1975 FJ Door Panel and Speedometer Cable Queries (1 Viewer)

[3_puppies]

Need pics of the brake master clutch master area to figure out what year the tub is.

sure looks like the firewall brace has been added or modified for the booster clearance

 

[talegate]

Grayscale, yes I thought FJ was just the designation for that vintage of Old Land Cruiser with the FJ denoting a gasoline engine vs. the BJ diesel. I think if I was ever going to dialogue with someone regarding the newer vehicles, I would always refer to them as an "FJ Cruiser", and preserve the "FJ" designation as it was originally intended.

 

[talegate]

No apologies necessary. Yes, FJ is sometimes attached to the fj-cruiser and to some isnt a Land Cruiser. Also there are FJ40's, 42s, 43s, multiple 45s, 55s, etc.

Understood pb4ugo. Thank you.

 

[talegate]

Hye pbgbottle, do these two additional pictures help any?

 

[3_puppies]

That would explain some things, but it's very disappointing. Yes, it has a spare tire carrier. Which hooks are you talking about? Are you saying the ones on the front bumper are backwards? They look right to me. What am I missing?

unfortunately, disappointment and central American "restoration" or restomod go hand in hand
the hook right above the ball hitch on the rear sill, which is not period correct for a 1975

 

[talegate]

The way it's positioned in its garage, I can't even get to the back of the vehicle to look at this hook, the one that's painted blue you're talking about , right? I don't even know what purpose it serves, but I'm sure I can tell once I can move it from its current location. I found that this FJ40 was built, according to the VIN on the title, between March and April 1974, but obviously not sold till 1975. I don't know if that addresses the period accuracy concern or not. I found the chassis number which is FJ40-172587. As soon as practical, I'm going to start digging around the engine block for identifying numbers. From earlier comments, it seems the tub and windshield came from 966-1967. I don't know if that's good or bad, given the earlier gauge steel claim of being the most rust resistant. As somewhat anticipated, managing this restoration from afar was a pipedream and has fallen well short of what I expected when we commenced this project. Obviouslly with the recent overall decline in the FJ40 market, I would have probably been better off to have just bought a well cared for US import. That's water under the bridge however, as was the decision I made several years back to sell my Japan built '94 80 series before I headed back to the States for the final time. I should have warehoused it in-country for the year it needed to stay there to achieve the 25 year antique status. Oh well, That's just the way it is. It's amazing how smart we are (not) when we look back on our actions.

 

[Grayscale]

I'm excited for you. I remember the two times I bought an FJ40. It was a rush, maybe because they were not close to road worthy in both cases. Sure, they'll be things that need doing, but, and even I don't like wet-looking-paint, but that rig is a fine starting point, imo.

 

[talegate]

Thanks Grayscale. It'll keep me busy for sure,

 

[talegate]

Hey pbgbottle, I had added a couple pictures earlier that show the clutch and master cylinder area. I'm adding one with this post showing the steering wheel that I hope depicts what you need to see. I'm thinking of swapping this steering wheel with a smaller diameter wheel to provide more maneuverablity in the driver's seat. Have you ever removed or swapped your steering wheel with a smaller type? If so, are there any tricks to making that exchange? Regarding the brakes, at this point, I'm not very confident it's true, but I was told the car came with disks in the front, and with drums in the back. Now they're replaced front and back with disk brakes from a Hilxu pickup. And yes, I understood '75 was a transition year, but it's probably only applicable to US imports.

 

[3_puppies]

disc axle in the US wasn't standard until 1976 model year
some ROW market had 4 wheel drum until the end of the 40 series run

as long as you have power steering, going to a smaller wheel is doable, not sure what adaptors are needed

 

[talegate]

I have power steering. I'm sure there's something on one of the Forum items that will cover smaller wheels. Thanks.