FJ40 Aftermarket Cluster Unboxing and Disassembly. With videos.

[JVZii]

Lately when you search for FJ40 clusters on eBay, a new Chinese offering has flooded the auctions. I purchased one to tear apart and see what's inside.

I didn't feel like typing a bunch so instead I did some videos. I hope these are helpful and if I got anything wrong let me know.

Jack

1. Unboxing


2. Opening the case and Speedometer inspection.


3. Internals review.
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Internal Review - https://youtu.be/yBqCGXShpX0

4. Gauges
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Gauge Review - https://youtu.be/VWaqd_SX9k0

5. Wrapup.
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Wrapup - https://youtu.be/-x57ezcXuQA

 

[Bear]

Jack,

Thanks for doing this. For the past few years the Chinese have been choosing various Land Cruiser items for reproducing and flooding the market with them: carburetors, "Aisin" hubs, speedos, etc.. And it seems every one of them turns out to have low-quality metallurgy, off plating, and general cut-corners. Yes, nice examples most of us could not duplicate, but by comparison with the originals, more of a Walmart quality. Apparently Toyota and its subsidiaries have lost their patents (if there ever were any), stopped prosecuting the imitators, or just feel there aren't enough potential buyers to bother with.

Since money always matters to most of us, we often wonder just how good these copycats really are. Thank-you for delving into these instrument clusters to give a heads-up and answer the question: "What makes the originals worth so much?" It also makes an original truck--or one from a rebuilder who uses as many OE, OEM, and NOS parts available--truly worth so much more than any of those with a quick coat of lipstick and some snappy decals. Land Cruisers--as built--deserve their well-founded reputation for quality, reliability, and longevity. It's a shame lesser-quality replacement parts can chip away at that reputation.

As with anything of lesser quality, if the buyer/consumer cannot "see" the difference, then he/she deserves the performance that comes from the cheap alternative product. My two cents.

 

[brooklyn]

Great videos— appreciate the time you put in making the videos. Granted not OEM, but at that price point not a bad option if you’re low on funds and need something.

 

[ToyotaMatt]

thanks very very much for your time and for the out of pocket you did to enlighten all of us here in the 40 community and beyond ,


that morning a few weeks ago now when i posted the TECH thread in 40 series TECH , i was careful not to DISS or pass judgment on this reproduction 60180 varity cluster

meter , because i don't know nearly the TECH you do as a well rounded all things cluster meter Jack ......


i am glad the right person did this professional level evaluation in a very objective and open minded approach like you have clearly done so .......


i wonder how well my reproduction 12 pin YAZAKI Barrel connector and its unique terminals communicate with the male bull nose pins your holding in your hands jack ?



please PM me your shipping info and ill send you a few and you can report back ,

these fit ALL OEM YAZAKI 40 and 55 Clusters perfectly fine in all the years i have had them , but this could be a win win or well we don't know till we try right !

kindly ,
matt

again thanks Jack !

 

[Parttime 40]

Lately when you search for FJ40 clusters on eBay, a new Chinese offering has flooded the auctions. I purchased one to tear apart and see what's inside.

I didn't feel like typing a bunch so instead I did some videos. I hope these are helpful and if I got anything wrong let me know.

Jack

1. Unboxing


2. Opening the case and Speedometer inspection.


3. Internals review.
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Internal Review - https://youtu.be/yBqCGXShpX0

4. Gauges
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Gauge Review - https://youtu.be/VWaqd_SX9k0

5. Wrapup.
Aftermarket FJ40 Cluster - Wrapup - https://youtu.be/-x57ezcXuQA

So I bought one of these on ebay and when I hooked up the + and - the amp gauge pegged to negitive and the truck will not start? Any ideas??

 

[Malleus]

The ignition circuit goes through the ammeter. If it doesn't work, neither will the ignition. Unfortunately, IIRC, you have to have a resistor in the circuit in order to bypass the ammeter, so unplugging it isn't the answer. If your old one still works, swap it in.

 

[JVZii]

So I bought one of these on ebay and when I hooked up the + and - the amp gauge pegged to negitive and the truck will not start? Any ideas??

The amp gauge on this cluster is for a 79+ FJ40. If you have an older 40 then this will not work.

You would need to try to swap out an old amp gauge or just bypass the amp gauge on the cluster.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Wow. $80 new, needs mods or $800 used bolt in today on ebay. I'm thinking a 120 A one wire alternator and a volt meter for less than $150 and use what you have.

 

[JVZii]

I have several 60 and 70s mph clusters and they are not $800. I am happy to help with something more OEM that will capture speed and distance in miles.

 

[Parttime 40]

checked the ignition circut conections with ohm meter and the neg terminal is common with the positive? not the ground

 

[JackA]

Great coverage. I was curious about these. Prices range all over the place. I wonder how many different manufacturers there are or if they are all the same?

 

[knuckle47]

@Parttime 40 What year is your Land Cruiser? Toyota did change the way the ammeter circuit is wired. The old 30A is in-line with the circuit and if grounded, you have a problem. The 50A is completely different. It may typically fry as you mentioned when connected

 

[JVZii]

Great coverage. I was curious about these. Prices range all over the place. I wonder how many different manufacturers there are or if they are all the same?

I have gotten several of these aftermarket clusters and I think they are all the same manufacturer. They are all identical inside and out.

 

[Parttime 40]

I have gotten several of these aftermarket clusters and I think they are all the same manufacturer. They are all identical inside and out.

So the aftermarket one I have has a 50amp gauge and the old one out of the 76 has a 30! I am assuming that the resistor is not the same so what adjustments do I need to make for this to work

 

[Parttime 40]

@Parttime 40 What year is your Land Cruiser? Toyota did change the way the ammeter circuit is wired. The old 30A is in-line with the circuit and if grounded, you have a problem. The 50A is completely different. It may typically fry as you mentioned when connected

Mine is a 76 and I noticed that the aftermarket is a 50amp is there a wiring fix ? different resistor etc.?

 

[knuckle47]

I have a 30A in my 75 and it is basically in line with the circuit…if I removed it, it could simply twist the two ends together and the truck is fine. The 50A uses completely different circuitry. Read thru my dilemma from last September…they ARE NOT interchangeable

FJ45 Dash Panel Ammeter Wires

Did a search and found a few thoughts on this topic but I am still a bit confused. Wiring does this to me lately the original dash panel has been replaced but the ammeter is not doing anything so opening it up reveals the wiring shorted together and I assume, as a bypass. Battery charges at...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Parttime 40]

I have a 30A in my 75 and it is basically in line with the circuit…if I removed it, it could simply twist the two ends together and the truck is fine. The 50A uses completely different circuitry. Read thru my dilemma from last September…they ARE NOT interchangeable

FJ45 Dash Panel Ammeter Wires

Did a search and found a few thoughts on this topic but I am still a bit confused. Wiring does this to me lately the original dash panel has been replaced but the ammeter is not doing anything so opening it up reveals the wiring shorted together and I assume, as a bypass. Battery charges at...

forum.ih8mud.com

Yea thats what I found out ! Got a dicent one off ebay and it seems to be working

Thanks for y'all's help

 

[knuckle47]

I know with my own “services”…when it truly works out well, it brings a smile to my face and my inner self…