Officially addicted... my FJ40 story begins

[Chris8760]

One of these things doesn't look like the others....

Got the wheels and tires mounted today. The spare looks huge in comparison... The carrier could use a little spacing for better clearance. Working on that now...

Was able to get the tiger top much more secure with a set of jack nuts from Napa... Next step is to get the lift on.

 

[Chris8760]

With OEM hubcap... Very happy with the gunmetal gray powder coat...

 

[Chris8760]

Spaced the carrier on the back side with metal spacers and a wheel spacer on the front. Gave the perfect amount of clearance.

 

[G-Cat]

Awesome build!

 

[Chris8760]

I have two questions, would be great to get some insight and opinion.

1) The passenger side rear quarter had 4 perfectly spaced holes. I feel like I've seen this before on other rigs, but can't figure out what would have been mounted there. A quick trip to HD and less than $5 later I added some stainless finishing washers and screws. Cheap solution I can live with... Any idea what these holes were for?

2) Also, I don't have a better photo but you can see the holes from since-removed fender flares. Should I keep the holes (I prefer the look of 40's without them) or to avoid the eyesore bite the bullet and add a slim set of flares back on? Thoughts? Recommendation on which to use?

Thanks!

 

[GA Architect]

Chris,
This may be what those holes are for, a side mounted jerry can holder?



If your wheel wells are not trimmed, leave the fender flares off and patch holes....if they are trimmed, reinstall flares as needed....Just my $.02 worth, or less.

 

[Chris8760]

Got it- mystery solved. Thanks for that.

As for the flares, I'd fill the holes but I don't have any plans to paint the truck. The paint isn't perfect, but 100% original. Maybe I'll stay with it as is for now...

 

[geologic]

Yes might need 60 wheels and 40 is fine, I call mine "Back 40" but it's goin to be anything but old by the time I finish, you'll definitely need a triple locked 80 in the barn, auto and air didn't hold them back at all!

 

[Chris8760]

These Bushwacker flares from CCOT say they extend 2.5" past the fender. Does anyone know of any flares slimmer or is this it? My searches are coming up short. I guess any slimmer may defeat the purpose?...

http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/fenderflairs.html

 

[Chris8760]

Jump seats back from powder coater.

The guys at Atlanta Powder Coating in Marietta did an outstanding job. I thought these frames were close to junk- they came out as good as new. You can see some pitting, but none of the corrosion was serious.

Thanks to Shane at MetricTLC for the inspection stickers. Will post up the final shots- this is just mock up on the dining room table... Foam and seat covers from SOR.

 

[Chris8760]

I made a couple of small mistakes along the way, likely only noticeable to me... A pro would have done this a little neater I'm sure, but I learned a lot.

This jump seat project was fun and I'm happy with the result. They came out great. Pardon the bed full of 33" rubber...

Thanks to GA Architect for the guidance...

 

[Chris8760]

I decided to start cleaning up the ambulance doors and hardtop... I don't plan on putting the top back on for a while, but with truck at the shop I needed a project.

I dismantled the license plate frame and ordered some new lighting parts and weatherstripping for it from CCOT... The right side lamp bracket was bent pretty good, but a few bends with vise grips got it just about back in position.... A few sprays of Rustoleum and it came out looking great. I managed to get 99% of the old weatherstripping off... That was a pain. Will (start to) tackle door 2 tomorrow.

 

[overton]

A good size can of 3M adhesive weather stripping remover is KEY!

 

[Chris8760]

Thanks Overton... Headed to Napa tomorrow to see if they have some in stock. I need to pick up a couple of rubber grommets for the license plate wiring while there...

 

[Snow Peak]

Sub'd!

Great job on the jump seats Chris! Still need to track down a set for my 40.

 

[Chris8760]

Made progress on the license plate holder. It's not perfect, but neither is the truck. It looks pretty good... Next step is to sand down the surface rust on the base of the doors and cover with some rust encapsulator.

 

[TheHardWay]

"It's not perfect"

You mean that little bitty hold near the bottom? That's gonna be covered by the license plate?

 

[Chris8760]

Fair point! I should seek help for my OCD... And I should have posted a before photo. The frame was bent pretty badly- the right light bracket was torn up. So it was tough to get the lights to line up exact, but worth saving. On to the rust and weatherstripping next...

 

[TheHardWay]

"On to the rust and weatherstripping next"
After you get your weatherstripping set in position, lay masking or painters tape out on both sides of the weatherstripping BEFORE you begin squeezing out the adhesive. It's no fun to remove from the paint, even before it's cured, and no matter how careful you try to be about not being sloppy, you will be. Ask me how I know.

 

[Chris8760]

Started buffing out the top... Not that anyone will really see it. Turtle Wax rubbing compound and some terry towels... Slow going, but coming back to life.