Early Top Info Needed

[Toy Teacher]

First off I know I'm looking for FJ40 info in the FJ25 forum BUT my 1962 FJ has alot more in common with a 25 then a later 40...Does anybody know what years the fiberglass Top is interchangable ? I'm looking for one...During the trip back from SoCal somewere in eastern CO and western KS my top blew off all the trim is still there just the fibeglass blew off...I guess I should have stopped when the 60 mph wind and rain came up but no I kept rolling and when I stopped for gas in Hays KS I walk back to check the tie downs I look up and said O CRAP the top was gone.


Thanks
Don

I guess I should have clicked my heals and said "Theres No Place Like Home"

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

I guess I should have clicked my heals and said "Theres No Place Like Home"

You're right about that, Toto.

Geez, when I first started reading your story, I'm thinking: "How did he not know his top blew off??" Until I figured out you must've been trailering it.

I never heard of that ever happening to an FJ before.

 

[wesintl]

Treeroot lost the top of his 45 from cali to colorado....


I thought the tops on the corregated side 40 were slightly different than later HT fiberglass.


Great 62, more pics please

Damn, you have a wiper motor I need...

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Don-

I "think" they were the same until '65. The fiberglass is different than the later models, has more of a bubble to it.

And nice '62...........or is it earlier?

 

[nuclearlemon]

Treeroot lost the top of his 45 from cali to colorado....


I thought the tops on the corregated side 40 were slightly different than later HT fiberglass.

yes, they are different...corrugated is more square in the back, where later non corrugated taper in a bit more. also later model isn't as "upright", but i don't know if that affects anything.

if you try to put a non corrugated fiberglass on corrugated side panels, the rain gutters won't reach the edge of the sidepanels in the rear.

 

[Living in the Past]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=27164&highlight=spotted+fj25


Now I know way I put those straps on. The pop rivets are the only thing that holds the cap on to the gutter. The later model have a little better system in the windshield attachment which would have probably helped. I would try hard to find an original top befor replace it with a later model.

You need to paint the Land cruiser red in the bezel. Show that thing off. Which turn signals do you have? the ones with lenses on both sides? Too bad it's missing the original running gear this looks like restoreable survivor. Post up some pictures of the back.


John

 

[Toy Teacher]

Well there is a story about my 1962 FJ40 Hardtop its from my home town in SoCal (Whittier) I remember it running around town when I was a kid (I was born in 1960) anyways about 15 years ago my brother bought it from a woman in Whittier that said it was her sons that had passed away about 6 years before...at that time it had the head removed from the stock engine, my brother gave it to his oldest son that lives in Simivalley...he pulled the stock engine out and was going to put a Chevy engine it but never did so it has sat around for 15 years..About a month ago I was talking to my brother and asked "what every happen to the old FJ" he did not know so he called his son to find out he still had it and will he sell it to Uncle Don...he replied YES and would love for Uncle Don to have it and bring it back to life... Also the old FJ has a name "KIT" based on it original black and gold California plate, As for the front turn signals they are the double sided lenses, the only rust it has is the normal place below the back doors but that is it everything else is solid except for a little surface rust.

Don

 

[Toy Teacher]

Pictures

Pictures

 

[wesintl]

As for the front turn signals they are the double sided lenses,

we need more pics of those.. SWEET!

I think I might take a ride out I70 and see if I can find me a top

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

Yep, that is sweet!!

I think I might take a ride out I70 and see if I can find me a top

Be careful . . . there might be a Colorado Highway Patrol motor officer still trapped under it.

 

[Toy Teacher]

More Pictures

More Pictures

 

[Toy Teacher]

If I just had a original F engine I could put it back to stock.

Don

 

[FJnotCJ]

I have a fiberglass panel that would work, it's off a '60 25 HT, only has one hole where the vent used to be...glass it over and you have a start....take your pick of several F135s while you are here...

By the way, this panel just about flew off too, noticed it was lifting a bit during a fuel stop, had to strap it down!

 

[Toy Teacher]

I will send you a PM

Thanks
Don

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

This one will probably have to go away this summer (as in part it out and dispose of the carcass). Give me a wish list and if it's not something I need we can work something out.

The top didn't fly off this one.............but it did leave a 200 mile trail of oil and bad gas.

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

Give me a wish list and if it's not something I need we can work something out.

How bad are the side doors? Any close-up pics?

 

[Living in the Past]

That's a nice looking unmolested cruiser. Still has the stock tail lights, pintle hook and rear step. I would restore it back to original. The only thing you might want to change is the three speed transmission that came in the early cruisers. Probably easier to find a good later three speed if you don't have a good one now. I think Toyota still supports the later three speeds. On the rear axle if you decide to put in a offset three member axle just make sure the front is geared the same. Had a friend who changed out the rear axle only to find the front was geared higher. Some of these old cruisers were geared higher than the 370s that came in the later cruisers.

John

 

[Toy Teacher]

I'm really not sure which way to go?? I know I will keep the body fully stock just not sure on the drivetrain as I said before I have everything else but a F135.. I think the trans and transfer has been up dated sometime in its life at least both shifters are in the floor and that was not stock for a 1962.

Don

 

[wesintl]

Personally, I'd buy a rusty fj60 and swap in the whole drivetrain Or a later 2f 40 drivetrain. I also really like the 3 on the tree being retro and allows 3 passengers in the front seat easier so i might adapt that. I'm a real of stock early cruisers though. It's not easy to find an f135 esp one that doesn't need a good bit of work.

 

[Toy Teacher]

Well it looks like I found a very complete F135 engine air cleaner and all...all I need is to get it shipped here and go through it.

Don