Saving The Old Rustbucket--My 1982 FJ40 Tale

[fusionrx]

Great chapter. Comment about the turning point drew to mind to story of another vet I'm reading about online (Taylor Morris, google it, I don't want to pollute the thread). At one second normal, whole, then in another, broken, and ultimately a different person...

 

[Sea Knight]

More Pics

Found these in an old photo file:

1. M&M Bar, Main Street, Butte, MT
2. Granite Mountain Memorial, Walkerville, MT
3. Turtle's Go-Cart Steering Wheel, 12" diameter, and yes, it was white

 

[juanchogaviria]

Thanks Lee.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Thank you commander!! always a treat reading your story!
BTW i printed the story put in a binder and now my 17 year old daughter is reading it. she is a cruiser head just as her dad is. Thanks again!!

 

[warpdriv]

Forgot to post this important 40 tech photo. This is the actual doorbell button that I mounted in the center of The Turtle's dash and wired into the horn circuit. It looked ridiculous but it worked, and it got us through the Texas safety inspection.

Uncle Meldon surgically removed the button later, in Hawaii, but kept it for sentimental reasons. He sent me this pic.

Just finished reading. It took a few days to get here. Stellar job Lee! I have one of those horn buttons in my 40. Maybe there is is small TEQ inscription it. Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[sterling]

Happy New Year Lee.

Thanks for the update

 

[VerticalGeo]

Sounds like a great story so far.

 

[DAD2SIX]

Just joined the local gym to help with the winter time blues. Started reading this thread and am hooked! Thanks for the story! It's giving me something to kill the time on the bike.

 

[Blake Fischer]

I have seen this tread since I registered on 'mud in Sept, but never checked it out. Clicked on it on Saturday and spent all weekend reading it start to finish. My wife kept asking me what I have been doing on the computer all weekend.

Commander, thank you.

Blake

 

[TEQ]

I sold my '78 FJ40 today (Uglina). I had her for 7 years.

I went to sell her last spring, but chickened out and pulled her off the market the same day I put her on.

Today I watched her being loaded onto a truck for her trip to her new owner in Texas.



I sat down tonight and made the mistake of re-reading my fix-up thread.

Then I made the even worse mistake of looking at the main list of '40 threads, which I haven't done in probably 2 years.

And I saw this thread.

Now I've just finished reading the whole damn thing.

And I want Uglina back.

 

[TEQ]

Oh, and Lee, if you are ever in Fort Collins again (!!!) try the New Belgium brewery.

If you have not had 1554, you have not lived.

 

[lordbater]

Today I watched her being loaded onto a truck for her trip to her new owner in Texas.

Where in Texas? Maybe I can help keep an eye on her..

Andrew

 

[TEQ]

Where in Texas? Maybe I can help keep an eye on her..

Woodlands. Near Houston, I understand.

(More discussion, please do it on my fix-up thread; don't want to hijack Lee's)

 

[lordbater]

Woodlands. Near Houston, I understand.

(More discussion, please do it on my fix-up thread; don't want to hijack Lee's)

I understand.
I'm inept and lazy, can you give me a link?

yup, woodlands is almost a suburb. bout 45 mins from me..

maybe put me in touch with the buyer. maybe I can wheel with him..

A

 

[77mustard40]

TEQ, it's always possible that some neglected 40 will pull you in again. I've owned mine (or part of it) since the summer of 85 and its been interesting to see how the vehicle has served my ever changing needs as I progress through life. In the early years it was all about access to remote locations in US desert southwest. Today it's becoming most rewarding as a therapeutic escape from the day to day BS that shields us from the true purposes in our lives. These days her new century auto pilot system usually delivers me safely each week for my Friday pint(s) with The Commander as he hold court. It's this time with friends that resets me each week.

I was a follower of Uglina as I too struggled to match Mustard paint codes. I also have to admit that she may be the nicest mustard 40 going, thanks for sharing her with us. Best wishes.

 

[Chamba]

I sold my '78 FJ40 today (Uglina). I had her for 7 years.

I went to sell her last spring, but chickened out and pulled her off the market the same day I put her on.

Today I watched her being loaded onto a truck for her trip to her new owner in Texas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckindel/8385551110/

I sat down tonight and made the mistake of re-reading my fix-up thread.

Then I made the even worse mistake of looking at the main list of '40 threads, which I haven't done in probably 2 years.

And I saw this thread.

Now I've just finished reading the whole damn thing.

And I want Uglina back.

Wow. I hope you got major money for her because you won't come across one like her every day. Pity she had to go to Texas though...

Josh

 

[My71FJ40]

Oh, and Lee, if you are ever in Fort Collins again (!!!) try the New Belgium brewery.

If you have not had 1554, you have not lived.

[URL="http://justbeer.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/new-belgium-1554.gif"][/URL]

New Belgium puts out some good beer, I discovered it in 05' while in Fort Collins been hooked ever since!

 

[Chamba]

Removed

 

[Callahan Offroad]

Awesome Thread! Just Got caught up, took me about a week between work and the what not. In case anyone was keeping track its taken about a year to get to Butte and Mr. Johnny.
Btw I've laughed and cried and everything in-between. Thanks for the tech tips regarding moose drool, picked up a pack two days ago, goes great with Buffalo Trace and the story!

 

[My71FJ40]

I vote for the Santa Fe Brewery's Happy Camper IPA. Very nice, very hoppy and comes in a can for ......

Stop right there, If its not in a bottle I'm not drinking it. Nothing is that important that I need to sacrifice taste. However I drink beer because I enjoy it not because I need it...