How many 1961 / 1962 FJ40's??

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eltioloco said:
I do have the canvas but it is very rotten.

After owning it for only a couple of years my Dad built a tin half cab for it. The factory canvas top was stored in the rafters of the shop, but unfortunately they rotted anyway.

Ken
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eltioloco said:
I live in Calexico California, on the Mexican border. Great wheeling in the winter, not so much in the Summer.

Ken
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Is the top good enough to use as a pattern? The reproduction of the early tops has had very limited success. From way overpriced in the Northeast to a shady character in the South. One very nice but modified from original in Mexico. Never been tried here in the Southwest. With all the early ones showing up they might be a demand for a small run of tops depending on price. All the others have been made one at a time. One thing that makes it easier is having something to use as a pattern and vehicle to test fit it on. Vehicle is pretty easy, tops are a different story.

Curious when you wheel in your area is it possible to cross the border without knowing it. Twenty years ago on when on a white tail deer hunt in Southern AZ. I didn't know the area but the guys I was with weren't sure with all the washes we were heading down which side of the border we were on. It was a rifle hunt and wouldn't of been happy to be catch in Mexico with a rifle. I prefer Northern AZ and tall pine trees. A few days ago it was 92 degrees in Phoenix. Can't help but think it's still warm there.
 
The top could be used as a pattern and I would be willing to get it to someone who could make copies. I would certainly be in line for one. Do you have an upholstery guy in mind?

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Back in the day, we would routinely drive into Mexico as part of our trail ride. They were pretty lax along the border then. Now they have a big ol' fence, drones and Border agents as far as the eye can see. Makes for a more secure border and it was necessary, but it certainly affected my adventures.

Ken
 
Nice top

Are the windows on the sides the rivited in ones?
 
Ahhhh awesome !!!

I had only seen this style top in pictures only... Always thought the windows were rivited in... Very cool they are screwed in!!
 
The FJ25 parts books show the side windows removable from the canvas side curtains. 32 bolts/washers/nuts required. Two trim rings and windows. Are the side windshield a stiff plexiglass or soft plastic? The question is do you people want removable windows or fixed like I think all other reproduction tops have been? Someone would have to source items. Not sure the upholstery guy would want to do the footwork to get the metal rings made. If he did I'm sure he add his cut for his time. Find the correct hardware. Then find and cut the plexiglass. Are the metal trim rings welded together from pieces or one solid piece? A lot of waste if it's one piece. Probably more labor piecing them together. I could probably find a little time to do some footwork here in Phoenix.

We have a current picture of the top. How about a few of the cruiser as it is now.

So the border is completely fenced in your area? Twenty years ago seems like a life time. My biggest concern was getting caught in Mexico with a rifle. Today I doubt you would want to be in that area not armed.
 
that is TRULY AWESOME!!

we need to desperately get that top design into the hands of someone that can replicate it to the tee!!


eltioloco said:
The top could be used as a pattern and I would be willing to get it to someone who could make copies. I would certainly be in line for one. Do you have an upholstery guy in mind?

L1030119.jpg


Back in the day, we would routinely drive into Mexico as part of our trail ride. They were pretty lax along the border then. Now they have a big ol' fence, drones and Border agents as far as the eye can see. Makes for a more secure border and it was necessary, but it certainly affected my adventures.

Ken
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Living in the Past said:
Just curious about the tires. Seen military NDT tires in advertisement but most old pictures show Dunlop RK3 tires. Were the tires in the picture the tires that were on it new?
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This tire was on our sparewheel. I think it was the original one. The stamp says YF30628.

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eltioloco said:
The top could be used as a pattern and I would be willing to get it to someone who could make copies. I would certainly be in line for one. Do you have an upholstery guy in mind?

Back in the day, we would routinely drive into Mexico as part of our trail ride. They were pretty lax along the border then. Now they have a big ol' fence, drones and Border agents as far as the eye can see. Makes for a more secure border and it was necessary, but it certainly affected my adventures.

Ken
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I am interested in taking this on. PM on the way, Ken.
 
The side windows on the canvas top have an inside and outside trim ring. 2 rings per window. The rings are one piece. The windows might have been a soft plastic at one time, but now they are very brittle.
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I don't think the border is completely fenced, probably 90% is fenced. The rest has a canal or other natural barrier. I travel to Mexico a lot and have never had a problem. But don't get caught with a weapon or empty .22 shell in your car.

Here is what my Toyota looks like now. I still need to finish painting the interior and straighten the bumper and paint some of the frame.
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hdjtachtig said:
This tire was on our sparewheel. I think it was the original one. The stamp says YF30628.
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Interesting, looks like Dunlop supplied the NDT military tires as well as the RK3.

eltioloco said:
The side windows on the canvas top have an inside and outside trim ring. 2 rings per window. The rings are one piece. The windows might have been a soft plastic at one time, but now they are very brittle.
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L1030134.jpg


I don't think the border is completely fenced, probably 90% is fenced. The rest has a canal or other natural barrier. I travel to Mexico a lot and have never had a problem. But don't get caught with a weapon or empty .22 shell in your car.

Here is what my Toyota looks like now. I still need to finish painting the interior and straighten the bumper and paint some of the frame.
L1030130.jpg
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Guessing your windows were flexable plastic and just dried up and brittle. That would make more sense, beside the outer ring there is a inner ring. Just curious why the back piece wasn't the same way. Looks like the side were thought be replaceable while the back you need to replace the whole panel. I think I try a few parts numbers with Toyota. See if they still have the bolts/washers/nuts and if they are a correct match. Can you tell if the hardware was steel or brass?

Your cruiser looks great. Do you happen to have any pictures of the home made top? Since it's been in the family since new guess know it pretty well but if you have questions I have FSM and parts micro-fiche for 62.

cruiserloser said:
I am interested in taking this on. PM on the way, Ken.
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I would be interested to. I have two complete set of original bows. One from a 1960 FJ25 and 1961 FJ40. No PM coming, for a group purchase I believe it should be conducted in the open. I'm old school that way.:meh:
 
Living in the Past said:
I would be interested to. I have two complete set of original bows. One from a 1960 FJ25 and 1961 FJ40. No PM coming, for a group purchase I believe it should be conducted in the open. I'm old school that way.:meh:
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LITP - Sorry man, I did not mean to step on your toes. I just dont like to post my phone number and I would love to see these made. If you are capable of getting it done - awesome. I will take one. I imagine with your knowledge of early cruisers, they will be perfect. Sign me up!

Dave
 
John

I did a mini search in your area... Seems many people like the work from Craig's upholstery :)

There is a place in CA ... But... It's 10hr drive from Ken to the north... But.... Would be able to most likely do it... As they do canvas jeep military tops.

Anyplace that repros the top WILL need a truck to fit it to ... Not just the bows and canvas top from Ken
 
Cambell Ca is a little far for me. I am going to check out a place called arroyo Brothers in San Diego. The do restorations and custom work. I will take the old top up and see if they can duplicate it.

This thread has wandered away from counting early fj40's. Should we start another thread?

Here is a picture of my fj40 in about 1971. You can see the home made half cab. The Toyota pulled a baler for most of its life, it had a hard life. Chugging along at 2 mph for hours on end. It was so much better then a jeep for pulling a baler. Then on its days off we would take it camping or hunting.
Ken
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