I inadvertently posted this item the first time in the 60 Series section by accident. My apologies; I hate to admit it, but I have been guilty of that same mistake once before. This post below is worded a little different than the one I made the other day, but the theme is the same. Bottom line, I am trying to determine with some level of confidence that the 1975 FJ40 that I had restored in Costa Rica and will be shipping to the States very shortly, has the period-correct hood. It was a full body off, extensive restore of this 1975 FJ40; it is not a diesel (BJ). As I was looking through photos of other FJs, as well as photos of the specific '75 we're getting ready to ship, I noticed that my vehicle has a feature on the hood called a "spear" (which I think is the correct terminology). I had never noticed this on any of the FJs in which I've been in contact. In asking around to various sources, I have received some very much appreciated input from a variety of folks. Some say outright that it's not period correct, and the one-piece hood that came on the '75 must have been replaced by an earlier vintage year, specifically prior to the 1972 model. Others say that in Costa Rica, BJs and FJs had different hoods, one two piece and the other one piece. And then yet another explanation is specific to the FJs that poured though Costa Rica, but in a much different process. I'm told that via an arrangement between Japan/Toyota, and Costa Rica and a particular Costa Rican company, that tooling and components were sent to Costa Rica, and the vehicles were actually assembled by this Costa Rica company. These were left-hand drive vehicles, and not unlike those FJs that were delivered directly to the US from Japan, except for the obvious KPH vs. MPH instrumentation differences. That might explain why the "spear" hood trim piece may been in play through the '75 model year, not the more widely accepted notion it stopped in pre-'72 cars. Maybe it was true everywhere EXCEPT IN COSTA RICA. I'm going to continue my research, and I'm nearly positive that I have an article from that period in Costa Rica that describes the partnership in detail. Right now, I can't think of the company's name on the Costa Rica side of the equation. So, having jabbered on about all this, I would love to hear the opinion of others on two things: 1) Is the Japan/CR partnership a likely explanation as to why a 1975 FJ in Costa Rica would contain a hood trim piece from what some feel confident came from pre-1972 model years, when in fact, that may have been the standard assembly practice at that time and continued through the 1975 model year in Costa Rica? And 2) Is the target '75 FJ40 coming to the States diminished in value as a result of either scenario A) swapping in a non-period-correct hood from an earlier year, or B) diminished by the widely held opinion that only pre-72 vehicles could have had the two-piece hood, and the Costa Rica supposition is not pure?
1975 FJ40 Hood Differences (Correcting post that was accidentally posted in 60 series)
- Thread starter talegate
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I can't speak for Costa Rica trucks but my US and Canadian ancient microfiche shows that hood spear being used on the 03/69 through 09/71 FJ40. I believe the two piece hood ran the same years. My fiche shows parts starting 03/69 through 07/80.
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I am so sorry for the delayed response. Overcome by other events. Anyway, this is very helpful. Mine definitely has
- Thread starter
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Cut my self off. I started to say mine definitely has that hood ornament which seems to coincide with the split hood, which evidently continued in Costa Rica beyond what was delivered to other markets. Thanks so much for providing the info.
pbgbottle
Forum Lifer
I went through the Electronic Parts Catalog US,Euro,Gen,Japan Marlets and they all list hood spear as
69/03 to 71/09.
if you have one on a later model year then I would assume the hood has been swapped.
69/03 to 71/09.
if you have one on a later model year then I would assume the hood has been swapped.
Whatever the case, if you like the hood then keep it. I’m sure your FJ40 has some stories to tell and it’s the only one who knows the rest of the story. If someone gives you smack for it ‘not having the correct hood’ just tell them you hit a capybara leaving the bar one night and it destroyed the hood.
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I love your attitude! My sentiments exactly. Thank you.
pbgbottle
Forum Lifer
My crusier is 1967 front bib ,1978 hood windshield ,1976 body tub 1976 hardtop ,1972 rear hatch ,1968 rear split doors
New OEM Femders bought in the 1990’s. Mix and match of my best parts.
1975 doors. Hmm. I’d throw a hood spear on my rig any day.
New OEM Femders bought in the 1990’s. Mix and match of my best parts.
1975 doors. Hmm. I’d throw a hood spear on my rig any day.
When people ask what year my 72 is - I ask which part are they asking about
When people ask what year my rig is-
I say "'74 mostly".
