Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[Solace in Solitude]

We're home now... drove into the garage about an hour ago.

We had a great trip and Chester was the most well-mannered dog ever!! No leash, no corrections needed!!

We drove the 78 miles of Alamo Road, the 18 mile Cabin Springs Road round trip, back 50 miles south on US93, then the 47 mile MOrman Well Road again... it's different every time I drive it... had a major washout about 20 miles in, from US93... but, they had already cut the road back in.

We slept in 44 every night at 5400', 4600' and 6200'... the wind blew, but, it was sunny and moony and the wildflowers smelled great!! The moon filled out and cut back on the star gazing, but, I didn't need a headlamp at night!!

We climbed a lot of mountains (slopes, not cliffs) and hiked a lot of miles and didn't see any snakes... too cool at night at altitude.

44 performed admirably!! I pulled the plugs at Cabin Springs and they were all clean, I re-gapped them and put them back. I also adjusted the clutch. Cabin Springs Road convinced me that I need to find another spare... I didn't flatten any tires, but, I really thought I might.

All-in-all, a great trip!!

Cabin Spring

This white scar, with the black streaks, glowed all night ... not sure if it was reflecting the full moon or a space alien crash site...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Chester was my EMT dog for this trip...

We played frisbee at Sheep Pass

I caught Chester sleeping in my bed

 

[Solace in Solitude]

We saw a lot of vistas

 

[Solace in Solitude]

...and a lot of flowers

 

[Solace in Solitude]

... a dog fight...

"The Shadow"

...and an alien landing

 

[Solace in Solitude]

... a "Petroglyph Stone Cabin", occupied by bats.

...and more flowers

 

[DSB345]

Great pics! That looks like a really fun trip.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Great pics! That looks like a really fun trip.

Thanks Dave!! It really was!!

 

[DSB345]

Those aliens are more common than I thought

 

[78fj40mg]

Very nice Danny!

I love how Chester has become a model dog and the best EMT/companion ever, he's so lovable!

How does the suspension feel with the new shackles and bushings?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Very nice Danny!

I love how Chester has become a model dog and the best EMT/companion ever, he's so lovable!

How does the suspension feel with the new shackles and bushings?

Very nice Mike!! 44 drives, handles and rides really well now!! Of course, she doesn't handle huge bumps at speeds over 10 mph... never will.

BTW: You were right... the front driver-side shackle was binding... I forgot to say thank you!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Very nice Danny!

I love how Chester has become a model dog and the best EMT/companion ever, he's so lovable!

How does the suspension feel with the new shackles and bushings?

Oh!! ...and Chester is a great companion!! But, Gunner goes next time!! Not sure when... I have to see a retina specialist and a spinal surgeon first.. and we are going to make a trip to Austin. I'll try to slip out with Gunner for a night or two... may even take both... Dianna said Gunner definitely missed us this time.

 

[handcannon]

I agree! Looks like a really good trip. Especially so with all the wildflowers in bloom now. I have always been partial to the cactus flowers as they have such neon type of colors. But, the only way we get to see cactus in bloom here is in greenhouses.

One thing I found really interesting, in post 1163, was the fence. Looks like steel pipe and cable, and apparently out in the middle of nowhere.

I need some info from you. In post 1162 you have a side shot of 44. I don't know why I had never had this question before, but that pic is a clear one showing the snorkel. Just below the cobra head appears to be the smallest diameter for the whole snorkel. What is that diameter? And, is that actually the smallest diameter for the snorkel?

The reason for the question is because I would really like to eventually put a diesel motor in my 40 (love the low end torque, and fuel mileage that usually comes with diesel motors). And a large air intake, and exhaust is important for allowing a diesel motor to breath well. Much more important than for a gasser motor. I know you had previously posted about the snorkel install, but for some reason any question about the size never crossed my mind.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hey Don!! (@handcannon)

That 'fence' is actually cable, thru 4"x4" wooden posts... they place these cables in strategic places, to curb illegal off-road driving, in areas that need to recover. The closed 'roads' become hiking trails and the 'fenced' areas become parking/camping sites for the trail head.

I'll get the snorkel measurements for you later today.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hey Don!! (@handcannon)

That 'fence' is actually cable, thru 4"x4" wooden posts... they place these cables in strategic places, to curb illegal off-road driving, in areas that need to recover. The closed 'roads' become hiking trails and the 'fenced' areas become parking/camping sites for the trail head.

I'll get the snorkel measurements for you later today.

Don, as best I can tell, using a tape measure, the snorkel is 3 3/8" where the ram jet mounts... and the exterior diameter of the ram jet head appears to be 3 5/8"

 

[handcannon]

Thank you Danny! Good info for me to stash away for later use.

Also, what you say about the fence makes sense. Just this past Sunday I talked to a young guy who had backpacked into Marion Lake (southwest side of Mt Jefferson Wilderness) in the Cascade Mountains. Apparently there's been some new regulations sometime in the last number of years that prohibits camping within 150 ft of the lake's edge to allow the vegetation to recover from the effects of overuse. It's been over 30 years since I've done any backpacking, usually in the Pamelia Lake area, about 10 miles north of Marion Lake.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thank you Danny! Good info for me to stash away for later use.

Also, what you say about the fence makes sense. Just this past Sunday I talked to a young guy who had backpacked into Marion Lake (southwest side of Mt Jefferson Wilderness) in the Cascade Mountains. Apparently there's been some new regulations sometime in the last number of years that prohibits camping within 150 ft of the lake's edge to allow the vegetation to recover from the effects of overuse. It's been over 30 years since I've done any backpacking, usually in the Pamelia Lake area, about 10 miles north of Marion Lake.

Don

You are welcome Don!!

I seem to recall "no camping within 200' of water sources" in primitive areas... to NOT prevent wildlife from access to water, to prevent pollution of the water source and to allow the vegetation to recover.

EDIT: Most of the 'water sources', where I've been out here, are dry. Morman Spring, Cabin Spring and other springs in the ... all dry. I read that Hidden Spring (8-9k') is also dry, but haven't tried the 10 mile round trip hike yet.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I went out to rinse the sand off of 44 and realized I forgot all about mentioning the new pinstripes and the ding from a boulder slamming into the bottom edge of the front passenger fender... at least, that's the story I'm sticking with. Pinstripes on both sides, from tight roads...

...and the ding... flaked paint off, minor damage... but, she loved it!!

 

[FJ404345]

Danny, I thought this was your bed !!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Danny, I thought this was your bed !!

View attachment 1245540

Me too, Eric!! But, I have the dog bed now...