Builds Hard Ways - Rigger's 1969 FJ40

[Rigger]

The latch, which is supposed to attach with 4 bolts, only has 2 bolt holes there on the sill.

So, when I re-attach this thing, I would like to correctly position it. I may need to fill all these holes, then drill new ones.

I am pretty sure the rear end of the tub on this thing was rebuilt once. The tub is really solid, with no cancer like you normally see on 40's this age. That makes me think it was rebuilt. Also, the presence of the Ace Hardware bolts and nuts (no captive nuts) is kind of a giveaway.

 

[Rigger]

If anyone has any good clear pics of their factory old school tire carrier, correctly and originally mounted, please post them up.

 

[Rigger]

One of my other 40's was this 1970 (that I wish I still had) and here is the carrier from that one:

The lower bolts on the lower hinge are just a smidge above the line of the bottom of the sill.

 

[mrboatman]

Here’s the bottom hinge on my 69.

 

[Living in the Past]

Here is a pic from today, carrier is removed.

View attachment 3763353

On FJ40s up to 1/79 straight down from the edge tub opening is a weld from the factory. The original sill is a complicated piece. It has an offset across the middle to allow the floor to fold over. The low half have three channels allow moisture between the floor and sill to drain. Unfortunately the edge where the two met at the top are only stitch welded. Dirt gets in and plugs the drains and the rest it history.

 

[Rigger]

Well, it looks to me as though the tub was rebuilt and there were no captive nuts in the new tub. Holes were drilled and the tire carrier was mounted. Problem is, it was positioned too low. I would like to put it in the correct position, with four bolts top and bottom in the regular way. So I need new holes. My son can run a welder, and he's gonna come over and weld up all the drilled hole so I can fix this rascal.

I don't have a spare rim or a spare tire that matches my gray spokers and 31's, but that's no biggie. I do have a stock rim that's ready to go. So it's gonna get a cheap used tire that I found across town. It won't be red letter perfect, but nothing else on this truck is, either.

@Living in the Past can you swing that tire out on MRC-623 and snap a few more pics for me? Thank you so much.

 

[Living in the Past]

@Living in the Past can you swing that tire out on MRC-623 and snap a few more pics for me? Thank you so much.

Unfortunately I'm not around the 10/69 FJ40. That license plate.is just an old plate not ever used on any of.my cruisers. It is period correct and I could use it on this cruiser here in AZ..

The Pollux 73 FST is here. Do you not have this interior bracket on top of the wheel well with the fixed nuts for the spare tire carrier? That bracket should locate that spare tire carrier where it supposed to be.

 

[Living in the Past]

Here is a picture of the bottom hinge on the 2/73 FST. Never figured the reason for this rust. Actually sill is still solid and because I plan on never installing a hard top will just patch the skin. Not sure of the spacing between the hinges but I see these are a sub for the hinges on the spare tire carrier.

I do have some early 1960 spare tire carriers still mounted. Unfortunately my 68 and 70 FJ40s are at another location.

Both still original bodies no no rust.

 

[Rigger]

@Living in the Past you got quite the collection!

My tub has a reinforcement plate but no captive nuts. I’m very sure my tub has had a major rework. And it has very definitely been repainted.

 

[Rigger]

Thinking out loud, my carrier was definitely mounted too high. There's a hook doohickey that mounts to the door sill. This has to be mounted just a smidge below the bottom edge of the half door so the door can swing out over it. But the hook has 4 bolts, and they all need to connect to the face of the sill. My hook is so low, there's only two bolts available to connect it. And the lower hinge has only three bolts available. So, overall, it's a mess.

Possible options:

1) Don't carry a spare tire.

2) Weld up the tub and then drill new holes and properly position the stock tire carrier.

3) Buy an aftermarket tire carrier, such as the one offered by 4Plus. It mounts to the bumper.

 

[Living in the Past]

@Rigger option three will require drilling new hole in the rear frame member. The 4Plus tire carrier is designed to bolt to the /73+ frame rear crossmember. The eight bolt locations that replace the bumperettes are in the wrong location.

I would opt for option two but that just me.

I can get measurements from a 1961 tub. Two 1962 tubs. Then compare to a 73 tub as far as spacing.

 

[Rigger]

@Living in the Past - I like the idea of using the stock tire carrier, so I am leaning that way. It's less expensive, uses what I have, keeps the truck closer to stock, and stock rocks.

Instead of welding and redrilling, I might get a rotary file and slot the fender holes slightly (in the vertical direction) to get the hinges pushed upwards and correctly located. Then I can test fit the carrier and make the necessary tweaks so the hook latch works and allows the half door to open. Whatever I end up doing, I'm sure someone will snap a pic and put it in the redneck thread.