From Rust-Free to Rust Belt (1962 FST Restoration) (1 Viewer)

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I had to give this thread a catchy name since everybody else does! That and because a few people laughed that I took a rust free Cali Cruiser and shipped it to NH.

Well, she arrived today! I wish they all could be California Cruisers! This thing is as rust free as they get (and will stay that way despite its new home!) She'll be getting a frame-off, nut and bolt restoration. I have another 1962 that will be cannibalized for parts due to its rusty tub and frame (blue one below).

This appears to be originally white, which is a car color I've never been a big fan of. In fact, my '81 was originally white and I painted it dune beige because I didn't want a white Cruiser. That said, I'm a bit of a purist, especially with these older models, and Ive always liked the two trucks in this ad (maybe that white one is mine!) I really always liked the sulfur yellow and always assumed I would go in that direction with an early 40 restoration, but that white is really starting to grow on me; especially with the coral seats. What do you guys think? Original white or sulfur yellow?

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Between the two trucks and a stash of early NOS parts I scored a couple of years ago, I should have almost everything I need for the restoration. A few things I know I will need are:

Early 2-sided turn signals
Tail lights and brackets (Paul, do you still have that set?)
Rear pintle hook
Early rear jump seats

I should have a bunch of extra parts between the two trucks, so let me know if you need something. I'm sure we can work out a trade for parts I need.



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More photos to come.

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I do not see blue one below...
How is the original paint under that primer?
The 'Cruiser Goddesses smile more on original color...
 
I do not see blue one below...
How is the original paint under that primer?
The 'Cruiser Goddesses smile more on original color...


The paint under the primer looks decent in most areas. The hood is all sun burnt with fading and very light surface rust.

It looks like the inner fenders, firewall, frame/chassis, and bottom of the tub were all painted black from the factory on these early models. Was it a semi-gloss or gloss black that they used?
 
Curious did the blue hard top have the original transmission and transfer case? Only seen a few original equipped PTO winch early FJ40s surface and all have been hard tops.How about a few pictures of how the later FJ40 soft top fits around the B pillar bow. I currently have a old black Kayline top on one of my FJ25s and it is short of reaching the B pillar bow. Wonder if the PO owner of your new cruiser figured anything out.
 
Splangy said:
It looks like the inner fenders, firewall, frame/chassis, and bottom of the tub were all painted black from the factory on these early models. Was it a semi-gloss or gloss black that they used?

Semi-gloss

Cool project BTW!
 
Curious did the blue hard top have the original transmission and transfer case? Only seen a few original equipped PTO winch early FJ40s surface and all have been hard tops.How about a few pictures of how the later FJ40 soft top fits around the B pillar bow. I currently have a old black Kayline top on one of my FJ25s and it is short of reaching the B pillar bow. Wonder if the PO owner of your new cruiser figured anything out.

The soft top fits like yours does. No modifications were made to make it work. There was a 4" gap at the b pillar. It really looks like an easy enough fix for an upholstery shop to add a few inches of material there, but I'm going to sell this one (here comes the PM's) to help fund the project and will have a canvas top made.

Looks like the original drivetrain to me. It's weird that Toyota only seemed to put the pintle hooks on the FST models and the winches on the hard top models. You'd think that you would get both in a package.
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Here's more pics. I couldn't wait to dig into it a little bit after work.


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I think white would look better with coral, imo
 
FJ40 never had body color wheels. Those were a FJ25 thing. Starting with the 68 wheels were grey. Earlier FJ40s were black.
 
FJ40 never had body color wheels. Those were a FJ25 thing. Starting with the 68 wheels were grey. Earlier FJ40s were black.

Maybe when they went to the newer hub caps?
 
Maybe when they went to the newer hub caps?

...meaning that toyota might have gone from black to grey when they went from t stamps to newer hub caps
 
...meaning that toyota might have gone from black to grey when they went from t stamps to newer hub caps

My 68 FJ40 had four grey wheels and one black wheels. I bought it in July 74. It was first registered in AZ in Nov. 67. Being that it was one of the first 68 I wondering if Toyota installed the grey wheels during production and use a black wheel when they instelled the spare. Have to remember these were not cars but utility vehicles. The early hub caps changed early in the 69 model year. Possibly before 1969.
 
I'm going to bring these old covers down to my upholstery guy this week, but there seems to be a piece missing. Can anybody provide a picture and possibly a measurement of the missing piece along the bottom seam? You can see the clean strip of material where there must have been a small strip sewn in. This is the drivers side seat back.



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not much is missing...the corner is open

I can see how the corner went together, but the way the bottom thread is stitched makes it look as though another panel of vinyl was attached. Can you fold down that seat and post a pic of how it looks at the bottom edge of the vinyl?
 
I can see how the corner went together, but the way the bottom thread is stitched makes it look as though another panel of vinyl was attached. Can you fold down that seat and post a pic of how it looks at the bottom edge of the vinyl?

you'll have to see if treeroot can now...i took the covers off when we got annie redone and gave him the cushions for his 25
 
Shot some pics for you bit i'm affraid it doesn't really help you. BTW this isnt the factory upholstory but might be Toyota.

The rear part stops where part which bolts to the frame begins. If you need the size I can take measures for you.
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