbars for a reason. I like R&Ring my rack and still having crossbars on the roof when I'm not sporting the rack just for the random stuff I need to throw up there. I guess If I'd spent another minute with you on the phone, I could have made that point clearer.

All I can say about your man cave is, it's a good thing we're typing. Cause if we said the words NICE RACK out loud, our wives would unplug the computer before we could explain!

Hey thanks Mark!
Regarding the rack, I was planning to use full length crossbars but ran into a problem, the rack floor is concave (bent) and when lowering it on the roof it bottoms out so this was my fix to raise it 3/4" without dealing with the curved belly bellow.

 

[78fj40mg]

actually mike i do have a question... in your console i see you back-packed your speakers with insulation and sealed them. big difference to bass response?

The difference in sound and base is absolutely awesome, if you install speakers I highly recommend enclosing them as I have done.

 

[DSB345]

Well don't as always

 

[Vossie]

The difference in sound and base is absolutely awesome, if you install speakers I highly recommend enclosing them as I have done.

awesome, thanks for the feed back. my plan is to use your same layout and dimensions, except my radio will be where your cb is, and i am thinking of using 6x9's as the speakers in the console. will insulate and seal them as you did. should ramp up response time big time i think, and as you atest.

another few questions, sorry for the spam...

how close to your head is the console face? do you ever feel as if your head might hit it? and how is the visibility on the radio? can you read it ok from seated position or do you recommend angling the face down or turning the radio itself?

 

[78fj40mg]

awesome, thanks for the feed back. my plan is to use your same layout and dimensions, except my radio will be where your cb is, and i am thinking of using 6x9's as the speakers in the console. will insulate and seal them as you did. should ramp up response time big time i think, and as you atest.

another few questions, sorry for the spam...

how close to your head is the console face? do you ever feel as if your head might hit it? and how is the visibility on the radio? can you read it ok from seated position or do you recommend angling the face down or turning the radio itself?

No spam at all, glad you are asking questions!

The head to console proximity is real good, face to face is approximately 2+ feet, since the console is mounted above the sunvisors I certainly don't have a problem being vertically challenged and all and with the OEM seating arrangement I sit about 1 foot bellow the console with plenty of head clearance.

Visibility of my CB radio is good for me as I don't need to change channels as you would on a stereo radio, however, your visibility preference may be different than mine.

Be sure to post plenty of pics of your console build!

 

[Vossie]

will do! the 45 has been at the auto sparky since wednesday, so ive been having some serious withdrawal not having it to work on... she should be back by tuesday. i hope

 

[78fj40mg]

will do! the 45 has been at the auto sparky since wednesday, so ive been having some serious withdrawal not having it to work on... she should be back by tuesday. i hope

In the absence of your 45 you could lend me a hand to finish up my roof rack!

 

[Vossie]

In the absence of your 45 you could lend me a hand to finish up my roof rack!

would love to! you sponsoring the plane ticket? zimbabwe is far from the US of A's

 

[2fpower]

 

[78fj40mg]

My wife and I took a little trip today to Granite Falls, WA, to see the water falls, here are a few pics of the falls:

This a branch of the Pilchuck river

Lots of granite everywhere

And some impressive cliffs where accidents happen every year when climbers get careless

 

[DSB345]

Beautiful

 

[78fj40mg]

Thanks Buddy! It was nice getting out and breathing some fresh pollen!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Great pics Mike!! You shoulda been fishing that!!

 

[78fj40mg]

Great pics Mike!! You shoulda been fishing that!!

Thanks Danny! Fishing would've been awesome, unfortunately visitors are not allowed to go near the water.