Build New project, 1969 fj40

[knuckle47]

Geez, that’s an awful feeling. At least that’s all it was…I get a great feeling watching your resurrection posts and enjoy seeing your truck doing all the good things.

Ran out of gas once on the NY Northway -20 degrees on windswept snow covered roads in 1975 literally 8 miles from an exit…and, my girlfriend was with me (now my wife). A kind stranger went and got me 1 gallon of gas at around $1.54/gallon. I’ll never forget it. Paid it forward a few dozen times in those 49 years.

So…back to the great @projectTuRD posts !

 

[6f40j9]

Geez, that’s an awful feeling. At least that’s all it was…I get a great feeling watching your resurrection posts and enjoy seeing your truck doing all the good things.

Ran out of gas once on the NY Northway -20 degrees on windswept snow covered roads in 1975 literally 8 miles from an exit…and, my girlfriend was with me (now my wife). A kind stranger went and got me 1 gallon of gas at around $1.54/gallon. I’ll never forget it. Paid it forward a few dozen times in those 49 years.

So…back to the great @projectTuRD posts !

The best part was, a fellow 40 owner stopped and brought my son and I bottles of water (it was ~95*) because he’s been in the same situation.
I was so thankful. We chatted for ~10 minutes then he took off.

 

[6f40j9]

Took it on a 2+ hour drive through the backroads to a family reunion and back today. No major issues. The carb is still quirky but tolerable.

 

[6f40j9]

Made a quick B pillar out of 3/4” emt for a Spector bikini top. There’s a slight rake to it (it looks more pronounced at this angle). I may chop it down another inch or so.

 

[knuckle47]

You may discover that the rake helps to keep it from ballooning up when traveling over 40? Back in the ‘70s, I made a top using a canvas tarp cut down and bolted to the windshield hardtop holes and draped over the roll bar and tied to the footman loops. The “station wagon” effect sucked it up about 3” higher over 50mph.

 

[6f40j9]

Took it for a drive and the top sure was nice to have. I bet it works a little better going over the sides of a roll bar rather than staying flat, but it’s fine. I tensioned it up at my destination and it was noticeable on the return trip.

 

[6f40j9]

Swapped out the SOR gasket for a remflex.
So much quieter!

 

[6f40j9]

Pulled some seat belt bolts out of a 2000 4Runner at the pick n pull and installed my passenger seat belt.
Also finally finished and sort of installed the second jump seat. More for visual, as I doubt anyone will ever sit in it.

 

[6f40j9]

Can’t thank @02av8or enough for the deal on the less used steering wheel! Mine was disintegrating with every touch.

 

[6f40j9]

Just a little then and now update.

 

[6f40j9]

Another year in paradise.

 

[65swb45]

Think of how much more our ‘76 and newer brethren spend on smog checks; it helps give a little perspective. A little.

 

[6f40j9]

Think of how much more our ‘76 and newer brethren spend on smog checks; it helps give a little perspective. A little.

The main reason I got a pre 75.
I have enough other cars to smog.

 

[6f40j9]

First night drive in the drama llama is a success. Even got to stomp the high beams on a couple times
Of course I caught every red light in the truck that’s a complete guessing game if it’s going to: die, idle, or rev at 2000 rpm every time I come to a stop, but it’s still fun.
Perfect evening weather for the drive in shorts and short sleeve shirt with the bikini top and half doors.

 

[6f40j9]

It only died on me twice today which is pretty incredible given the 5 different drives I went on and numerous stop signs and traffic lights.

 

[majdomo]

I know you've had some issues with the carb, but I had some recent success fixing the dying / idling thing by doing a valve adjustment. YMMV.

Rig's looking great!

 

[6f40j9]

I know you've had some issues with the carb, but I had some recent success fixing the dying / idling thing by doing a valve adjustment. YMMV.

Rig's looking great!

I do need to do a hot one. I have an email into mudrak to hopefully get an appointment to have him dial in that and the timing.

 

[6f40j9]

Today didn’t go near as good as last week but I still managed to struggle through it. If the secondary wasn’t staying open and revving to the moon, then it was dying.

 

[6f40j9]

Drove it out to my son’s soccer game where it decided to cooperate all the way there and back (guessing about 30 miles). Also got compliments from the coach (in the Volvo) and another dad (in the 80).

 

[6f40j9]