Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (7 Viewers)

[Solace in Solitude]

I'm thinking I might go with a train horn one day, just to make sure people get the message.

I know very little about train horns... just that they are probably used on trains.

But, while I was researching air horns, I read a MUD thread that said they have a BIG footprint... I think they said, they are best placed on a roof rack, on a 40.

We live about 100 yds from a major street, with a McDonalds and other businesses, with a big parking lot.

A few months ago, I started hearing a train whistle... with no tracks anywhere in the area... that’s when I discovered people install train horns on their vehicles.

 

[ginmtb]

Huh?

Oem horn worked... just shy and embarrassing.

Those I honked at either ignored me, didn’t hear me, or laughed their ass off at me.

This air horn works, its loud and makes me feel markedly substantial.

No I’m thinking of my situation where the horn isn’t working anymore and I can’t seem to figure it out. Thinking of this as an option for me.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

No I’m thinking of my situation where the horn isn’t working anymore and I can’t seem to figure it out. Thinking of this as an option for me.

Aah... now I understand.

Have you tested your oem horn, by running jumpers from the battery?

If your horn works, with jumpers, but not when connected via the switch on the steering wheel. I can think of four possible reasons.

1. The horn contact is not making contact with contact ring on the steering wheel.

2. Not properly grounded... there’s a ground connection IIRC near the contact ring, as well as at the rag joint.

3. Check continuity of the wires, from your horn contact ring area, to the horn.

4. My ‘78 has the horn on the stop light fuse... is the fuse that carries the horn
On your truck still good?

At any rate, this is a good replacement horn. It’s self-contained (has its own compressor) and cheap enough to be disposable... assuming it lasts a reasonable length of time.

I don’t honk at everyone... only the deviates who actually try to kill me.

But, since you’re in CA:

“Proposition 65 Warning for California Consumers

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov”

I guess that means, every time the horn honks, an angel gets cancer...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Three times, over the past year, I’ve had my DS ambulance door pop open.

It only happens on very rough trails and only opens about a half inch... but, that’s plenty, to allow a half inch of dust/dirt, on everything in the back.

Since the back is packed pretty tight, I don’t get dust up front... at least, not any more than usual.

So, unless I check it regularly, I don’t know it’s open.

Anyway, I’ve adjusted the striker plate as concisely as possible and verified that it’s tightly closed.

I suspect there’s enough torque, at times, to pop the floor latch.

I considered wiring a switch to the horn, to honk whenever the door popped open.

But, I felt that was too much, too late.

Rather than continue cleaning 44’s guts everytime... and rather than worry about it, I added a sliding latch bolt.

Not oem and not kosher, but it works for me!!

 

[65swb45]

As @FJ45Dude said about my 78 FJ40 25 years ago: “Mark, your cruiser couldn’t keep out a heavy fog!”

 

[imyahucklbrry]

So, I didn’t bother taking pictures.

OK.... but don’t go getting too use to this! Bettin that I’m not the only one getting their ‘pretty western scenery’ fix satisfied by your trips

Hope your misses heals quick and well!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

OK.... but don’t go getting too use to this! Bettin that I’m not the only one getting their ‘pretty western scenery’ fix satisfied by your trips

Hope your misses heals quick and well!

Thanks!!

Dianna’s a hard worker... she’s already raising her arm just above shoulder height.

In fact, she’s doing so well that she insists I take a couple of weeks and head out, while the weather is perfect.

Her sister lives across town and can help if need-be.

So, I’m getting stuff loaded, for two weeks of “solace in solitude”.

The boys are always ready!!

 

[65swb45]

... for all four of you!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well, the boys and I made another trip up to San Juan Creek, above the Reese River Valley, in the Toyoibe Range... thus far, my favorite place in Nevada.


The drive was uneventful, until I turned onto NV SR 89, followed by NV SR 844 both recently graded.

Both are good roads, but since they had just been graded, they were covered in many places, in 4-6” of playa dust... enough to send 44 veering in all directions.

Dust billowed up behind 44 and, at one point. The wind was just right to cause dust to drift into 44 thru the gas tank drain hole in the body.

I first thought 44 was on fire and then realized it was dust... so, once again I’m trying to remove all the dust.

Two nights at 7k+’ both nights low at 5*. One night in 44... one night in my tent. I was surprised 44 was actually warmer than the tent.

But, we had sleeping bags and wool blankets to keep us warm. Teddy’s first time sleeping under covers, so I had to wake up and re-cover him frequently, during the night.

Chester stayed covered up and even kept his head covered. He turned in by 6pm and I didn’t see his handsome face again until daylight.

I also had my belacava... and slept in it.

Creek’s frozen.

And I found proof that bears do, in fact, s*** in the woods.

We drove several ATV tracks far back into the Toyoibe Range. Farther than we’ve been... these tracks follow a couple of drainages and are created primarily by hunters and used by quad enthusiasts.

I turned around at the first herd of angus steers... didn’t want to start a stampede. They were in the area with all the “color” in my picture.

Between the dust and the cold, I was seriously considering relocating.

Then a NFS ranger dropped by and I told him about the steers... grazing is supposed to be shut down for the winter. He was gonna go read their brand, so he could call the rancher.

He also told me it was supposed to be daytime temps below 20* all next week. I asked how he could find a forecast for the area we were in. He said Elko was the most comparable. I thought Austin was better... 30 miles and 1k’ lower.

I texted my son-in-law, via my SPOT X, and asked for an Elko forecast.

He texted back 50/30 temps next week... so, I’ll go with the NFS ranger’s forecast.

At any rate, my decision was made... I decided to relocate to a lower altitude. I decamped and packed up and headed for Tonopah.

By the time I got there, after driving 70+ miles of playa dust again, I was feeling terrible.

So, we drove home instead of camping... another truncated trip...

But, on a good note, 44 was flawless... I cruised home, from Tonopah, at 70-75 mph. I don’t usually drive her that fast, but I really couldn’t tolerate my usual 60 mph and really wanted to get home before dark... we made it by “that” much... with Teddy sleeping on my shoulder much of the three hour drive.

I have always enjoyed driving 44, regardless of distance and could never understand others complaining about distance driving in their 40. I just put my earbuds in and listen to a good book... time flies.

But, this 6 hr trip, each way, killed me.

My hands, wrists, neck, shoulders and back killed me this time.

When I climbed out, to gas up, in Tonopah, on the way home, I could hardly walk... my knees were killing me.

These arthritic aches and pains are not lately an anomaly... I have all but the knee pain most afternoon-early evenings.

So, I spent today with a hacking cough, blowing dust out of 44, then rinsing it off, to park it in the garage.

I think this might have been my last long trip in 44... if so, I’ll continue to use her to get to my local camping/hiking opportunities... I’ll use my truck, with and without our trailer, for longer trips.



But, I reserve the right to change my mind.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

BTW

About a mile after passing two solo coyotes, I pulled over to give the boys a drink and a chance to stretch their legs.

A Nye County grader operator (probably the cause of the thick playa dust) pulled over and asked if I had lost a dog.

I counted to two and said “no”.

He had found a really cute, well cared for Pug, with no collar... in the same area where I had just passed the coyotes.

We got to talking and he told me that a rich supporter of a Nye County Commissioner had asked that access access be cut to Ophir Summit, to allow her to tow her horse trailer up there.

So, he and his fellow grader operator cut a road (NSF-017, IIRC) from the Yomba-Shoshone Tribal Council, on NV21 to Ophir Summit and, if I understood him correctly, down the east side, to the Ophir Ruins and on to NV SR376, in the Big Smokey Valley. I’ve been to the ruins, from the east side.

Anyway, he said you can easily drive the whole way now... and Ophir Canyon is a gorgeous place!!

He said the whole 6 week job was the scariest he had ever done... NFS wouldn’t allow the removal of any trees, so they had to work around them and he dropped one rear tire off several cliffs... he said he went home with s***ty pants practically every night.

Anyone who wants to see a gorgeous place should try this drive and report back.

Directions from Vegas:

US95 North to 3 miles north of Tonopah.

Right on SR89 to Ione

Note: Best to use GPS, the only signs are illegible.

About 31 miles up SR89, right at the illegible signs, on SR344 to Ione.

Enjoy the playa dust!!

About 8 miles past Ione, the T-intersection is NV21... ahead is the Yomba Shoshone Tribal Council and Reservation.

Left on NV21

Almost immediately, turn right, just past the “road works yard”.

I think this is NFS-118... follow it to NFS-017 and on to Ophir Summit.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

iPhone pics of a Son-in-Law-accompanied camping trip, to the Garden Valley Crags, at Basin and Range National Monument. Weather was superb, skies were amazing, views were incredible, dogs were HAPPY!!

44 was 75 (mph) on pavement and quite impressive off pavement.

I should have more pics in my camera...

 

[drnekFJ40]

nice scenery!!! Enjoy your trip,Danny!

 

[Martyt]

I very much enjoy this threat!

 

[DSB345]

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Helipilot]

Thanks Danny. Nice pics.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

@drnekFJ40 @DSB345
@Martyt @Helipilot

Thanks guys!!

 

[Michael B]

Thanks for sharing Danny. Merry Christmas !

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks for sharing Danny. Merry Christmas !

Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

[waiting for time]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Same to you Danny.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Same to you Danny.

Vrolijk kerstfeest mijn vriend en
heb een prachtige oudejaarsavond!!