Builds Project Pikachu: 1977 FJ40

[cbmontgo]

Last on the route was Phantom Canyon Road, which is an old railroad grade that connected the mining districts of Cripple Creek to Victor to Florence. The road was very solitary and I didn’t see a soul. I always bring along water and basic tools on a day trip. But, after realizing that I didn’t pack my lug wrench and with darkness setting in within a few hours, I adhered to my rule of not wheeling alone deeper into an area than I can hike out on foot by sundown. The weather in Colorado doesn’t mess around this time of year, and sections of this trail were sheets of ice with cliffs on the sides. I turned around at the 7-mile mark and called it a good day.

I’m gonna return here soon. There are several old tunnels and sights along this route that I’ve just got to see.

 

[cbmontgo]

So you are one of the 40's I've seen driving around Woodland and Divide! Its cool to see another person from my hometown on mud.

Yeah man! Are you still in Divide?

 

[DangerNoodle]

Yeah man! Are you still in Divide?

I'm in Gunnison right now for college, but I head back every break. I'm waiting for finals week to be over so I can get home and get some new seats installed in the 40.

 

[cbmontgo]

I'm in Gunnison right now for college, but I head back every break. I'm waiting for finals week to be over so I can get home and get some new seats installed in the 40.

PM me some time when you are in town. Would love to grab a beer!

 

[DangerNoodle]

PM me some time when you are in town. Would love to grab a beer!

I would love too, but I can't drink yet! Give me about 3 years. I would love to go on a 40 run in the summer though!

 

[cbmontgo]

I would love too, but I can't drink yet! Give me about 3 years. I would love to go on a 40 run in the summer though!

Ha! Fair enough. Will definitely be some 40 runs this summer, if not sooner. I’m ready to get back to Utah and possibly add Wyoming to the mix next year.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Ha! Fair enough. Will definitely be some 40 runs this summer, if not sooner. I’m ready to get back to Utah and possibly add Wyoming to the mix next year.

Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[Dunbar]

CB am I missing other threads where you go adventuring in your other Cruisers? I originally found this thread as I have a 77 and started following. I would feel stupid if you had other long threads of wrenching and adventure with your white 40 or your Troopy that I'm missing out on.

 

[cbmontgo]

CB am I missing other threads where you go adventuring in your other Cruisers? I originally found this thread as I have a 77 and started following. I would feel stupid if you had other long threads of wrenching and adventure with your white 40 or your Troopy that I'm missing out on.

I’ve had a few really fun Cruisers and adventures over the years, but never really documented anything much until this one. I guess it’s because Pikachu started out as such a dog and could only go up from where it started. I do have a thread for my 1976 (A thread about a white bread, stock 1976 FJ40.). They all have great stories though. I should add them to the mix one day.

 

[cbmontgo]

Pikachu has been fairly dormant the last couple of weeks, just sitting on a trickle charger and watching me work.

Today I swapped out the starter in my wife’s 100 Series. Not fun on the 4.7 V8 due to the fact that the entire intake manifold and everything around it has to be removed. The last starter I did on this truck only lasted 3 years, which is surprising.

Anyway, Happy New Years to everyone!

 

[wngrog]

Is this big shop at your new house?

 

[cbmontgo]

Is this big shop at your new house?

Yeah man. 30 x 40 heated and insulated Morton Building. It is awesome, especially working on rigs in the winter up here. It’s about 150’ down my driveway.

 

[wngrog]

Superb.

 

[1911]

Today I swapped out the starter in my wife’s 100 Series. Not fun on the 4.7 V8 due to the fact that the entire intake manifold and everything around it has to be removed. The last starter I did on this truck only lasted 3 years, which is surprising.

I have had exceptionally good luck with Denso starters, but that is a dumbass design for sure. The only 4.7 I've ever owned (in a 2002 Sequoia that is still in the family) is over 300,000 miles on the original starter, and most everything else.

Anyway, Happy New Years to everyone!

Thanks Carson, and same to you.

 

[cbmontgo]

Thanks to this forum, I realized that I’ve got a neighbor here in Divide who is a 40 fan. He’s got a couple of recent project 40s that he and his dad are working on, as well as a ‘78 snow plow that’s been in the family since the 1980s.

My son and I drove over today to look over the rigs. Fun visit. Wish I’d taken more pictures. I only snapped this one photo while following @DangerNoodle from the gate to his house.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Thanks to this forum, I realized that I’ve got a neighbor here in Divide who is a 40 fan. He’s got a couple of recent project 40s that he and his dad are working on, as well as a ‘78 snow plow that’s been in the family since the 1980s.

My son and I drove over today to look over the rigs. Fun visit. Wish I’d taken more pictures. I only snapped this one photo while following @DangerNoodle from the gate to his house.
View attachment 2174135

It was a fun visit! You'll just have to come over again to take more pictures.

Once the new rig gets driving we will need to go on a shakedown run.

 

[cbmontgo]

It was a fun visit! You'll just have to come over again to take more pictures.

Once the new rig gets driving we will need to go on a shakedown run.

Sounds great!

 

[cbmontgo]

I was running some errands and decided to take a side road today. It was cold and remote, but a beautiful day to drive this trusty 40.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I was running some errands and decided to take a side road today. It was cold and remote, but a beautiful day to drive this trusty 40.
View attachment 2179468

I always try to thumbs up pics and adventures like that multiple times.
Thanks for a new back ground pic. Beautiful

 

[Dizzy]

I just received a current copy of Toyota Trails. I totally appreciate your article contribution, and all the awesomeness of Colorado.