Front door differences - question

[diesellibrarian]

Hi everyone. I’ve done a search and gathered some info, but would like some help/clarification. Hoping someone here knows the answers!

My truck is a ‘77 (not sure about production month, will get that info if helpful). It came with a set of non-matching “rounded” window frame front doors, and a set of matching “square corner” front doors with the vent window.

Based on my research, the FJ55 transitioned to the rounded door frame sometime during the 77 model year. The rounded doors don’t seem to fit very well: there is a large gap between the A-pillar, drip rail, and door frame. Did Toyota change the shape of the body when they went to the rounded door? Or is that gap normal?

As an experiment, I installed on of the square doors. It fit much better at the top front corner; however, the “star” striker thing on the door doesn’t seem to fit in the catch. Does anyone know if there were changes to the closing mechanism when they went from the square doors to rounded ones? A put a set of calipers on it real quick and the earlier “star” seems to be a little larger.

I want to use the square doors because the paint matches and they are in much better shape. If there are differences in the catches, does anyone know if I can swap the “star” striker latch (or whatever’s it’s called) between the old and new door styles.

Thanks for helping out a 55 newbie! Cheers.

Pic for attention

 

[Pighead]

I want to use the square doors because the paint matches and they are in much better shape. If there are differences in the catches, does anyone know if I can swap the “star” striker latch (or whatever’s it’s called) between the old and new door styles.

You should be able to use the square doors, your A-pillar is made for them...but the wind-wing doors stopped in '72(?). The first one-piece window/non-wind-wing doors (like what came on my '74) had a problem in that you couldn't roll them all the way up when at speed. Air pressure sucked the glass outward and wouldn't close all the way until you slowed down. Which might be why they changed the shape. One of my first mods (back in '86) was to swap the innards out of an earlier door and added the wind-wing to my '74 door. Bolted a whole wind-wing door to passenger side and called it done. Is your B-pillar door catch the same as my '74?

 

[diesellibrarian]

Thanks for the reply, @Pighead! That helps a lot. I'll do a bit more measuring and whatnot, but based on what I've learned from your post, it looks like I have a couple of options to explore:

• Swap the upper frame, window, etc. from the early vent door to the later door body, retaining the later latch mechanism.
• Swap the latching mechanism (if possible) from the later door to the early door and use the early doors, minus the latch mechanism.
• Source a set of early strikers and use the early doors without modification.

I took a screen cap of a '78 that shows the rounded door frame:

It's pretty obvious that the A-pillar is rounded as well, so whatever happens I need to use a square corner door in order to get a good seal at the top front corner of the door.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Pighead]

• Source a set of early strikers and use the early doors without modification.

That sounds easiest and, therefore, best. Would it be too much to ask that the mounting holes for the early strikers be the same as what's on your '77?
Hopefully, the hardest part is sourcing those early strikers. Where, oh where, could we find those?

 

[diesellibrarian]

Where, oh where, could we find those?

I guess we'll never know.

Edit: in all seriousness, I will do some measuring. If the mounting hole pattern for the strikers is different between old and new, that eliminates the final and preferred option. If they're the same, be on the lookout for a DM!

 

[Pighead]

I've not had the golden opportunity to closely compare & contrast early and late front doors like you do. Trying to visualize how much you'd have to swap to make it work. Pics of your door catch and later latch and stuff might help.