Builds The Architect's '77 FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[Skydog]

Not much to post these days about wrenching, which is a good thing. Just been driving it and refilling it with Chevron's ethanol free good stuff. Below are a few photos of the 40 at one of my job sites.

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This really is a massive & nice looking complex you're associated with. I like the new, winding, hilly Northside Cherokee Blvd it's been built upon too.

~Marc

 

[Alexalbatross]

Not only did my rig get a chassis coating and a front end up-date, I also repainted my "battle ship" grey rear heater and gas separator cover as well with some Dupli-Color silver charcoal metallic.

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I have been looking for one of these covers for months to cover up my fuel vapor separator. Any leads as to where I can get one? Thanks!

 

[JohnnyC]

@Alexalbatross

Sor.com

Or

Mark aka @65swb45

Or call around to some other mud vendors ... it's a nice piece of metal that guys don't like to throw out

 

[GA Architect]

I have been looking for one of these covers for months to cover up my fuel vapor separator. Any leads as to where I can get one? Thanks!

Either do as Johnny mentions above or contact Chris Wade ( @Wadesters ) ....He has this nice jewel for ya: > click here <

 

[Alexalbatross]

Either do as Johnny mentions above or contact Chris Wade ( @Wadesters ) ....He has this nice jewel for ya: > click here <

Thanks guys! Just emailed Wade. Hope he still has it.

 

[65swb45]

I have plenty but, per sig line, I'm not in the office again for a while.

 

[GA Architect]

Had a full day of continuing education at a local college. A MUD member wanted to check out the 40, so I drove it down this morning and at lunch we went for a drive....

Afterwards, like some type of magnet, my rig wound up here.....

 

[crimsonaudio]

Man, your truck looks awesome.

 

[DSB345]

Sharp!

 

[gcrump01]

Afterwards, like some type of magnet, my rig wound up here.....
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All of my vehicles tend to do the same thing.....weird?

 

[1Fine40]

Are those rear shackles OME? If so, what model? Or, would you mind measuring from pin to pin for me and reporting back...??

My shackles need replaced and those look right on the 40.

 

[GA Architect]

Are those rear shackles OME? If so, what model? Or, would you mind measuring from pin to pin for me and reporting back...??

My shackles need replaced and those look right on the 40.

Yes, mine are OME pieces, see below:
Front anti-inversion shackles - OMEGS8 for 1968 to 1980
Rear anti-inversion shackles – OMEGS9 for 1968 to 1980
Greaseable spring pins – OMEGP8 (X2) for 1968 to 1980

 

[GA Architect]

Here in Georgia, we have been having these severe & nasty afternoon pop-up showers recently. Those kinds of down pours where it dumps about 1-1/2" of rain in just a few minutes. We all know, our 40's aren't the most water resistant vehicle on the road. Mine would take on some H20 every time it rained, but I could never pin-point where it would come from. I have long suspected it was the firewall to cowl body seam, as there were a few cracks along that joint. Last week, one of those GA showers pop'ed-up and I mean it almost created a fish bowl in the floorboard of my rig. Had to remove my drain plugs to decompress the cabin. When I got home that evening, I inspected that body seam, and sure enough I could pull a few pieces out......Water infiltration location FOUND!!!!

After some research, I ordered up some beige 3M urethane seam sealer, for my beige 40. I cleaned the old seam sealer out the best I could, prepped the joint, installed the new 3M sealer, let it dry and then painted to protect it. Below are some photos.

I'm happy with the finished product.

 

[onemanarmy]

what did you apply/smooth/shape that seam sealer with?

looks good.

 

[GA Architect]

what did you apply/smooth/shape that seam sealer with?

looks good.

Shaped the seam sealer with blue painters tape, and should have taken photos. Applied with a standard caulking gun. Smoothed out with finger, but had on a nitrile glove. Did not use any water or alcohol to smooth, just a dry finger. The 3M urethane sealer flows very well.

 

[DSB345]

Nice work!

 

[tls3601]

I need to do the same on my truck, excellent work Rick, looking good brother!!!!!

 

[tls3601]

Rick if you dont mind me asking what are you using for plugs for the floorboard drain holes??? I have the same issue with mine............

 

[GA Architect]

Rick if you dont mind me asking what are you using for plugs for the floorboard drain holes??? I have the same issue with mine............

I have a miss-matched selection of plugs/grommets, between OEM units and Cal-Hawk pieces. But they are under three layers, home-made floor mat, OEM floor mat and my heat/sound mat, thus I don't think about them too much.

Cal-Hawk

 

[GA Architect]

I liked my original gauge cluster refurbish, except for one item. The needle paint! I should have gone with the florescent orange and not the red.....Sooooooo, I found a nice '77 gauge cluster and refurbished that unit. I also wanted to see if I could get some more light out of the LED's, so I took some HVAC silver duct tape and lined all-around the deep edge where the lights hit. I didn't want to remove the light housing as others may have done years ago. With the reflective tape lining, and installation of the Superbright LED's (194-WHP & 194-WHP6), much more light. I really like the 194-WHP in the turn signals & bright light sockets. I guess now that my refurbished original is out, I'll redo it for a 2nd time....

Original gauge cluster refurbishment #1:

Gauge cluster impostor: