Bill's soon to be FJ40

[Bill McC]

OEM Bows for FJ40 soft top (w/fj25 type door shape)

Hello,

I am in the process of purchasing a refurbished 1963 FJ40 which is a factory soft top. I haven't taken a real close look (or delivery of vehicle) yet but soft top is all there. I just haven't verified that it is still the OEM top. It has newer canvas but from what I recall the bows looked vintage enough. Would some dimensions on these help??

 

[destin]

Hello,

I am in the process of purchasing a refurbished 1963 FJ40 which is a factory soft top. I haven't taken a real close look (or delivery of vehicle) yet but soft top is all there. I just haven't verified that it is still the OEM top. It has newer canvas but from what I recall the bows looked vintage enough. Would some dimensions on these help??

congrats Bill!

Look forward to seeing photos when you fj40 arrives

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Hello,

I am in the process of purchasing a refurbished 1963 FJ40 which is a factory soft top. I haven't taken a real close look (or delivery of vehicle) yet but soft top is all there. I just haven't verified that it is still the OEM top. It has newer canvas but from what I recall the bows looked vintage enough. Would some dimensions on these help??

Hi Bill,

Welcome to mud!

Do you have any pictures of your '63? Do you know if it was refurbished as true stock, or if it was modified?

 

[JohnnyC]

Hi Bill,

Welcome to mud!

Do you have any pictures of your '63? Do you know if it was refurbished as true stock, or if it was modified?

X2..what he said

and also welcome to mud

 

[majojo4]

Hey Bill. Pictures man! Where are you located?

 

[Bill McC]

I went out and had a look at it today. The Toyota Coronado Tan (or beige) looks really nice. Not much is assembled yet but I will post a pic or two shortly. This FJ seems to have FJ25 type fenders, rear end, transfer case, and intake manifold. It also has the angled side type tool box under the driver's seat. It still has the single barrel carb. The running boards, while in excellent shape for their age with very little surface rust, have had the canvas rot off of them. Has anyone bother to replace the canvas or do you switch running boards? The canvas doesn't seem like a well thought out idea. I mean why would you upholster them?

Question: The transfercase seems to have a cover over a rear PTO? Is it? Maybe I could mow with it!

Meanwhile, I search for my camera to computer cable.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Bill-

I've given you your own thread, post up pics here when you get them working!

The tranny sounds like the early 40 three speed. The output shaft cover on the back of the transfer isn't normally thought of as a PTO cover, but it is, you may be able to find a rear PTO from a fire truck. Front/rear PTO's were mounted on the side of the transfer.

The running boards originally had a white pyramid vinyl on them, still not a great choice.

What do you mean by 25 type fenders? Front or rear?

A picture and a VIN and these guys should be able to answer most any mystery.

 

[Bill McC]

More on my "1963" FJ40 with what seem to be a few FJ25 bits.

Frame #2 FJ40 14910
Engine #F 1646 44
Intake Manifold #FJ25 17111 2
Single barrel carb
Goofy locking hubs: two short levers on each hub
Factory soft top
Mint rear doors
Ugly side doors
Manually primable fuel pump
Etc, more as I discover it.
El crapo Goodyear Arriva tires, used for rolling around

A before paint pic:

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Do you have a picture of those ugly doors?

Why do you say it's a '63?

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Does it have brakes??

The goofy hubs are Cutlass hubs, and you've already figured out it's a '62. Looked like a pretty solid start.

 

[Bill McC]

I didn't take a pic of the doors. They are soft top doors where the canvas has been replaced with heating duct type tin. They are in rust free shape however, just not good looking.

The hubs are being replaced with some 1960s or '70s used hubs which I saw and figured they would fit better than brand new shiny Warns or the like.

The fellow I am buying it from says it is titled as a '63 and that some other thing says it is a 63. So if it is a 60, 61, 62, or a 63 I don't much care. I have noticed that my frame and engine number of lower than others' 1962 FJ40s.

As for being modified, outside of hub locks it does not seem to have anything added to it. I am adding a period heater for my wife's sake though.

Is anyone running NDT (non-directional tread) tires? The ads and literature show them as the factory spec. I have not heard much good about that type of tire.

I have been trying to upload a pic of the new paint but it is taking forever. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[JohnnyC]

there are a few really good tire threads here are 2:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/192576-army-tires.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/192576-army-tires-3.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/65091-dunlop-rk3-roadtrak-major-15-a.html

as for the running boards...Jim got some great stuff to match oem:
IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Project Krusty - Not a Resto!

nice looking rig...like to see more some time

 

[JohnnyC]

do you have the embossed "land cruiser" bezel? with your 62 rig?

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

"The fellow I am buying it from says it is titled as a '63 and that some other thing says it is a 63"

The 2 in front of the FJ40 in your frame number ( Frame #2 FJ40 14910 ) dictates that it is fact a '62 titled as a '63. No big deal, but it is a '62, so you need to keep that in mind when looking for parts.

Looks like a great place to start a resto, and my hats off to you for going stock...purists are the sickest of those who are afflicted with old Cruisers fetish...ask me how I know

Keep what ever you can get from the sale. If those are the old doors, never mind how they look now, well they will be good as gold

What are your long term plans...DD, trails, or Sunday driver/light trails? The answer to this will help you decide your tires. Johnny posted some great links.

Take your time, but we do need more pics when you have them

 

[Bill McC]

3P: post paint pic

Coronado Tan

In answer to an earlier question: No, sadly the bezel for this vehicle does not have the embossed "Landcruiser" on it.

By the way, the valve cover has a F135 sticker, is this right? For some odd reason I think it would have been F125.

 

[destin]

nice Bill

Looks like a beauty

You paint it yourself?

 

[majojo4]

Coronado Tan

In answer to an earlier question: No, sadly the bezel for this vehicle does not have the embossed "Landcruiser" on it.

By the way, the valve cover has a F135 sticker, is this right? For some odd reason I think it would have been F125.

F135 is right.

 

[Living in the Past]

Nice looking cruiser. No one seem to notice but this is another B style soft top (barn doors instead of a tailgate). The tub I bought last year was also a B style soft top. Also a 62 production date titled as a 63. Just remember the model starts the year before. I didn't get the frame or VIN with the tub but there was a insurance card in the glosve box with it on. It was less than ten numbers earlier than yours. I also just received the microfishe for 62 and 63 for the FJ40s so I should be able to find part numbers. Here a link to pictures of the tub.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/231024-look-what-followed-me-home-weekend.html

 

[Bill McC]

That is really cool, that our 62/63 40's are that close. I have you beat on mileage however. I am in the 25,XXX range. It is coming together nicely. New lamps up front and back, shiny bits on order, new hub caps coming.

On a similar subject. I am thinking of getting either Yokohama Y720s (7.00x15) or Dunlop Radial Rover R/Ts (LT235/75-15). The former are my first choice and about the same price. And, in another fun find, the goofy "cutlass" type hubs with "Selectro" hubs. They will be pretty unique I think.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I am thinking of those Yokos myself, easier to get up here, and priced the same as the rest

Which hubcaps did you buy...did you find old T-moons, or order from Eshan?