Springtail MPAC 1977 FJ40 Build (1 Viewer)

[hindsight]

As a side note...I got a call from the owners of PACOL, they just wanted to check with me to make sure that I was satisfied with my purchase and to see how my project was coming along.

Nice Customer relations.

Doc

 

[myquestoyota]

Maybe they should consider making the tranny hump cover that works with their tubs? No shifter holes for any custom installs?

 

[hindsight]

We talked about that last pm...they will hand hammer one out for you. I did not inquire about the cost.

Judging from the condition of the old transmission cover...I am very content to go with fiberglass.

Doc

 

[SteveH]

I'm glad to see that Pacol is following up. I found them fairly disinterested in my fitment issues last year. I sent many annotated photos of my quarter panels showing exactly what didn't fit or line up and got a ho-hum response. Your tub and project seem to be coming together nicely.

 

[hindsight]

I think that we have been pretty lucky overall, Alexandra (PACOL) was very interested in even the most minor fitment issues.

I have been in involved with many restorations in my lifetime, my dad was always dragging home something that was to face a rebuild. Overall the experiences taught me that almost nothing is going to fit perfectly (sometimes not even close ). And this was factory panels from the likes of Ferrari and some older race cars.

It is my impression (educated guess) from this build that Toyota had at least 3 different suppliers of body panels and that they are all just a smidge different. Even though it was expensive...it was probably a good move on our part to get the complete tub made. We will see how the factory panels line up as we proceed from here.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Nothing too exciting...front end pieces are all primered and should be painted by the end of the week.

Slow but sure progress

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Prototype is done and I think that it turned out very well for a first shot. There will be a few tweaks here and there but overall I am very happy!

Doc

 

[UZJ40]

Cool thread and cool console. Doesn't fit with my build, but if it did, I'd definitely purchase one. Nice work!

 

[Dudleyfj40]

Prototype is done and I think that it turned out very well for a first shot. There will be a few tweaks here and there but overall I am very happy!









Doc

Very Nice! Can't wait to see this 40 decked out with all your accessories.

 

[hindsight]

Very Nice! Can't wait to see this 40 decked out with all your accessories.

I can't wait either...there is some pretty exciting stuff (at least from my perspective) going on behind the scenes as far as FJ40 stuff in development right now.

It would go much faster if the FJ40 would hurry up and restore itself ;p

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Some baby steps today....

Picked up the painted front end pieces

Did some crafting and sewed on my new steering wheel cover from SOR Looks and feels awesome!

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Finally some more action on the FJ...the steering column is in. At first I thought that it was too low but after looking at the original FJs pictures...I think it will be ok.

Engine is coming along slowly but surely.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Alright...things continue to move along. The fiberglass tranny cover is fitted and off to linex where it will have both sides done.

I hated the silver color of the MAF fuel tank that I bought, so it came back form paint today in a matching green.

The instructions state that the seat mounts will need to be modified....no s***!

The fiberglass cap is now brilliant white

Tomorrow, the drive shafts are headed to Des Moines to become the appropriate length....darn lift

Doc

 

[048642]

What did you use to use for the refinishing of the top.

 

[hindsight]

What did you use to use for the refinishing of the top.

Can't say for sure since I don't know diddly about body work. If there is something specific that you would like to know...I can ask the body guy.

Doc

 

[myquestoyota]

Hey Doc, is your new tank going to work with your new console?

 

[hindsight]

Hey Doc, is your new tank going to work with your new console?

Yeah, I think that it will work out fine...I probably need to rework the lateral most drivers side mount. I am guessing that the rest of the mounts are going to work fine or my need some spacers to elevate them a bit. I will need to read up on this...I can't be the first person to run to install this tank and want to keep the stock seat mounts.

Doc

 

[048642]

Can't say for sure since I don't know diddly about body work. If there is something specific that you would like to know...I can ask the body guy.

Doc

Just curious, I used a white tinted gel coat from West Marine to refinish my roof, it looked great for about 1 month...but then started to yellow fast. Not sure if it was a application error on my side (though I followed instructions precisely) or if product was not UV stable.

 

[hindsight]

Just curious, I used a white tinted gel coat from West Marine to refinish my roof, it looked great for about 1 month...but then started to yellow fast. Not sure if it was a application error on my side (though I followed instructions precisely) or if product was not UV stable.

I will ask the body guy on Thursday when I pick up the tranny cover. I can tell you that it was sanded, primered and painted....beyond that I am clueless with body work.
I did linex the inside of the cap....I think that it would look good on the outside as well....its just a thought.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Happily I was able to fit another day in at the shop working on the FJ40. Today the task was to fit the defroster vents that were not included with the PACOL firewall.

The old defroster vents were salvaged from the previous tub...I decided the best route was to rivet the vents in place with a nice layer of cold weld to fill in any gaps and to add just a little extra insurance. Overall the results turned out well.

Monday I will finish fitting the transmission cover....tomorrow the twin sticks will get shortened a bit and welded into place.

Oh yeah...the new drive shafts showed up...

Doc