Build Rebuild of Trusty

[JKIII FJ40]

I just ordered my hood from Topnaught and it was on sale and shipping was free. I had it sent to the shop I used and it says 3-4 days shipping.

I got a hood from Topnault a couple months ago. Not bad but several things to look after:
1- the bracket for the hood bar differs from OEM
2- the front nose needs massaging, one side was not as flush as the other side
3- the hood is slightly bulged in the rear, when I flattened it out the spot welds became noticeable

The plus side, its e-coated and solid metal so massaging it back to spec is easy.

 

[POPO AGIE]

My hood was delivered to the shop yesterday and picked it up today. I has two small dents on the PS on top close to the front.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I responded to Topnaught when they asked for a review of the hood I bought and I let them know there are 2 dents and attached a photo. Will see what the response is.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Today I assembled the paint rack to hang the hood from

Then removed the halogen head lights and installed the new LED/projector lights with halo driving and amber turn signals and put the assembly back right and hides the hood release.

Then I removed the hood and hung it from the rack

My body hammers and dollies came in so I used one of the smaller hammers and knocked most of that dent out

Then cleaned the dust off and painted the hood with extreme low gloss frame paint on both sides. Letting the barn air out and tomorrow I will add another coat.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Did some more painting and painted the parts for the hood

Mounted the hardware on the hood

Installed the hood prop rod after opening the holes for the pin

 

[POPO AGIE]

Tried to straighten the vent slots but don't know how to get the rest of the kinks out.

Worked on the cowl where the hinge attaches and got it a little flatter and work on it more when the hood is ready to attach. But I now know I can move the metal. I also straightened up the edge on the cowl where the hood edge will open into.

When I bought the grill and bib assembly it was complete with the head light buckets but they used the wrong screw for one the holds the ring holding the light in place. I went to town and got 6 4mm x .7 bolts and replaced them all for less then $5 instead of buying them from SOR and I like Allen head screws. The ring on the DS needed some tweaking on the tabs for the screws so the ring would turn all the way and the screw head on the narrow end of the key hole slot.

I got a new hood bumper for the rain gutter and may have to glue it because I was loose and most likely why the original went away.

I also replaced the rubber strips on the grill where the hood sits and the two on the sides and replaced the bolts after tapping the threads and replaced with 6mm bolts from my stash. I hope the hood doesn't make contact with the heads but are lower then the counter bore in the rubber.

I also got rubber strips for the ends of the aprons with new clips and installed on the DS. Will do the PS latter.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Worked on the hood and did a little more massaging the cowl with longer screws to get the hinge to bolt up. Not prefect but works and was able to use 2 of the correct screws and one odd screw that was long enough after chasing the thread so the screw would catch without cross threading. Cleaned the rust with the wire wheel and pealed off the old rubber gasket. The shot with some paint.

Got the hinges attached to the cowl and opened and rested against the new bumper on the rain gutter

The prop rod end did not fit in the hole in the apron so I worked with a die grinder until the hook would drop into the hole

Hood closed and hook work on the aprons

 

[POPO AGIE]

Got insulation from Amazon and was a pain to get it installed alone but very easy to cut. The backing paper came off in pieces and the adhesive and rubber stuck to my fingers. Will see if it stays. I will have to punch a hole in it when my ET head shows up for the the windshield washer. Would rather have the insulator from a BJ40 but they a not avaliable.

I ordered a head light harness from Cruiser Corp and it has plenty of length to reach the battery at the firewall with plenty to spare. I had a 3rd plug to connect to the old harness for switched power and I will have to ground and connect to the battery. Haven't read the instructions yet. Once the harness is connect to the battery all that will be needed it connecting the DRLs and turn signals.

More of the harness laying on top of the motor.

Connected to the DS head light

 

[POPO AGIE]

I got a hood from Topnault a couple months ago. Not bad but several things to look after:
1- the bracket for the hood bar differs from OEM
2- the front nose needs massaging, one side was not as flush as the other side
3- the hood is slightly bulged in the rear, when I flattened it out the spot welds became noticeable

The plus side, its e-coated and solid metal so massaging it back to spec is easy.

My hood had a dent on the PS with two small dents about the size of spot welds. It looks worse with the reflection then it really was. I ordered a set of hammers and dollies from Amazon and with the appropriate hammer the bigger dent came out but not the smaller dents. But just adds character.

After painting and installing

Just a little short but I am ok with it. It sits on the rubber strips and once hooked it is rock solid, most of the dent is gone and is good enough

Hood opens just fine in spite of the cowl damage that I worked on until the hinge would bolt up. I don't remember how the prop rod engaged in the catch but the rod I bought is aftermarket and the diameter was larger then the holes in the hood or the apron. That was an easy fix with a drill on the hood and die grinder on the apron.

The price was right and shipping was free and will not keep me off the trail this is just a Junk Yard Dog and I am not building a mall crawler. Cosmetic issues wont cause me to walk home. It is almost 50 years old and always been very trusty getting me any where I needed to be I was all ways the limiting factor when I needed to walk.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I really like the wiring harness from Cruiser Corp that is a Toyota product. I really did not need the instructions it just made since where to make the connections. I just need a battery to power up and figure out where the relays will go.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Ordered and windshield washer nozzle for Toyota that came in today. I was surprised they are still available from Toyota.

When I was looking a prices one of the LC venders calls it ET's head and it made sense.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I decided that since I don't have the skills or tools to fix this damage I just ordered a replacement from Tophaught.

I may see if I can mount the oil filter to it some how.

 

[sogncab]

I may see if I can mount the oil filter to it some how.

Oil filter? Or fuel filter?

My fuel filter sits in that area.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Oil filter. I mounted the fuel filter on the fire wall ahead of the pedals.

 

[POPO AGIE]

Received the body part from Topnaught and there is only superficial damage this time and will not be seen once installed.