FJ55 year by year differences listed

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what year is that?
Both pigs have that clamp style rear seat hold down. The metal hoop is the same. Chester didn't have one when I bought him - the old holes were bondo'd over. After a long time looking I found a replacement on sleebay from OZ. Drilled out the bondo, chased the holes and it's back to looking original. Original pig parts are getting more and more difficult to source.
 
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Both pigs have that clamp style rear seat hold down. The metal hoop is the same. Chester didn't have one when I bought him - the old holes were bondo'd over. After a long time looking I found a replacement on sleebay from OZ. Drilled out the bondo, chased the holes and it's back to looking original. Original pig parts are getting more and more difficult to source.
So yours are both '78, I know my '74 has a latch mechanism for the rear seat.
 
So yours are both '78, I know my '74 has a latch mechanism for the rear seat.
there is an activation lever/handle on the PS side of the rear seat to release the hold down. Arnold has a Dec 77 build date while Chester has a May 78 build date. Both were originally Cali emissions (Arnold still is - thermo reactor and all while Chester is desmogged)
 
I will update this post with corrections/additions. Let me know, folks!


1968:

Grill-mounted lights under headlights
Side mount turn signals
Round amber (front) and red (rear) reflectors side markers located lower on the body
Flat backup lights
Smoker's vent window
1F with 3-speed manual
4-wheel drum brakes
7.60 x 15, 4-ply
4.11 rear axle ratio


1969:

No more grill-mounted lights under headlights (this changed in early/late '69 brochures)
Bottom mount front turn signals
Rectangular amber (front) and red (rear) side markers higher, near belt line (mid-production change, per early/late brochures)
Steering wheel is changed


1970:

No discernible differences from 1969


1971:

No brochures printed?


1972:

I need better brochures


1973:

No smoker's vent window
Rear side markers have grill surround
Bigger, boxy reverse light


1974:

Dash switch for rear window
Locking front hubs (really?)
4-speed transmission (and move to floor shift vs column shift?)
1-piece Land Cruiser emblem (9/73 on-)


1975:

1-piece park/turn/side signal front lamps (mid-production change, per early/late brochures)
Rectangular amber front side markers deleted (integrated to the 1-piece front lamps)
2F introduced
Raised hood to clear 2F


1976:

Front disc brakes introduced


1977:

Door A-pillar curved
H78 x 15 tires
Tailgate does not have Toyota stamped on it (mid-production change)


1978:

3.70 axle ratio
Long rear tail lights
Tailgate is different
4-WD rear emblem mounted high on tailgate


1979:

Same as 1978
Thank you for this list! Recently, I've jumped over from a 4Runner forum, as I purchased an all original 1969 FJ55LG just last year. I am no stranger to Toyota trucks-- owned many since 1985. Admittedly however, I 'm a newb on vintage cruisers:/

Q... Is there any tag or stamp that may indicate the date of manufacture? Reason... There appears to be a discrepancy with the 1969 list here, as my 69 may have had some bleed-over features from 68. That said, My 69 does have the amber grill mounted lights beneath the Headlights, and the Front turn signals are side mounted. All lenses and markers are original KOITO SAE "67". Incidentally, you didn't include 67 in the list.

Steve
 
I have a June 1969. It does have amber lights on the grille and fender mounted turn signals. Also the special steering wheel with a trapezoid big center piece. My 2nd row seats have a release mechanism on both sides connected by a bar that goes through the seat back. The bottom of the second row seat has no hold down only the hinge. Both fenders have working vents that bring air in from the outside but only the drivers side has a vent that can let air into the cabin with a vent controlled by a pull stick. Also, mine had no coolant overflow and the rubber tube just vented down to the road.
 
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Four of the 5 Pigs I’ve owned were ‘73 or earlier. Both ‘73s (unmolested bodies) had wing/vent windows.
 
Question for the brain trust about door profiles. There are 5 different part numbers used for the front doors throughout the production. It looks like the major changes are elimination of the vent window around 08/73 and then rounding of the A pillar profile around 05/77 (or maybe 04/78?).

Specific question is about the lower door panel shape and profile. If someone were to make patch panels for the lower section, would one pattern work for all years?
 
I belive lower sections are all the same. My 78 has rounded corners a top of front door. Tailgates are different as are the tail lights.
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Hi guys!
May be it was here but.. sorry if repeated.
There some differences between cars for different countries.
I found that earliest 55 (lets say till 71/72) in Finland have following differences from layer models:
1. Fuel tank mounts to body not to the frame
2. Smaller reverse lights
3. Different hood, under the front lamp there are no lights, but some moldings.
4. Some differences in body - diff rear wheel arches - internal part, diff door’s body frame shape. It is well visible if to put two cars near.
5. One brake line for front and rear axles (without booster)
6. There difference in tail doors valves at the bottom on drain holes. May be in the sdd doors also
 
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