Am I a potential source for steel FJ40 tubs?

[CHAS404]

As some of you all know I am down in Colombia restoring 'Esmeralda' a 1983 FJ40. You can search the build.

I came across a snag in the build (trimmed wheel wells) and ordered a new tub which is made in Colombia. It seems to be high quality and the price is right.

I am not ready to be a source yet but I may be able to become one.

I am registering a another company down here with the permission to import and export both vehicles and parts (I already have a taxi/car service company registered now for nearly 3 years).

I could be wrong but it looks like the steel FJ40 tub providers are not available or scarce now.

Looks like the aluminum option is between $3000 and $4000 for a half tub plus shipping???

Please comment on interest/need and current available options and pricing. I might be able to offer an affordable high quality alternative.

we will be able to see how my Esmeralda turns out in a few days once the tub is painted.

Let me know if this is something that interests you all.

I can say from my experience if I see some issues in an existing tub I will just swap it out for a new one. By putting that half tub on there we have all new metal to work with and saved a ton of man hours.



Thanks

 

[CHAS404]

Again I am currently investigating for now. I may be able to ship one in with my FJ40 arriving in Miami hopefully late October. Maybe we can get an experienced MUD member to take a look at one down in Florida and give a third party opinion on the quality. I had another MUD member already express interest so I thought I would look into it.

Thanks

 

[77 Mike]

Interested.

Can you clarify if these are brand new from Toyota, or refurbished, or manufactured by another company.

Thanks.

 

[CHAS404]

They are manufactured all new by a small company/factory in Colombia. They do doors, windshield frames and half tubs, etc. I have access to the owner/representative. I will meet with him in person and see the factory before hand.

It may not mean anything to you but the body man I am using really likes to restore to original spec and he uses them. I guess the world would be OEM style??

The issues for now are cost and how to ship etc.

I guess I am the first guinea pig we will see how my FJ40 with same tub turns out.

FYI I am a Tarheel which may or may not hurt your decision! Thanks for the comments.

 

[coleman2347]

Cool idea, from what I've seen on the forum lots could use them, I was thinking of doing stainless steel parts from here but the shipping would be a PITA. Unless you could get several orders and use a container. The only trouble I can see would be the shipping and the quality...and the fact that its a very limited market.....would love to see detailed pictures of yours though....

 

[Chamba]

That tub looks to have the rear door opening of a'75-'78, not '79-'84. You may find your rear barn doors with a gap at the lower corners as yours are rounded and the tub is squared-off.

 

[CHAS404]

Thanks Chamba we will see how it turns out. I knew that when going to a tub we may not look original/original although we are striving for the most we can. I believe the tubs are one size for all. I will post more photos for your review on my build thread.

I think steel with using new anti corrosion paint would be fine. I don't see any big advantage in ss, fiberglass or aluminum from what I have read.

In terms of making it work financially it does seem like you need to ship a container load maybe 10 or more.

We will see.

 

[Chamba]

Given labour is cheap there, it would certainly be doable to add material to the corners to mimic the original.

 

[CHAS404]

I will post over on the build now the photo from today. They did some down there I think.

 

[CHAS404]

Checking old photos and new photos and calling my guy. thanks for the comment! hard to say if he is already doing something bec not quite done yet. but thanks.

 

[kruisinkid]

If they turn out nice, sign me up for one. What gauge are they? Hopefully 16 right?

 

[sdb172]

Tub

I'm interested as well.

 

[takgt]

Can you give an idea of the cost?
I am interested as well.

 

[CHAS404]

I am checking with the contact on the gauge. First thing I wanted to know. I do think they are one size fits all series FJ40 and he has FJ43. and I believe they are half tub only. Chamba caught that this has a detail of an earlier tub but i think that that is the way it is. I will confirm.

I realize I have good Colombian labor because today there were 2 guys working on it (makes me happy). Part of the reason it is moving along so quickly. Also though makes me wonder if there was a lot of fitting labor etc to get it right.

if you go to Esmeralda build though you can see they are not using a lot of filler to line it up. Seems to me a new tub is a nice option. Remember I am new at this. We did find ANOTHER hidden spot of a little rust in the old tub.

This makes me a fan of just changing it out.

I could be wrong but after looking at 20 of these FJ40s and FJ43s it looks like they do rust mostly in the 2 front floor pans and the rear sill/tub area. Yes the door bottoms sometimes (not so much down here bec no snow no salt etc). So I am thinking changing the tub leaves you with rust in the 2 pans at worst.

I hate rust and adding fun accessories etc on top of bad bodywork and/or rust seems futile.

These FJ's/BJ's down here have been running up and down the mountain for 30 to 50 years and keep on going! But the biggest weakness is Toyota simply put zero rust protection on them.

 

[Michael B]

Same company?

Is this the same company making FJ45 parts as well? I need the bed head for a 65' FJ45 and the center of the bed floor. You need to check into what your import and customs fees are going to be. You are also going to need a business address to ship these items to if you don't already have that set up.
michaelbb7@juno.com


Thanks,
Michael <><

 

[CHAS404]

Hey guys. 76 FJ40 my contact does not make the FJ45 beds bec down in Colombia they use the FJ45s with stake beds for commercial use. I dont think they even shipped them here new with the pick up beds. If i come across something I will let you know. Only one I saw for FJ45 was aqualu. I was thinking of shipping an FJ45 from here then adding the bed but we will see. The FJ45s are expensive here.

I have a lot to set up in terms of shipping reason why i dont want to overpromise anything. My Colombian accountant is setting up a local LLC that will be an export/import company bec I want to ship the FJ's anyhow so it seems like it may work well to add tubs.

I had seen several posts and some other info on the net saying that the steel tub providers are rare now in the US so I figured I would look into.

The factory makes 18 and 20 gauge tubs with the fenders in 18 gauge.

They do make the tubs in two styles with the detail changes I think which occurred in 1979.

Why mine appears to be an older style while adding back the 80s details I am going to confirm with my body guy. Chamba caught that I am appreciative of that (except for I stressed about it all last night!).

I am now not sure that this tub we are using is same one as the factory I am talking with. There may be another source for these tubs. Will confirm all.

All i can say for now is we have tubs here in Colombia 18/20 gauge in the two FJ40 styles from one contact plus he has doors and fenders etc.

In the end I will visit the factory to confirm. my contact is traveling for now.

Thanks!

 

[CHAS404]

I think this tub on my project came from another town and another provider. It is an earlier series tub as Chamba caught. My guy added back a few details to make it a 79 and above. I also had him add back something the original tub had which is basically those curves for the doors that Chamba caught plus a little lip in the sill. the doors were prefit though and it looks really nice.

I ended up seeing another 1982 today and took a look at the tub. It had a slightly different sill than mine bec it had the the 2 little half rear doors for the soft top.

In the future I want to use my new contact for tubs and order the correct series but in the end i guess there will always be some trimming/adjustment.

Will need to see what the factory has in terms of details.

 

[FluByU]

I would be interested in a 3/4 tub, transmission cover and windshield frame

 

[DSRTRDR]

Chas, to clarify, these are used tubs, right ?

 

[Centermass]

Post #4 says all new but it would be nice to see a post that says made from all new steel and not rebuilt tub.