Older than dirt - refreshing a ‘64 FJ40 FST

[oregon fj]

@KY Longhunter - Most came loose with a cheap impact driver. But a few I had to put the impact driver's Phillips bit on a long handled 3/8 ratchet to get some real leverage on them. One I had to drill the head off and then drill it out. The 4 on the left side of the tub I had to hold the "captive" nuts with a vice-grips. I was able to clean up the threads in all 20 holes (8 per hinge and 2 per latch hook inside).

 

[tucker74]

Here's a better pic of the Horizontal blue, Nebula green is also neat (think it's a later color though) -

Tucker

 

[oregon fj]

Even though it's not "correct" for a '64, I'm also considering Cadet Blue.

 

[daner]

The "horizontal" blue looks good with the factory steel wheels...just my opinion but the non-stock colors never seem to look right on vintage FJ40s.

 

[oregon fj]

Remember the the wheels on early rigs are black. Frankly, I don't think they look good with many colors at all, but that's just how they are.

Similarly, I don't like body colored turn signals or rear bumperettes. But again, that's part of what makes early rigs look early.

 

[oregon fj]

All loose parts removed from tub/frame. Will inventory them all tomorrow prior to taking them for sand blasting. Don't know yet how many parts need blasting, but it is a pile of them. Way too many things need stripped before painting body color.

Once I have all these dealt with, will strip the rest of the wiring, linkages and such from the tub. Then gather a few friends to lift it onto a small trailer. Soon.

 

[oregon fj]

Disassembly continues. Windshield frame amazingly nice. No surprises hiding under the seal.

 

[oregon fj]

Getting ready to have the seat frames powder coated. Went down to the shop and looked at their samples from Prismatic, specifically the Galaxy Grey that others have mentioned.

Was unimpressed. Too dark, tending toward a light charcoal color. So spent some time looking through all the samples, and came up with a different solution. Still Prismatic, but in a different family. Called Vegas Gold, described as a "heavy silver with gold metallic flake."

The sample swatch I brought home is a really close match to the new front bumper. It does seem to have a bit more of a gold cast than the bumper in some lighting, but overall I like it. I think I'm going to give it a try.

 

[daniel.watters]

Instead of Cadet, why not River which is close but period correct?

 

[daniel.watters]

Oooops, wrong one.

 

[oregon fj]

@daniel.watters - Actually, as my wife and I feel the approaching color selection deadline, we've been looking over the options quite a bit lately, and River is definitely a strong possibility. I don't know if it was really ever used on a '64 FJ40, but obviously some Toyota model(s) must have been painted in River.

Progress today. Spent most of the day continuing to strip the tub, with an occasional side distraction.

Distraction #1 - disassemble inside mirror so that I can paint it and replace the glass.

Pleasant surprise, not as bad as I feared under the tank. Or at least, so far. We'll see what's left after blasting.

Beyond that, got pretty much everything stripped off, bagged and labeled. Biggest find today is that the tub is warped. Passenger A pillar is not vertical, off by 2° from the driver side. Over 5/8" (15mm) difference from windshield base to B-pillar from side to side. This is why I couldn't get either the passenger fender nor the right door to fit well. Pleased I found this now, it shouldn't be hard to correct, and will make fitting the parts back on much easier.

 

[oregon fj]

Garage is looking pretty empty right now. Loose parts are all either at the sand blaster, or the powder coaters. A few other bits either in storage under the house or on a shelf in the bedroom closet. Tub gets removed tomorrow.

 

[oregon fj]

And we have separation.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Arne here is a ‘64 in River Blue, I’ve seen a few others over the years. I don’t think it was a common color by any stretch but I do believe some cruisers came in it from the factory. I have a some 45 cab latches that are in River blue as well.

Also look at this 1965 Toyota rally it seems the SWB is in River blue.

Hope you chose it as I’d love to see how it looks “new”. I’ve been considering it for my next 45 project.

 

[nuclearlemon]

a bit sunfaded and most likely a respray, but interior matched

 

[oregon fj]

At this point, River Blue is our choice. Or as close to it as we can get matched.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Awesome can’t wait to see how it turns out!

 

[HelloKitty65]

At this point, River Blue is our choice. Or as close to it as we can get matched.

View attachment 1740552

Which I'm guessing will be as close as can be humanly matched, even if you have to go mine the pigment in a hostile wilderness.

 

[oregon fj]

Which I'm guessing will be as close as can be humanly matched, even if you have to go mine the pigment in a hostile wilderness.

Yes, but the question is, what do I match to? Since I have no physical sample to go by? The key result will be, it will look good, and hopefully "right".

 

[HelloKitty65]

The interior of @nuclearlemon's rig? Maybe she'll loan you a part.