Oops...I guess Wes and I were typing at the same time
gotta start using more than 2 fingers
62 FJ40 new to me
- Thread starter shmukster
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gotta start using more than 2 fingers
- Thread starter
- #23
New top
So, the 62 thing is drawing me in...........I bought this top yesterday:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/587540-early-fj40-maybe-fj25-hard-top-rare.html
Tokk the hour+ drive to the Philly area after work, looked the top over and made a deal on it. Loaded it onto the trailer for a thankfully uneventful ride home. My intention was/is to use just the fiberglass top to replace the one that came on my 62, which was damaged slightly when a tree fell on it.
I got it home, and took the fiberglass top off- and every screw came out without a problem. I've taken apart a lot of tops over the years and almost always broke at least a few screws. I couldn't tell from the photos in the Mud listing but the hatch is a two piece affair just like the one on my 62- and is in tremendous shape! Paint is even decent and the rubber seals look great, no rust anywhere. The side pieces have no rust anywhere and the glass and rubber WS are fine. I'll be looking to find a new home for the sides and the hatch- if anyone is in need let me know. It was late last night when I finished up and that elft no time for pictures but I should be able to shoot some today or tomorrow. Looks like the original color on the sides and rera hatch might have been a very light green- is that possible? Nothing looks to have been repainted.
Question- this fiberglass top has no vent hatch but does have the folding upper tailgate. What year might this be from? Gary
So, the 62 thing is drawing me in...........I bought this top yesterday:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/587540-early-fj40-maybe-fj25-hard-top-rare.html
Tokk the hour+ drive to the Philly area after work, looked the top over and made a deal on it. Loaded it onto the trailer for a thankfully uneventful ride home. My intention was/is to use just the fiberglass top to replace the one that came on my 62, which was damaged slightly when a tree fell on it.
I got it home, and took the fiberglass top off- and every screw came out without a problem. I've taken apart a lot of tops over the years and almost always broke at least a few screws. I couldn't tell from the photos in the Mud listing but the hatch is a two piece affair just like the one on my 62- and is in tremendous shape! Paint is even decent and the rubber seals look great, no rust anywhere. The side pieces have no rust anywhere and the glass and rubber WS are fine. I'll be looking to find a new home for the sides and the hatch- if anyone is in need let me know. It was late last night when I finished up and that elft no time for pictures but I should be able to shoot some today or tomorrow. Looks like the original color on the sides and rera hatch might have been a very light green- is that possible? Nothing looks to have been repainted.
Question- this fiberglass top has no vent hatch but does have the folding upper tailgate. What year might this be from? Gary
Looking at that link, and seeing the short post notches, the top you purchased it a '64 to mid '65 top, and looks to be in great condition!!
The original top on my early '64 did not have a vent, but the spare top I purchased did. I seem to remember reading that the vents might have actually been an option, but I found no literature to support this.
Edit: I'd keep the sides...even if it is notched for short posts...you can always use spares. I'll send you an e-mail
The original top on my early '64 did not have a vent, but the spare top I purchased did. I seem to remember reading that the vents might have actually been an option, but I found no literature to support this.
Edit: I'd keep the sides...even if it is notched for short posts...you can always use spares. I'll send you an e-mail
- Thread starter
- #25
making progress
Well found some time to work on the 62. removed the original fiberglass top and sides, cleaned everything up and went to install the recently bought hardtop sides. They're different in the post area so I couldn't use 'em. Too bad as they are really clean. The originals are fine, too so I re-installed them after running a tap through all the threaded mounting holes in the top of the tub. Installed the folding upper tailgate from the "new" hardtop- it's really nice, even the weatherstripping is in good shape. have the "new" top sitting on top of the sides on top of 2x4 blocks- waiting for preparation and installation of the windshield frame.
When I bought the truck I also got a windshield frame with it that the PO bought from Specter. It's marked 25/40 and looks to be exactly the same as the original WS frame. I'm going to have it glass beaded and painted before I install glass and new rubber. If all goes well I'm hoping in two weeks to have the WS back on and the top nailed down.
This 62 has the front door windows that lift up rather than crank up- I've never seen them before. The passenger side works well the driver side has been rigged a bit and doesn't work. have to look into that. Have to install the new tail lights and then see why the brake pedal goes to the floor- doesn't pump up at all. I am probably going to buy a new brake master to start with- where's the best source for one?
Digging through the glove compartment this weekend I came across the original owners manual! It's a small book- the thinnest OM I've ever seen. Neat stuff, I'm hoping by the end of August )if not sooner) to have this truck licensed and street legal. Stay tuned.
Well found some time to work on the 62. removed the original fiberglass top and sides, cleaned everything up and went to install the recently bought hardtop sides. They're different in the post area so I couldn't use 'em. Too bad as they are really clean. The originals are fine, too so I re-installed them after running a tap through all the threaded mounting holes in the top of the tub. Installed the folding upper tailgate from the "new" hardtop- it's really nice, even the weatherstripping is in good shape. have the "new" top sitting on top of the sides on top of 2x4 blocks- waiting for preparation and installation of the windshield frame.
When I bought the truck I also got a windshield frame with it that the PO bought from Specter. It's marked 25/40 and looks to be exactly the same as the original WS frame. I'm going to have it glass beaded and painted before I install glass and new rubber. If all goes well I'm hoping in two weeks to have the WS back on and the top nailed down.
This 62 has the front door windows that lift up rather than crank up- I've never seen them before. The passenger side works well the driver side has been rigged a bit and doesn't work. have to look into that. Have to install the new tail lights and then see why the brake pedal goes to the floor- doesn't pump up at all. I am probably going to buy a new brake master to start with- where's the best source for one?
Digging through the glove compartment this weekend I came across the original owners manual! It's a small book- the thinnest OM I've ever seen. Neat stuff, I'm hoping by the end of August )if not sooner) to have this truck licensed and street legal. Stay tuned.
This rig is in good hands : )
but this thread is short on photos : )
Get us a few shots when you get the windshield frame installed Gary! Love to see your smiling mug behind the wheel of this old girl in person at the Fall Crawl...
but this thread is short on photos : )
Get us a few shots when you get the windshield frame installed Gary! Love to see your smiling mug behind the wheel of this old girl in person at the Fall Crawl...
Gary - great find and great stories so far. Nice to see un-rusted stuff on the East coast!
Nice find Gary! I see you got the cool blue large window carb along with the stamped bezel, tool kit, and owners manual. Pretty amazing those are all still with the truck after all these years. See you at Coal Mine in a few weeks.
- Thread starter
- #29
Progress update and a tail light question 62 FJ40
Getting closer to being able to drive the old girl; now that the Coal Mine cruiser event is over I have some time for the 62. Replaced the master cylinder and now have a fair brake pedal. Going to adjust all four corners and re-bleed. I think that will give me a good full solid pedal.
My windshield frame is at the glass shop having a new glass cut and installed should have it back tomorrow. If all goes well the frame should be installed and top re-attached sometime this coming week. Once the brakes are OK I'll need only to modify the new tail lights to get all the electrics functional. I had a WS glass here from a 64 and found that it was too small for the WS frame I am using- which looked to be the same as the original.
With the truck I got a set of original style tail lights that the PO bought from Specter. They look good but have only two wires coming out of them- a ground and one power wire. Oddly enough the bulb is a dual filament unit and there are two contacts in the base of the bulb holder. Why would Specter sell this light without wiring for both filaments in the bulb? My truck has three wires going to each tail light- one is a ground and I am assuming thaat another is for the tail light and the third is for brake light/turn signal. Can anyone shed any light on this? Did I get the wrong lights?
With the truck up on jackstands I removed the wheels and tires. Found that the lug nuts are very large and require a 24MM socket to remove! Never saw lugs this size before on any Toyota. I also see that the rear axle is centered- never realized any FJ40's had a centered rear axle.
Would welcome any comments or input on the tail light issue- right now I am planning to install a thrid wire in the "new" lights so I have all the functions eneded to be safe light-wise. Thanks, Gary S
Getting closer to being able to drive the old girl; now that the Coal Mine cruiser event is over I have some time for the 62. Replaced the master cylinder and now have a fair brake pedal. Going to adjust all four corners and re-bleed. I think that will give me a good full solid pedal.
My windshield frame is at the glass shop having a new glass cut and installed should have it back tomorrow. If all goes well the frame should be installed and top re-attached sometime this coming week. Once the brakes are OK I'll need only to modify the new tail lights to get all the electrics functional. I had a WS glass here from a 64 and found that it was too small for the WS frame I am using- which looked to be the same as the original.
With the truck I got a set of original style tail lights that the PO bought from Specter. They look good but have only two wires coming out of them- a ground and one power wire. Oddly enough the bulb is a dual filament unit and there are two contacts in the base of the bulb holder. Why would Specter sell this light without wiring for both filaments in the bulb? My truck has three wires going to each tail light- one is a ground and I am assuming thaat another is for the tail light and the third is for brake light/turn signal. Can anyone shed any light on this? Did I get the wrong lights?
With the truck up on jackstands I removed the wheels and tires. Found that the lug nuts are very large and require a 24MM socket to remove! Never saw lugs this size before on any Toyota. I also see that the rear axle is centered- never realized any FJ40's had a centered rear axle.
Would welcome any comments or input on the tail light issue- right now I am planning to install a thrid wire in the "new" lights so I have all the functions eneded to be safe light-wise. Thanks, Gary S
Centered rear is due to "carry over" parts being used from the 25 series if I am not mistaken..... I bet you have other "carry over" parts on that old girl!
I saw this truck yesterday and it a cool old girl , wife liked it too. I would just mod the lights its a 5 min fix , Id would have done it for you but can't show the old man up with my wife there 
you have to solder in the 3rd wire. same as adding turn signals to the front.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/89360-fun-40-parts.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/89360-fun-40-parts.html
- Thread starter
- #33
Update and questions
Well, re-did the Specter lights, I drilled out the blank (no wire) eyelets and fished in some wires with brass contact buttons from some other light assemblies I had. Removed the tail light brackets which were all bent up, straightened, painted and installed them with the modified lights. Everything works- brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals! I also removed the big rear bumper, cleaned, sanded, and painted the rear frame crossmember- looks cleaner by far and much improved. Should be able to get some pictures one of these days.
Also picked up my windshield frame yesterday, the glass shop did a nice job on the install. Should be able to get the wipers installed and wired up today and maybe even get the WS frame bolted onto the cowl. I'm getting there...
Two questions, did the older trucks like mine use the same bumperettes as later trucks? What color should they be? And I believe the wheels should be black- is that correct? Thanks, Gary
Well, re-did the Specter lights, I drilled out the blank (no wire) eyelets and fished in some wires with brass contact buttons from some other light assemblies I had. Removed the tail light brackets which were all bent up, straightened, painted and installed them with the modified lights. Everything works- brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals! I also removed the big rear bumper, cleaned, sanded, and painted the rear frame crossmember- looks cleaner by far and much improved. Should be able to get some pictures one of these days.
Also picked up my windshield frame yesterday, the glass shop did a nice job on the install. Should be able to get the wipers installed and wired up today and maybe even get the WS frame bolted onto the cowl. I'm getting there...
Two questions, did the older trucks like mine use the same bumperettes as later trucks? What color should they be? And I believe the wheels should be black- is that correct? Thanks, Gary
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Bumperettes were the same from the first FJ25 imported to the last FJ40 imported. For your year they should be body color. The wheels were black on the FJ40s until the 68 model when they went to grey. The FJ25 wheels were body color.
- Thread starter
- #35
62 FJ40 progress
Finally had a little time to get into the garage and attend to the old 40........got the new master cylinder installed and finally have the brakes bled satisfactorily. I had to remove all the bleeders and clean the crap out of themain bore and the small hole. I bled them in reverse, forcing fluid into each wheel cylinder and the air and fluid out of the master. Worked pretty good. Adjusting the brakes was not so good.......there are a few of the adjusters frozen up and I didn't want to diassemble the brakes to address this issue, so the adjustment isn't as good as it could/should be.
The repainted windshield frame has a new glass in it and has been installed. looks good. My glass guy cut the glass and installed it using his own WS gasket for $120. I was happy with that. Still need to mount the wiper motors and re-install the wiring to get the operable.
With the WS frame back in place I tried to install the 1964 fiberglass top and found that it is different from the earlier top- at least in the way the brackets attach to the WS frame. Ended up re-using the original top (with the vent) and the top is installed and bolted down. At least temporarily I removed the original wheels with their dry-rotted studded tires and replaced them with a set of 33x9.50 (read: skinny) old style BFG mud terrains mounted on 60 wheels. Truck looks pretty good as it sits, and so..............
Took her out for a ride last night. She is indeed a cold blooded beast as she currently sits- because the choke cable was tight and I ended up just pumping the gas to get her started. No real problem there. Had a cruise around my little town then a brief jaunt on the two lane highway and she runs pretty good. It's a 50 year old vehicle to be sure but got down the road fairly well. Not overloaded with power with 33" tires I can tell yo that much but I didn't notice any real problems. I'll have to take a few pictures in her current condition and get them posted up.
After getting the wipers remounted I'll need to replace the muffler and tailpipe. It would appear to me to be the original exhaust system- altough I have no way to verify that. Tried to buy an OEM muffler and tailpipe from my local Toyota dealer but he told me those pieces are no longer available. Where's the best place to buy a good straight round muffler and good fitting tailpipe? If I don't find something soon I'm probably going to utilize my local muffler guy- he does good work and is reasonable in price. Any suggestions here?
It for now, will welcome any comments or suggestions. Thanks, Gary S
Finally had a little time to get into the garage and attend to the old 40........got the new master cylinder installed and finally have the brakes bled satisfactorily. I had to remove all the bleeders and clean the crap out of themain bore and the small hole. I bled them in reverse, forcing fluid into each wheel cylinder and the air and fluid out of the master. Worked pretty good. Adjusting the brakes was not so good.......there are a few of the adjusters frozen up and I didn't want to diassemble the brakes to address this issue, so the adjustment isn't as good as it could/should be.
The repainted windshield frame has a new glass in it and has been installed. looks good. My glass guy cut the glass and installed it using his own WS gasket for $120. I was happy with that. Still need to mount the wiper motors and re-install the wiring to get the operable.
With the WS frame back in place I tried to install the 1964 fiberglass top and found that it is different from the earlier top- at least in the way the brackets attach to the WS frame. Ended up re-using the original top (with the vent) and the top is installed and bolted down. At least temporarily I removed the original wheels with their dry-rotted studded tires and replaced them with a set of 33x9.50 (read: skinny) old style BFG mud terrains mounted on 60 wheels. Truck looks pretty good as it sits, and so..............
Took her out for a ride last night. She is indeed a cold blooded beast as she currently sits- because the choke cable was tight and I ended up just pumping the gas to get her started. No real problem there. Had a cruise around my little town then a brief jaunt on the two lane highway and she runs pretty good. It's a 50 year old vehicle to be sure but got down the road fairly well. Not overloaded with power with 33" tires I can tell yo that much but I didn't notice any real problems. I'll have to take a few pictures in her current condition and get them posted up.
After getting the wipers remounted I'll need to replace the muffler and tailpipe. It would appear to me to be the original exhaust system- altough I have no way to verify that. Tried to buy an OEM muffler and tailpipe from my local Toyota dealer but he told me those pieces are no longer available. Where's the best place to buy a good straight round muffler and good fitting tailpipe? If I don't find something soon I'm probably going to utilize my local muffler guy- he does good work and is reasonable in price. Any suggestions here?
It for now, will welcome any comments or suggestions. Thanks, Gary S
- Thread starter
- #36
VIN and engine numbers
Here's the VIN 2FJ4014390 and engine number F162290 from my 62.
Here's the VIN 2FJ4014390 and engine number F162290 from my 62.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #37
Driving on the road!!!! some pics
Had the 40 out for a twenty mile ride today she's licensed and insured but not yet inspected. Needs a muffler and tailpipe, wiper blades and a sealed beam. Worked great temp gauge went a little past the first line and stayed there. No red lights either, after she warmed up it ran well. Well enough to hit 50 on the speedometer with 33" tires!!!! Looking for a set of smaller diametr tires but the 33 x 9.50's are fine for now. Here's some pictures as is......
Had the 40 out for a twenty mile ride today she's licensed and insured but not yet inspected. Needs a muffler and tailpipe, wiper blades and a sealed beam. Worked great temp gauge went a little past the first line and stayed there. No red lights either, after she warmed up it ran well. Well enough to hit 50 on the speedometer with 33" tires!!!! Looking for a set of smaller diametr tires but the 33 x 9.50's are fine for now. Here's some pictures as is......
- Thread starter
- #38
A few more pics
Three more
Three more
Very cool!!
Original tires would have been 700R15, and the tires that I have been saying I was going to get for a couple years now (don't ask) are the Yokohama 742s http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Y742S
...btw, those 742S would look best on your original steelies...but that is just my humble opinion
Original tires would have been 700R15, and the tires that I have been saying I was going to get for a couple years now (don't ask) are the Yokohama 742s http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Y742S
...btw, those 742S would look best on your original steelies...but that is just my humble opinion
