She's Alive! (for the most part)

[futurefjowner]

Look what I picked up from the brake shop yesterday!
Still a LOT of kinks to work out, but I was able to drive her around the neighborhood (no further cuz I'm still trying to figure out the tail light wiring ) It had been nearly two years since I'd driven her any further than on and off the trailer. The got together with some of my friends and family to raise some money for her transformation as a surprise 30th birthday present. Needless to say. PRETTY excited.

 

[bhmmapping]

Congrats! looks great.

 

[BamaPaul]

Sweet ride and what a great BDay present!

 

[justbecause]

love that color, what are you doing for blinkers up front??

 

[futurefjowner]

Thanks! Yeah, the blinkers are in a box with the tail lights. The wiring's a mess. If anybody in Birmingham has some advice or feels like helping let me know! In the meantime- I'll keep splicing wires and crossing my fingers!

 

[BamaHeel]

Looks great. I really like that color.

 

[Bodean]

Get a test light and get to wiring. Blinkers and tail lights should be easy.

 

[futurefjowner]

Thanks for inspiring confidence Bodean- took your advice and got things straightened out (fairly) quickly. Still wrestling with the flasher and reverse lights, but I think i'll be able to call her street legal by the end of the day!

 

[futurefjowner]

barnfj inspired me to post up some progress shots.
got the oem soft top frame painted and installed the ocdbeetle bimini top.
also got the spare tire carrier put on.

 

[bhmmapping]

Looks great! What's left?

 

[futurefjowner]

Still have the full top and soft ambi doors to figure out- and as pretty as she is- she's still running a little rough. I'm wondering if my local mechanic might have done all he can do, and I'm contemplating hauling her over to ACC.
I'm not sure if it's time for a trollhole carb or what- but she tends to stutter if you don't have the pedal pretty far down. That and a disc brake conversion would be FANtastic.

 

[futurefjowner]

Ended up hauling her over to ACC in atlanta. They installed a trollhole carb, put the air cleaner back to stock, petronix, and completely reworked the brakes. Then they took all my money.
Seriously though, they did a great job. Last night I took her on our longest trip yet (about 10 miles round trip) and it really boosted my confindence in the ol' girl.
Also, Michael at ACC has an FJ45LV that he just drug at out of the woods sitting in his shop. First one I've gotten to see up close and personal. Can't wait to see it when they get done with it.

 

[bhmmapping]

updates?

 

[futurefjowner]

Not a whole lot to report. Which is good news. I've been taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, so you may see me around town. I can't say enough good things about ACC. They really got things dialed in. I even passed a car going UP the hill by the waterworks on 280! She's under a cover today, I'm still working on doors, weatherstripping and tops. The next project is a carport. The OCD bimini and paki top are not gonna survive the Alabama heat and humidity without some babying...
You may see me around town this weekend, I'm looking forward to the sunny weather. I've been out topless and doorless in the low 40's so 65 should feel warm!

 

[ClankBang]

I think I saw you at the publix in hoover... Sweet looking 40

 

[futurefjowner]

Thanks! I've been trying to enjoy the 40 driving weather!

 

[BamaHeel]

Saw you on Rocky Ridge last Saturday. I was coming out of Coventry and you were headed towards 280. Sweet looking 40. Love that color.

 

[futurefjowner]

anybody have a lead on a hard top? late model with operable rear windows would be best case scenario...... only one i can find is in KY and that's 5 hrs one way. i've been too busy to make the trip.

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I have a hard top! it's in decent shape... Some rust and what not, the fiberglass is good... Everything is 100% repairable and I need it gone at the low low price of $275!! I'll send you a PM but I need this gone! It doesn't have the operable back windows but you can always get the sliding glass from specter! They were just on sale if I remember correctly! But this is just taking up space at my fathers house and he is moving soon so he is on my case about getting rid of it but I can't bear to take it too a dump! I want it to go to another cruiser head to live on!!