Rear Door...(missing internals) where to start...

[Harvester]

When I bought the pig I knew that the rear window was not working and the rear door would not open. Now that I have dug into it a bit it turns out that the window is held in place with wood dowels. And all of the internals are missing.

Being new to the FJ55 world I am still feeling my way around for all the suppliers mainly working from the resources listed here. This one has me wondering where to start. 100% open to any and all ideas.

 

[gonzopancho]

Time to buy a second “parts” pig.

 

[DTC72]

if your needs are significant then a parts pig might be the answer as suggested. If you just need a handful of parts then I would reach out to two places for specific parts:
1) Classic Cruisers in Colorado: they have quite a few parts pigs that they pull parts from
2) BTB Products in Las Vegas: they currently have one parts pig and quite a nice selection of parts on shelves that were previously pulled.
My suggestion is to first take a look at Toyota Land Cruiser - FJ55LG- complectation - Genuine parts - https://Toyota-usa.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/fj55lg/3680/ to identify your part by number. Then send an email with the part number AND a picture if you have an old non-functioning part. Then call them to talk live while referencing your email.

 

[DTC72]

Here is a direct link to the rear window internal mechanisms => Rear door window regulator & hinge for Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55LG - Genuine parts - https://toyota-usa.epc-data.com/land_cruiser/fj55lg/3680/body/6757/

 

[Pigeaten]

parts pig?

 

[xtremeVA]

@Harvester - when you say the internals are missing, are you referring to the window crank mechanism for the moveable glass section? I stripped down some doors a while ago...might still have the window mechanism ( called the regulator in the parts link above) for the rear doors. It's all sitting in a bin in my garage...maybe I can at least get you closer to rear windows that work.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Good references above. In addition place a "Wanted" ad in our classifieds section. Post one here (look at top of this section) and also post one in the Parts section of the general forum classifieds. Ebay is often a good source for some of the more common parts like window regulators (used of course).

 

[Harvester]

WOW, thank you for all the replies, messages, and ideas. I realize that I am new to this party; I certainly appreciate the willingness to share information! This gives me a perfect starting point! I will take pictures, get better informed and report back.

 

[gonzopancho]

I *may* have a complete tailgate, but I need to make sure that the two others I have are fully functional first.

 

[MacDaddyRabbit]

WOW, thank you for all the replies, messages, and ideas. I realize that I am new to this party; I certainly appreciate the willingness to share information! This gives me a perfect starting point! I will take pictures, get better informed and report back.

If your tailgate is gutted, I'd buy a complete year compatible one..... easier, faster, and if you buy from one of these guys you count on it being decent..

 

[gonzopancho]

@Harvester has a 79, mine is a 78, but I want to make sure my 74 and 78 are complete first. (The other two are also 78s, but they’re barn doored, so they’re different where this thread is concerned.

I know the feeling of being told “the rear window works!” and then you dig in and find a bunch of missing pieces, then someone in the sty laughs and says, “looks like you have a parts gate”.

So, I’ll probably be able to help here, just have to ensure I’m not gonna need some of it.

 

[Harvester]

@Harvester has a 79, mine is a 78, but I want to make sure my 74 and 78 are complete first. (The other two are also 78s, but they’re barn doored, so they’re different where this thread is concerned.

I know the feeling of being told “the rear window works!” and then you dig in and find a bunch of missing pieces, then someone in the sty laughs and says, “looks like you have a parts gate”.

So, I’ll probably be able to help here, just have to ensure I’m not gonna need some of it.

Totally understood and the owner was clear the gate did not work, I never thought to think it would be challenging as recreating the enigma machine!!!

 

[DTC72]

The tailgate is a PiTA!! So many issues to resolve:
1) getting both dash and tailgate key options to operate the glass
2) internal mechanism actuator arms, motor…including plastic gear
3) adjusting the rods that operate the star catches
4) adjusting the metal catches on both sides of the D pillar frame so that the tailgate closes evenly rather than sticking out on one side…good luck with that one!
5) messing with the safety switch and push plate position
6) then adding all the rubber/felt/etc and starting over with #2-5 above
It almost drove me to madness for sure.

 

[gonzopancho]

You left off the torsion rod.

 

[DTC72]

You left off the torsion rod.

That’s a big one that I avoided. I am pretty sure my torsion rod is rusted into multiple pieces. I have to admit I cut a major corner here. All the screws were rusted tight. PB Blaster didn’t help. Heat helped to let me break the head off of one of the screws holding on the cap piece. I sprayed rust converter in the hole, said a prayer, threw salt over my shoulder, and then stuck my head in the sand in hopes that I don’t regret avoiding it someday.

 

[Pigeaten]

used a lot of salt over my shoulder after grinding mouse pee rust, then pouring Fluid film into the unknown

 

[riderjgs]

The tailgate is a PiTA!! So many issues to resolve:
1) getting both dash and tailgate key options to operate the glass
2) internal mechanism actuator arms, motor…including plastic gear
3) adjusting the rods that operate the star catches
4) adjusting the metal catches on both sides of the D pillar frame so that the tailgate closes evenly rather than sticking out on one side…good luck with that one!
5) messing with the safety switch and push plate position
6) then adding all the rubber/felt/etc and starting over with #2-5 above
It almost drove me to madness for sure.

Anyone starting into their tailgate needs to stop and read through Gary’s entire thread near the top of the Iron Pig page. His outline plus additions by others address every conceivable issue other than parts.

 

[NikP]

I have a spare internal mechanism with the actuator arms and the motor. I doubt I'll ever have a use for it if you're interested. I'll have to check to see if the motor works. I think the plastic gear was cracked so you'll have to find a new one. I'm guessing, your window likely has the metal track on the bottom? If so, there isn't much more to getting the window in working order. The door linkage is straight forward if it's there.

 

[Harvester]

I have a spare internal mechanism with the actuator arms and the motor. I doubt I'll ever have a use for it if you're interested. I'll have to check to see if the motor works. I think the plastic gear was cracked so you'll have to find a new one. I'm guessing, your window likely has the metal track on the bottom? If so, there isn't much more to getting the window in working order. The door linkage is straight forward if it's there.

WOW, this seems amazing...I was driving along yesterday and it started getting really really cold. I looked back and the window had fallen down.

 

[DTC72]

I guess the wood dowels holding the window up on your rear door fell out of place? Or are you talking about the rear tailgate window?