FJ40 - Baby Found a New Home (1 Viewer)

[blank142]

1970 FJ40, 289 Mustang V8, 3 Spd on floor. Idaho ranch vehicle so not used on salted roads, and very clean and sound. Followed me home yesterday (against the wife's protesting, and started to get it down into workable pieces. First time the top has been off in 52 years, and will probably get cleaned and sealed and put off to the side for a while. It was just as heavy as I remember from all my other ones!! Will be a lot of fun again.

 

[aging fleet]

Congrats on the new 40. You're keeping those rectangle headlights, right?

 

[airon23]

Hey look your brake light grills match the drain in your floor. lol
Good looking project to work on, good for you! Good luck and yes, keep the square lights up front haha.

 

[blank142]

Actually, I asked about that, because no one in their right mind would cut up a bezel like that. Since it was a ranch truck, they wanted brighter lights for doing calves at night I guess! As for the bumpers, NEVER give a rancher a pile of steel and an arc welder. I'm not sure 4-5 beads are stronger than one, but they sure are uglier.

You guys are just jealous. That was going to be one of my first classified ads. I know how popular those rectangular lights are in Calif!!!

 

[blank142]

Anyone seen this mod before for a rear aux tank? Of 3 previous FJ40's, only one had an extra tank, and it was just the pipe out the side, with a cap. This looks to be about 30-35 gal, in the back between the frame rails. The filler looked factory, until I looked closely, and the part is from a different color vehicle, and there's a little cracking around the door (bondo)??. Not sure what happened and when, but extra gas is a plus.

 

[h82crash]

Are those holes in the top edge of the tub rails factory? Mine has them also and I am about to weld up about 100 extra holes and those were on my list.

BTW, congrats. Lots of cool mods to your new 40!

 

[blank142]

All of the hole in that top lip are original. There's 18 of them, spaced about 6 1/2' apart, around the tub. This top had never been off, the original seals were stuck down like glue, and the paint on the posts was pristine. I have no idea what the holes were for, and don't remember them on my 72's or 74. Inside totally emptied out except for the tank, and ready for wire brushing and scraping/sanding.

 

[h82crash]

Thanks! That's less welding for me.

 

[Engineer8000]

Thanks for saving this truck. You should name it Bullwinkle.

 

[flx]

You guys are just jealous. That was going to be one of my first classified ads. I know how popular those rectangular lights are in Calif!!!

It's the Bandeirante vibe

I have no idea what the holes were for, and don't remember them on my 72's or 74.

Maybe for the soft-top versions?
I don't have them either on my 74 but I think Toyota went slowly in the direction of "specializing" the tubs around those years.

 

[pjohnson]

They were for snaps for soft tops. I don't think they were factory, but many dealers added a BestTop soft top to a hard top vehicle.

 

[Living in the Past]

Anyone seen this mod before for a rear aux tank? Of 3 previous FJ40's, only one had an extra tank, and it was just the pipe out the side, with a cap. This looks to be about 30-35 gal, in the back between the frame rails. The filler looked factory, until I looked closely, and the part is from a different color vehicle, and there's a little cracking around the door (bondo)??. Not sure what happened and when, but extra gas is a plus.

View attachment 3018378View attachment 3018379View attachment 3018380View attachment 3018381

That is the fuel fill for the 73-78 models.

Are those holes in the top edge of the tub rails factory? Mine has them also and I am about to weld up about 100 extra holes and those were on my list.



BTW, congrats. Lots of cool mods to your new 40!

Second owner of my 70 FJ40. Original owner never removed the top and I have no plans too. The holes along the top of the tub are for the twists for a soft top. The FST have the fixed nuts to install a hard top. My 68 FJ40 has the holes even though it's a FHT. I bought a Kayline top to use with factory bows off my 73 FST. I later bought used bows/doors and Kayline top. The location of the twists matched each other but not the ones from the factory on the tub.

It's the Bandeirante vibe


Maybe for the soft-top versions?
I don't have them either on my 74 but I think Toyota went slowly in the direction of "specializing" the tubs around those years.

Around 65 the FJ40 was made to except the other version top. Around 76 those were being phased out. Interesting thought the 74 would still have them. 72-74 footman loops were standard on both models in the rear corners. These was for straps verses twist so no factory holes for twists in the back corners. Another thing 72-74 almost all FJ40 had a Vader light or plug for one to the right of the glovebox.

 

[h82crash]

Around 65 the FJ40 was made to except the other version top. Around 76 those were being phased out. Interesting thought the 74 would still have them. 72-74 footman loops were standard on both models in the rear corners. These was for straps verses twist so no factory holes for twists in the back corners. Another thing 72-74 almost all FJ40 had a Vader light or plug for one to the right of the glovebox.

Yes, my 74 has loops in the corners and those holes on the sides. Maybe mine was a FST? Had a Bestop when I acquired it. Got a hard top for it. I have the socket in the left side of the glove box.

 

[Living in the Past]

Yes, my 74 has loops in the corners and those holes on the sides. Maybe mine was a FST? Had a Bestop when I acquired it. Got a hard top for it. I have the socket in the left side of the glove box.

US market after the early 1960s all FST had a tailgate. This is my 73 FST that had an OEM replacement tailgate when I bought it 1994.

Didn't even question why it was replaced. Had just.bought a 71 FJ40 and my wife wasn't thrilled I was buying another one. Besides the money I had no where to keep. It had a hard top and doors from a 72 bolted on at time. Mods required. Original FST bows and doors included. Also had a spare F engine and H42 four speed in the back. For a $1,000 I couldn't pass it up. The guy approached me about buying it.

Here is the dash with all the extra gauges and switches added.

Good picture of the Vader light.

 

[blank142]

Down to the bare tub. Thank goodness they left the plug out under the fuel tank, that's where I really expect to see rust. Except for a few mouse dinosaur skeletons, it was relatively clean, and 100% sound. Power wash is tomorrow's project and see what comes off easily!!!

 

[blank142]

After pics, following a good clean up, clean out, lost 80# of old steel from the bumpers, and a 3 hour pressure wash!!!!!

 

[rainingagain]

I do have to say, I have NEVER seen a square headlight "conversion".

 

[blank142]

Definitely UNIQUE!!!

 

[blank142]

 

[blank142]

It's not really labor, if you love it! The results of 3 days of work.