FJ40 Half Cab ...To buy or not to buy ??? ...That is the question !!!

[Tin basher]

The one thing I noticed is every one pictured is built slightly different top of roof some look like fiber glass
Some look like tin
the way the roof fits to the body
If it was a Toyota limited production thing they would all be done same way I would think
And look at some of the craftsmanship available in some of these country's hand building panels torch welded and metal finished where you can't see where the three pieces were spliced together
In a dirt floor shed by guys without shoes
Hard to believe that there is no documentation on them if built by Toyota or subsidiary of
Cool looking little trucks though

 

[GringoBob]

More mysteries !

A 1967 FJ40 convertible with the same gate-less rear end as the subject half cab (first message.)

A video of a 1967 half cab surfaces:
A.

And a 1975 half cab video:

And more:

This one (1978 model with an extended 1/2 cab) is copyrighted ...so here's the link:
FJ, FJ40, FJ45 & FJ55 Toyota Land Cruisers Call 24/7 (313) 414-3540

And a 1974 model also copyrighted ...so here's the link:
FJ, FJ40, FJ45 & FJ55 Toyota Land Cruisers Call 24/7 (313) 414-3540

Another. Allegedly a garage modified rig.

More.

If any of you guys/gals find any more info ...PLEASE POST !!!

And THANKS !!!

GringoBob

 

[FJ404345]

@GringoBob i think you are on to something, keep them coming !,

The problem is these 1/2 cabs are all very different from each other in roofs, rear caps, extensions,aluminum plates, rear ends, engines, bumpers, lights, roll bars, fender flares, spare tire carriers, shackles, like custom made, actually the same modifications you find with the "regular" 40 series.

Very weird !

 

[GringoBob]

@GringoBob i think you are on to something, keep them coming !,

The problem is these 1/2 cabs are all very different from each other in roofs, rear caps, extensions,aluminum plates, rear ends, engines, bumpers, lights, roll bars, fender flares, spare tire carriers, shackles, like custom made, actually the same modifications you find with the "regular" 40 series.

Very weird !

YEAH !!! You are absolutely correct !!! And, although some of these vehicles are really well put together (I personally like the style too) they are aftermarket mods and not authentic Toyota ...and, many of them are badly done.

I hope I will have the testimony of a person who's company has restored over 2,400 LCs (to various levels) in the past 18 years. ...Maybe his testimony, will help put this topic to rest for most of us.

Gracias, GringoBob

 

[Tin basher]

Well several of those the silver one and the blue one
Both say custom built
I built a 65 Chevy 2 two door sedan delivery
And just about every car show I took it to I had someone tell me how they knew someone that had one just like it brand new
There never was a Chevy 2 two door wagon built by gm at least North American market

 

[GringoBob]

The following really puts the 1/2 cab question to rest for me !!! They are not Toyota made 1/2 cabs but rather custom shop or garage mechanic mods.

I asked (via email) the highly experienced/regarded LC expert Greg Mushro (@ Vintage Offroad) to comment on the FJ40 1/2 cab question(s.)
My questions and Greg's response follow.


From: BobB [mailto:rebreeding@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2017 6:19 PM
To: greg@vintageoffroad.com
Subject: Re: Did Toyota make the 1/2 cab FJ40s ?


Hello Greg !

Can you tell me who made the 1/2 cab Toyota FJ40s ? I noticed that Vintage Off Road sold one with heavy mods (& no motor) some time ago.

There are quite a few people in the IH8MUD.COM forum that would like an answer to that question.

The current thread regarding the 1/2 cab question (which I started) is:

FJ40 Half Cab ...To buy or not to buy ??? ...That is the question !!!

If you have a moment to take a quick look at the forum, there are about 6 photos of the type of 1/2 cab FJ40s in question. You may enjoy reading it too. I am hoping you can shed some light on the subject.

Were they factory made? Were they modified by independent body shops or coach builders ? How were they done ...factory ...convertible platform ...etc. ? If they are non-factory mods, where did the parts for the mods come from ...the factory ...chopped from other vehicles ?

Basically ...are they full members of the Toyota family or stepchildren of sorts ?

Lots of possible questions and answers ! Any info would be appreciated !

Thanks !

GringoBob in Costa Rica





Greg's Response


Greg @ Vintage Offroad <greg@vintageoffroad.com>

To
'BobB'
Today at 0:00

Hi Bob,

No. We have gone through about 2400 Land Cruisers in the last 18 years. Of these 2-3 of these mini-cabs.

I do not believe these are factory made. Instead they are custom installed of FJ45 hard top onto the FJ40. And that is what they look like. The giveaway it is the lower section is fake, custom and or diamond plate.

And honestly who really wants that’s a weird pickup unless it’s real cheap. This example is full of Bondo, notice no factory seams, all bondo.

Costa Rica is so full of farm tractor FJ40s, most are wrecks. I would stay away.

Thank you, Greg

Greg Mushro

Vintage Offroad Inc.

www.VintageOffroad.com

Flagstaff, Arizona

Toyota Land Cruiser Specialists

Direct: 313-414-FJ40

Fax: 928-213-0134

 

[FJ404345]

 

[daner]

Not to muddy the waters, but these half cabs all look suspiciously similar for them to be home-made modifications…in total I have seen five in the last three days

 

[whitey45]

This thread really made me laugh! No there was never a 40 half cab from the factory. Yes…. Alot of owners plopped a 45 cab onto a 40 series.. it will literally drop on with very little mods, then whatever flavor of bulkhead to close the gap! I did this on my bj45 troopy!!!

 

[Half Wacked aka Split Pea]

Just adding to the pics

 

[cruisermatt]

Lol, costa Rica being "strict" on roadworthiness, and Greg Mushro being referred to as a "well regarded LC expert"
Also, 2400 LC's in 18 years? 133 a year, what?

 

[Pighead]

I'm sure that Expert Mushro's claims are accurate as he never exaggerates

 

[GW Nugget]

Nice thread.
Does anyone make a 45 soft top anymore?
@whitey45 would know.

 

[JohnnyC]

@GW Nugget
Nobody makes a kit for the 1/2 cab soft top… there are some that make the 45 pickup cab … but not the soft top

Downey had the soft cab which were shortened oem bows and top made by Kayline

You could easily buy the bow pieces and then have the canvas made … Julie in SC has made them before afaik … but… she has a LONG waiting list like 14-15 months

You could make your own canvas … not that bad to do or have a upholstery shop or boat shop make the canvas to your likening

I think I still have measurements and pics here:

Canvas Makers Guild

What is the Canvas Makers Guild ? We are all friends with a common idea... to make canvas products that resemble or are reproduction of Toyota and non Toyota supplies. Things that could be used for each other or for sale to continue our trade.

sites.google.com

 

[Unimogguy]

@GW Nugget

A modified Real Steel FST frame has been a common option. Then have a boat top company fabricate the soft top.

Proffitt’s did this one:

SOLD - Back up for sale and ready to go - 67 FJ45

Putting this back up for sale now that it's finished (other than two Fabbed cross bars that Proffitts is putting on the bed rack for RTT mounting). Titled as a 67 but has 84 style tub and wing window doors. The build started years ago at Wolf Creek Rod Works until they folded. I then had it...

forum.ih8mud.com

Someone else recently asked the same question:

Anyone build a Soft top for a 45?

Recently ran across a gent selling some parts from his FJ40. He had both the door panels and top door braces for $10. I was thinking that the parts are perfect to build a soft top for my FJ45 along with some tubing. I hate to re-invent the wheel so have to ask if anyone has made a soft top and...

forum.ih8mud.com

Older thread:

FJ45 Softtop Where can one be bought?

forum.ih8mud.com

I’ve heard Julie @ Dirt Road Tops did one? But I’ve never personally seen pics.

Here’s a FJ-40 1/2 hard top for sale. $500 he’s listed it several times before. So he might take less?

Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser custom top FJ45 style - auto parts - by...

This was custom built and will fit any early FJ40... I'm not using it anymore. Willing to trade for a good set of front fenders that will fit a 66 Text is best

monterey.craigslist.org

 

[Bella1992]

@GW Nugget

A modified Real Steel FST frame has been a common option. Then have a boat top company fabricate the soft top.

Proffitt’s did this one:

SOLD - Back up for sale and ready to go - 67 FJ45

Putting this back up for sale now that it's finished (other than two Fabbed cross bars that Proffitts is putting on the bed rack for RTT mounting). Titled as a 67 but has 84 style tub and wing window doors. The build started years ago at Wolf Creek Rod Works until they folded. I then had it...

forum.ih8mud.com

Someone else recently asked the same question:

Anyone build a Soft top for a 45?

Recently ran across a gent selling some parts from his FJ40. He had both the door panels and top door braces for $10. I was thinking that the parts are perfect to build a soft top for my FJ45 along with some tubing. I hate to re-invent the wheel so have to ask if anyone has made a soft top and...

forum.ih8mud.com

Older thread:

FJ45 Softtop Where can one be bought?

forum.ih8mud.com

I’ve heard Julie @ Dirt Road Tops did one? But I’ve never personally seen pics.

Here’s a FJ-40 1/2 hard top for sale. $500 he’s listed it several times before. So he might take less?

Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser custom top FJ45 style - auto parts - by...

This was custom built and will fit any early FJ40... I'm not using it anymore. Willing to trade for a good set of front fenders that will fit a 66 Text is best

monterey.craigslist.org

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I’m interested in that cab