Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Well, I finished installing the greaseable shackles and pins and the new bushings... No pictures... If y'all haven't seen these, you haven't looked on MUD :cool: Quality is job one...

That's my last 'planned' large job on 44... I have a couple of very minor things left to do... Finish wiring my tow connection (for when I want to tow 44) ... @Coolerman included a stub-out in my new rear harness... Under the hood, at the firewall.... I'm just going to connect it to the male side of the new connector and run it to a 7-pin plug... I can disconnect it and put it in the back, until it's needed... I don't recall the other remaining small item... Besides setting up my bed, etc. for our next trip... Maybe the other small task was... Adding more to my Molle panel... :hmm:

Oh, I also have a seat back Molle panel coming... For the heavier stuff... :smokin:

Dianna wants me to make this next trip with only Chester... She wants Gunner to stay with her... She says they're gonnna have a lot of fun without us... :rolleyes:

Edit: since everyone says it didn't happen if you don't post pictures... Here are pictures

image.webp
image.webp
 
Last edited:
Started prepping 44 for an eventual extended trip... I was supposed to be released by the eye surgeon on Mar 15th, but he rescheduled me for Aoril 5th... So, I've scheduled my second epidural for the 15th. Dianna, daBoise and I will take the Tundra and the Casita and spend the time, until April 5th, at Echo Canyon, Cave Lake and Ruby Valley... All, in NV.

After April 5th, I'll finalize preparation and hit the road with Chester... Not sure yet where we'll go, need to see the weather... This will be Chester's first trip with me in 44... Gunner's staying home this time... Dianna wants Gunner with her.

Anyway, I removed the passenger seat back and laid my bed (5" foam on top of a ThermaRest Basecamp sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow and extra blankets). Tent, cot and chair are stored above, in the cargo netting. We overnight in 44 and pitch a tent for multiple days. I'm anxious to go!! Already topped off the tanks, changed all the fluids, greased everything, spares and tools are all loaded... Chester's bed will go in the back before we leave.

image.webp
image.webp
 
Posting this response to @Weber Sarge's comment here - to document it:
Love to see that thing on the scale - has to be pushing 3 tons or more...
Sarge
Click to expand...

Sarge,

Its interesting that you bring this up... I was just looking at this last night and plan to find a scale on my next trip... hopefully, in a rural town where it won't have a long line of 18 wheelers...

I haven't yet had it on a scale because I weigh everything (of substance: things like the snorkel are plastic and are very light) I put on/in 44... this is what I estimate (Note: 4885 lbs GVWR)

Curb Weight is estimated at 4015
(Note: 3500 (estimated stock curb weight)
+140 (roof rack)
+90 (aux tank and skid plate)
+85 (winch)
+200 (huge front bumper - this is estimated... I haven't had it off to weight it.)
​
So, 4885 (GVWR) - 4015 (adjusted curb weight) = 870 lbs available for "cargo" and passengers.

54 lbs of tools,
40 lbs of spares, etc.
40 lbs Trasheroo and firewood
140 lbs of extra fuel (with aux tank full (22gal*6.33/gal))
12 lbs tent
4 lbs cot
2 lbs chair
12 lbs the plywood and my bed
16 lbs the drawers weigh
20 lbs of clothes and jackets
25 lbs of food, stove, propane bottles, etc.
56 lbs potable water cube (7gal*8lbs/gal)
22 lbs drinking water
60 lbs misc.
503 lbs Total "cargo"

176 lbs Danny and losing as fast as I can!!
78 lbs Gunner
75 lbs Chester
328 lbs Total passengers

503 Cargo
328 Passengers
831 lbs Total Cargo and Passengers​

So, my estimated 831 lbs comes in under the 870 lbs available for cargo and passengers.

Estimated total weight = 4846 (4015 + 831) - But, with the bulk of the weight on the rear of 44, I am concerned that 44 is probably very close to the limit.

I added air bags to the rear to assist the springs and allow me to adjust the rear "lift" when I have extra weight on the back --- like when the aux tank is full or the cargo carrier (weighs < 20 lbs, but when mounted in the rear receiver, is actually heavier that far back) is on the back hitch receiver. I can also carry the cargo basket on the front receiver when the aux tank is full - just cover the tail lights on the carrier.

So, this is where I think 44 "stands"... I'll post how she "squats" after I have her weighed.
 
Generally , when it gets loaded to the point of yours I automatically add 500lbs of mystery weight . Depending upon where it lands , hope you are running at least a C rated tire for that potential load . We've all seen the pics of Cruisers seriously overloaded as well as Landcruising Adventure's Troopy and it's issues with all the weight - so we do know they can take it .
Sarge
 
Ready for its next adventure....................you look very well prepared Danny!!
 
Weber Sarge said:
Generally , when it gets loaded to the point of yours I automatically add 500lbs of mystery weight . Depending upon where it lands , hope you are running at least a C rated tire for that potential load . We've all seen the pics of Cruisers seriously overloaded as well as Landcruising Adventure's Troopy and it's issues with all the weight - so we do know they can take it .
Sarge
Click to expand...

Yep, they're C tires and I don't believe its overloaded... but, I'm gonna find out exactly where she stands during this next trip.
 
We delayed our Tundra/Casita trip to Monday, March 21st... I had my second (of three) epidurals Today and really should drive for a few days... So I made dinner reservations for Sunday night, for our 46th anniversary.

But, we'll hit the road early Monday morning and head north, about three hours, to Echo Canyon State Park., near Pioche.A couple of nights there and we'll move up a couple of hours to Cave Lake State Park, by Ely. A couple of nights there, then Great Basin National Park. A few nights there, then Ruby Valley and/or other camping places in the Ruby Mountains.

Of course, the higher elevations are dependent upon the weather... But, that's the current plan... We have to be back for Dr appts on April 5th and 6th...

After that, Chester and I hit the road in 44... Haven't decided yet, just where we will go.

I've decided to not chance using my inflatable pontoon during these two trips... My back/hips/legs/ankles are much better... I want to keep it that way for a while...

Technically, I have no need to crawl under 44 or sit on the garage floor...

... And there is plenty of stream fishing up north... Plus I've caught a lot of trout, while wading thigh-deep at Cave Lake...

I saw my General Practicioner last Friday and set my Weight Watcher goal weight at 165... Once I reach 165, I go on lifetime maintenance and quit paying $13/week... As long as I stay less than 167.1 lbs (I'm allowed goal+2 lbs... anything above that requires payment).

I plan to get to 160... That affords me a 7 lbs buffer.

I can continue losing, but doubt I will feel the need.

I weighed in tonight... Week 16 and lost 2.4 lbs... I weigh 174 now... Lost 34.8 lbs in 16 weeks.

I'm happy!!
 
I hope your getting traction therapy along with those epidurals. Good job on the weight loss WOW! way to go
 
DSB345 said:
I hope your getting traction therapy along with those epidurals. Good job on the weight loss WOW! way to go
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave!

Kinda like traction, but not... Traction killed me... I see a great Sports Medicine Manipulative Therapy Doctor... He keeps my wheels balanced and my frontend aligned :bounce:
 
We had a great 5-day Tundra/Casita trip!! But, came home early because they are forecasting snow in all the areas we wanted to visit... so, we'll go again in about a month.

In the meantime, I've scheduled my 3rd epidural and will take 2-3 day trips in 44 in the meantime... and hope to make a long 44 trip later this spring.

Here are a couple of sunsets I liked:
IMG_1177.webp
IMG_0949.webp
IMG_1180.webp


Here's a Roo and a Dingo

IMG_1141.webp
IMG_1075.webp
 
Great sunset pics Danny! Are you sure that roo isn't the elusive jackalope? Looking forward to seeing more of your outdoors pics.

ANY time spent in the great outdoors is a good time, even if you are dealing with a bit of back problems. Being able to take 44 and the boys out has got to be a real good carrot for you. Hang in there, better days are ahead.

Don
 
handcannon said:
Great sunset pics Danny! Are you sure that roo isn't the elusive jackalope? Looking forward to seeing more of your outdoors pics.

ANY time spent in the great outdoors is a good time, even if you are dealing with a bit of back problems. Being able to take 44 and the boys out has got to be a real good carrot for you. Hang in there, better days are ahead.

Don
Click to expand...

Thanks Don!!

.. And you're right... We had a great time. Hiked and climbed steep grades with the pain ... Just have to stop and squat fairly frequently. A lot harder hiking downhill. But, the alternative is to sit and atrophy...

I just decided I'm gonna do it with or without the pain... Hopefully, the latter.
 
Technically... I'm getting 44 ready to go... Hope to leave Wed for a couple of nights with Chester... May stay out thru Sunday... But gonna spend nights in 44.

Chester wants to do a lotta mountain hiking, so I'm moving my equipment to 44... Using trekking poles... Sure hope I don't blow my tricep ligament out again. I really can do without another avulsion!!

My seat back Molle panel arrived while we were gone... I got it mounted and loaded this morning. I carry my .44 magnum, on a chest rig, in the mountains. Big cats scare the hell out of me and Chester doesn't need to be eaten...

image.webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
78 FJ40
Replies
0
Views
512
Randomfly3r3
R
J
Need a muffler / 78 FJ40
Replies
16
Views
1K
Jim S.
J
D
78 FJ40 Rear opening measurement
Replies
12
Views
1K
vfrer
vfrer
twonamesjames
'78 FJ40 "Build"
Replies
16
Views
2K
greenEFSI
greenEFSI

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom