Mystery Holes in Rear Quarter Panel (FJ40) Help Identify!

[Stuvrrr]

Hey everyone, first post here so let me know if I’m doing this right.

I’ve got a set of holes in my rear quarter panels arranged in a triangular pattern. It almost looks like the reflector may have been relocated at some point, possibly to mount something on the side. What’s interesting is that the holes are identical on both the driver and passenger sides.

Before I go ahead and weld them closed, I wanted to see if anyone recognizes what these might have originally been for. Curious if this was some kind of factory option, aftermarket accessory, or just something a previous owner did.

Appreciate any insight!
-Russell

 

[John McVicker]

Pretty sure it’s not stock. Maybe an old CB antenna mount??

 

[60 40]

Displaces the reflector so not stock, perhaps a surf board rack for when the top is off?

PO of my rig drilled holes in the cowl either side of the window and into the fiberglass top at the back to mount a lumber rack, guy was a timberframer and carried big beams around with it. If there's more holes towards the front perhaps your truck also had a lumber rack?

Or if it's from overseas perhaps a mount for a M60?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Common place for Gerry can carrier mount.

 

[JohnnyC]

Common place for Gerry can carrier mount.

I second that

 

[Chamba]

Given its the same on both sides, my guess is roof rack mount for when the top is off. Then in the front they mounted to the windshield hinges.

3 holes would be an odd way to mount a Gerry can I think. Wouldn't those mounts have 4 bolts?

 

[JohnnyC]

Ya know your right … the Jerry can mounts (USA style) would have been 4 holes… unless they only used three bolts and drilled the bottom middle because they thought this is stupid to drill holes and made it work with three lol

Or used the conferr spare mount to bring it out from the body

Or improvised and made own mount to attach the can carriers

But in all the only person who would know is the PO …. And it could be a rack mount … previous owners do the darnedest things

 

[Living in the Past]

Would x
Compare the spacing of the three holes to those on factory wheel. Spare tire carrier if you still have it. The Confer gas can carrier bolted to the spare tire carrier. Three bolts to the tub could mount the same way.

 

[Stuvrrr]

Thanks for the tips! I will check the hole pattern to the spare mount. I was thinking maybe roof rack but I didn't know where the front would mount. Also, couldn't find one online that mounted in the same place.

 

[Living in the Past]

Unless something was really long and skinny there would most likely be holes on the opposite side for any type of roof rack. Leverage on anything wide would distort that mounting point.

 

[60 40]

Holes are on both sides right?

 

[pb4ugo]

Anything mounted to the side of the vehicle will eventually be knocked off on the trail.

 

[Stuvrrr]

Unless something was really long and skinny there would most likely be holes on the opposite side for any type of roof rack. Leverage on anything wide would distort that mounting point.

There is identical holes on both sides of the quarter Pannels

 

[Living in the Past]

Holes are on both sides right?

I see it did state both sides my mistake.

Still thinking gas cans. The FJ25 FST had the spare on the passenger side like the early jeep. Toyota figured out not the best place for the spare in tight places. Anywhere on the sides would be in the cowl where the cruiser is narrower. Had a number of FST FJ25s. Those that still had the original license plate bracket were damaged from things hitting it. These mount on the back left corner and license plate was flush with the side.

 

[Stuvrrr]

Holes are on both sides right?

Yes