Builds The Architect's '77 FJ40 (4 Viewers)

[AussieFJ40]

A little more maintenance on my rig. Cleaned, painted and reinstalled the front grill.

Much better!

Looks great! Is that 012 or another shade?

 

[Racer65]

Installed this last night, and shouldn't have to bother with it for few years to come.
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I like these battery cables. Did you do some work on the positive cable to accommodate that wire with a plug going to the harness?

 

[GA Architect]

I like these battery cables. Did you do some work on the positive cable to accommodate that wire with a plug going to the harness?

65 - There is a ring connector on that charging wire coming from the in-line fuse, well there is on mine.

 

[GA Architect]

Looks great! Is that 012 or another shade?

Not sure if it is exactly 012, but looks very-very close. I haven't changed the color of the bezel since I got my rig, so it could be some shade of the 012 one of the PO's may have had done.

I actually had the bezel off yesterday cleaning, some small rust removal and touch-up paint. I used the Dupli-Color Wimbledon White, which is a close match for small spots.

 

[DSB345]

WOW!! that looks awesome Rick

 

[GA Architect]

Cut some wire mesh, made some brackets, and painted these new parts. My new Upper Radiator Grill.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

 

[Honger]

That's a great idea... the upper part of my radiator is noticeably more dinged up than the bottom.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Looks great - very nice work . I need to try some of that u-channel and getting a die figured out for my bender - maybe I can make something work ...
Sarge

 

[GA Architect]

I should have taken a photo of the 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" aluminum brackets that bolt into the top holes of the radiator support, and that the screen bolts into. The screen sits about 3/4" in front of the radiator. I didn't want to drill any extra holes in my 40, thus I have not modified my rig's OEM set-up in any way.

Maybe this photo will show the bracket better.

I thought that the screen would be rougher around the edges than it turned out. But I did grind all the edges and the paint really covers up any blemishes very well.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I think it looks great . U-channel would finish it nicely , but what you've done is more than acceptable .
Sarge

 

[JohnnyC]

NICE!

 

[GA Architect]

Here is an upgrade I forgot about till today. Being that my battery hold-down post are a lot longer than the height of my battery, the PO used some not so appealing spacers. So I replaced them with these, chrome Everbilt 3/8" x 3/4" spacers from the H-Depot. Here is what my battery hold-down clamp looks like now.

 

[drnekFJ40]

Rick,why do you have two cables out of each side of battery?

 

[jblatl]

I will take a guess, my second set is for the winch.

 

[drnekFJ40]

You might be right I don't have a winch....Is not it better to have 2 batteries if you got a winch?

 

[GA Architect]

Rick,why do you have two cables out of each side of battery?

Winch set, as Mr. jblatl stated.

You might be right I don't have a winch....Is not it better to have 2 batteries if you got a winch?

2 batteries would be optimal for heavy winch use. I don't use mine often, and I'm sure to operate it with my 40 running. When I installed the new Zeon 10 on my rig, it also came with the quick connects. So my winch is only connected to the battery when in use. I have the connector from the battery covered and run into my front frame cross member. The other connector in under the winch cover.

 

[GA Architect]

For the next few weeks, my rig will be getting some much needed attention on a few minor rust locations where the tub and side panels, side panels and roof come together. I will install all new gaskets for the tub to side panels, side panels to roof, roof to windshield & a few others gaskets here and there. The roof gutter will get cleaned, painted and some Dicor installed.....I secured all the gaskets over the past few months, and started the manual labor part yesterday. Here are some photos of the progress.

Used a 4" razor blade scraper to get some glue and gasket material off the gutter. Surprisingly the gutter looks pretty darn good and with all the rivets intact and not much rust! I will tape off the headliner, 1 coat primer, 2 coats paint, and 2 applications of clear coat tonight. It will dry for a few days, then I'll flip the lid and attack the top-side of the gutters.

 

[drnekFJ40]

 

[GA Architect]

Ain't noff'in but a thang! Luckily no worms came crawling out when I opened the lid.

 

[drnekFJ40]

Ain't noff'in but a thang! Luckily no worms came crawling out when I opened the lid.

Lucky you,Rick