1977 FJ40 - triangular side step plates?

[Gusb]

Anyone know if the triangular step plate (behind each front fender) was stock “smooth”? What’s on the 77 truck I’m trying to buy is smooth and appears original, bolted on with a small perpendicular bracket underneath. I’m assuming the “diamond plate” type side steps I see on many FJ40s are after-market? Just trying to figure out what’s original on this truck I’m looking at and what’s not. It seems to me if they’re original it’s another sign the body in somewhat decent shape?

Thanks,
Gus

 

[Fryedaddy]

I'm almost positive that the steps are supposed to have a diamond plate finish on the top. All the steps I've seen are diamond plate and bolt through the lower half of the rocker. An additional support is in the front behind the fender and bolts close to the body mount.

 

[Copenhagen1]

Gusb-

I have a 1977 that was built in Dec76 and it has factory diamond treadplate. I have also seen some discrepency in pictures on some of these threads and I wonder if Toyota made them both ways.

Copenhagen1

 

[peytonkristen]

My 78 is all original and it has a diamond-plate step on it.

 

[Living in the Past]

The step style changed thru the years. The very early ones were smaller and had a rubber materal covering them with a ring around the edge. Between 64 and 65 the size changed to the larger style still with the rubber materal. Sometime in 69 or 70 the rubber materal was replaced with a piece of diamond plate welded on top instead. Then around 75 the the step became one piece with the diamond stamped into it. Them in 79 it changed again with the tub change. The rib sticks out on cowl in front of the door runs all the way down in 79 instead of ending toward the bottom the doors like in prior years. The 79 and later step has a cut out for this rib.

John

 

[cpratt]

Mines a '77 with the diamond plate pattern

 

[Fast Eddy]

Anyone know if the triangular step plate (behind each front fender) was stock “smooth”? What’s on the 77 truck I’m trying to buy is smooth and appears original,

Diamond plate was the original. Check the big bolt that holds it to the bracket and see if it has a regular or captive nut. The original had a captive nut.

This SOR picture shows a nut and bolt (28 & 30) that I do not believe is the OEM configuration.

From here: Specter Off-Road-Land Cruiser Parts - Page 116-Trans Hump & Running Boards