Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad

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Fjgoober, not sure if there would be alot of intrest but I would dig a one piece bottom dash, like the older models have, for a latter model FJ40. That would cover the radio cut out and give a nice clean finish. Just a thought, product and web site look good!:clap:
 
fjgoober said:
My buddy just called me back regarding the older version of cruiser. Based off what he told me the older cruiser's have a longer dash. He said that the holes for the knobs don't match up. He was holding the prototype up to the mounted dash on the older lc. I'm assuming then the bolt holes won't match up either. When we tear it off I will slap one of mine up there and know more.
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Thank you for the reply. I can understand the frustration when people don't pay attention to info given in previous posts. I remembered it being mentioned that the metal rib was different, but was interested in specific info. This info about the windshield bolt hole spacing is exactly what I was interested in.

I'm handy enough to be able to make adjustments to the metal rib, and even screw holes. But, the fact that the windshield knobs are in different locations makes modifying much more difficult.

The dash pad is in such bad condition on my 71 that I have to physically push the pad up to open the glove box lid. I was hoping the mods to make your pad fit would be easier, but modifying the knob location is more than I'm willing to take a chance on.

Don
 
Early version at least a '71.

I went out to my buddy's tonight to take apart his dash. (Wife is sooooo happy with me it being Easter and I'm working on a LC).

Just got back and wanted to tell you what I found out. Bolt holes, dimensions, everything is the same as far as I could tell. His LC was a 71 w/ a 3 on the tree. The only difference that I could find is that the earlier versions did not have a dash light. I would have to assume that most of the earlier ones are the same but I do not know if there is a break and if so what year. What I will do is measure the dash length against the windshield. I would have to assume that if the length is the same then Toyota used the same tooling. Tooling is expensive so this is a fair assumption. And as we were always told growing up....."If it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!" It never ceases to amaze me the that there is genious in simplicity especially on these rigs!! (I have 5 toyota's that are running and not one has less than 100k some have almost 300k miles).

I bolted it up and it fit perfectly!! A previous owner of this LC had installed a gun rack on the dash. He cut away a slot in the dash so he could mount a shotgun standing upright just like the police have.

Due to the modifications described above it took us awhile to figure out the difference. In his dash there is no transition for the light. The OEM dashes for later models have a thin piece of vinyl that you have to cut out for the light. Our dashes, this same area is filled with approximately 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick polyurethane elastomer (rubber). That material is not going to break down in that area.

So as far as I can tell that's the only difference and these dashes will fit earlier models. Now how earlier I don't know. You will just have an area that is recessed (Hard to see unless you lean your head down to look). I left that area thicker in the tooling due to the fact that I knew some people would not have a dash light and would not want to put one in.

I've had too many scotch and waters to keep talking about this intelligently so I'll check back with you tommorrow.

Handcannon: My buddy apologized probably six to eight times tonight about the bad info he gave me regarding the lengths. We took it off and measured it along every dimension I could think of prior to putting it on and bolting it up. If I have time tomorrow I will take a picture of what the recess area for the dash light looks like prior to cutting it our so everyone can see. By the way I love your signature statement! 150% Agreement with that and you can't say it enough!

OH... one thing I need to remember is the "self healing" side of it. (I'm restating it here to remind myself to post a picture of it.) Somewhere in my ramblings I mentioned that people call this self healing foam. That is a misnomer and a product of advertising/marketing. What it actually is, is a very dense cell structure in the material. When it gets cut, the surrounding cell structures "push" the cut closed. The cut is still there but you don't see it. It reamains aesthetically pleasing to the eye but the cut is still there there. They use this alot on archery targets.

BOYS AND GIRLS I'M RAMBLING. Need to go to bed!
 
SSCR said:
Fjgoober, not sure if there would be alot of intrest but I would dig a one piece bottom dash, like the older models have, for a latter model FJ40. That would cover the radio cut out and give a nice clean finish. Just a thought, product and web site look good!:clap:
Click to expand...

Reading your post I remember looking at that tonight thinking why did they change that? I plan on making lower dash pads for the older cruisers and when we do I will take a look at the bolt patterns for a possible hybrid.

I think the two pads vs. three is so much nicer and smoother. I'll give it some thought.

Hey, one thought someone had (either in a post, e-mail, or pm) was to use bolts on the inserts vs. the snap clips. How does everyone think about that? I know that when I'm taking the lower dash pads out, sometimes I tear the inserts out trying to pry the male portion of the snap clip out away from the dash.

LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS. I will be working on that tooling shortly and would like to make it what people want.
 
No snap clips.. those are a PITA.. Bolts please... :)
 
I'm glad someone came out with a good product at a reasonable price! Thank you!

My dash was almost perfect when I bought my cruiser 3 years ago, but has since cracked in several spots and I will want to replace it one of these days. I would still prefer one without the logo though... Any chance that would be removed in the future? If so, I will definitely put it on my "need one" list. If not, may put it there anyway. ;)

Sent from my iPhone/ IH8MUD app
 
At $275 you can put the logo on both sides.
 
Fjgoober,
I have the dash pad and will fit it up to my 1969 fj40 tomorrow and hopefully have pictures. They we will know if it fits older models.

george
 
coinoperated40 said:
Is there a 82 roll over club? My roll(show) bar saved what I'm sitting on back in '93 when I turned around on the interstate at 55 and hit the guard rail and flipped sideways twice and end over end twice and landed on the drivers side. Crawled out through the roof and cussed a little. She was red but has gone with dune now. Factory roll bar GOOD...
Shane
Click to expand...

OT

Any roll bar is better than nothing. I flipped my :censor: (other 4X4 that looks somewhat like a small land cruiser). One complete roll, hit upside down on the drivers side roll bar corner, and then back on the wheels hard enough to snap the axles. Nothing at all happened to me.


On-Topic

X2 on the NO SNAP CLIPS sentiment.
 
Dash light recess

Pictured is the recess of where the Dash Light goes.

The hardest part about mounting these things is cutting out the material for the dash lights. If a guy doesn't mind the recess or wants to put a later model dash light in on the earlier models, I don't see why this dash wouldn't work.
Recess Dash Light.webp
 
I understand the flaw and therefore the reason for logo placement. For my money I'd rather have a Clock, tilt guage, compas, or ____ in that space. Don't know about others. Would that be an option?

I'll be upfront with you, I've got a decent dash, so I'll not be buying any time soon. Just throwing in my 0.02.
 
fjgoober said:
Early version at least a '71.

Bolt holes, dimensions, everything is the same as far as I could tell. His LC was a 71 w/ a 3 on the tree. The only difference that I could find is that the earlier versions did not have a dash light. I would have to assume that most of the earlier ones are the same but I do not know if there is a break and if so what year.

I bolted it up and it fit perfectly!! A previous owner of this LC had installed a gun rack on the dash. He cut away a slot in the dash so he could mount a shotgun standing upright just like the police have.

Due to the modifications described above it took us awhile to figure out the difference. In his dash there is no transition for the light. The OEM dashes for later models have a thin piece of vinyl that you have to cut out for the light. Our dashes, this same area is filled with approximately 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick polyurethane elastomer (rubber). That material is not going to break down in that area.

So as far as I can tell that's the only difference and these dashes will fit earlier models. Now how earlier I don't know. You will just have an area that is recessed (Hard to see unless you lean your head down to look). I left that area thicker in the tooling due to the fact that I knew some people would not have a dash light and would not want to put one in.
Click to expand...

Excellent. I just placed my order. I can't wait to get rid of my crappy plastic cover!
 
mcwinery said:
Fjgoober,
I have the dash pad and will fit it up to my 1969 fj40 tomorrow and hopefully have pictures. They we will know if it fits older models.

george
Click to expand...

Have you been about to see if the dash fits? I just destroyed the pad on my '69 and will be needing a new one now :rolleyes:
 
fjgoober said:
Pictured is the recess of where the Dash Light goes.

The hardest part about mounting these things is cutting out the material for the dash lights. If a guy doesn't mind the recess or wants to put a later model dash light in on the earlier models, I don't see why this dash wouldn't work.
Click to expand...

That is good news!!

I'd love to have a dash light, even though my 40 didn't have one originally.

Now I just have to start saving up to be able to replace my rotten old dash pad.

Don
 
TxCruzr said:
Have you been about to see if the dash fits? I just destroyed the pad on my '69 and will be needing a new one now :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I spoke with mcwinery the other day. He told me that his earlier 72 and 69 were the same dimensions. In an earlier post I mentioned that I tried it on a 70 or 71 (really never looked at the plate to make sure) and everything mATCHED (I hate typing on a lap top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) up.

On the website I took measurements to tell you guys what the overall length this would fit as I don't know nor do not have the experience to tell you if there was a difference. As I stated before; The only difference that I can tell is the dash Light on the later models. (Just wondering if there was a break there but am unaware of it.) What I do tell you is the length and that
 
Good dash replacement news for those of us with earlier machines.

A question for those with OEM dash light equipped Cruisers, does the dash ligbt come on with the headlights to illuminate the switches, or is it switched independantly?

I'd probably go with a dash light on my early '72.
 
Happy, Happy, Happy!

Got my new FJ40Dash this evening (Friday), just as promised, after placing my order Monday night. It is a perfect fit on my 3/72. Took 30 minutes for the installation, and that was with my stopping for photos along the way. I'll post an honest review with photos tomorrow. So far I'm really impressed. Now, what shall I do with my crappy, 20-year old plastic dash cover?
 
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