Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (1 Viewer)

[65swb45]

Good luck!!

I grew up in the heat of Calif's Imperial Valley... before they invented humidity outside and AC inside. Then spent 15 months in Libya, between the Sahara and the Med. Then, 5 years in Tucson. Now, almost 5 years in Vegas.

I KNOW hot!!

We moved here with the intent of being gone all summer, every summer. Yet, something keeps coming up... but, we're leaving next week... in search of melting glaciers..

Melting glaciers! Had plenty of those three weeks ago!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Melting glaciers! Had plenty of those three weeks ago!View attachment 1491436View attachment 1491437View attachment 1491438

So, Mark... as you snapped those pics, did it occur to you just how isolated that area was, should your pilot friend need to land?

Enquiring minds...

 

[65swb45]

So, Mark... as you snapped those pics, did it occur to you just how isolated that area was, should your pilot friend need to land?

Enquiring minds...

Truth be told, I engineered a quick release for the hinges of his door on the plane in case of a water landing. He was impressed with my ingenuity. And my essential gear was stowed in two backpacks.

He asked why. I said in case we have to walk away.

Yes Danny, I do think about these things.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Forgive me Father...

My arrogance has bit me in the ass... I thought I had my aux fuel pump & sender issue isolated to the DPDT switch in the dash... Wrong!!

It's much deeper than that... This setup has worked fine for 1.5 yrs... Suddenly, on the 108* return from my last trip, I started seeing 0 psi fuel pressure on the main tank... I switched to the aux and saw 0 psi... Back to the main and back at 4 psi. Fine for a while, then repeat... Stop periodically and let it cool down... All good... Repeat...

I made it home and the next morning, 44 fired right up, on the main tank, with 4 psi... But, aux pump and sender have never activated since, via the DPDT switch.

I have spares (DPDT, Pollak Switching Valve, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Carter Oil Pressure Safety Switch (OPSS)), so I swapped them all out... Same issue.

I started measuring voltage and found that the main pump and sender are always working with 9-11v. But, once I switch the DPDT to the aux tank, the voltage drops to < 5v... This happens consistently with the original and with the spare DPDT.

I tracked the low voltage back to the OPSS and spoke with Rudi (@bj40green ). He suggested I eliminate (temporarily) the OPSS... Same issue.

I hooked the aux pump to my JumpBox and it fired right up.

I can't fully check the aux sender without dropping the aux tank... And I don't have time right now... So, I disconnected the aux sender ground, from the frame and cut the aux sender wire... Same problem.... Spliced it back together and reconnected the ground.

So... I apparently have a short somewhere, that may or may not be directly related to my fuel system wiring... Regardless, it's degraded the aux side of my fuel system. This all started in a very hot drive... I suspect I have melted insulation somewhere and wires shorting...

I have options... including find and fix... But, I don't have time right now... We are leaving for a couple of months and I have to get everything loaded and the truck and trailer ready to go.

So, I'll work it out when I return... Maybe it will be cooler by then.

Note: we had planned to be gone all summer (like @mrboatman ), but the Judge scheduled the third court date for that assault that occurred next door (and the ensuing shots fired on the responding cops) for July 31... So, we decided to wait until we had testified. Now, the Judge has granted another stay and rescheduled it for Oct 31. So, thank you Judge, for helping us enjoy the record Vegas heat!!

Bye y'all!!

 

[Burbot]

Watched a Chevy burn up due to a short in trailer Lites. Disconnect that puppy eh. Check resistance on senders pumps etc. do visual test on outlet ie volume test? Good luck

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Watched a Chevy burn up due to a short in trailer Lites. Disconnect that puppy eh. Check resistance on senders pumps etc. do visual test on outlet ie volume test? Good luck

Oh yeah, it's disconnected.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hi All,

44 is still awaiting some heavy petting, but we're too busy enjoying the cool mountain air, in Angel Fire, NM.

We've been hiking at 8500'-9100'

Dianna, Chester and me



Today, we rode the chair lift up to the summit of the Angel Fire ski slope, for lunch and caught a hell of a view



For anyone who mountain bikes, the Angel Fire Resort has a world class series of trails, during the off season, and they run it just like they run the skiing... e.g. Lift tickets carry you and your bike to the summit. You ride down and repeat.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Can't edit, here's the two
Pics

 

[handcannon]

Thanks for the pics. That area appears to be very similar to the Metolius area, a top favorite of mine. Black Butte , elevation 6,436 feet, stands tall over Camp Sherman at it's base at 2,963 feet, and the whole Metolius valley. It's been many years since I was at the top of Black Butte, but the view from there is very much like your second pic. And, you can get a similar view from the Green Ridge lookout. Green Ridge is about 500 feet above the Metolius valley floor. The first pic showing the vegetation found there is exactly like what can be found on Black Butte and in the Metolius valley. Needless to say, since the topography is so much the same I would most likely love that area also. Again, thank you for the pics.

It sure sounds like you and your whole family are really enjoying yourselves. Keep on enjoying!

Don

 

[ginmtb]

I'm a little north of you Danny but got inspired... unfortunately I got lost and ran out of time to summit Mt. Rose. Turns out I was less than a mile from the summit and only about 600' of elevation gain away sigh. Still got to 10,269'. Tahoe is covered by the clouds to the right of me way in the background.

 

[tls3601]

@pngunme Danny that area looks a lot like our Prescott National Forest. Most trails up there are above mile high 6-6500ft. Great pic bud!

 

[DSB345]

Beautiful!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

It sure sounds like you and your whole family are really enjoying yourselves. Keep on enjoying!

Don

Oh, we are Don!! It's currently 65... high of 75 today... unlike Vegas.

The elk bulls are starting to bugle early this year... There was an elk across the road yesterday morning... almost too dark to see.

... and a deer in much the same place last evening... again low light

... and a beautiful golden dog, having a great time

 

[Solace in Solitude]

@pngunme Danny that area looks a lot like our Prescott National Forest. Most trails up there are above mile high 6-6500ft. Great pic bud!

Thanks Tom!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I'm a little north of you Danny but got inspired... unfortunately I got lost and ran out of time to summit Mt. Rose. Turns out I was less than a mile from the summit and only about 600' of elevation gain away sigh. Still got to 10,269'. Tahoe is covered by the clouds to the right of me way in the background.

View attachment 1504212

Great pic Mike!!

I've come up short of many summits, but that simply means more future opportunities

We're gonna stop in Santa Fe for a few days, on our way home, and see if we can find some good trails.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

My daughter (Suzy) took this video the other day... this is Dianna teaching frisbee to Chester and Hercules (Suzy's border collie)... Her already knew how to play. But, he's very polite.. and attentive.

trim F18327D6 7A64 46F0 AD15 BE8AAE6C4D9B

 

[4Cruisers]

Great pic Mike!!

I've come up short of many summits, but that simply means more future opportunities

We're gonna stop in Santa Fe for a few days, on our way home, and see if we can find some good trails.

What kind of trails are you interested in? There are a couple of nice trails right out of town, my wife and I hiked in that area a few years ago when both of our sons were visiting. You might want to look at the Atalaya Trail to the top of Atalaya Mountain, 9,121 feet. The trail starts in town just east of St. Johns College at about 7,360 feet. Great views of Santa Fe and the surrounding area in all directions. Looking W and NW you can see our neck of the woods across the Rio Grande.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

What kind of trails are you interested in? There are a couple of nice trails right out of town, my wife and I hiked in that area a few years ago when both of our sons were visiting. You might want to look at the Atalaya Trail to the top of Atalaya Mountain, 9,121 feet. The trail starts in town just east of St. Johns College at about 7,360 feet. Great views of Santa Fe and the surrounding area in all directions. Looking W and NW you can see our neck of the woods across the Rio Grande.

Thanks!!

We'll check it out!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

What kind of trails are you interested in? There are a couple of nice trails right out of town, my wife and I hiked in that area a few years ago when both of our sons were visiting. You might want to look at the Atalaya Trail to the top of Atalaya Mountain, 9,121 feet. The trail starts in town just east of St. Johns College at about 7,360 feet. Great views of Santa Fe and the surrounding area in all directions. Looking W and NW you can see our neck of the woods across the Rio Grande.

That trail looks great, but is touted as a heavily used bike trail... we might do it, but with Chester along, we'd rather have trails that are less travelled or not bike trails.

Know any?

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thinking about a pulled pork sandwich and waiting for the BBQ place open...

Dianna sure loves that bottle of water... or, more likely, she's wondering if I will ever quit drinking Dr P

On a technical note, I've ordered a couple of buss bars and ring terminals and am going to clean up 44's positive battery terminal... when I get back to her.