Model year vs Production Date For fJ40's

[Dynosoar]

In California and I am guessing most states it was like the "Wild West" until the early to mid 70's. My production date 3/66 FJ40 is registered as a '67.....because it was first sold in 1967. That's just the way the usta do it. When looking for parts use the production date not the registration date. You will notice many parts are listed with a production month and year cut off e.g. (8/80).

Dyno

 

[73fj40lc]

My 73 was manufactured in 5/1973 and by the vin table posted it has the correct vin number for that month and year. I like knowing that my tub is original. It doesn't really matter though since I have modified so many other things on her.

 

[TacoJonn]

Just saw this VIN on a Craigslist post. It's being sold as a 72 and looks like it was produced in October or November of 72.

 

[Jdc1]

Just saw this VIN on a Craigslist post. It's being sold as a 72 and looks like it was produced in October or November of 72.

View attachment 1412064

It's a 73. If you look at the ad it will have a stereo cutout, bucket seats and key on steering column.

The date on the title only counts for the state. As stated above, with the exception of a few years, model year changeover was in Oct. Use DOM when buying parts.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

I think there are a few exceptions with the 1978 models, those were build through December '78 IIRC.

My 11/78 is a '79 and my 10/75 was a '76.

 

[Living in the Past]

According to the chart in post one, it shows serial number 335.... as being a Feb '81. My production date shows Feb 1982, but my serial number is 3353231. Maybe I should double check my serial number again, but if that is the case, am I looking at an '81 and not a '82?
I hate to tell her she is a year older. You know girls and that age thing.

Check the A pillars. 82 will have a switch to operate the dome light.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

I thought they moved the gas tank under the body in '79?

Yup, I believe 01/79 was the month they changed to the 'new" features. My 01/79 had them, as have others I've seen, and my 11/78 doesn't. Never seen a 12/78 in person with the new stuff.

 

[Living in the Past]

My 11/78 is a '79 and my 10/75 was a '76.

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Maybe by the state who first registered it, according to Toyota 11/78 would still be a 78. I'm sure if yours still have the owner's manual it would be for a 78. 79 was one of the big change model years. Earlier sixties it was as clear model years but by 73 Toyota was clearing calling a cruiser a certain model year. I am curious if 7/70 was the start of the 71 model. That's the big change to the brakes which I believe was the biggest change during the last half of 1970.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

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Maybe by the state who first registered it, according to Toyota 11/78 would still be a 78. I'm sure if yours still have the owner's manual it would be for a 78. 79 was one of the big change model years. Earlier sixties it was as clear model years but by 73 Toyota was clearing calling a cruiser a certain model year. I am curious if 7/70 was the start of the 71 model. That's the big change to the brakes which I believe was the biggest change during the last half of 1970.

Ah ha! The plot thickens. I just dug out the owners manual and it says '78, as does the original registration (Colorado). However when the 40 moved from CO to AZ the title was changed to a '79. The title shows it first being registered in 01/79, perhaps this is where MVD clowned up.

 

[wscbill]

Model year is specified on the emission control information sticker. This December 1978 FJ40 from Autotrader is identified as a 1978 model. Starting in 1970, it was a fender mounted plate, changing to the under-hood sticker in 1972.

1970 emission control info plate

 

[JohnnyC]

Thru around 70 toyota was importing trucks and selling as new trucks even though they may have been a full year or more old at that point

From 70' toyota started to conform to the model standard and bring in a 'new' model mid year and was well documented on engine sticker what year

74' was a long production period and went to 12/74

78' was also a long production period that also went to 12/78 AFAIK at the end of 78' some west coasters got 12/78' trucks as 79'

At the end of production toyota was using up stock for complete trucks and were selling several as cab chassis

The 85' production was finishing off the left overs and 86' saw the last left over produced and you can see this in vin data literature

 

[TacoJonn]

There seems to be a lot of FJ's out there without hood stickers/VIN plates. Also lots of state assigned VIN #'s because so many FJ40's had replacement tubs/doors etc. This is the assigned VIN criteria here in Wyoming. With lots of these FJ40's the only VIN can really be found on the frame.

 

[JohnnyC]

You can see the patterns here in the registry:

40 Series Registry

 

[Living in the Past]

Model year is specified on the emission control information sticker. This December 1978 FJ40 from Autotrader is identified as a 1978 model. Starting in 1970, it was a fender mounted plate, changing to the under-hood sticker in 1972.

View attachment 1412079


View attachment 1412078

1970 emission control info plate
View attachment 1412087

Where was that plaque on the 1970? Only remember my 70 having the A pillar plaque and the one on the passenger's fender. The one on the fender is held on with screws. Will be a few weeks until I can look for it.

 

[wscbill]

Where was that plaque on the 1970? Only remember my 70 having the A pillar plaque and the one on the passenger's fender. The one on the fender is held on with screws. Will be a few weeks until I can look for it.

Passenger's fender. Here's a 71.

 

[SW20]

Check the A pillars. 82 will have a switch to operate the dome light.

On both sides.

 

[Mace]

Mace how long have you owned your 78? With this newer 78 still having the fuel tank inside, your door VIN plaque held on with screw and the fact the hand brake was still on the dash bring up the question if your tub was replaced in the past. My 68 was still stock when I bought it in 74. Drive train have been driven hard and put up wet more than a few times but still stock. By 94 I had a 73 hard top on with pop out vent windows from a 78. Bucket seats and console from a 74. Rear heater added from a 70. Four speed transmission from a 76. Front doors and roll bar from a 79. Jump seats from a 76. I've run factory soft doors and factory bows with Kayline tops from a 69 and 73. Never got around to installing a tailgate from a 71 FST. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. Because of how long the 40 series ran this very common. How many different companies own jeep during this time all making changes?

I know he's had it since at least April 2000 when I sent him a 3-speed bellhousing for his SM420 swap.

I've had the cruiser since 1988 and am the third owner. The second owner bought it in 80. There was not a body swap done by the second owner.

The frame has the 79 body mounts (similar to the older mounts with a couple exceptions). The wiring harness for a 79 harness (some large confusion for a while trying to work out a couple issues I had). The pbrake was on the dash, but there was a spot on the floor for it.
I swapped the body in 1990 to a 74 due to major rust issues.
Leaf spring mounts were 79+
When the truck was purchased in 1980, everything was 79 model year till I started modifying things.
The data plate on the door was riveted and matches the frame.

I think @Mace is going to discover that his 78 tub isn't a 78... That vin plate is sketchy at best. I would have a look at your frame number and see if they match. And if they do, see what the tub to frame mounts look like. See if you can tell some mods have been done. I have a suspicion something ain't right.. But I could be wrong...

As said, the frame mounts are 79+, the frame matches the data plate (which was riveted on). The 79 tub is long gone.

But I did the mods. It was bone stock before I got my hands on it.

Nothing says that this truck was a 78 from the factory short of the date of manu and the brake on the dash..

 

[Living in the Past]

Passenger's fender. Here's a 71.
View attachment 1412099 View attachment 1412098

The rivets thru me off. Checked my 73 FST and it's held on with screws. Has a emissions sticker on the hood. Need to check the passenger's fender from a 5/71 I parted out in the nineties. Plaque is still on the fender. That and my 70 next time I'm around it.

 

[Godzirra]

Just more evidence that 1978 was a unique model year. I just picked up a 1978 with a November 1978 production date. Serial number FJ40-295647

 

[subzali]

My Aug '69 is a '70.

That seems a bit extreme, don't it?

My august of 95 80 series is a 96, so they did it til the modern age.

My 10/76 40 is a 77