1983 gear shifter boot

[leotxbr]

Hi everyone,

Looking for a 1983 gear shifter boot for the FJ40. Here is the tag on the VIN. I just got one but it was short. This one is about 7" wide. The screws are on the corner, not in the middle of the frame. I can't find one, in the picture is one I recently bought and obviously didn't fit. Has anyone encountered this issue before?

Thank you

 

[discoverydave]

The shifter boot situation on early FJ40s is a bit of a puzzle because there were a few different floor configurations depending on exact year and whether the truck had a dual-transfer case setup. The corner-screwed frame you are describing is the earlier style — the change to center screws came later.

Best lead for that style: check with IH8MUD member vendors like Cruiser Outfitters or SOR (Specter Off-Road). SOR used to stock the early-style boot with the corner-mount frame, though availability comes and goes. Call them rather than checking the website — they sometimes have NOS stuff that never makes it online.

Other option: a lot of guys have had luck using a universal gearshift boot kit from a rubber restoration supplier like Steele Rubber or Metro Moulded. You order a 7-8" square boot blank, trim it to fit, and reuse your existing metal frame. Looks clean if you use a good vinyl adhesive at the corners and edges.

Also worth checking: the FJ55 boot frame is close in mounting style and some have used that as a donor for the frame alone. Measure the bolt spacing on your corners before you go sourcing parts — it matters.

 

[leotxbr]

That is amazing information!

I will do just that!

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Living in the Past]

Interesting when I search for 10/82 plus 40 series transfer shift boots nothing comes up. The transmission and transfer boots are different than previous models different in the inspections cover. Two on the right are for five speed on top and four speed 10/82+ upper left is 1/79-9/82 four speed. Lower left is late 60 series.

 

[Living in the Past]

The shifter boot situation on early FJ40s is a bit of a puzzle because there were a few different floor configurations depending on exact year and whether the truck had a dual-transfer case setup. The corner-screwed frame you are describing is the earlier style — the change to center screws came later.

What Land Cruiser came with a dual-transfer set up? PTO winches were an option up to the end of the 40 series production. But was not offered in the US after the 1976 model. Those the shifter was on the opposite side of the transfer case shifter. Twin stick was also never an option from Toyota. Low range 2WD also was not an option from the factory. Low range only worked in 4WD.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Years back mine went bad, 1985?. I drilled out the pop rivets. Mom sewed me a cone with a draw string top out of old canvas tent floor. I glued it in, and put in new pop rivets to hold the frames together - I think its still there - although I might have made a replacement - sucks getting old and not remembering all the small details.

 

[Living in the Past]

sucks getting old and not remembering all the small details.

All I have to do is go out to my storage garage and open up some boxes and it feels like Christmas.

 

[Living in the Past]

Believe SOR sold a kit to replace the leather. Not sure if it would fit the 10/82+. Very few 83 models imported compared to the 1/74-9/82 FJ40s

 

[leotxbr]

I called everyone and their mom today and no luck. Will try to refurb this one even though it has some rust. Unless someone has one that they want to get rid of.

Thank you for the help!