I copied this earlier today from an OP I can’t remember... (RE-POST) Very neat and informative. As I have a 2/75 FJ40 with early 2F, 4 speed and amby doors.
The 1974 modifications were varied, but make it the most easily discernable of all model year FJ40s in the United States. The single round tail lights were replaced by the more modern rectangular lights containing an amber indicator, red brake/park and clear reverse lights and the single reverse light was removed from the tub entirely. These tail lights would be used for the rest of the FJ40's production, but 1974 was the only year they were used with the one-piece lift-up rear window (however, in other markets the tail lights were available earlier and the one-piece lift-up rear window was available much longer). The rear reflectors were moved from the frame member to the body tub and the licence plate bracket was updated with two separate lights rather than just one.
1974 also marked the first significant change in the drive train for Toyota since going to a column-mounted three speed. A four speed transmission was again available as standard on all FJ40s sold in California. However, the rest of the States would have to wait until 1975 for the four speed to become standard.
Since the first gear on the new four speed is lower than on the three speed, the four speed transfer case gearing was now higher in 4-low. This lower gearing in the three speed transfer case is what made it so desirable to rock crawlers and why it was such a common replacement on late model four speeds before companies like Marlin Crawler began making top-quality after-market gears.
To meet United States safety standards, a roll bar was added to the interior and the rear jump seats were made narrower to fit between the posts of the roll bar. The front heater was also updated and modernised with the addition of plastic channels at the top of the unit rather than the all-metal design of earlier units. This new design offered three settings of ‘heat’, ‘defrost’ and ‘vent’ and delivered heat more effectively than the older designs. Under the hood for 1978 models sold in California, semi-electronic ignition became standard.
Finally, the emblems on the front aprons were modified to emphasize the name 'Land Cruiser' rather than the company 'Toyota'. Showing perhaps that the Land Cruiser had now become the flagship for Toyota.
Model year 1975 represented the conclusion of a very busy year for the Toyota engineers. Both mechanically and cosmetically, many changes were made. The most noticeable change was the way the rear doors opened to gain access to the cargo area. Gone was the old three-piece tailgate where the top half raised just high enough to scalp its owner; in its place were the two piece ambulance doors that made entry and exit a breeze. The spare tire was also moved from the right side of the tub to the left.
The driver and passenger doors were updated in 1975 to the more modern, one-piece design which was used through until 1984. This design change would eliminate the vent windows (permanently in the United States, but they would still be optional elsewhere and are a very easy option to add to the US Spec doors, as all of the mounting holes are pre-stamped into the door) but would add the 'luxury' of vinyl door panels. These new doors are significantly quieter and more durable than the older two-piece doors.
The windshield wipers and motor were moved from the top of the windshield frame to the bottom. This was done primarily to comply with American DOT requirements to eliminate dangerous protrusions within the cabin but also made them slightly less susceptible to low-hanging branches with the top off. The rubber pads on the hood for resting the windshield on when folded down were replaced with metal arches with a rubber cap, giving the hood a lighter look.
On the fenders, the rectangular orange turn signals were replaced with the larger, square parking/turn signal lights. These also had a marker light on the side (in some markets like Australia, this light is connected to the turn signal rather than the marker light), so the rectangular marker light added to the apron in 1970 was removed.
Mechanically, the changes were equally as impressive. The older 236.6 cubic inch F engine was bored out to 258 cubic inches and re-named the '2F'. Lubrication was improved dramatically, the water pump was now aluminium rather than cast iron, the valve cover was aluminium rather than stamped steel, a new carburettor topped off the new power plant and a four speed transmission was now standard in all 50 states.
Items as proven as the undercarriage also received some engineering attention in 1975. The rear shock mounts were moved from the axle to the spring plates at the bottom of the u-bolts. This allowed for a longer shock with more dampening ability and slightly more travel to the rear axle.
The location of the muffler was also moved from between the frame rails in the middle of the vehicle to the rear of the body. The exhaust now exited on the right side of the tub rather than on the left.
Found it..
@Chamba
40 Series Differences
