40 series tops

[arkfay]

Are there more than two types of hardtops for fj40's, early model with back hatch and later model with ambulance doors?
I'm trying to get a top for a '74 40 series that was the back hatch w/ the small doors and am concerned about getting it home and not fitting. I know the ambulance type won't work but will any early model fit?

 

[JohnnyC]

i think it was 63 onward to 74 no problem...a 75 and newer will fit...but you will need to modify the ambi doors to make the upper parts 1/2 doors so you can keep the early 40 barndoors on the 74 tub

 

[F-junker]

the barn doors or amby door use the same top just a different mounting rail between the top sides. I say this is the case for the seventies tops, the older 60's tops with the corrigated metal might not fit on later 40's, I dunno..

 

[corsair23]

Are there more than two types of hardtops for fj40's, early model with back hatch and later model with ambulance doors?
I'm trying to get a top for a '74 40 series that was the back hatch w/ the small doors and am concerned about getting it home and not fitting. I know the ambulance type won't work but will any early model fit?

What is the manufacture date of your '74?

I bought an older style top for my 12/74 FJ40 which fit, sort of. My 40 has the newer style windshield frame with the wipers at the bottom instead of the top (supposedly '75 and up), but the tub is the older style and I have the rear swing doors.

Not sure if a PO put on a later year windshield frame or if Toyota had some transition time on 12/74 40's that came out sort of hybrids

Long story short, the windshield channel attached to the top is different (holes and what not) for where your wipers are located. You can get it to work but it doesn't seal up all that well. Not near as tough as trying to switch to or from ambi doors though.

 

[arkfay]

It's 11/74 with the wiper motor on top of windshield.
I guess I need to find out the date on the top I want to buy and compare.
Muchas gracias mi amigo.

 

[corsair23]

It's 11/74 with the wiper motor on top of windshield.
I guess I need to find out the date on the top I want to buy and compare.
Muchas gracias mi amigo.

You should be ok then...The older tops have notches in the windshield channel to clear the wiper arms.

I think someone mentioned '63 and up through say 12/74...I know the much older tops have a "corrugated" side that SOR lists were for '62-'63 and look like this --> link

So if whatever hardtop you come across doesn't look like that and has a lift gate I think you'd be ok. A lot of folks selling a top may not know for sure what year the top is from anyway unless it is definitely original with a Cruiser. Safe bet is to get a good picture of the windshield channel (assuming no one ever swapped it out) and look for the notches. If it has those and the lift gate chances are you'll be fine. They don't really fit perfect anyway after 30+ years

Oh, and chances are you'll have to find the rear swing gates separately from the top. I see them on ebay occassionally and I'm sure some of the MUD vendors have some as well.