FJ40 Half-Cab?

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BigInJapan

10 Year 15 Year
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Oct 3, 2006
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Hey all,

I haven't posted on here much (haven't even lurked here in the past few months). I'm in no way new to Toyota trucks or Cruisers (diesel or gas)...I guess my point is that I'm back up and running here and want to know what you guys think about this...

I purchased a company a few months ago (part of the reason for my absence...from everywhere)....we build and market fiberglass and carbon fiber products for the aerospace and high-tech industry....

...but...one of the tools/assets that came with the purchase of the company was this idea for a one-piece fiberglass top for an FJ40 that makes it a half-cab. I'm going to try to post pictures here so you can see what I'm talking about. (let me know if they don't work). Sorry the pictures aren't too good, the plug is shoved in the corner of one of the storage bays.

dscn0025dt6.jpg

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dscn0027ug1.jpg


If you can't see the pictures, what has been done is the top has been shortened to the size of a 45 top, and then the back section has been dropped down to seal the cab off of the rear pan area.

Basically, the owner of the company started working with a guy that wanted to be able to haul wood around in his 40 without getting the cab all messy. Right now what I have is a functunal plug that has been fit on the body of this cruiser (early 70's or late 60's). Not much needs to be done to make a mold and start producing this top...

Does anybody think there would be any interest in making this? I'm trying to justify the cost of investing in the tooling for this project. Would the demand be there to sink a couple thousand dollars into this? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ian
 
I'm not quite sure yet....

I'm still thinking about what it will take in terms of labor and materials to do it. I'll try to put some numbers together in the next couple days. I only just took the pictures and started thinking about taking the project on.

If I had to throw a number out (this is just a wild guess) I would think the range would be between $800-$1200.
 
crap, you caught me before i deleted....
yes,i was thinking 1 piece
however:
1. shipping would be PITA
2. removal (while lighter than the steel/fiberglass oem) would be PITA
3. i am old and it wasn't until i posted that i realised that the fiberglass 1 piece has already been discussed (don't remember how long back)
4. i thought i remember ccot (or somebody) already making them in 3 pieces
5. i'm just too lazy to figure out how reseal my hardtop that took apart a few years ago and have been storing in the shed...


so, just ignore me...


but i don't remember seeing if anyone makes a new top
 
i think the 1/2 shell is a cool idea. if you could produce it relatively cheap, i think you'd have quite a few buyers

with pre-molded speaker boxes, overhead stereo compartment....
 
if you could make them under $1000.00 ill buy one ,over $1000.00 id have to think about.good luck keep us posted
 
You could sell more or get more commitments if you put one on a 40 and then took a pic of it. It could be in the rough, exactly what people would be getting from you.

Even for short term, you could do a "group buy" and take orders and 1/2 the money by a defined date. You could then build them by setting up a production run. You could take the other half of the money when it is ready to ship.


Just a thought.
 
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I have one for free here in CT. if anyone wants it. The po turned the rig into a pickup truck which was actually kinda cool, but not for me. It is in very good shape, just needs light cosmetics.
 
I may be interested...I will PM you for details.
 
I'm going to start taking this project seriously.

Sam, let me know what you want to know...

Weedhopper...any chance I can get some pictures of your top? I didn't know anybody made one. Regardless, I intend to make this top higher quality than anything that might be out there now.

Ian
 
Jake,

I have friends out in the lower mainland near you...and family in northern Washington...chances are we can get together when I finish the project. I'll also document the development really well with the cruiser the top was built for. (lots of pictures)

Ian
 
Since you are looking for feedback, I hope you are open to negative feedback as well.

My opinion is if you are going to do this, the top should be a little more refined. Meaning I would try to get it to look more stock FJish, rolled lip on the top, etc, similar to the pics someone else posted. I think most, if they would go this route, would want the end product to look like it was meant to be there from the factory.

FWIW, not something I would be interested in purchasing but best of luck to you and your venture.

Naoh
 
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