Times are changing, my daughter had to give a boy a lesson on hand shakes after she saw him shake my hand the first time we met.
My kid wanted a Jeep, she's getting a 77 FJ40 LS Swap instead
- Thread starter JKIII FJ40
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- #382
Good gawd. Now to think about it, the BF hasn't come close enough to me to shake my hand....Of course I am usually in the garage and that's foreign territory to kids now a day. There is only a handful of lifted 4x4's in the area, plenty of mall crawlers but most of the 40's around here are stock height. Each of our 40's are 2.5", the kids 40 springs haven't relaxed so its taller than mine. Hope the BF doesnt get hurt climbing out, just kidding. He's welcome to fall out, builds character.
Our rule is that they have to come to the door-
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- #385
We live in NY, that's a quick way to get unwanted visitors and unneeded attention. Of course I don't have a gun cabinet and any firearms were tragically lost in a boating accident. There are parts of the house guests aren't allowed in anyways.
I prefer to not speak when new people come to the house, generally I take a moment to stare them in the eye and most immediately look away. Kind of a mind F' to most, only takes a second to assess them.
I prefer to not speak when new people come to the house, generally I take a moment to stare them in the eye and most immediately look away. Kind of a mind F' to most, only takes a second to assess them.
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Ive only seen 1 40 outside of a garage in NY. It was in a junk yard and rusted in half.
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- #387
So true, easier to find big foot I think. Of course I think its fear of them rusting away is the reason they are under cover in a garage.
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Man, been reading this whole thread. Great build congratulations to you and your daughter. I just recently acquired another cruise for myself and wanting to do the same thing or similar build. I appreciate this thread. It helps a lot.
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- #389
Thanks, yeah its been an adventure. Like many I wanted to document everything so when I am old and senile I can reference back on what I did to build it. I learned a lot along the way.
To be honest, I have had many doubts along the way but seeing her drive it and enjoy it made it worth it.
To be honest, I have had many doubts along the way but seeing her drive it and enjoy it made it worth it.
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My oldest is 13 and I am hoping the car bug hits him soon, so we can build one.
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- #391
That was my goal, didn’t turn out that way. She’s just a driver….
In a spurt of exuberance, I bought a 59 f100. Well at least the shell of one. I told myself it was going to be a bonding experience for the boy and I. Lots of parts and money later I have a rolling chassis in need of a lot of work. The kid shows little interest. Perhaps if I get it running he’ll show some interest….
It’s a tough thing to realize amidst the instant gratification of a phone or equivalent. I started my boys early. It did start with a red running 60 that they really thought was capable. I took them on trails and camping. Then the rest happened.
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- #394
Tore off the soft top, managed to scrape the side of the 40, ugh......I did it once on my 74 as well. Removing the soft top frame by yourself has its consequences. So after all the work to make the Topnault fit I am throwing in the towel. the inner channel that rides along the top rail is way off. The front sits about 3/4" taller than it should. I didn't notice before that the rear notches were not the same. I would not recommend these hard tops.
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- #395
In with the old top. I popped out the glass and threw them on, fit a lot better than the new Topnault tops. This was my original plan, then I decided to hit the easy button, well that backfired. I did mount one of the City Racer doors. Always great when a vendors product work the way they are supposed too. I believe some patchwork is in my future. At least I know the mock up was successful and I have something to start with.
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- #396
Back to the drawing board. I previously mounted the original hard top, while mounting the second ambulance door the inner plate fell out that held the door hinge. The door test fit went well for the DS door, took them both off and packed them away in preparation of paint. When removing the top another pile of rust fell out along with the inner plate that slid loose. I placed it next to the Topnault top and found some discrepancies. The biggest culprit affecting the fit was the seat belt mount, it was welded too low. I removed the rail and placed the top back on to see how far off the fit was. Aside from the area in the rear corner I stretched/massaged/angrily hammered to make it fit, it lined up well. I then pinned down the inner rail and balanced out the arc as it was off. I then remounted the hard top and then checked the rear alignment and got it squared up. I will run some tech screws in to secure the two together and then tack together. Not looking forward to the other side as I didn't use a spot welder to reattach the inner rail, it will be fun cutting those welds for sure. At least I will have good metal to work with and wont be throwing it away or cutting up to patch another top.
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- #397
More time on the 40 tonight. Disassembled the driver side panel, cutting welds was a hoot. Wished I would've thought of this before. Leveled everything up and added the rear cross member to check for squareness. Success! I ran some tech screws in to sides. The real fun will be cleaning it up and making it look purdy.
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- #399
Finally installed the rear axle bump stops, not like they are needed as the springs have no flex yet. Took the time to fix the DS door seals. Didnt have good luck with the 3M adhesive, spent several hours removing the old adhesive. I was able to wrap it up for the evening.
