Builds The Architect's '77 FJ40 (9 Viewers)

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GA Architect said:
A few upgrades:

Oh, yesterday I slapped down a few bank-notes for a soft top and some 2-piece soft doors. Yes, I'm going to be criticized by some for my selection of soft top, and may lose a follower or two.....But I've never been one to float the mainstream anyway! :hillbilly:
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I hope that doesn't mean you're going with anything but an OEM looking top GA. That would be so out of character after all the spit and polish you've doe so far. You could always go bestop and slap on some heep stickers though. :hillbilly:
 
myquestoyota said:
I hope that doesn't mean you're going with anything but an OEM looking top GA. That would be so out of character after all the spit and polish you've doe so far. You could always go bestop and slap on some heep stickers though. :hillbilly:
Click to expand...

Let's just say I'm going to do a Summer trial using a soft top. If it works out and I like it, then I know what my company is buying me for Christmas 2016! :grinpimp:

Oh, and in the mean time. I need to figure out where I can get the correct bows that would fit a '77. Per this thread, I've read that the aftermarket bows need modifications to fit my rig. I guess I should be looking for the correct OEM set in lieu of aftermarket.....Uh, no stickers.
 
I love the OEM look too and even bought one but mostly like the look of the hard top. I'll pull the top for a bit in the warmest months and use the hard doors and the bikini top but couldn't justify watching the beautiful OEM style top sit so I parted ways with it and the bows. I needed it and had to have it and then, when I had it, needed that next thing. Cruiseritis. And it was like a show saddle on a work horse. Like when I get all gussied up for a night out. Can't wait to get home and put my jeans back on. Yours GA, on the other hand, deserves an OEM top. It will look sweet. And I'd go with the magnets so you don't drill holes for the loops. Easier access too.
 
myquestoyota said:
I love the OEM look too and even bought one but mostly like the look of the hard top. I'll pull the top for a bit in the warmest months and use the hard doors and the bikini top but couldn't justify watching the beautiful OEM style top sit so I parted ways with it and the bows. I needed it and had to have it and then, when I had it, needed that next thing. Cruiseritis. And it was like a show saddle on a work horse. Like when I get all gussied up for a night out. Can't wait to get home and put my jeans back on. Yours GA, on the other hand, deserves an OEM top. It will look sweet. And I'd go with the magnets so you don't drill holes for the loops. Easier access too.
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Yup my top has a nice patina to it and matches my cruiser's patina... A brand new PVC top might look odd. I love the iconic white top too but have run with the soft top for quite some time now.
 
myquestoyota said:
I love the OEM look too and even bought one but mostly like the look of the hard top. I'll pull the top for a bit in the warmest months and use the hard doors and the bikini top but couldn't justify watching the beautiful OEM style top sit so I parted ways with it and the bows. I needed it and had to have it and then, when I had it, needed that next thing. Cruiseritis. And it was like a show saddle on a work horse. Like when I get all gussied up for a night out. Can't wait to get home and put my jeans back on. Yours GA, on the other hand, deserves an OEM top. It will look sweet. And I'd go with the magnets so you don't drill holes for the loops. Easier access too.
Click to expand...

Interesting you mentioned the magnets....I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with Mr. Troll today. If the Summer's Soft Top experiment proves to be the way I want to go with my rig, I could be planning a weekend in Simpsonville come Winter. And if that happens, then I'll need to hit the LOTTERY between now and then!

This Summer isn't all about the soft top, it is also about refurbishing the hard top, sides and doors. As soon as I get the soft top & doors installed, I'll start working on my hard doors in my office. They will get new glass, felts, window crank handles, moisture barrier and inner door panels. All I have left to purchase are the inner door panels, which will come from SMS Headliners. As for the hard top, I'm in the process of refurbing the rain gutters, touch-up with some Cygnus White paint and it will be done. The sides have been cleaned up. The rust was removed, primed and spots painted. The passenger side unit had one bad rust patch that was cut out and a new piece was welded back in. Oh, I also cleaned & applied primer to the inner part of each side panel above where it sits on the tub......When all that is complete, I have new OEM gaskets for the hard top re-installation should I need them.
 
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Oem fst ... Yes you need one... Oh yes

That would look great!
 
I just couldn't leave well enough alone! When I came across them, I snagged'em up. Added some primer and paint, they look good to me. Now that I have the full set of OEM Tool Bag retainer clips, brackets and band, one less thing to be on the look out for....:hillbilly:

Oh, it will even look better when I replace that worn out 70's OEM tool bag with my new one from @Tanker120. With the last few items in route, my "Tool Roll" will be completed to my specifications.

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Oh, a "shout-out" to @JohnnyC for direction on the correct installation of the hook hold-down bracket. "Thank you, Sir!"
 
Out with the old and in with the new....chunked those old heavy steel suckers and opted for some new light weight black denim door's. Heck, they are even 1/2 the size of the OEM units! For the record, I did not drill any new holes in my tub for those strike plates. I took my dremel with a cutting blade, and cut out the holes to the back edge of the Bestop door's strike plate. That way, I installed some M8's & fender washers to adjust the strike plate to the soft doors as needed.

IMG_3763.jpg

IMG_3762.jpg

IMG_3764.jpg


The new soft top goes on this weekend. If all checks out, my FJ40 will be put back into service as my DD next week.

No worries, my OEM doors are wrapped in moving blankets for safe keeping. Very soon, I'll refurbish and do an entire over-haul of them, including new OEM glass. I actually have all the parts needed for this. :grinpimp:
 
Damn, Son, when you go topless, you go all the way :eek:
 
pngunme said:
Looks great Rick!!

I'm a little confused by sizes... Those are either very large tools or that grease gun is very small... :hmm:
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No need for the confusion. The grease gun is the smallest one from KTC, and it is rather small. One day I'll probably pick up a Yamada KH-120 grease gun to replace it.

I'll put the small KTC on my desk at work as an art piece.
 
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Weber Sarge said:
What size was that hammer - 05,08, or 10 ? It should be in the part number , looks like a 450g model .
Sarge
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That is the smallest OH hammer available the HK-05, and not a OEM Toyota unit.
 
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