In the beginning, there was rust
Then tools came to save the FJ40 from the darkness
Many great journeys have humble beginnings
A missing check strap shackle must be fabricated.
Disaster
First Paint - Dune Beige Color Code 416
Front end and interior
Some sandblasting and masking pix
My oh so wonderful masking job, and the Zero Rust Primer coat, getting darn close now...
Now for the surfacing primer to smooth things out a bit...
Ahh, the reward... At last, after two years of preparation, I get to PAINT!!!!
Fuel Door Detail
Some shots of the final paint on the dashboard and interior of the bed.
Fuel Tank Installation
Bib Reassambly
Stainless Detail
Things are starting to come back together, and none too soon, the worst winter on record is coming in about two weeks.
Putting the final touches on the bib reassembly
This cat adopted me somewhere during the restoration, she's worn out after a hard day of playing with everything I dropped on the ground.
The windshield gasket I purchased was a mere shadow of the original, I discovered that you can restore this rubber by sandblasting and spraying it with 100% rubber undercoating.
Every single nut and bolt was replaced with stainless at an enormous cost, I'm remembering about $800.00 for the whole rig, and every one was coated with this anti - seize compound prior to installing.
Some closeups of my windshield retaining knob receivers.
For now, the old Honda seats are getting some seat covers while I source out a set of original seats. Also, a closeup view of a custom bracket to hold them in for now.
This is my first attempt at a windshield installation. It finished well, but it was excruciating. Next time I'll farm it out to the pros.
Ahh, my new diamond plate floormats, and yes, I cut out and installed the insulation backwards...still haven't gotten around to fixing that.
Putting it all back together. This is really getting exciting, and hey! So far I've only lost about 5 gallons of blood. Maybe that's why I'm 25 pounds lighter after this last 2 and a half months of work...
I really liked the look of the later year turn signals, so I bought them.
Primering the hood, I won't get to paint it until next summer, but I need a cover for my engine or it will drown in the up and coming 5 month deluge.
Ahh, my new Hell For Stout bumper, a studly piece of work.
More reassembly, buttoning it up for the winter.
Restoring the original Instrument Panel, Ashtray, and Glovebox Cover
Night shots and some instrument panel detail. This is why Dune Beige Color Code #416 is THE best color, notice how it shifts in the evening, but is still beautiful.
It's Christmas.....!
The new Diamond Plate Quarter Panels
All my new shiny stuff installed, except the door hinges, they will represent a significant challenge, I may have to engineer some nanobots to get to the bolts holding the part attached to the body...
Fender Flare Installation
Mugging for the camera, some exterior shots
Some Interior shots
Some shots of the engine compartment
What lies ahead...
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