First year fj40

[brian]

How it started, vs how it's going.
Picked this up about 8 months ago....its been living down in the fj25 section, due to its early birth date and the many 25 series carry over parts it has.
But it is a 40 series and felt that an update here wasn't out of line.

 

[brian]

The early dashboards are beautiful in their simplicity.

 

[brian]

Luckily there is almost no rot to worry about...surprisingly for a pa cruiser.
Even the front fenders are rust free.

 

[archie73]

Pa you say? Crazy solid. Beautiful rig

 

[Living in the Past]

This is an interesting rear step for couple of reasons. It was used 9/67-9/73. Early rear step was wider. But with a tailgate it originally didn't have any rear step.

 

[brian]

This is an interesting rear step for couple of reasons. It was used 9/67-9/73. Early rear step was wider. But with a tailgate it originally didn't have any rear step.

its had an interesting life under previous ownership.

 

[rlong]

The early dashboards are beautiful in their simplicity.

View attachment 3799840

I had a 1962 FJ40 in High School and have a 63’ FJ45. I love this dash style to no end.. I currently building (well “current” may be an exaggeration) a "frankencruiser, (1969-1974 parts with a state assigned VIN). The dash was all cut up so I got my hands on a virgin early dash like this and welded it in it looks great!!. The detail in the center is reminiscent of the "thunderbird" symbol (think Native American not Ford) I won’t be using the FD Knob or Low Range lever so I need to come up with alternate function for those!

 

[brian]

Hows it going? well, it's going very well.

 

[brian]

Moving along

Front axle was completely beat.
Spun wheel bearings, spun outside bushing, bent stub shaft, both wheel bearing hubs hacked....this thing definitely spent time in the woods 50 years ago.

 

[psmbfuer]

Nice work Brian. A lot of good detailed work, and as others have said, really enjoying seeing such an old Cruiser in such good shape. I had a nearly perfect, what I believe was all original '64 40, but with family and moves, I had to let it go, so thanks for a close reminder. I too am in PA, a little east of Pottstown, so an hour+ from you.

My '64 dash was very similar to yours.

 

[brian]

Nice work Brian. A lot of good detailed work, and as others have said, really enjoying seeing such an old Cruiser in such good shape. I had a nearly perfect, what I believe was all original '64 40, but with family and moves, I had to let it go, so thanks for a close reminder. I too am in PA, a little east of Pottstown, so an hour+ from you.

My '64 dash was very similar to yours.
View attachment 3871926

Those windshield hold downs suggest a slightly earlier vintage.

 

[psmbfuer]

We sold this back in 2005, if the few bit of information that I can locate are correct. The main reason for me stating that it was a '64 is because that is the name of the folder where the pic came from, which slightly surprise me - I was actually looking for a 1963 folder, but figured my memory was just off after so long. I can't find the title, notes, or documents to help us, but here several pics that should help.

 

[Living in the Past]

Those windshield hold downs suggest a slightly earlier vintage.

No ashtray or defrost vents would be no newer than some time in 1962.

Stamped bezel, dual sided turn signals were gone by 1964. The 64 model have levers on the hatch in the back to push the two buttons in so it could slide open.

 

[Living in the Past]

We sold this back in 2005, if the few bit of information that I can locate are correct. The main reason for me stating that it was a '64 is because that is the name of the folder where the pic came from, which slightly surprise me - I was actually looking for a 1963 folder, but figured my memory was just off after so long. I can't find the title, notes, or documents to help us, but here several pics that should help.
View attachment 3872577View attachment 3872581View attachment 3872579

I'm guessing a pair of these would have been correct for this cruiser. Factory they were painted to match the body when this one was sold.

The pintle hook and trailer light plug were dropped at the same time so this one most likely had a pintle hook and rear step from the factory.

 

[V8FJ4078]

We sold this back in 2005, if the few bit of information that I can locate are correct. The main reason for me stating that it was a '64 is because that is the name of the folder where the pic came from, which slightly surprise me - I was actually looking for a 1963 folder, but figured my memory was just off after so long. I can't find the title, notes, or documents to help us, but here several pics that should help.
View attachment 3872577View attachment 3872581View attachment 3872579

How long had you owned this truck? where did it come from before you had it?

 

[sleepycruiser]

Here is my ‘64 dash. This pic was before I got it, but I’ve painted the grab bar, glovebox, and gauge bezel.

 

[psmbfuer]

How long had you owned this truck? where did it come from before you had it?

It was an Arizona truck, and we owned it for roughly 3 years, although details are fuzzy at this point.

 

[V8FJ4078]

It was an Arizona truck, and we owned it for roughly 3 years, although details are fuzzy at this point.

Nice there was another one similar in color in the area years ago, but I keep thinking it might have been a 62 or 63, owned by an older gentleman at the time.

 

[brian]

Quite literally watching paint dry.

 

[brian]

And the paint is dry....well most of it.