Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[Solace in Solitude]

@rkymtnflyfisher
Re: “Haven't seen many pics lately Danny, hopefully all is well.”

Note: I’m answering your post in my thread.

As good as it gets, Ryan, thanks for asking!!

I have several issues that are the result of a lifetime of hard work, hard play and of living a full life, often unencumbered by the weight of common sense. Add to that the advancement of osteoarthritis and the impact cold and damp have on it and it all makes life more “interesting”.

Five to Seven hour drives, even with frequent stops for me and the boys, now require several drugs and CBD oil to get thru the first couple of nights.

Regardless, Dianna and I took the Tundra/Trailer to the Ruby Mountains for a week or so in a June, the Conejos for two weeks in July, Echo Canyon State Park for a couple of weeks in September.

The boys and I also just spent a week in the Goshute Valley of Nevada and hiked/explored the surrounding mountains (Pequop, Goshute, Spruce and Dolly Varden Mountains)

So, I still get around, I just haven’t taken many pics lately. Here are the few I took in Goshute.

Chester (left) - Teddy (right)

Looks like flying saucers to me

And a quidditch bogard, falling from the sky

 

[4Cruisers]

Regarding your second photo, you weren't anywhere near Rachel, were you? Strange things in the sky around there I hear .

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Regarding your second photo, you weren't anywhere near Rachel, were you? Strange things in the sky around there I hear .

No, the only time I was near Rachel, was returning from Quinn Canyon, via Railroad Valley, a year or two ago.

I love clouds... especially in Nevada... they come in all shapes and sizes.., a little imagination goes a long way... but, how do we know they are really “clouds”?

 

[waiting for time]

Hi Danny, good to see your back on mud.
I hope your inconveniences are not taking over to much.
Enjoy and keep the pics comming.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hi Danny, good to see your back on mud.
I hope your inconveniences are not taking over to much.
Enjoy and keep the pics comming.

Thank you, Michael, I’ll do my best!!

 

[Helipilot]

Good to see you Danny, all your travels are inspiring.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Good to see you Danny, all your travels are inspiring.

Thank you Roger!!

 

[Drake2]

Hi Danny, you are truly a lucky man to be able to visit all those wonderful places. Here in Wisconsin there are no such places unless you drive at least 15 hours southwest towards Denver or 12 hours southeast to WV.........as far as north goes forget it until you get into Canada. Don't get me wrong, Wisconsin is nice and all but really it sucks for finding any "Solace in Solitude"

I hope your travels will continue for many years to come and that you enjoy them to the fullest, no matter what you're driving!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hi Danny, you are truly a lucky man to be able to visit all those wonderful places. Here in Wisconsin there are no such places unless you drive at least 15 hours southwest towards Denver or 12 hours southeast to WV.........as far as north goes forget it until you get into Canada. Don't get me wrong, Wisconsin is nice and all but really it sucks for finding any "Solace in Solitude"

I hope your travels will continue for many years to come and that you enjoy them to the fullest, no matter what you're driving!

Thank you for reminding me of perspective!!

We lived in a Central Texas for a total of 30 years (while on active duty and ~25 years after I retired from the Air Force in 1988 and worked a subsequent career.

Texas is a huge state, with very little public land. I always missed the freedom and solitude our vast, open public lands provide.

We’ve always been intimately familiar with Las Vegas... my Wife and her family moved here in 1968.

So, we sold our Central Texas home, disposed of a LOT of personal property and bought this townhouse, out of foreclosure, in 2011.

I bought 44 in 2014 and learned how to diagnose and maintain her, making her reliable and safe and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vast openness of The Big Empty.

Nevada is known for huge, primarily empty valleys. But, many people aren’t aware that Nevada also has more mountain ranges than all other states, except Alaska.

I’ve had unlimited opportunities to experience the solace that one can only find when they’re embraced by the solitude of natural settings, absent the noise of “civilization”.

As I’ve grown older and began experiencing the many constant aches and pains of age, coupled with what sometimes feel like constant surgeries, I find my adventurous self being usurped by a desire to just sit and whine.

Thank you for reminding me that the adventure opportunities are unlimited in Nevada... there are still many places to explore and jack rabbits that my boys need to chase!!

 

[65swb45]

I love clouds... especially in Nevada... they come in all shapes and sizes.., a little imagination goes a long way... but, how do we know they are really “clouds”?

Yes they do. Taken near Montgomery Pass, 2016:

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Yes they do. Taken near Montgomery Pass, 2016:View attachment 2118958

Gorgeous picture Mark!!

Here’s the last time I was abducted, just south of Area 51. Disguised as a cloud.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

BTW

Because I frequent areas with no cell phone connectivity and never felt HAM would be of much help in those areas either, I’ve carried a SPOT, of one sort or the other for years.

I started with a SPOT GPS Messenger and migrated to a SPOT X when I became available.

I have never yet had a need to trigger an SOS, so SPOT must be protecting me!!

Anyway, while this may sound like a sort of oxymoron, I LOST my SPOT X somewhere in about 1 million acres of sagebrush last week.

That’s right, I lost the tool that was supposed to save me if I got lost (or hurt).

When I first activated my SPOT X, SPOT screwed up my account and double billed me. It took three phone calls to get it straightened out.

But, they also removed my “product replacement” option, so I’m not covered for my loss.

I had the customer service tech review my account and he came back and said, because I had been with them for years and he could see the problems I endured at SOOT X activation, they would retroactively add “product replacement” and replace my SPOT X with a new Bluetooth-enabled SPOT X, at NO cost, that will allow me to use it, via an iPhone app.

So, I just wanted to mention, I’ve always been happy with SPOT and still am... especially since they now offer a “save our vehicle” option that will tow me out of remote areas.

Now you know...

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Sometimes customer service is the best product.

 

[tls3601]

Good hearing from you Danny. You always have the best pics of gorgeous places. Ever check out a place called BTB in Henderson? The guy bought out a lot of Man a Fre’s inventory and does lots of reverse shackle kits and builds there. I may use him to “reverse” my reverse shackle setup on my ‘78. I do know I will keep my brothers ‘76 stock ride height.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Good hearing from you Danny. You always have the best pics of gorgeous places. Ever check out a place called BTB in Henderson? The guy bought out a lot of Man a Fre’s inventory and does lots of reverse shackle kits and builds there. I may use him to “reverse” my reverse shackle setup on my ‘78. I do know I will keep my brothers ‘76 stock ride height.

Thanks Tom!

I’ve met Brian... in fact, I talked him into selling me the gutter mounts off of a Con-Fer roof rack. But, that’s the only time I was at his shop.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Greetings!!

Roger (@Helipilot) checked on me last night, because I hadn’t posted in this thread in a while.

I’m fine... just dealing with getting back into shape... and it’s been quite a challenge, since my last surgery. More because of arthritis than the surgery.

I’ve found that, if I take a hot shower, then rub CBD Oil into every major joint and every area that bothers me most, I am able to drive an hour, hike a few hours and drive back home.

Once I get home, I kinda fall out and walk around until I can again stand upright.

Anyway, I am concentrating on uphill hikes, with a lot of climbing, every other day. These are tough hikes, followed by an entirely downhill hike back.

On “off” days, I have a series of exercises that I work thru.

Better everyday!! I don't usually feel like my lungs are gonna implode anymore... so, I see progress.

I haven’t hiked above 5k’ lately. Hikes are generally just under 5k’ and both boys come to pull me up really steep inclines... they both have 4 wheel drive and sometimes use 4-low.

I drive 44 about every third time, to keep her going and to prevent the really bad aches and pains associated with stiff suspension, constantly shifting gears, etc.

I’m hoping better body condition will make after-drive experiences a bit better too.

I’ve been taking pictures, but have not posted them here because they are really pictures of areas I’ve posted here before.

It’s been pretty cold hiking, especially in the wind.

Mark (@65swb45) and Drew (@120mm) will probably recognize today’s hike area:

Me dealing with the cold

I have been keeping 44 up and actually reinstalled my bed on the passenger side.

The backpacker tent, I mentioned a while back, wasn’t something I could live with. Much too difficult for me to get in and out of... and still resemble an actual human.

rather than continue removing the passenger seat, to accommodate my bed, I found I can lean the seat back forward and strap it down, with a couple of roller cam straps.

I fabbed a center leg, on my plywood base, to keep the plywood off the upholstery... and provide the requisite decline.

Very comfy!! No pictures... no room to get clear pics.

I’m planning some 44 trips for the spring, I’ll certainly have pics then!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Greetings!!

Roger (@Helipilot) checked on me last night, because I hadn’t posted in this thread in a while.

I’m fine... just dealing with getting back into shape... and it’s been quite a challenge, since my last surgery. More because of arthritis than the surgery.

I’ve found that, if I take a hot shower, then rub CBD Oil into every major joint and every area that bothers me most, I am able to drive an hour, hike a few hours and drive back home.

Once I get home, I kinda fall out and walk around until I can again stand upright.

Anyway, I am concentrating on uphill hikes, with a lot of climbing, every other day. These are tough hikes, followed by an entirely downhill hike back.

On “off” days, I have a series of exercises that I work thru.

Better everyday!! I don't usually feel like my lungs are gonna implode anymore... so, I see progress.

I haven’t hiked above 5k’ lately. Hikes are generally just under 5k’ and both boys come to pull me up really steep inclines... they both have 4 wheel drive and sometimes use 4-low.

I drive 44 about every third time, to keep her going and to prevent the really bad aches and pains associated with stiff suspension, constantly shifting gears, etc.

I’m hoping better body condition will make after-drive experiences a bit better too.

I’ve been taking pictures, but have not posted them here because they are really pictures of areas I’ve posted here before.

It’s been pretty cold hiking, especially in the wind.

Mark (@65swb45) and Drew (@120mm) will probably recognize today’s hike area:

Me dealing with the cold

View attachment 2155811

View attachment 2155812

View attachment 2155813

I have been keeping 44 up and actually reinstalled my bed on the passenger side.

The backpacker tent, I mentioned a while back, wasn’t something I could live with. Much too difficult for me to get in and out of... and still resemble an actual human.

rather than continue removing the passenger seat, to accommodate my bed, I found I can lean the seat back forward and strap it down, with a couple of roller cam straps.

I fabbed a center leg, on my plywood base, to keep the plywood off the upholstery... and provide the requisite decline.

Very comfy!! No pictures... no room to get clear pics.

I’m planning some 44 trips for the spring, I’ll certainly have pics then!!

 

[65swb45]

A body in motion tends to stay in motion....

A heartening update.

I talked with Lee last week. I’m getting closer to the day when I see an audiologist.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

A body in motion tends to stay in motion....

A heartening update.

I talked with Lee last week. I’m getting closer to the day when I see an audiologist.

It’s more important To HEAR an audiologist, Mark.

 

[waiting for time]

Hi Danny,
Welcome back, sorry to hear about your challenges and I hope it gets better soon.
Like Mark said, just keep moving.