My friend's FJ25 (1 Viewer)

[MexicanNewby]

We could all be fooled, except @pardion, he's seen the real deal. Personally, I think it's a pretty good job., and I've seen like, 40 different pictures in an album.

 

[Exiled]

I think Manuel deserves extra credit for having done this without huge support from fellow Cruiserheads. It's tough enough to brings these early Cruisers back with access to the collective wisdom of this forum, to have done it in an island deserves extra kudos!

 

[MexicanNewby]

A few pictures:

He worked out all the roof structure parts by himself, trial and error till he got it right too.

Manuel posing next to his nearly complete project, if that isn't a proud man....I don't know what is...

He left the face of the speedo in original condition, I think it's a nice and classy touch.

 

[MexicanNewby]

His electrics and dash are on point, still missing Choke and Throttle, otherwise it is complete.

He also did a fantastic adaptation, he couldn't find OEM parking lights so he used these "Lucas" brand ones from MG, the fit perfectly:

 

[MexicanNewby]

He is still missing the rubber bit that goes around the gas tank spout.

Otherwise the rig is looking fine fine fine!

He had the original windshield hooks (right) and the bases were ok but the hooks were bust, he disassembled new ones (left) and adapted them to the original base, amazing, no?

Instructions in Spanish.

 

[Exiled]

This is so awesome, I wish this thing could talk, I bet it has great stories!

 

[Land Cruiser Junky]

Absolutely beautiful! Great work.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Thank you, not my work, but will let the owner/author know.

 

[middlecalf]

Sweet!

 

[HelloKitty65]

Jeronimo,

Who did his canvas work?

Keith

 

[MexicanNewby]

I got images from @67azcruizr 's amazing post where he uploaded the cutout designs, FJ25 Factory Soft Top Reproduction - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj25-factory-soft-top-reproduction.1059956/, in it @pardion uploaded photos of an original top.

I sent them to Manuel and he simply worked it out himself.

He first secured marine grade canvas, he had ordered from the U.S.. He then went to an local upholsterer who used the designs as well as the photos. He got MOST of it right, except the rear window, which he made huge. Manuel was pissed but his marine-grade fabric was spent.

I can ask him how much it cost him.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Beauty, 8 years in the making I’m sure he’s thrilled to be driving it! I like his choice of tires too.

16" rims!

 

[Exiled]

Tell Manuel: "Se ve que tu restauracion es una labor de pasion, no sabes como hemos disfrutado viendo fotos de tu FJ25 y nos consumen los celos. Un abrazo desde Texas y saludos de toda la comunidad de "Cruiserheads" y fanaticos de los Land Cruiser mas antiguos"!

 

[MexicanNewby]

Tell Manuel: "Se ve que tu restauracion es una labor de pasion, no sabes como hemos disfrutado viendo fotos de tu FJ25 y nos consumen los celos. Un abrazo desde Texas y saludos de toda la comunidad de "Cruiserheads" y fanaticos de los Land Cruiser mas antiguos"!

Will do - Así lo haré.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Tell Manuel: "Se ve que tu restauracion es una labor de pasion, no sabes como hemos disfrutado viendo fotos de tu FJ25 y nos consumen los celos. Un abrazo desde Texas y saludos de toda la comunidad de "Cruiserheads" y fanaticos de los Land Cruiser mas antiguos"!

I forwarded him your message, he is beyond flattered. "Mil gracias me halaga mucho sus comentarios.".

 

[Rigger]

Wow. Very nice.

 

[Coolerman]

Where on this earth did he find a FJ25 wiring harness in that kind of shape?
Amazing it still has a READABLE part # tag...

Well done with the restoration!

 

[MexicanNewby]

He told me the feat it was to preserve the wiring as he removed it for body and paint work...

I'll try getting more detailed pics for you.

 

[MexicanNewby]

Went to visit Manuel today, here's the final details on his self made canvas top.

He manufactured his own footman loops by pressing steel nails at the ends.

The straps are also the best that was at hand...

He got these fasteners from England, they're marine grade apparently. Came out really well.

As previously noted, the rear window is too large, a mistake of the upholsterer. A technical improvement as there is more visibility now. "Happy accident" Bob Ross would say...

 

[MexicanNewby]

A few more.


He's trying to manufacture the rear seat from scratch. He has nothing to go from...

The footman loops are on that side as he is checking the height of the holes for the other side.

I really like this detail for fastening....

Now engine bay....

Crap photo of the home made footman loops.