Builds The Architect's '77 FJ40

[GA Architect]

Installed a tailgate, thanks to @TCSTARK. Come Spring, Summer & Fall of 2016, looks like my FJ40 will definitely be Topless. Now I've got the tailgate, next will be all new goodies for the license plate bracket, hoods & lights. I also have a set of OEM mirrors & arms that attach to the windshield brackets on the way......I'm still struggling with a decision on which soft top I want to use. May go with a bikini and the 2-piece Bestop soft doors for now.

 

[gcrump01]

metal half doors for the summer with a bikini top is my favorite look.

Like the tailgate too - I made one from a set of barn doors.

 

[upperblack]

tailgate looks great - will you leave it black or paint it beige?
I like how you attached it with oem brackets

 

[SMG]

Looking good Rick!

 

[GA Architect]

tailgate looks great - will you leave it black or paint it beige?
I like how you attached it with oem brackets

I leaning to keep it black. I do have a quart of touch-up for my faded-beige body, so I could paint and get it close. However, once I took the hard top off, it revealed a few different shades of 416 Dune Beige on the rails. So when I ground, filled and sanded the rust at the rear corners, the touch-up isn't such a close match. And not to mention that I suck at the filler & sanding part, so my patch looks like an "architect" did it, @$%#!

Looking good Rick!

Thanks! It's coming along.

 

[GA Architect]

And this thread, "Soft top b-pillar" isn't helping with a decision to purchase an aftermarket (OEM replica) soft top & bows.

 

[upperblack]

I was reading that thread too the other night. Seems that if you get some oem soft doors you should be fine. We love spending your money

 

[myquestoyota]

Got my bows from abe and my soft top from he who will not be mentioned. I also put magnets on the side curtains but had the straps and footman loops in the back, wanted to try magnets but never did back there. I do remember this one that I liked the look and practicality of.

 

[cruiserkreutz]

Was going to purchase a new OEM 56211-90300 windshield spacer/gasket, but with a little "303" (Thanks to @Weber Sarge ) and elbow grease......I can live with the OEM unit that is in there. Unscrewed the windshield bolts and pushed it forward to reveal the below:

View attachment 1208818

After running my shop vac across this a few times to remove the dust, dirt and several dead insects, I wiped the joint down with soap & water as best I could. Now it was time to inspect the spacer. Felt it and was still very pliable, so I thought......Where is that '303' Sarge raved about and I bought a couple of weeks ago? I'll give it a shot....so after about 5 to 10 minutes of working that piece over, front, back & sides,.....I just smiled. Well, a photo is worth a few words:
View attachment 1208819
View attachment 1208820

Thanks for posting the '303' tip, Sarge!

Did you actually take the windshield gasket/spacer out, or leave it on? I'm at this point and would like to take it out, but I'm very unsure of either undoing the wire harness that runs through it or slicing the gasket (YIKES!). Thoughts?

 

[GA Architect]

Did you actually take the windshield gasket/spacer out, or leave it on? I'm at this point and would like to take it out, but I'm very unsure of either undoing the wire harness that runs through it or slicing the gasket (YIKES!). Thoughts?

Being that my gasket was very pliable, I did not take it out. With the windshield bent forward, I was able to manipulate the gasket very easily. Thus, I was able to clean both sides very well. No need to slice the gasket, there are connectors just below it for the interior light and the wiper motor.

 

[cruiserkreutz]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[GA Architect]

I pulled my rig out of the basement, topless, yesterday. My daughter and I took it for a spin.....Let me just say, as it was mentioned previously, the hard top may never go back on. What was to be a putter-around-the-hood, turned into a day of cruising around sans top! The son gets taken to baseball in the Topless 40....I wanted some tunes, so on the way back I stop by Good Will and pick up a cheap pair of Sony box speakers, made up a quick-link, and music is heard....The wife wants to go for a ride, so I threw the rear seats back on. Then she and the daughter jump in and off to the baseball game we go....It was only 58 degrees here, but the Sun was out. What a feeling it was to be out cruising around in the open air!!!!

 

[TheHardWay]

All right - fun in the sun! Those doors rattle much when you hit bumps & potholes?

 

[JohnnyC]

@myquestoyota

I have always liked the folding bow soft top trucks canvas... I have been working on my own ... But... It's been very slow going... I hope to have it finished before retirement in 9 years lol

Here's where I'm at with my johnny door ... I'll post some other pics of it in my thread

@GA Architect

Now you need to take them for a ride with the doors off as well ... That's a blast !

 

[DSB345]

Nice to see you back on the road again

 

[GA Architect]

All right - fun in the sun! Those doors rattle much when you hit bumps & potholes?

The drivers side door rattles a little, but not much.....However, I'll take the doors off when the new Bestop 2-piece doors come in. Once off, I have all new OEM felts, OEM channels & OEM glass to rebuild the hard doors. I'm also going to remove the old plastic barrier and make a new one. Then clean up all the nasty black butyl before reinstalling the barrier. I'll also purchase some new inner door panels. Well, that is the plan.

 

[TheHardWay]

Good plan. I need new channel felts too - no rattles until I open the window 2" for fresh air, then

 

[myquestoyota]

I really liked the look with the soft top or bikini with the hard doors

 

[drnekFJ40]

I pulled my rig out of the basement, topless, yesterday. My daughter and I took it for a spin.....Let me just say, as it was mentioned previously, the hard top may never go back on. What was to be a putter-around-the-hood, turned into a day of cruising around sans top! The son gets taken to baseball in the Topless 40....I wanted some tunes, so on the way back I stop by Good Will and pick up a cheap pair of Sony box speakers, made up a quick-link, and music is heard....The wife wants to go for a ride, so I threw the rear seats back on. Then she and the daughter jump in and off to the baseball game we go....It was only 58 degrees here, but the Sun was out. What a feeling it was to be out cruising around in the open air!!!!


View attachment 1216259

View attachment 1216260

Amazing.....So how was the feeling inside the open 40-was it louder or more quiet?It has been a long time since I drove in open top vehicle...I 've heard somewhere that it is more quiet-is it right?

 

[White Stripe]

Yup, taking the top off a 40 totally transforms it. Thats what makes these vehicle so cool. They are super versatile.