Putting out feelers on 1974 FJ40 Worth

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Jtk72 said:
More pics of her butt.

Stayed up late last night thinking and brainstorming what I can do. My new best friend from California suggested that I get a soft-top from Trollhole to increase the value and protect her innards. I need to find the rest of my soft-top parts if I go in that direction and I saw somewhere on here that there are two types of soft-top bow - one is straight and one has curves. Hopefully I bought the right set.

In the meantime, if I go in this direction, I need to get some coverage for her. We have an old gazebo out there that is worthless. My thought is that I could replace it with a larger 12x12 gazebo that I could park her under. Bonus is that there is electricity to the old one so I could run it into the new gazebo/carport for the 40. The thought is that I could sell it and use the proceeds to help buy the bigger one. Bad news is that my wife freaking likes it. I would still need to show the plans to the city and hope that it doesn't put my coverage over the magical 30%.

If this happens, I'm looking at the "preservation" option on the 40. I've done a lot of searching on here for "surface rust removal" that leads to threads about peoples builds but I haven't found one answer. I watched some videos and read some blogs about it but they mostly seem to be about restoration. I'd like to get the rust off of it without destroying the paint. What truly works? And then what do you put on the bare metal to keep it from happening again without turning it black?

If we keep it, would it make sense to have it media blasted underneath and to have the paint removed from the wheels?

Arrgh. I don't know why I'm so stressed about this.View attachment 1412103View attachment 1412104
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You're stressed because this is not an easy decision and you have a gem here. :beer:. And tell your wife which does she like more? The gazebo or the Cruiser? Then plan on sleeping in said Cruiser for a bit...

As far as surface rust treatment, people pay a lot of money to get that look. I've read things about sealing it with a clear coat but I don't think that lasts very long, as it doesn't bond well to rust. You have a pretty good match of green on your doors - you could always treat with a rust converter and then paint. Or just buff it out and apply a nice coat of wax which will help protect it. Keeping moisture out of the cab is really important as it can just sit there and do its thing...
 
Flatlanderfj40 said:
Btw, I like that cup holder for the back. Any more pics of how it's attached?
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@Flatlanderfj40 that is a Tuffy cup holder and attached with just a couple of screws to the Tuffy console.
 
Flatlanderfj40 said:
Btw, I like that cup holder for the back. Any more pics of how it's attached?
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It's just bolted onto the the backside of the Tuffy Console. I bought it used off of a guy on here but when I got it, it wasn't the model he said it was. He was cool enough to send a crap-ton of accessories for it because of the mistake. That was one of them.

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ginmtb said:
You're stressed because this is not an easy decision and you have a gem here. :beer:. And tell your wife which does she like more? The gazebo or the Cruiser? Then plan on sleeping in said Cruiser for a bit...

As far as surface rust treatment, people pay a lot of money to get that look. I've read things about sealing it with a clear coat but I don't think that lasts very long, as it doesn't bond well to rust. You have a pretty good match of green on your doors - you could always treat with a rust converter and then paint. Or just buff it out and apply a nice coat of wax which will help protect it. Keeping moisture out of the cab is really important as it can just sit there and do its thing...
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Thanks for the advice - I'm going to head out and shop for a mid-sized air mattress.
 
Alrighty, I got inspired and dug out the bows to make sure they are right and are oem. I couldn't get the front pillars in all the way. In fairness, they are a little bent. Dont have my fst doors at the house to check if they fit with the pillars. The drivers side one looks like it has a place for a light or something? (Last pic).

Im missing the middle top bar and I have a horrible feeling by the looks of the rot on the brackets that it may have flown off mid drive and skewered a CJ.

Are these the bows for a 74 or even OEM? The guy I bought them from years ago had no idea.

If so, I think they need a little tlc...
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Living in the Past said:
Looks OEM, just missing the center cross bow and piece that bolts to the windshield.
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Thanks - I thought so although I didn't know enough when I bought them that they were missing pieces. It's a start, I guess.

Jdc1 said:
You are going to regret selling that 40. Do you have a friend that will trade a small space in their garage or shop for occasional driving priveledges?
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Yeah, I know if I do, I'll suddenly start seeing the little bastards on the road everywhere. Beautiful people in them, having a blast. Like a damn beer commercial.

Unfortunately, everybody I know that has a garage has it full of stuff.
 
I'd hang on to it if you can, but you already know that.

What about going the car canopy route and just beef it up as much as you can and know you'll probably be replacing every year or two?
 
davework said:
I'd hang on to it if you can, but you already know that.

What about going the car canopy route and just beef it up as much as you can and know you'll probably be replacing every year or two?
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We get some SERIOUS wind here every few months, add that to the gigantic self-pruning pecan trees canopying where I have to park it and it means that I really need to get a sturdy roof over it.

When we bought the house, we just assumed we'd be able to put a carport up. Our neighbor has a 2-apartment garage in their backyard that is bigger than their house. I guess that's why the city cracked down. But at least we no longer live in a HOA...
 
Looks to me like you need to pour some safer footings for your storage shed. Perhaps scab in some structural bracing and new roofing material. You know, for wind and water protection. Maybe find a contractor who wil do it over a three day weekend. If he accidentally pours the footings out too far out, you may have to beg the city for forgiveness, but you'd at least have a place to park your $15,000 Toyota;)

Selling that beauty will leave a big empty hole in your heart.
 
thebigredrocker said:
Looks to me like you need to pour some safer footings for your storage shed. Perhaps scab in some structural bracing and new roofing material. You know, for wind and water protection. Maybe find a contractor who wil do it over a three day weekend. If he accidentally pours the footings out too far out, you may have to beg the city for forgiveness, but you'd at least have a place to park your $15,000 Toyota;)

Selling that beauty will leave a big empty hole in your heart.
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I like the way you think...
 
Man i think the interest has been peaked!!! If it was closer id come by with cash in hand. Either sell it or keep it in a covered building. Makes me sad seeing all those leave collecting inside.

That thing just need to be polished then driven as is. Great looking rig.
 
Jtk72 said:
Thanks - I vacuumed the leaves out today :)

If I can't cover, I'll most likely sell.
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What type of cover caused the mold? A tarp or plastic cover turns into a greenhouse. I worked at a boat shop in HS and college. A properly made cover should be able to protect your 40 without causing mold, no matter how much wind. You could have one made that goes over the entire truck and has quick release straps that go to the frame.
 
Jdc1 said:
What type of cover caused the mold? A tarp or plastic cover turns into a greenhouse. I worked at a boat shop in HS and college. A properly made cover should be able to protect your 40 without causing mold, no matter how much wind. You could have one made that goes over the entire truck and has quick release straps that go to the frame.
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I think it's by California car covers. It keeps the water out and breathes but I may have put it on when it was super humid and I left it on for months. Probably didn't help that it had that pile of leaves in it.

I'm trying to pay more attention to the weather and uncovering it more often on drier days. I'll be better about keeping yard debris out of it also.
 
I have a grey FJ25 with very nice patina that the exterior is rust free. A PO owner stored it outside with a tarp. Seats were completely rusted and floor is rusted seats I can easily replace it's the floor and Lossing the patina that's a shame. If you can't keep the inside clean your just asking for trouble. A option would be to buy a hard top and cover it with a tarp that can breath. Leave the windows open a little and should have pretty good protection from water and UV rays. At some point you get a garage could remove the hard top. In the mean time locate the missing pieces from the soft top frame and find some OEM soft doors.
 
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