Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[Chungas Revenge]

Welcome aboard!! You have a seat at the grand "mead hall"...WWII vets were/are an incredible generation of individuals. Please launch on over to the thread...Great Jefferson quote in your sig block! Also- Post up a pic of your father, say a few words about him and include some pics and or commentary on your TLC....

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks Don! (@handcannon) - as Chungas said, it's all things Vet - go on over and talk up your Dad!

 

[fj401978]

Danny, what was Chester's birth date? Beretta was born 12-27-14, took her for her final puppy shots Monday (4-27), she weighed 30lbs. She is growing like a bad weed, but Chester looks much bigger. She is a lot of fun, though...can't wait to get my 40 all back together and take her for a ride out into the woods, she'll love it.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

can't wait to get my 40 all back together and take her for a ride out into the woods, she'll love it.

it's all things Vet - go on over and talk up your Dad!

I think we are up and running...Looking forward to seeing where this azimuth takes us...What do you think Danny? Pics? Commentary? Pics of Commentary? Please, if you are inclined, push this out to the four corners of the realm!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Yeah @Chungas Revenge - we are up and running!! But, we need to find a way to alert MUDders that never read the 40-55 forum or the Chit-Chat forum... I don't know of any way to 'broadcast'... but, I've asked Woody in our 3-way conversation. Maybe he has ideas as to how to bring Veteran's Highway to MUDders' attention. We'll see...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Danny, what was Chester's birth date? Beretta was born 12-27-14, took her for her final puppy shots Monday (4-27), she weighed 30lbs. She is growing like a bad weed, but Chester looks much bigger. She is a lot of fun, though...can't wait to get my 40 all back together and take her for a ride out into the woods, she'll love it.

Hi Skip!

Chester was born on Dec 16, 2014 - his 'shots schedule' got screwed up because we were travelling... he will have his last round on May 10th and will need to remain in his bubble for two weeks after that.

He's had diarrhea off and on since we've had him... he seems to have a difficult time becoming accustomed to his food. He weighed 36 lbs, but should weigh more by now. I'm waiting for the results of his blood work. I know he has no parasites - that was a concern. He's on Flagyl now to help with the diarrhea and it seems to be working.

Chester is big - once we get the diarrhea resolved he will expand horizontally as well as vertically! He loves ridding the Tundra and 44 and does not have the fear of loud sounds like Gunner. I hope to be able to target shoot with Chester... I can't take Gunner.

He eats like a pig and runs constantly and wears Gunner out - he's a great do!! But, I tell by the way he looks at me that he's up to mischief. We should have named him Dennis the Menace!!

 

[fj401978]

Yes sir, I know all about the 'mischief' lol...Beretta is very smart and she has her own agenda, she is learning some things, but she doesn't necessarily like it! Jumping and chewing are her big issues we are working on. She does love to fetch a tennis ball, we play for hours and she never seems to tire. She isn't afraid of loud noises either...I thought she would be as she does NOT like the lawn mower, but when I first started shooting the .22 around her, she didn't even flinch, so I moved up to a .38 special revolver, still didn't phase her...I like that! Next I will try the 12 gauge.

I hope you get Chester's issues lined out, can't imagine how big he would be if the food was being processed right! You may have a giant on hand

I know being a female, Beretta won't be as large, but your pictures of Chester show him to be really growing quickly!

I hope to have some neat pictures of Beretta and the 40 from our forays like you do with Gunner, Chester and 44...keep the pics flowing (when you get 44 back from surgery)!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Mr Parker was 99 lbs at his fighting weight... 109 before we learned of his hypothyroid... Should have know... I had it, it's no wonder it was passed to him!

Gunner is 80lbs - we think Chester will be 85-90 lbs - his hind legs look like jackrabbits' hind legs!

Ahem... Technically speaking... I am taking 44 to the engine puller in Monday, rather than Wednesday... Won't make 6 weeks any shorter... Just eliminates being home on Wed - now Tommy (lson-in-law) can stay gone as long as we like ... Well, until he has to return to Austin anyway!

So, @GA Architect ... I will be wallowing in despair now too...

 

[GA Architect]

Mr Parker was 99 lbs at his fighting weight... 109 before we learned of his hypothyroid... Should have know... I had it, it's no wonder it was passed to him!

Gunner is 80lbs - we think Chester will be 85-90 lbs - his hind legs look like jackrabbits' hind legs!

Ahem... Technically speaking... I am taking 44 to the engine puller in Monday, rather than Wednesday... Won't make 6 weeks any shorter... Just eliminates being home on Wed - now Tommy (lson-in-law) can stay gone as long as we like ... Well, until he has to return to Austin anyway!

So, @GA Architect ... I will be wallowing in despair now too...

Strength now, no need to be in despair. The light at the end of the tunnel is your goal, it's the tunnel that is temporary!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Strength now, no need to be in despair. The light at the end of the tunnel is your goal, it's the tunnel that is temporary!

You hit a nerve... Having worked underground (where else would you expect to find software being developed) at 3 or 4 different locations in the US and Europe, I was ALWAYS afraid that the tunnel was temporary!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well, I've stripped 44 down to her boxers (she's tough old girl!), removed all my 'stuff' and disconnected my hand throttle.

Monday morning, we'll run 44 by an exhaust shop so that they can plan her new exhaust.

Then, we'll drop her off at the auto shop, so they can pull the engine and strip to a long bock. The machine shop will pick up the long block and do the rebuild, then deliver it back to the auto shop.

Once it's all back together and ready to go, the auto shop will deliver it to the exhaust shop and, when they finish, she's mine again!

Estimated 4-6 weeks - I'm betting 8 weeks and hoping that's all.

My Son-in-Law (Tommy) and I will then drop my new night sights off with my FFL (Fed Firearms License) - my new M&P Shield .40 will be there Monday afternoon, but the FFL has paperwork to do. Once it's done and the sights are installed, I can pick it up... but Tommy and I and Gunner and Herc (his dog) will be exploring in the area of Monitor Valley, NV for the next week or two. So, I'll pick up my gun when I get back.

I'm planning to use my new camera and filters (thanks Don!) to try to get some great pictures of big views and maybe some wildlife.

Also taking my 6-piece 4wt and a handful of flies, to try any streams I come across.

Y'all keep MUDdling along in my absence!

BTW: Please help us... let your buddies know about the https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/veterans-highway.854710/ thread.

Thanks!

 

[fj401978]

Have fun Danny, and don't think about 'her'...she'll be alright!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks Skip!!

Today is a big day for 44 ...

I drove her to the exhaust shop and lined up new exhaust and muffler, for after the rebuild is complete. Once the headers are off, I'll pick them up and take them to the exhaust shop to have v-bands welded on, then to a ceramic shop, to be ceramic-coated (in and out). Then I'll deliver them back to the auto shop.

I then drove 44 to the auto shop and kissed her goodbye... she's starting an epic adventure!

Tommy (Son-in-Law) leave with Gunner and Herc tomorrow morning for our own epic adventure.

When we return, I'll take the Tundra down to the auto shop and tow the shell of 44 back home, where it will stay until it is time to install her rebuilt heart.

Y'all keep MUDdling along in my absence!

BTW: Please help us... let your buddies know about the https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/veterans-highway.854710/ thread.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well... this week, I missed 44 terribly... but, not going to check on her yet.

As I said earlier, we were going to be gone camping and exploring for 'a week or two' and the weatherperson said there was a 'chance of snow' - 7 inches is more than a 'chance'! Gunner loved it!

We camped for 3 nights and it snowed about 7", then warmed slightly and rained - melting much of the snow... then it snowed again and got colder... then it sleeted... then it snowed again and we went for a drive and found ourselves in another near blizzard... so, we broke camp and got out of Pine Creek Campground before the horde of locusts came flying in...

We had only our first morning to hike and I got a picture of Gunner watching for my Son-in-Law's return from a foray by himself and Herc, his dog.

Here's the area we camped and hiked... taken on our way home, this morning... Pine Creek is the light green area (Aspens) in the right third of this picture.

I did get a decent picture of a flyover, the first morning.

We're gonna leave Sunday morning and try to get to Columbine Campground, off the Reese River Valley - but it's 8500+', so we may have to camp elsewhere - maybe the San Juan Creek area of the Toyoibe Range - Gunner and I have camped there before.

 

[FJ404345]

Cheer up , be strong, she will be fine.

Nice, but very cold pictures, we are waiting for hot pictures like we have never seen 44 before

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well... an update... while hiking, on Wednesday, I tripped and steadied myself with my trekking poles and felt like I had driven a very sharp spear up my right elbow. Worst pain I've ever experienced... but, I'm happy to say, it doesn't hurt much of the time... only if I make certain motions.So, now I have a vague inkling of how my Father felt when he was hit in the right elbow, during the Breakout at Saint Lo, on July 27, 1944. For anyone interested... check out my Father's story in the Veterans' Highway thread in Chit-Chat.
But, given the fact that I was sure I had ruptured a ligament, I went to the ER this morning and confirmed that I have an avulshion... e.g. I tore a ligament loose from my elbow to my tricep - it will take 8 weeks for it to heal itself... assuming it's not too bad... so, I have to see another orthopedist and get an MRI of my elbow/tricep... the ER doctor did confirm that it hurt like hell... here's a picture, for those of you who enjoy my photography.

 

[ginmtb]

Ahh crap that looks awful! Now both you and 44 are out of commission. Heal quickly!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Now that you mention it... 44 and I should both be ready to go in 8 weeks... Coincidence?

 

[JohnnyC]

Ahhhh Tis' a flesh wound

X2 heal quick

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks JohnnyC!!