Pre-build 25 Q&A

[mmcinnis]

Will early 40 springs work on my 59? PO tossed them in the scrap bin.

 

[mmcinnis]

Is this the original dash cluster? I see some with white faces. I'm wondering if mine was swapped at some point in time?

 

[mmcinnis]

I also have concerns about my bed it needs replaced. I see early fj40s and some 25s with this bed. Mine is different. No curves near the tailgate. I have this but I would rather go back original? Thoughts

 

[cppilot]

Mike I believe that you would have had the "Silver" face speedo and idiot lights for the oil and charge.

 

[mmcinnis]

I believe the picture shows that. I also spy a mirror on the dash? Never noticed that before? Wonder if the PO has that?

 

[Living in the Past]

Springs are different on the FJ25s then FJ40s. Any floor in a FJ25 that the ribs are looped have been replaced. The 61 FJ40 still have the same non looped ribs.

One of the more interesting windshield defrost vent setups I've seen. Personally would figure a way to install the defrost vents from a mid 62 to mid 65 4X series when the vent went away from the bottom of the windshield.

 

[Archie 1962 FJ25]

Hard to believe that people had heart to poke holes in dash ribs. Some PO's were plain ruthless.

 

[mmcinnis]

In your recommendation would you pay extra to try and have the nonloop oem look?

Springs are different on the FJ25s then FJ40s. Any floor in a FJ25 that the ribs are looped have been replaced. The 61 FJ40 still have the same non looped ribs.

One of the more interesting windshield defrost vent setups I've seen. Personally would figure a way to install the defrost vents from a mid 62 to mid 65 4X series when the vent went away from the bottom of the windshield.

 

[mmcinnis]

The PO also tossed the springs into the scrap bin. I will be needing a good used set of those. Anyone got some just laying around?

 

[mmcinnis]

Hard to believe that people had heart to poke holes in dash ribs. Some PO's were plain ruthless.

I will need a replacement dash to repair the large defrost vent hole.

 

[Splangy]

It's the original gauge cluster, but somebody replaced the actual gauges with later model gauges.

 

[mmcinnis]

Few more questions before I officially start the thread. How did the spare tire mount. This looks like a later mount?

 

[mmcinnis]

The engine has been swapped. Looks to be a 1965 fj45 motor. I was looking to see where it fell in the 45 section. Looks like it was built right before 3puppies truck. The frame #, firewall vin# matches the motor. I'm looking into title issues, only have a bill of sale.

 

[65swb45]

Motor looks like a '68. Wide-runner aluminum intake, 2bbl carb, '68 valve cover. Looks like air rail plugs in the head. A pic of the harmonic balancer would be telling.

You could put a 1bbl carb on that manifold, along with a smooth-top air cleaner and early valve cover if you want to keep that engine. Should I add them to the list?

 

[mmcinnis]

Thanks for the input Mark. The air cleaner is a must. I would like to keep the motor, if it runs? The valve cover is a maybe, I have an early 1 but not sure if it's period correct? I picked the truck up in pieces, lots of boxes to go through. Add the stuff to my list but not sure if I need it all.

 

[whitey45]

Have an fj25 valve cover!

 

[tahoe40/45]

Few more questions before I officially start the thread. How did the spare tire mount. This looks like a later mount?View attachment 1353991

Thats the right place for the spare tire mount for a FST FJ25, hard top was mounted like a FJ40, swing out on the rear.
Yours looks to be mounted to high.
There is i think a 1/2" difference in height between a FJ25 mount v a FJ40 mount.

 

[mmcinnis]

Thats the right place for the spare tire mount for a FST FJ25, hard top was mounted like a FJ40, swing out on the rear.
Yours looks to be mounted to high.
There is i think a 1/2" difference in height between a FJ25 mount v a FJ40 mount.View attachment 1354909View attachment 1354911

I will look at the mounting holes. Did I mention the PO tossed the tire carrier in the scrap bin!
I guess I'll be needing 1 of those unless using a later model won't kill the build?

 

[tahoe40/45]

I can't believe what PO's do sometimes.
You can get away with a later style mount. The FJ25 mount is smaller to go with the smaller width of the stock FJ25 rim.

 

[mmcinnis]

OK, I've got a lot of great feed back from you guys. This thing is in a thousand pieces. My very 1st goal is to get the frame prepped and painted and back on some springs/ rolling chassis. The truck was originally Seminole red.
I need a good set of springs.
Spring bushings? New from Kurt?? If available?
Oem shackles?
The rear cross member was cut off down both outside frame members. Oem still available 52116-60010 bumper gusset. Not sure if this fits my application?
I may be able to weld in the cross member?
Thanks for all your help, if we've discussed parts on PMs lets do this. Haha. Mike